the best books and podcasts for September
hello, and thank you.
Hi , I'm delighted you've allowed a space in your inbox for 'the bookmark', a little bookish newsletter that will help you choose your next non-fiction read and shortcut your reading pile*.
This is edition #1 and every other Tuesday, the bookmark will arrive neatly packaged in your inbox complete with reviews, interviews, events, general reading and book noodlings which don't currently fit in other places.
PLUS, due to popular demand (thanks Liz and Sam), I will also be sharing podcast recommendations.
And yes, the bookmark header is made up of all of the random things I've found lurking in my books as makeshift bookmarks.
Here's what you'll find in this email:
- some book ideas to read in September
- a note on what I'm currently reading
- a new mini video series
- ear food (aka podcast recommendations)
- ICYMI: over on the bookshelf
Let's get into it.
Yours in books,
Steph
*whilst also making it bigger... sorry.
what to read in September
A mix of current books and new releases you might like this month.
Productivity - I'm excited to read John Cleese's book on creativity (out 8 Sept). This is definitely a book I'll be reading in the author's voice (in my head of course, not aloud).
Psychology & behaviour - I promise I'll stop raving about it if you read it: The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile. (Or listen to my summary)
Auto/biography - I recently read Maya Angelou's childhood memoir, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' and it was incredible. Highly recommend.
Leadership - a lot of my trusted book-recommending pals have recently been rating Susan David's book Emotional Agility. It was released in 2016 but (unsurprisingly) seems to be especially relevant at the moment.
PS. Adam Grant has just released his Autumn (or Spring, for us Southern Hemisphere dwellers) reading list. I always pick up heaps of new book ideas from his seasonal book lists, you can read the latest one here.
what I'm currently reading
Book 1
I'm tackling a big book this month, Robert Greene's The Laws of Human Nature as my book buddy Adam over at the What Will You Learn podcast is a big fan of Robert's work.
Verdict so far: I'm 28% of the way through and the jury is still out (sorry Adam... and Robert). I'm enjoying the case studies of various characters in history but I'm finding the structure a bit repetitive (not a good omen given I'm only on section 5/18).
It also feels like all the sections are blending in with each other, I'm going to start making notes per chapter to keep track on the subtleties between each of the laws and lessons. Wish me luck.
Book 2
Over the weekend I read the first book by Warren James, Further Faster.
Verdict: It's part career planning, part life planning and would be perfect for new graduates or those in early career stages who want to get ahead and not end up in the pickle that a lot of people find themselves in - trapped in a job and existence that has just happened to them.
I especially liked the four pillars that Warren uses (career, finances, bucket list, personal life) includes bucket list items that might otherwise slip by. He includes a great sticky note life mapping exercise that I'm going to try myself.
It's out 2 October (thanks for the advance copy Warren) and you can pre-order here.
in other news
Jess from Archley's and I thought that more people should be talking about books with each other and passing on the lessons and ideas. So we decided to start a little video series called 'pass it on'. The first two parts are on YouTube now.
PS. if you'd like a 15% discount on your copy of the Archley's Book of Books book journal, click here^.
ear food
Fun fact: last week, my friend Joeri asked me how many podcasts I subscribed to. The answer? Over 80 (I stopped counting at 80).
But, over the last couple of months, I've found myself wanting to listen to a broader range of podcasts. Expanding my listening beyond some of the usual business-y type podcasts that usually accompany my walks and household chores. Maybe because of wanting a bit of escapism, but I think largely because I'm reading more at the moment, and as most of that is non-fiction/business related, I wanted something different when I was not reading.
So, , if you are also looking for something a bit different in your podcasts, here's a few I've really enjoyed.
Winds of Change - were the CIA behind the Scorpions 1990 smash ‘Wind of Change’ as part of a campaign to bring down the Soviet Union? NYT journalist Patrick Radden Keefe spends 10 years trying to find out.
I couldn't stop listening to this one. If you listen to it (or have already) please reply and let me know whether you thought they were behind it or not! (Spotify / Apple)
Rabbit Hole - the way that the YouTube algorithm works and the (very scary) impact it’s had on some young people’s lives. (NOTE: Do not listen to this one if you're feeling a bit edgy at the moment!). (Spotify / Apple)
Eat Hustle - real stories of, and interviews with, incarcerated men inside San Fransisco’s San Quentin State Prison. Covering everything from relationships, sexuality, ageing inside, cellies, health, death row and what happens when you get out. (Spotify / Apple)
Chat10Looks3 - I know I know, this one needs NO introduction but I’ve only just started listening to it. I laugh aloud during every episode as Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales start by talking pop culture / books / tv / podcasts / cooking and end up... all over the place. (Spotify / Apple)
meanwhile, on the bookshelf
Recent podcast episodes, in case you missed them.
Spotify / Apple / everything else