📚 Being weird + four books to read right now
, do you creep on other people's books and bookshelves?
I moved into a new coworking space last week (in one of my less well-timed moves). After quickly making friends with some of the four (and three) legged coworkers, I thought I should find some friends who wouldn't stare at me quite as hopefully whilst I try to eat my breakfast.
Luckily, a couple of people made it exceptionally easy for me to strike up a conversation. Including this chap who had quite a collection of business books on his desk (including a couple I'd like to borrow).
There's just something decidedly less weird about asking someone about the book they are reading / that's lying on their desk, compared to leaning over whilst they're on their phone, and commenting on the fact that they're also two years deep into the back catalogue of Tom Daley's knitting Instagram.
(Don't pretend you haven't done that at least once in the last fortnight)
Now, I am the sort of person who will start a conversation in a lift (much to my partner's utter horror), but if you're feeling a little rusty on the whole 'social interaction thing' after 18 months of existing in a weird bubble, my top tip would be to carry a book around. Especially if you're starting to go somewhere new, like an office or classroom.
Even if at first you don't feel quite brave enough to initiate the conversation yourself, it won't take long for someone to start one with you. You don't need to become best friends, but it's a nice way of connecting in real life, about something analogue, for the first time in a while. Plus, you'll have something to keep you company and occupied until someone does say hello.
Also in this newsletter, if you're deep in lockdown yo-yo world and looking for something more useful to read than The Shovel headlines, keep scrolling for a short list of 'books for right now'. If you've got any others you would add to the list, you know what to do.
(Hit reply and tell me... in case you didn't know what to do).
In being just the right amount of weird,
Steph
PS. To borrow from Austin Kleon (and everyone else who borrows this from Austin Kleon), this newsletter and the podcast are 'free but not cheap'. You can support their ongoing creation by buying me a coffee (now with a credit card payment option), purchasing a card from the Good Press card store or leaving a podcast review on the website. Thanks!
Books for right now
It's a funny old time isn't it. At least nobody's saying unprecedented anymore hey? Here's four books I think are quite apt for right now.
Think Again by Adam Grant
Never was a book as well timed as this one. Adam Grant's latest release is what we need in a world of misinformation, divisiveness, and one that requires all of us to challenge what we think, and what we think we think.
Keep Going by Austin Kleon
If you feel like your creativity / productivity / general enthusiasm has taken a bit of a downward turn, this little book will put a pep back in your step.
Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson
Fun fact, this was the first 'personal development' book I read, way back in 2011. If you feel like everything is out of your control, you can take note from a short story about two little mice.
Permission to Feel by Professor Marc Brackett
If you're trapped in a glass case of emotion at the moment, but can't quite express what those emotions are, this book will help you better recognise, process, and express your emotions in a healthy way.
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
I've been enjoying two brand new podcasts in the last couple of weeks...
🎙Podcast: Nicole and Kate Can Relate - Nicole Baldinu and Kate Erickson share their very honest experiences of running businesses, working with their partners, deciding whether or not to have kids (and their different directions on this), health, and when sharing too much is too much. They're two episodes in and I've taken a thought-provoking nugget, and warm and fuzzy sense of relatedness away from both episodes. (Spotify | Apple)
🎙Podcast: Your Next Read - my friends over at Major Street Publishing have started a podcast, talking to authors about their books and the stories behind then. They're also two episodes in, and I really enjoyed the conversation with Kay Bretz about his book Turning Right. (Spotify | Apple)
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Meanwhile, on the bookshelf
Recent Steph's Business Bookshelf podcast episodes, in case you missed them...
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B Rosenberg
(Listen)
Lead the Room by Shane Hatton
(Listen)