Audiobooks
I hate wasting my time. I’m not a fast reader, so I listen to audiobooks. Below are my personal, candid reviews. You’re welcome 🙃
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Categories: Self Development, Productivity
What is this book about?: How to build and keep habits to improve your life
Narrator: James Clear (author) does a spectacular job. He clearly took the time to train his narrating skills. James being the narrator was a strategic and thoughtful choice, it makes the skills he writes about much more approachable.
What did I like about this book?: The book is immediately actionable and practical. I was genuinely sad with this book finished. Note: I believe I ranked this book so highly because I was in the frame of mind where I was open to learning and improving my life.
What did I not like about the book?: James references a lot of supplemental material, which I was not inclined to engage with as I was listening to the book, I also don’t recall the URLs to visit them now after reading. I will say providing those did make me feel like I had an “enduring” book, with materials that would be valuable long after reading.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Categories: Self Development, Self Improvement, Psychology
What is this book about?: Understanding how the courage to be vulnerable can lead to an authentic, fulfilling life
Narrator: Brene Brown (author) is marvelous. She is an experienced speaker and it shows. Her personal stories are so much more authentic with her as the narrator.
What did I like about this book?: Before this book, I had never read about feelings or emotions. Even though I was intrigued, I was skeptical. I chose to read this book because Brene is a PhD in shame and vulnerability so I figured she must know what she’s talking about. It was better than I ever expected. She makes awkward topics approachable and simplifies them with scientific evidence. While listening to this book I cried, I laughed, I learned things about myself that I never knew before. This book truly changed my life and I hope everyone reads it.
What did I not like about this book?:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Categories: Leadership, People Management, Biography
What is this book about?: The story of Bill Campbell and the value of a professional coach
Narrator: Dan Woren. He is the perfect narrator for this book. His voice comes across as a wise, mature male. I love how he adds personality where the book is intended to be Bill’s voice. Dan made this book so enjoyable.
What did I like about this book?: This book is a blend of Bill’s biography and self development. It tells the story of Bill both from his personal perspective and from the people/companies he helped. I have a soft spot for studying sports coaches, so I especially enjoyed that this football coach was instrumental in business strategy. My favorite aspect was that it focused on the fundamental “human connection” skills that Bill relied on as he helped the (now) Billionaires of Silicon Valley
What did I not like about this book?: This book isn’t “immediately actionable” but is valuable for anyone looking to manage people or improve themselves using a coach.
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Categories: Self Development
What is this book about?: The Growth Mindset, explained from a new perspective
Narrator: Simon Sinek (author), fantastic. His passion is evident.
What did I like about this book?: I read this book when I was just coming into the concept of a “growth mindset”. I think this is the perfect introductory book to the entire concept. It shifts your perspective (which is necessary) and helps you to understand the core fundamentals. THIS book will influence your general perspectives (career, life, choices, etc) in the best way possible
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Categories: Business
What is this book about?: An essential framework every mission-driven business should be built on
Narrator: Simon Sinek (author) is excellent. He is an experienced speaker which helps significantly
What did I like about this book?: This is a fantastic foundation for building any business. I love mission-driven companies, and this is the building block for you to build it yourself.
What did I not like about this book?:
No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram by Sarah Frier
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Categories: Business, Biz-ography (the biography of a business..it’s a new category)
What is this book about?: The beginnings
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
My Audio Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Categories: Biography, Life Lessons
What is this book about?: A perspective on life from an incredible man with terminal cancer
Narrator: Erik Singer. It took me a long time to realize the narrator wasn’t Randy. Erik did a phenomenal job, but it would have been so much more meaningful if Randy had read it.
What did I like about this book?: I read this book at a time when I needed some perspective on life, recognizing my job isn’t my identity. This was the right book to read for that purpose. Especially during COVID, it was a great reminder to focus on the small things. The things we take for granted, the things that we overlook. How when push comes to shove, the things we’re worrying about don’t actually matter. Life is a beautiful thing, and we need to take more time to appreciate it