Best for: Anyone looking for an entertaining read that also might help you embrace your unconventional life choices. In a nutshell: Author Sarah Knight (who has written two other sort-of-self-help books) offers some updates to the social contract to help people get more out of life with a little less worry. Worth quoting: “The friends who don’t judge you for choosing what’s best for you are the ones you’ll want to keep closer than anyone.” “You’re not ‘unsuccessful’ if you never dialed up a particular […]
Meditation with a Back Story
Best for: People who find meditation interesting but maybe aren’t ready to jump into reading the Dalai Lama’s works just yet. In a nutshell: TV journalist has panic attack on air; tries to do something about it. Worth quoting: “Make the present moment your friend rather than your enemy.” “Acceptance is not passivity. Sometimes we are justifiably displeased. What mindfulness does is create some space in your head so you can, as the Buddhists say, ‘respond’ rather than simply ‘react.’ “Perhaps ask yourself the following […]
There Is No Hacking Here
Best for: No one In a nutshell: Adviser to tech folks (I think) attempts to turn what must have started as a TED talk into a book. Line that sticks with me: N/A Why I chose it: I saw some tips from it in a magazine I was reading and it sounded cool. Lesson learned. Review: This is a pretty short book, so I read it in a couple of evenings. Last night I was about 75% through and I said to my husband “What’s […]
Business Advice for the Previous Century (Unintentionally, I Think)
Best for: People looking for a time capsule that explains lots of what’s wrong with business. In a nutshell: Protocol expert offers some … traditional ideas about what is proper etiquette in the business world. Line that sticks with me: “There is merit to the thought the more professional the woman, the longer her hemline.” The fuck?! Why I chose it: Someone gave it to my husband (I think) and as someone who runs her own small etiquette blog (How Not to Be an Asshole […]
Not A Thing To Be Fixed
Best for: Those who are grieving, or those who want to be better prepared to support those who are grieving. In a nutshell: People who are grieving deserve better than what society offers them. This book attempts to provide some direction towards that. Line that sticks with me: “We have to be able to see what’s true without fear of being seen as weak, damaged, or somehow failing the cultural storyline.” (p 54). Why I chose it: Ms. Devine spoke at an event I attended […]
I Can Smell the Privilege from Here
Best for: People who care too much about what other people think (but also aren’t in any real danger if they think ill of them) In a nutshell: In this parody of the Marie Kondo book, Ms. Knight provides a method for prioritizing your life (and the fucks you give). Line that sticks with me: “Personal policies are definitely the way to go in this scenario. They are mysterious and they tend to make people a little bit uncomfortable and really shut down the conversation.” […]