Non-Fiction

Simple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex World by Donald Sull and Kathleen Eisenhardt – I can remember reading the original 2001 HBR article while I was in business school. I loved it and its idea of simplifying decisions with a short list of effective rules. The book is an extension of the article 15 years later and this felt like a good idea with too many pages. The best of the book can be found in chapter 5, where the authors give solid examples for using simple rules in business context. Sprinkled throughout the book there are other interesting anecdotes about how simple rules create better outcomes, but they are too far between.  Could.

The Best Interface Is No Interface by Golden Krishna – Skip. I didn’t want to say that about this book. The topic is great. The design is interesting. The trouble is that the book suffers from too much rant, not enough hope, and the need for a wider variety of interesting examples that describe non-obvious solutions to today’s problems with interfaces.

A Book About Love by Jonah Lehrer – I learned things reading this one (yes, I was wrong about letting kids cry to learn to soothe themselves; very bad idea). I loved spending time thinking about relationships, effort and the stories we tell ourselves. At other points, Lehrer inserts himself into the narrative in very poignant, jolting ways. He uses literary authors and characters to open some chapters. It felt weird.  Overall I wanted something smoother. Move quickly and you will likely find interesting and useful things to think about. The best I can offer is a Could.

Graphic Novels

Ms. Marvel Volume 5: Super Famous by Wilson, Miyazawa, Leon, and Alphona – This book continues its great run. Ms. Marvel somehow keeps bumping into bad time baddies in Jersey City. Family and friends are changing too.  It’s a lot for our main character to keep up with and she sometimes makes decisions that make things worse. Her job is to work it all out. Must.

East of West: Volume Six by Jonathon Hickman and Nick Dragotta – This far into the series it gets hard to talk it about with giving away the story. Just keep reading this one. It is great. Must.