Vinny’s Top 10 Books of 2018 — #4

This is my first published ranking series of books. To provide some context, I’ve read about 50 books in 2018, most of which were memoir-based or self-development in nature. I record the start and finish date of each book, as well as take copious notes with page markers for referencing. Every month, I post about 3–5 books that I am reading. Feel free to follow along and share your feedback. It’s always welcome.

A Curious Mind by Brian Grazer

Categories: Curiosity, Risk, Goals, Courage, Film, Hollywood

Published: 2015

This one is special to me for a number of reasons:⁣

⁣1) It reenforced my own idea that seeking out world-class achievers is a common practice among the elite for leveling up. ⁣

⁣2) It helped me realize that I’m not crazy (debatable), I’m ‘intellectually curious.’⁣

⁣3) It sparked the idea of creating my own ‘Curiosity List,” which can be found on my website.⁣

⁣Here’s why I love curiosity (excerpts from the book):⁣

⁣“Beyond improving your own life, happiness, ability to win a great job, or a great spouse, curiosity is the key to the things we value most int he modern world: independence, self-determination, self-improvement, self-government. It is the path to freedom itself.” (p. 15)⁣

“Curiosity can help spark a great idea, and help you refine it. Determination can help you push the idea forward in the face of skepticism from others.” (p. 109)

⁣“Curiosity can give you confidence. And the confidence can give you determination. And the confidence and determination can give you ambition. That’s how you get beyond the “no,” whether it’s coming from other people, or from inside your own mind.” (p. 118)⁣

“Asking questions may seem to expose your ignorance, but what it really does is just the opposite. People who ask questions, in fact, are rarely thought of as stupid.” (p. 123)

“If you’re going to thrive anywhere in business — you have to learn to “make the case” for whatever you want to do. It means answering the big questions: Why this project? Why now? Why with this group of talent? With this investment of money? Who is the audience (customer)? AND THE BIGGEST QUESTION OF ALL, THE ONE PULLING BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE CONVERSATION: WHAT’S THE STORY?” (p. 139)

⁣There’s so much more to unpack with this book, but if you’ve ever wondered what’s behind the curtain of curiosity and why it is so vital to improving your life, give this one a shot. ⁣

⁣P.S. The author knows a thing or two about storytelling. Among MANY other films, he’s the man behind the movie you watched last week, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”