It’s been a couple months since I’ve talked about what I’m reading so I thought it was probably about time to chat! Someone commented on my last book post about GoodReads. And oh my gracious THANK YOU! I am seriously addicted. If you aren’t on there, and you like to read, go get an account immediately. It is SO fun to see what my friends are reading, rate books, read, and leave reviews. But I think my absolute favorite function of GoodReads is that it gives you recommendations. And unlike the Netflix top recommendations which I rarely enjoy, all of these books look SO GOOD. It just makes me wish I had more free time to read! Be sure to friend me if you join, I’d love to see what you’re reading too.
Another tool that has definitely made read more recently is the Kindle app on my iPhone. It’s a free app and I can literally buy a kindle book on the Amazon website in Safari on my phone, and then open the app and start reading the fully downloaded book in less than 30 seconds. Talk about removing friction to get things done…. incredible. I also use Amazon Prime to buy hard copy books we want to keep on the shelves at home. Prime makes buying online and getting things quickly (free two day shipping) really simple for us.
So let’s dig in! The top half of the image below are pictures that I am reading and have read since we last spoke :-)
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi is a fascinating book that I thought was just going to be about networking. It is so much more than that though, I’m about two-thirds of the way through and have definitely learned a lot. It reminds me A LOT of How to Win Frinds and Influence People by Dale Carnegie which I also love, but it’s a lot more systematic. Keith is a successful guy talking about how impactful building relationships can be. I just read this quote this morning and had to share it. “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” – William James from Chapter 18. This book is easy to read and I’m getting quality tidbits in every chapter. Keith is also a huge proponent of hosting dinner parties…so you know I’m in ;-)
In honor of the movie coming out TODAY I’ve been re-reading the first Hunger Games book. I love love it. And I am SO excited to see this movie asap. If you haven’t read this yet, go buy it and get started immediately. I have yet to meet anyone who has read these books and didn’t love them.
Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes by Kenneth E Bailey is a a cultural study and commentary on 1 Corinthians. I just happened to be reading 1 Corinthians while my Dad was reading this book and he loved it so he sent me a copy. I tried to read it from the beginning, so as to correspond verse by verse. I wouldn’t recommend this (there is a lot of technical stuff and literary break down to get through). What I would suggest doing is digging into the good meaty controversial stuff in 1 Corinthians and reading this guy’s take. It’s positively brilliant. And absolutely overturns SO MUCH chauvinistic junk I’d believed about Paul my whole life. I don’t want to take over the blog post with this, especially because I’m not sure if it’s interesting to a lot of you…but I just have to share a little bit of this. He talks about how people historically have used the idea that because men were created before women they are more important/significant. Kenneth asserts brilliantly that if we’re attaching significance to order of creation it actually begins with light, then water, land, plants, birds, animals, man, and finally woman. Woman is the climax of creation. And that “women, for Paul, are not created “for me,” that is, for their bed and board. Rather women, as descendants of Eve, are placed by God in the human scene as the strong who come to help/save the need (the men).” And he goes further to affirm the equality of and mutual interdependency of men and women. Bam! There is obviously A LOT of context surrounding all of this, and Keith says repeatedly that “no interpretation can satisfy every reader.” But I seriously appreciate this….and if any of you want to further engage in these conversations (like I do) please please please email me! We can talk about it online or get coffee or a glass of wine and chat :-D
The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson is a book about praying circles around your biggest dreams and greatest fears. I’m only about 1/3 of the way through this book but it is solid. I am compelled to pray more (which is the idea, right?) and to get organized about it. Not to flippantly think/say things in the direction of what I want but get specific about hopes/dreams/fears and really ask for guidance and clarity. I’m not saying this book is life changing just yet, but it’s the direction that I need to be pointed in, so that is awesome.
Divergent by Veronica Roth is a book I found when I was looking for options “similar to” the Hunger Games when I had finished the series and NEEDED more! I read this book in a heartbeat, and then found out the rest of the series ISN’T WRITTEN YET?! WHAT?! *&%%^$#*^ Curses. So, I recommend the book, but I’d actually wait if you can until you can get more of the story!
The bottom half of the image depicts books I am looking forward to reading soon!
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh is a book Wil recommended to me, and I just got in from Amazon, I’ll be reading this as soon as I finish Never Eat Alone.
Purple Cow by Seth Godin is a book I’ve had reccommended to my COUNTLESS times by different people. I am excited to read this soon too :-)
Freedom is Blogging in Your Underwear is a new book by Hugh MacLeod. I found it on a recommended new books list, but I won’t lie, the title sucked me in. I’ve pre-ordered and can’t wait for it to come out!
The E Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber is all about why most small business fail. Since being a wedding photographer is 85% running a small business and 15% taking pictures, I seriously need to spend more time focusing on the business!
The Information Diet is a book Wil actually ordered, but I’ve read more about recently that I want to read. Tthe subtitle “A Case for Conscious Consumption” seems like something I should probably implement in my own life :-)
What about you though!? Have you read any of these books? Are you SO excited for the Hunger Games movie today? What are you reading next? Don’t forget to add me on GoodReads!
Have a great weekend!!
Last week my friend Courtney asked me if I was playing Draw Something. I asked, what? It’s like pictionary she told me, except more fun. And on your phone (iPhone OR Android ;-) ). And oh my gosh was she right! I am no Picasso, but I was instantly hooked. I’m playing with brides, highschool friends, photographers, college friends, it is SO FUN! Until I can’t figure out the word and don’t have any bombs left… :-) These are a few pictures from yesterday.
My talented friends Katie and Megan, and my sad little hanger…haha So if you aren’t playing yet, I promise you’re going to love it! Start a game with me either through facebook or my username is @emjscho :-)
