12 October Book Reviews

This girl reads a ton of books!

Book Pick of the Week: Now is Better

Stefan Sagmeister’s newest project encourages long-term thinking and reminds us that many things in the world are improving

Initially conceived in 2020 as the world entered pandemic lockdown, Stefan Sagmeister has created a book that looks at the state of the world today, illuminating, through collected data, how far we’ve come, and encouraging us to think about where we can go from here. Statistics are vividly brought to life, as numbers are transformed into graphs, inlaid into nineteenth-century paintings, embroidered canvases, lenticular prints, and hand-painted water glasses. The book includes a foreword from psychologist and leading authority on language and the mind, Steven Pinker; a featured essay by graphic designer and historian Steven Heller; and a conversation between Sagmeister and Hans Ulrich Obrist, curator and artistic director of Serpentine Galleries in London and will appeal to all visually minded readers, providing a positive reaction to the tumultuous news cycle of recent years. Published in softcover with flaps Now is Better is contained within a die-cut slipcase and accompanied by a lenticular print designed by Sagmeister. Now is Better is an intriguing and thoughtful visual meditation on our daily lives.

https://www.amazon.com/Now-Better-Stefan-Sagmeister/dp/1838666966

Kindle Pick of the Week: Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success

Thanksgiving Week!

And a lot to be thankful for.

Written as an engaging parable, Swim! How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success brings to life real-world challenges (and their solutions) and presents them in simple, yet powerful terms. The book explores the vital importance of networking, explores the steps that lead to successful networking, and explains why we need it.

Swim! dives deep into the concepts of mentorship and the power of human connection. While too many business leaders spend their time obsessing about facts, figures, and the bottom line, it is more important for them to learn to manage relationships. Once attention shifts to relationships, businesses and careers can reach the next level of success. Written by a leading motivational speaker, this book offers ideas that can be applied to both personal and business life.

Understand the importance of establishing habits and rituals
Tap into the power of a positive mindset
Discover the value of teamwork
Learn to use intentional language about workplace culture

Swim! is an entertaining book that highlights the significant concept of connecting and building relationships and includes the tools needed to become more self-aware about our roles and contributions in our industries.

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Swim-Suckerfish-Parasite-Leadership-Mentoring-ebook/dp/B07VKQN37P/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Book Pick of the Week: Don't Worry, Be Ha-PEA: 101 Deliciously Clever Food Puns

A fun book for foodies or anyone.

Ever heard of Céline dijon? How about Robert brownie Jr.? OMghee, you’re going to love Don't Worry, Be Ha-PEA!

Test your knowledge of pop culture, tourist attractions, social media slang, and more with this delicious collection of visual food puns. Fresh food and beautiful photography make the perfect pear in this clever gift book. Some puns are trickier than others, but donut give up! Just keep calm and curry on. Creator Marie Saba and her playful creations have been featured in Bon Appetit and Food & Wine magazine, as well as on The Rachael Ray Show and The Martha Stewart Show.

Order your copy:

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Worry-Be-Ha-PEA-Deliciously-ebook/dp/B08GFNTRW4/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Book Pick of the Week: High Impact Mentoring

When setting up a mentoring program within your organization, some prospective mentees are obvious choices. But high performers and superstars are not the only people in your company directory who have the potential to achieve great things. That’s why former Waffle House President and COO Bert Thornton urges mentors to look beyond the “obvious choices” and develop hidden gems, too.

“Just as ships don’t ‘drift’ into port, employees won’t ‘drift’ into greatness,” says Thornton, coauthor along with Dr. Sherry Hartnett of the new book High-Impact Mentoring: A Practical Guide to Creating Value in Other People’s Lives (BookLogix, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-6653-0344-6, $19.95, https://highimpactmentoringbook.com/). “Mentoring is often the key to unlocking the potential in overlooked, seemingly average employees.”

So who, exactly, are these “non-obvious choices”? You probably have someone on your payroll who lacks experience on paper, but whose leadership skills and ability to drive change could make a tremendous impact. Perhaps there’s an employee whose talents might be a better fit for a different role. Maybe a new supervisor is technically proficient, but their communication skills and demeanor could use some polish. Almost certainly, you have middle-of-the-pack employees who could quickly advance if given personalized training and advice.  

“When you invest mentoring resources into non-obvious candidates, you pack your bench with engaged, loyal employees who are operating at the top of their game,” says Dr. Hartnett, who is the founding director of the University of West Florida’s Executive Mentor Program. “You also broaden your talent pipeline and streamline the advancement process. That’s an ROI leaders can’t afford to ignore right now.”

Here, Thornton and Dr. Hartnett share nine powerful benefits you may receive when you build a mentoring program that develops a wide range of employees (not just the superstars.)