Few ideas for autumn reads
A cup of tea and one of these books — 👌 evening guaranteed.
Longer evenings and colder weather call for a night in with a good book.
Here are some of the books I have been happily sharing my evenings with.
Yuval Noah Harari “Sapiens. A brief history of humankind”
For whom: even if you slept through your history classes, this book is anything like your textbook, but you will enjoy it more if you have a general interest in social-economical processes.
Can a 400-page history book an exciting, fast-paced read? This book proves it can, so no wonder it became an international bestseller. But why would you read it if you are not a history geek? Unlike boring history textbooks that obsess about dynasties, dates, and battles this is a book focused on social history. The whole history of humankind starting from the development of homo sapiens sapiens to modern politics is shown as a result of few revolutions, which changed the way we all live. Harari’s storytelling talent allows him to paint a vivid, lively picture with stories, which perfectly illustrate and explain even complex social and economic processes. The most interesting part of the book for me had to be one about cognitive revolution and how the foundation of homo sapiens success is based on our ability to create and maintain shared mental models. We are after all the only species that defined their whole existence around shared belief in abstract things that don’t really exist like spirits, nations or money.
Charles Duhigg “Smarter, Faster, Better. The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business”
For whom: you want to learn more about productivity, but you are short on time. This is a great short-cut to all sorts of productivity research.
Charles Duhigg previous book “The Power of Habit” was one of my favorites reads in recent years. Author is a New York Times journalist and there is something about his writing that reminds of the long reads that I always enjoyed from their weekend edition. You can expect the same quality research as in a good NYT piece, but what makes it special is how Duhigg illustrates his findings. He has a talent and patience for finding the most interesting real-life stories to get his point across. So if you you have time to read just one book about productivity — choose this one. You will be feel both entertained and educated.
Twyla Tharp “Creative Habit. Learn it and use it for life”
For whom: for all willing to put their creativity to use, so I guess nowadays it’s for pretty much everybody, not only the classic “creative” professions
The creative process is a process, and that’s good news. It means you can get better at it. And Twyla Tharp’s book can help immensely in your training. It can become a personal creativity textbook thanks to numerous “homework” exercises. But it does not read like a self-help book for creatively challenged. Twyla Tharp is a successful choreographer turned writer. She willingly shares with her readers both: passion for her art and internal struggles of her own. Sincere, vulnerable, but at the same time energizing read. You will be excited to try to implement her solutions in your own life.
