Summer Reading 2022
As my summer of 2022 comes to end, I am sad because I will not have as much time to sit and read while Kya sits and chews on sticks (pictured left).
In attempt to keep these moments alive until next summer, here are all the books I read this summer that did not make it to the BOM (#bookofthemonth that I post on IG every first of the month on @thebettercoach).
The Chancellor
by Kati Marton
“Strength is in the calm”
I heard a story that a powerful, intimidating leader unleashed his dog around Angela Merkel, who has a known fear of dogs. Merkel remained calm, despite this blatant attempt to shake her composure. After I heard that story, I had to read this book. I am happy I did because I also learned about leadership, communication, privacy, politics, other countries, and more.
Highly recommend******
The Choice
by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
“No one can take what you put in your mind.”
In other words, what you put in your mind is a choice. Dr. Eger’s mom told her this while she was imprisoned in Auschwitz. This is a very heartbreaking, yet hopeful book of Dr. Eger’s story, as well as stories of patients she has worked with as their psychologist.
Caution: not really a light-hearted, easy summer read.
Highly recommend******
The Obstacle is the Way
by Ryan Holiday
Ego is the Enemy
also by Ryan Holiday
I put these two together because the other book in this “trilogy,” Stillness is the Key is the only book who has been the BOM twice. After reading these two, I put all three on my desk so I can read each title as I sit down and get to work everyday. These books help me remember what is important to me, and the type of person I am striving to become.
Fun fact - I actually heard of the Angela Merkel book and story referenced above on Ryan Holiday’s podcast, The Daily Stoic.
Trailed
by Kathryn Miles
This book reminded me why I love spending time in trails, even if they are small ones in Central New Jersey. But, it is important to be careful out there.
Empire of Pain
By Patrick Radden Keefe
This book made me angry, yet I did not want to finish it because it was so good.
I finished it in Italy, so my two friends who I went with had to hear firsthand the obsession this book sparked in me about the Sackler family.
It’s also a bit heartbreaking, but not much hope is offered at the end of this one.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
By Patrick Lencioni
I usually dislike coaching fables, but I didn’t mind this one.
While reading about the 5 dysfunctions of a team, I reflected on former team’s I’ve worked with in the past - particularly dysfunctional teams.
I wish I read this then because it would have helped me navigate those situations better, and even attempt to make a better impact on those teams.
The good news is that I can apply the things I learned in this book moving forward.
Also, this book helped me realize how unproductive most meetings are, and shows how to make them productive.
Atomic Habits
By James Clear
I heard James Clear on a podcast and his energy was contagious, even through my headphones.
So when I saw this one a reading list for work, I dove right in.
Since reading it, I have developed better systems.
For instance, I started to get back into my meditation habit. I developed a weekly work/reward system, and am developing a few others to help with my productivity.
I often say, “don’t wait to break before you start to build.”
This book gives practical advice on how to do that and the methods are backed with actual examples of how experts, coaches, and leaders utilize them.
Out of the Silent Planet
C.S. Lewis
I found this gem on a “free books” rack in the library one day. I knew of C.S. Lewis as Chronicles of Narnia guy (also a good read), but did not know what I was getting into with this book beyond that.
I just cracked it open recently, and look forward to whenever I can read it.
Turns out, this books is also part a trilogy, so I am now excited to read all 3.
Last year, I wrote a similar blog to try and make money with an amazon associates account. It didn’t work, and they have since closed my account (I’m not mad, I had like 20 followers last year and I appreciate all of y’all).
This year, I am writing this blog for fun, and to point out two things. The first is the variety of books I read. I believe it is important to read different types of books - fiction, nonfiction, biography, history, horror, even comics.
In the leadership space, I’ve heard to read only personal development or other leadership books. I disagree. I do think those books are important, and found a handful of them helpful myself. But, I also find too many of them get boring after a while and repeat the same things.
More importantly, reading from a variety of genres keeps our minds creative. By giving your brain a break on one topic, and picking up another topic, it actually helps organize your thoughts. It could also help new ideas pop into your mind.
For instance, a restaurant owner was trying to think of ways to serve food faster. He went to other industries and observed what they do. One day he visited a car manufacturer, saw assembly lines, and that is how McDonalds took the leading edge in fast food.
I’ve also gotten creative coaching ideas when reading Stephen King, for instance.
The second thing I want to point out about reading is that you might read these books and have a completely different experience than me. Also, if I reread one of these books in a year, or 5 years, I might have a different reaction because although the books are the same, I will have changed. So, rather than try to race through as many books as you can, it is important to go back to ones that really resonated with you. You might get different things from it at different times in your life.
I challenge you to pick the next book you read from a completely different genre than your go-to genre, or usual preference. And rather than race to get through it, savor it. Read it slow. Appreciate the words the author worked hard to arrange. And maybe you can even apply the lessons to your daily life.
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