The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni
Book Type: Hard copy
Good read that I got through rather quickly. Not a boring business book. Lencioni walks us through a fictional example of a company’s team and how the team dynamic hurts and/or helps, and how it’s improved. We all know people like the fictional characters in this book and it’s eye-opening to see it all broken down, laid out, and analyzed. Definitely beneficial for someone on any sort of team.
Verdict: Easy, educational read if you want to be a better leader and/or team member.
Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer
Book Type: Hard copy
This book was recommended to me as I embarked on this adventure. It’s a true story about a young man who ventured out into the world with a new identity, a different leash on life and a desire to be challenged in the wilderness. Based on facts and speculation, the book retraces the man’s journey until his tragic death.
Verdict: Good, if: 1) You enjoy classics, 2) You don’t mind tragic tales, and 3) You are fascinated with mental health and analyzing why people do the things they do.
Mindset, The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
Book type: Hard copy
Such a great book. No matter what your life entails, this book will help you see things in a different way. It focuses on the “growth mindset” vs. “fixed mindset” and how we juggle both through all aspects of life. As you may be able to guess, the growth mindset is favored to reach our full potential in our careers, as parents, in relationships and through our education. The author uses real-life examples to ensure clarity of all her points, making it easier to read.
Verdict: Read. Read. Read. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Untamed, by Glennon Doyle
Book type: Hard copy
Of course, I had to read this one, as it seems to be getting a lot of press and notability. It was an easy read and I breezed through it. I like Glennon Doyle’s writing style and she breaks up the book into small sections/chapters so it keeps your attention. At times, it gets a little self-indulgent (maybe), but she brings up a lot of good points; points of which people should be aware. Also, the author gained an Instagram follower in me.
Verdict: Worth the read. And when you do, you can then take part in conversations when everyone else is talking about it!
Deep Survival, by Laurence Gonzales
Book type: Hard copy
Someone gave me this book and I can’t for the life of me remember who did. It was someone on my journey, though. It sounds morbid, and it kind-of is, but it is fascinating. I couldn’t put it down. The author blends the psychology of life and death situations with real-life examples and breaks them down. We humans are amazing in so many ways.
Verdict: If you enjoy stories of survival and how people react to life or death situations, read.
The Last Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine
Book type: Hard copy
After reading On The Road, I needed a lighter, less “classic”-type book. This did just the trick. I finished this book in just a few days, barely being able to put it down. A mystery drama with a Single White Female vibe, it provides the right mix of suspense, gasping (my jaw dropped many times) and twists. I found out recently that Amazon will be making a mini-series based on it, too.
Verdict: Read if you’re in need of a guilty pleasure.
On the Road, by Jack Kerouac
Book Type: Hard copy
This book came recommended to me when I started telling people that I was going to embark on an adventure on the road. It took me a while to get through this book. There is a learning curve to Jack Kerouac’s writing, but once I got into the groove, I enjoyed it much more. It’s all over the place, and at times I had to reread portions to process what was happening, but such is the Beat Generation of the 1950’s which this book encapsulates.
Verdict: A classic that everyone should read. The more you give in to the chaos, uncertainty and blotchy writing, the more you enjoy it.
Craig & Fred, by Craig Grossi
Book type: Hard copy
My friend in Austin recommended this book to me as a fellow dog lover. I read this book in 24 hours. Easy to read, inspiring and heart-warming, Craig & Fred (the book, yes, but also Craig as a person and Fred as a dog) captured my heart. I have a soft spot for dogs and veterans and this book combines them in one place with a true story of friendship, bravery and doing whatever it takes.
Verdict: Read, especially if you enjoy human interest stories and your heart strings getting tugged.
A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway
Book Type: Audiobook
I finished this book and was underwhelmed. I think this just may be the way Ernest Hemingway writes. I was anticipating a more robust ending with all the build up to the conclusion. This book is a mix between a war story and a love story - I couldn’t tell which one was more prominent until the end. The lead female character bothered me a bit, but I enjoyed learning a bit more about WWI.
Verdict: Eh. Read because it’s a classic. It’s not boring, but the ending left me unsatisfied.
Educated, by Tara Westover
Book Type: Hard copy
One of my closest friends sent me this book while on the road. All I knew was that it was “so good.” I started it and I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in maybe six days. She and I then made a FaceTime date to discuss. It’s the story of a girl who grew up in a very conservative, religious family (and world) and how she grew up and slowly became aware of other ways of life. Some events in this book made my jaw drop.
Verdict: Read. Now. If you want a good, eye-opening, inspiring story.
The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway
Book Type: Audiobook
After visiting Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West, I decided to delve into his literary work. I knew nothing about this book, except that it’s a classic and my brother had read it for school when we were young. I feel like it was a good intro to EH’s style of writing. I think I did get a little “hooked” into it at times, but it’s not like the plot was a twisting-and-turning crime novel like I’m used to when reading for entertainment.
Verdict: Read, because it’s a classic and everyone should be familiar with it. Also, it’s quick.
Wild, by Cheryl Strayed
Book Type: Hard copy
I was very excited to read this book. It had come highly recommended to me by many, many people - especially: A) after my mom died, and B) when I told people I was embarking on a “life” adventure. It was okay. Entertaining, interesting, somewhat inspiring, but not something I couldn’t put down. It took me a while to get through it to be honest. Whether or not one is interested in hiking and the outdoor lifestyle, it’s compelling.
Verdict: Read, but don’t rush to read.