Wonders Untold

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Of life, arts and culture.

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Currently reading – Ungovernable

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Currently reading Ungovernable – the Political Diaries of a Chief Whip, by Simon Hart.

Hart was Chief Whip under former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He was also MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, from May 2010 till July 2024, when the voters decided different.

Hart has a supremely entertaining style of writing. This book puts me in mind of Alan Clark’s diaries. That said, Hart comes across as quite principled, and with none of the scandal that tended to surround Clark. Clark always hinted at (and sometimes did more than hint at) being on the louche side. You don’t get that with Hart. But you do get the keen sense of observation, the sharp wit, and the ease with the pen.

Good book.

More pivots, less plans

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I’ve been reading Kendra Adachi’s latest book, The Plan. (Actually, I’ve been listening to it on Audible.)

It’s a great book, truly insightful.

I first heard about Kendra Adachi when she was interviewed by Cal Newport on his podcast, Deep Questions.

In that episode, Adachi talked about the value of striving for contentment, rather than for greatness. She also explained how, in our quest for maximum productivity, we often forget that we are just human. Sometimes, it’s okay not to strive for greatness, but to stay grounded and to feel complete and balanced in every area of our lives. Sure, being ambitious and wanting to achieve great things is important, but it shouldn’t take away from living one’s full life, and from staying true to oneself.

Something else Adachi points out, both in the podcast and the book: a lot of productivity books are written by men, but most of the readers of these books are women. However, these books often don’t consider women’s lived experiences, and so give advice that can be unsuitable for their female readers. For example, if a productivity book does not even consider the fact that women bear a disproportionate share of the work in the home, the writer will proffer advice that would be simply unworkable for the average woman with a family and small children.

Adachi also mentions that not everyone is cut out to follow a strict plan. We are not all created in the same way. Some people thrive on having everything mapped out clearly in front of them, while others prefer a more flexible approach.

Also, these productivity books don’t often recognise the fact that life seldom goes according to plan. To Adachi, one key skill is the ability to pivot when a plan does not go as intended. (I think perhaps we should talk more about pivots and less about plans.)

All told, this is a great book. Heartily recommended.

Reading list – what’s left for 2024?

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So there are a few books I would like to complete before the end of the year.

It’s eminently doable. All it takes is a bit of focus and dedication.

These are good books. No reason not to read and enjoy them. Here’s the list:

  • Out, by Tim Shipman;
  • Butler to the World, by Oliver Bullough;
  • How Big Things Get Done, by Bent Flyvberg and Dan Gardner;
  • Cloistered, by Catherine Coldstream.

Some more on the ramp, but these ones are top of the list.

Let’s see how I get on.

October reading list

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Here are three books I’m reading this month:

  • The Powerful and the Damned, by Lionel Barber
  • Butler to the World, by Oliver Burrough
  • The Dealmaker, Lessons from a Life in Private Equity, by Guy Hands

All three have been around a while, but I have some time for them this month. Good to have them grouped together on the list, given the common finance theme. Highly entertaining books, despite the serious subjects covered.