I read a lot. Way too much. And at most times I’m reading 3 to 6 books and articles. Some books take me a month or two to finish, some never get finished and some I blast through in record time. Just depends. Currently I’m reading non-fiction related to my career as a Life-Coach, High Education Professional, and Dad. Let me know which books you find most useful and why. Comments always welcome.
My bookshelf
 
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The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Jack Canfield (of the Chicken Soup fame) discussion of success principles is comprehensive, practical and aligned with my personal practices and life coaching style. If you have big dreams and want to achieve them, then get this book. While the size of the book may seem daunting, you can start to apply these principles immediately in your life to achieve lasting positive change.
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The Myths of Innovation
Scott Berkun’s treatment of innovation is comprehensive and covers the whole life cycle of innovation. I was more interested in the act of creating ideas and less on the implementation of those ideas. But I have found this book to be a worthy read and one that challenges us to think about innovation in different ways. But Scott’s caviler treatment of historical artifacts is disturbing. You will just have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about.
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Networking Magic: Find the Best - from Doctors, Lawyers, and Accountants to Homes, Schools, and Jobs
Rick Frishman, Jill Lublin, and Mark Steisel lay out an incredible and distinctive view of professional networking. When I decided to leave corporate America for a job in Higher Education, I picked this book up an dug in. In a few short chapters I began to understand what I had been doing wrong for all my years of networking with others and even more important, I understood what I needed to do to raise my performance as a professional networker. If you are a beginner or consider yourself an expert person at networking with others, fear not, this book covers all aspects and take help you elevate your performance. I will be rereading this and continuing to apply these principles to my life forever. This is one wonderful book for anyone looking to get more out of their professional relationships… I wish I had read this book in the 1080’s when I owned my own business.
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A wonderful short and easy read. Author George Leonard combines Zen and Aikido philosophies to show us how to attain the highest levels of mastery. This is a book that I periodically revisit to remind myself of the vital journey on the road to mastery.
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October 30th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I loved the book What the Best College Teachers Do!
I’m reading, among others, Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery (blogged about the importance of the environment for creativity recently).
Other nonfiction books I LOVE are: American Mania (Peter Whybrow) and Social Intelligence (Daniel Goleman).
Fiction: I like to read about the experience of immigrants (I’m one - duh!) “Stranger in a Strange Land…” - I did read that one, but it doesn’t count… My favorite authors are Milan Kundera and Jhumpa Lahiri. Also enjoyed Stealing Buddha’s Dinner - but wait, that’s a memoir.
Tons of books waiting by my bed, I have more time to click “Buy” on amazon.com than I have to read…
November 16th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I adore Jhumpa Lahiri, but then I would considering I’m an Indian expat myself ;-). If you like her, check out Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (I may have the last two words mixed up ;-)) as well, another great author!. Teaches Creative Writing at Berkeley.