Tribes by Seth Godin

A slight departure from the usual marketing inspiration Godin usually produces, this is a tiny, inspiring book about leadership. It’s a call to leadership really. Written like a series of inter connected blog post, it is a book to dip back into time and time again for inspiration and courage as you begin to lead.

I find him to be inspiring, thought provoking and challenging.

The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne

Another delightful Hester Browne novel, reminded me a bit of the first Little Lady Agency, but had a more 21st century feel.
Besty was left on the Phillimore Academy doorsteps, 27 years ago, and the charming Lady Frances and her husband took her in and raised her. Upon Frances death, Lord Phillimore asks Betsy (a shoe store clerk who through misunderstandings they think is a posh mangement consultant) to see if she take the school, now in disrepair with dwindling enrollment, and polish it up with lessons for modern girls.
I loved Betsy and I adored the way everything wrapped up in the end… just a delightful tale about coming of age, and making peace with your past. And being a capable successful woman.

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

subtitled: the fine art of limiting yourself to the essential in business and in life.

I love this little book. It’s simple, much like Leo’s posts at zenhabits.net, but it’s thought provoking. Totally came at the right time for me.

I also like the set up of the book, first the author describes the principles in detail and then the second part provides tips for implementing them in your life.

The Myth of Multitasking by Dave Crenshaw

subtitled: how doing it all gets nothing done

This is written in the business fable style popularized by Who Moved My Cheese.

In 100 pages and one quick exercise Crenshaw manages to convey why multitasking (which is actually switchtasking) is not as effective as people believe. My only complaint is the author didn’t really explain how background tasking (watching TV while folding laundry) can be effective. However, I think the point is that really 90% of what people consider multitasking is actually something called switchtasking, which is where you’re switching rapidly between two tasks, which is neither efficient or effective. The key is to schedule the interruptions you can control (such as regular meetings with key staff, only answering/responding to email or the phone at certain times) and to minimize your passive interruptions (the times you need to get up, think to look something up) and just focus on the task at hand.

This is a small book with a big impact. And I highly recommend it to everyone who juggles multiple things.

Classic Crave: House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Gripping. Easy to read and fun to read. Loved it. A definite recommend.

This is the empire of Matteo Alacran, a feudal drug lord in the country of Opium, which lies between the United States and Aztlan, formerly Mexico. Field work, or any menial tasks, are done by “eejits,” humans in whose brains computer chips have been installed to insure docility. Alacran, or El Patron, has lived 140 years with the help of transplants from a series of clones, a common practice among rich men in this world. The intelligence of clones is usually destroyed at birth, but Matt, the latest of Alacran’s doubles, has been spared because he belongs to El Patron. He grows up in the family’s mansion, alternately caged and despised as an animal and pampered and educated as El Patron’s favorite. Gradually he realizes the fate that is in store for him, and with the help of Tam Lin, his bluff and kind Scottish bodyguard, he escapes to Aztlan. There he and other “lost children” are trapped in a more subtle kind of slavery before Matt can return to Opium to take his rightful place and transform his country.

Classic Crave: In the Company of Liars by David Ellis

A woman accused of murder is caught in a tortuous psychological maze that leaves her only one escape–suicide. Or does it? Told in reverse chronological order, from its enigmatic end to its brilliant beginning.

An excellent book. A little hard to get into at first, but the tight plotting, especially as what you thought you knew begins to unravel, it’s gripping. Almost had to re-read back to front.

When Crickets Cry by Charlie Martin

I really enjoyed this story of a man with a past and a girl needing saving.
It was compelling, as you wanted to learn the backstory of Reese, and find out what would happen to the little girl.

So so good, and a great message.

Here’s the official plot summary from goodreads:  It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he’s restoring at a nearby lake. But the little girl’s pretty yellow dress can’t quite hide the ugly scar on her chest. The stranger understands more about it than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives. Before it’s over, they’ll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry…and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

Serendipity by Louise Shaffer

I really enjoyed reading this book – the well drawn characters and the historical aspect captivated me. Also, I was intrigued by the mystery of what happened between Carrie’s mother and grandmother to keep them from talking for 30+ years. It reminded me a little of Adriana Trigiani’s work.

Carrie is the daughter and granddaughter of theater royalty. Her grandmother is Lu Lawson, a famous stage actress, and her father was Bobby Manning, the great composer and writer. Carrie though has lived with her mother, who runs a shelter, and never met Lu. So when her mother dies, leaving Carrie alone and drifting, she decides to finally find her family which actually takes her all the way back to her grandmother, an Italian immigrant.

Simple Food for Busy Families by Jeannette Bessinger

Subtitled: the whole life nutrition approach

This book is not just a cookbook, it provides great information about nutrition and how to well. The two chapters at the end provide more of formulas than actual recipes, which I found less intimidating since I’m not super cook. Also, by provide a general formula with mix and match options if you don’t have a specific ingredient you can sub.

All in all a great read for those looking to change their eating habits.

The Stepmother by Carrie Adams

When I picked up this book I originally thought it’d be a cute light chick-lit novel to get me through the week. Instead I got more – what I consider smart girl chick-lit. The character actions rang true for me and it’s a fairly good portrayal of the work of relationships and complications of a “blended” family.

Tessa is in love with James, but with him comes three daughters and an ex-wife, Bea. The story is told from alternating viewpoints of the women and its nice to get both sides to the story and you end up rooting for both Tessa and Bea.