5 Books that Impacted Me the Most in 2019
Steve Bullington
Helping develop the next generation of sales and presales professionals.
I am certainly not qualified as a book critic but I do try and read everyday so I thought I would share the 5 books that I found most impactful for me over the last year.
Most Professionally Relevant:
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
They say you shouldn’t just read things that reinforce a point of view you already hold but that is exactly what this book did for me. I have long been a believer in having a wide variety of interests and exploring the world to make connections between disconnected concepts.
I would recommend this book to your high schoolers who are trying to figure out what they would like to study in college, to parents who are just starting the journey of youth sports or to anyone who is interested in preparing for the next phase of their career.
Most Fascinating Book:
Creative Quest by Ahmir Questlove Thompson
You wouldn't think that a 56 year old white guy from the suburbs would be the target for this book but I loved it. Questlove share stories of creativity that involve food, art, design thinking, music and people. Much like Range, Questlove shows you how to take a wide variety of interesting and synthesize them into something entirely new.
This book is great for someone who is looking to jumpstart their creative side.
Best Grandpa Book:
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of Their Lost World by Steve Brusatte
I have a 7 year old granddaughter who has already determined that she is going to be a Paleontologist when she grows up. She is utterly fascinated by dinosaurs, reads about them, watches shows about them, does puzzles with dinosaurs on them, you name it.
Given that I am committed to being a really good Grandpa, I picked up this book and I am thrilled that I did. This is an incredibly well written book and it really helped me understand the different era’s that each of the dinosaur species lived in and the evolution from one era to the next.
If you have a little dino hunter at home you need to read this book. If you just want to read an incredibly well written non-fiction book you also need to read this book.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062490435/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Best Local Book:
The World's Fastest Man: The Extraordinary Life of Cyclist Major Taylor, America's First Black Sports Hero by Michael Kranish
Did you know the first African American World Champion was a bicycle racer? Did you know he was from Indianapolis? Most people don’t. This book provides not only insight into the age when cycling was the most popular sport on earth but unfortunately it provides insight into the world of racism in Indianapolis and across the “North”.
Great cycling tales for the bicyclist in your life and an eye opening view of racism across America in the early 20th century.
Book that drives me to be a better person
Do Better Work: Finding clarity, camaraderie, and progress in work and life by Max Yoder
True confession, I have met Max several times and know several people that work for him but that has nothing to do with my love for this book. This is one of those books that is easy to read and requires a lifetime of commttment to successfully implement. It truly helps you understand bringing your soul to leadership and the impact that living a whole life can bring you.
Buy this if you want to be a manager, have a manager, have a spouse, have kids, have friends or have a job. It will make you better at all of those relationships.
There are great books published every month. Set aside time every day to explore other voices, concepts or worlds. As Charlie “Tremendous” Jones once said:
John Knows Newberg
5yGreat set of 5 reviews. The worlds fastest man is one I really need to put on my list
Committed to the success of others through servant leadership, support with accountability, and aggressive helpfulness.
5yI want to cry reading your insightful and beautiful reviews of these very different books. You may not be a book reviewer, but maybe you should be. Thanks for the recommendations, I will take them. Thanks for a great start to 2020.