Good Books to Read for Business & Pleasure * October 2014
This October, it’s naturally about scary, not just good, books to read.
October is, of course, the scariest month in the year. Unless something really bad once happened to you in another month, like June. Personal tragedies and traumas aside, you can count on October for ghosts and ghoulies.
I’ll be honest and admit that I would rather read a good book instead of dressing up. I figure, if I want candy, I can go to the corner store and pick some up. Or shop Safeway if I need a whole bag of it. Which I don’t do because if I did, I’m more than capable of eating it, instead of dinner, at one go. I’ll admit, that’s scary!
In honor of this very scary month, I have selected books that are either scary, or speak to what scares me most.
Scary Good Books to Read
Business
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen.
If you think about it, little in our ordinary lives is more terrifying than personal productivity. Many books have been written to address this truth, and few are more popular than David Allen’s. The scary second part to this reality is that, probably, even if you read this book, you will not become more productive or, if you do, it will not be stress-free. You play, you pay. But in a world gone hyperactively mad, any stabs you take at harnessing the rats in this race will leaving you feeling, well, slightly better for having made an effort.
If you would like to have this book for your very own, purchase Getting Things Done at the Anna Colibri Amazon shop.
(Guilty) Pleasure?
IBM and the Holocaust: The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and America’s Most Powerful Corporation by Edwin Black.
In the introduction to IBM and the Holocaust, Black himself admits the book is uncomfortable to read. The only reason this book can be considered a pleasure is the satisfaction that comes from knowing more about history. Otherwise, Black illuminates painful, if not disgusting, truths about capitalism and the realities of US history. The book is a guilty pleasure as well because it is fascinating to learn how technology made World War II atrocities efficient. Still, I read the book with a heavier and heavier heart as the (very thorough) chapters wore on. There really is no message of hope to be derived from this book — unless I celebrate that current circumstances are such that I am free (enough) to read it.
If you would like to have this book for your very own, purchase IBM and the Holocaust at the Anna Colibri Amazon shop.
Children
Peter and the Star Catchers by Ridley Pearson.
This book is a retelling of the Peter Pan story but, in my opinion, less annoying. I mean, in this case Peter is a kid, but he is not necessarily going to be a permanent kid. I’m not sure why, especially when you consider that I am already fearing my future as an empty nester, but I do not like the idea of permanent kids. I guess it just seems too self-indulgent. In any case, this book is a great alternative to the youth horror literary genre (I keep appreciating all exceptions to this trend), incorporates suspense, and is generally a fun, high-quality book that works for my both my ten and thirteen year-olds. Yay!
If you would like to have this book for your very own, purchase Peter and the Starcatchers at the Anna Colibri Amazon shop.
Now you know a lot more about what scares me. All fear aside, these books are excellent. I know you’ll get a lot out of them.
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