Reading rebellion and reviews of McConaughey and Obama
Happy New Year ,
Welcome back, how was your break? What did you read?
I’ve broken all of my reading rules over the last few weeks. I’ve had about five books on the go at once, I didn’t finish a few books before the year was out (I usually like to start a year with a clean slate and no hangover of unfinished books) AND I’ve read three fiction books.
A total rebel, I know.
I finished 2020 having read 50 books, the most I’ve ever read in a year and exceeding my original goal of 45. I was pretty happy with this. But as with most goals, there was an unintended consequence (well two, to be precise).
I didn’t read any big books, because that would slow down my total book tally
Sharing my high reading total made some other people feel like their reading totals weren’t enough
Firstly, one person achieving something bears no relevance or connection to what someone else does or doesn't achieve.
But it was also a timely reminder that we should do more things (like reading) for enjoyment, rather than for achievement. This led me to start the 2021 anti-challenge #readforfunin21. It’s about getting back into reading, developing the habit and (frankly) reading whatever you damn well want. Pick up that trashy novel. Go back through your Harry Potter collection. Because let’s face it, reading anything is going to be better than doom-scrolling or reading the news right now.
You can join with #readforfunin21 on Instagram or LinkedIn by following the hashtag and by using it to post your reading adventures this year (please feel free to tag me too). You might even pick up some new book suggestions.
If you’re up for some new book recommendations, keep scrolling to find a review of Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights and a snapshot of my current reads, including Barack Obama’s A Promised Land.
In goal setting anarchy,
Steph
PS. Are you on Clubhouse yet? If you are, give me a follow @stephclarke - I'll be hosting some book chats in the next week.
PPS. Along with updating the podcast branding, I also have a new podcast website. You can check it out here.
Review: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Overall rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short synopsis
Smooth-talking actor Matthew McConaughty goes to a cabin in the woods and reads through 30+ years of his diaries and journals, picking through the lessons and principles he’s lived and worked by. And then shares them.
What I liked
The storytelling. The book forces you to read this in McConaughey’s Texan drawl and his winding, hyperbolic, storytelling style. It's a colourful tale of his life growing up, his family and how finding a book in a shared house was the start of him switching course into acting (he was originally studying to be a lawyer).
He’s lived a fascinating life and I found it interesting how he took significant periods of time off every few years to travel to places where he was anonymous to reflect and reset. Particularly important in getting back in line with his values when the hype of Hollywood can rapidly erode this.
(Side note: it’s worth listening to Matthew on a podcast or interview to fully get your brain into character for reading this book in his voice).
What I didn’t like
Some of the points he makes are quite meta and took a bit of re-reading (and re-reading) to understand. Parts of it made me think of David Foster Wallace’s point that too much education makes you over-intellectualise everything.
This is a rare occasion where I thought the book was a little shorter than it could have been. Personally I would have liked some additional stories or gaps filled in, or to find out what he really felt about certain people or situations that he touches on.
Important note: I read this book on my Kindle (old style) and some of the pages were illegible as the book includes photos extracts from his journals. I don’t think I missed too much but it was a little frustrating that this hadn’t been fixed by the publishers.
What I'm currently reading
Here's what half-read books are piled up around the house at the moment...
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Verdict: I am loving this beast (pun intended) of a book. It's an open, honest, uncomfortable and incredibly human look into life as POTUS, the long journey to get there, the impact on a family and the complexities (and frustrations) of navigating the political landscape of a country that was becoming more and more divided. I'm about 35% through and can't stop reading it.
Just My Type by Simon Garfield
Verdict: A super geeky dive into the evolution of a variety of typefaces, their creators and changing uses over time. Having completed my graphic design qualification at the end of last year, I'm reading this to improve my understanding of the characteristics of different typefaces to make better design decisions and be able to better articulate design rationale regarding type.
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
Verdict: The ultimate handbook on a very specific type of leadership style. One that favours defeating your enemies at all costs and efficiently overthrowing those who disagree with you, or pose a threat. Whilst the ideas feel almost offensively prehistoric in relevance to the modern day, you quickly realise that these tactics are still being employed by many company (and country) leaders.
PS. if you'd like to take better book notes this year, you can enjoy a 15% discount on your very own copy of the Archley's Book of Books book journal, here^.
Ear food
What's Essential - I'm a big fan of Greg McKeown's work and his weekly Essentialist newsletter, and am always interested in conversations around productivity. I particularly enjoyed this episode featuring the elusive Cal Newport. Note: to enjoy this podcast, you do have to get over the fact that Greg sounds a lot like Piers Morgan. (Spotify / Apple)
a16z - Apparently this is the podcast that CEOs and CIOs listen to. Covering everything from emerging tech, the future and news, it's thoughtful and in-depth, featuring conversations with some seriously impressive people who you've probably never heard of. (Spotify / Apple)
Meanwhile, on the bookshelf
Recent Steph's Business Bookshelf podcast episodes, in case you missed them...
2021 reading thoughts
(Spotify / Apple)
REBROADCAST: The Courage to be Disliked
(Spotify / Apple)