Here’s what I’m reading this month.
(1) Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott.
This is a great book about writing, but it is actually about much more than that. It is also about life, survival, and the serious business of being human.
(2) Amsterdam, by Russell Shorto.
Always good to read more about this enchanting city of mine. I’ve only just started reading this book, and, thus far, it’s good going.
(3) The business of digital publishing, by Frania Hall.
As an editor who entered the profession in the ‘90s, I am amazed at the transformation our industry has undergone in such a short time. This book sets it all out really nicely. It’s lovely to reminisce about long-forgotten technologies – ground-breaking in their time, but obsolete today – while also marveling at how far we’ve come.
(4) The psychology of money, by Morgan Housel.
Each one of us has a psychological approach to money. Most times, we are unaware of it. It could have its roots in our upbringing, or it could be based on other meaningful events in our lives. If we are aware of this, we can work with it, so that we set up and achieve good financial goals. This book helps bring awareness to the subject, and it does so in a relatable way.
(5) The Lean Startup, by Eric Reis.
This book applies Lean principles to startup management. Managing a startup has its challenges, quite different from those of running an existing business, or even a new business. Startups are different from other businesses (even new businesses), because they tend to operate with a particular type of uncertainty – it is often not immediately clear what the final product will be, or indeed what would be the final business model. Such a situation calls for a different approach to management. This book raises the key issues, and proffers possible solutions.
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