π I've had a massive month of reading!
Ok , it's a short intro from me this edition as there's HEAPS going on in the rest of this letter from me to you.
It's been a bumper reading month; amazing what putting a few boundaries around work in the evenings and weekends will do for your page count. Who knew?! I highly recommend.
I also surpassed my 2021 reading goal of 40 books (I'm currently reading book #42). Which feels like a win in a weird old year where I've had several periods when I haven't wanted to pick up a book. Other than to maybe throw it at something.
Whilst in typical goal-reaching fashion, reaching the goal felt like an anti-climax, what I have noticed is that I've felt more relaxed about what I pick up to read for the rest of the year. I'm gathering a little pile of classics and modern fiction for my summer beach reading (under the new cabana that I treated myself to π). HMU with any recommendations.
I'm also beside myself with excitement about galleries and cinemas opening again here in Naarm. Look, books are amazing, and the internet is equal parts brilliant and a toxic wasteland that we'll all die regretting we invested so much energy in, but there's something unbeatable about storytelling through art and film. I'm not a great one for sitting at home and putting a film on, but I love going to the cinema and hiding in the dark for an undistracted couple of hours of entertainment. I wonder if the NGV will mind if I camp outside the night before they reopen... I promise I won't bathe in the moat...
In living in real life,
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!
Book clear out
Bookworms! I'm selling some of my previously-loved books from my bookshelf. If you're in the market for a new read, and would rather participate in the circular economy to do so, click the button below for details.
What I've read this month
October has been a bumper reading month. Six books (so far, I'm planning to get another one in before midnight on Sunday π). Here's what I've been immersing myself in...
The Long Game by Dorie Clark βοΈβοΈβοΈ
Dorie's new book is all about taking a longer term view to your career / business. With plenty of examples of how other people have shifted their short-term thinking, or drifting, to a re-calibrated view of success, it would be a useful resource if you're feeling quite stuck at the moment.
No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler βοΈβοΈβοΈ
Kate's incredible story of her own cancer journey is a reflection on life, priorities, the big stuff, small stuff, and the weird paradoxes involved in being human. It's funny, real, and prompts some important big questions.
There Has to Be More by Rachel Service βοΈβοΈβοΈ
Rachel's first book is a self-development all-rounder featuring a useful growth framework, practical strategies, and a wealth of powerful reflection questions that are well worth a good hard think about. PS. I talked about this one on last week's podcast, ICYMI.
PRE-READ! The 1 Day Refund by Donna McGeorge βοΈβοΈβοΈ
I was a lucky duck this month and got to read Donna's new book before it comes out next year, AND write a little testimonial for the inside. My first one! This practical book will make you realise how much time might be tucked away in the folds of your days, and why embracing the 85% rule might just be a better way to live and work.
The Rejection that Changed my Life by Jessica Bacal βοΈβοΈβοΈπ«
Thanks to another bookworm, also called Steph, who recommended this one to me. It's a selection of short interviews with women from the worlds of academia, arts, law, medicine, and business who share their stories of rejection and the impact those (at the time) crushing defeats had on them over the course of their careers. Uplifting and empowering.
My Life in Full by Indra Nooyi βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
I really enjoyed this autobiography by former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. It follows her childhood and early adult life in India, her MBA at Yale, entry into corporate America in the 1980s, and then the journey to become CEO of one of the world's most recognisable brands. It's an interesting look at bias (including several surprises), expectations of men and women, purpose, family, and sacrifice. I would have preferred it to be a little more colourful on some of the failures and fun along the way, rather than focused on the transactions and milestones, but it definitely had me wondering if I am working hard enough!
PS. Are you looking for a great gift for someone to round out a weird year? How about helping them take better notes on the books they read? Enjoy a 15% discount on your very own copy of the Archley's Book of Books book journal,Β here^.
Ear food
I've particularly enjoyed these podcasts in the last couple of weeks...
πPodcast: The Knowledge Project ep121: with Walter Isaacson - I love listening to authors/interviewees who just know their subject matter inside out. There's something really special about hearing someone who's deep in the research and such a master of their craft. Walter Isaacson is one of those people. This episode of Shane Parrish's podcast is full of wisdom and one of those rare episodes I'll likely listen to more than once. (H/T to Oscar Trimboli for this outstanding recommendation). (Spotify | Apple)
πPodcast: First Time Facilitator ep197: What Happens When You're No Longer a First Time Facilitator - Creeping up on the big 2-0-0, my amazing business buddy Leanne Hughes invited one of her long-time listeners on to interview her and reflect on almost 3 years of the podcast. Loved the reflection and lessons in this episode, and there's also a very special (big!) announcement in there too π (Spotify | Apple)
π΅Listen: Straight Lines by Silverchair. I haven't yet listened to Spotify's Who is Daniel Johns podcast but it's high on this week's 'to listen' list. I didn't grow up with Silverchair, they weren't big in the UK and I'm old enough to have had to rely on Steve Lamacq, Jo Whiley, and John Peel to tell me what to listen to. But as a late-comer to the Silverchair party, I regularly listen to this song on repeat. (Spotify).
Β
Meanwhile, on the bookshelf
Recent Steph's Business Bookshelf podcast episodes, in case you missed them...
Feck Perfuction by James Victore
(Listen)
There Has to be More by Rachel Service
(Listen)