For 2015, I decided to put an greater emphasis reading more books. Each month I share what I have been reading and listening to.
Non-Fiction
- Do Purpose by David Hieatt – Loved it. I would call it cranial caffeine for entrepreneurs. A fast read that reminds you of the important things in startups and points you to examples of people doing them. 10/10
- Leap First by Seth Godin – This is Seth’s new two disc live audio set from Sounds True. I like that it was recorded as a talk with the intention of being listened to. He talks about a host of things from his last few books–meaningful work, hope, prajna, and just doing the next thing. If you like Seth, you will like this. 9/10
- Scary Close by Donald Miller – I saw Don at WDS in 2013 and he was highlight of the event for me. I find him clear, honest and funny. Scary Close is his latest book and uses the courtship with his now wife as the arc to explore intimacy and what health relationships look like. His anecdotes are universal, his honesty is uncommon. 8/10
Fiction
- Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey – This was another suggestion in a list of sexy SFF titles that Tor.com published in response to the fervor over the Fifty Shades of Gray movie release. The main character Phèdre is a courtesan who lives in a fictionalized Europe and listens very close to her clients (and their secrets). The Fifty Shades nod comes from how Phèdre “experience[s] pain and pleasure as one.” I read 300 pages but I eventually ran out of interest in medieval political maneuvering and the kind of services Phèdre offered. A very subjective 6.5/10.
Graphic Novels
- Rocket Girl – Volume 1 by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder – What a great book. A protagonist has the courage to go back in time to right a wrong not knowing the effects it will have. Did I mention she is 15 and wears a jetpack? There are so many juicy dualities of young/old, good/evil, past/future that I had to go back and read it a second time. They leave you hanging a little at the end, but the good news is the next arc starts with issue #6 in May. Required reading girls 10 or older 8.5/10
- Ms. Marvel – Volume 1 by Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona – This book is important. Kamala Khan is the first Muslim character to headline a Marvel title. Kamala’s family and culture play large in these first five issues. For me, I wanted to like it more. Everything centered around the awkward teenage origin story and the fierce conflict with her family. That misses the mark for me as a reader. 10/10 for comics, 7/10 for me.