Blockchain: The Next Everything
Stephen P. Williams

The author seems unsure of the book’s purpose. At times it leans toward being educational, but the information isn’t well-researched or in-depth enough to be truly informative. It skims the surface, repeating the same broad ideas in different forms without ever really getting to the heart of what blockchain is or how it’s actually being used today.

The focus is mostly on Blockchain’s potential, filled with vague references to what “people are saying”, without much substance to back it up. If you’re looking for a deep dive or anything that would satisfy a tech-savvy reader, this probably isn’t the book for you. It feels more like a long-form article padded out into book form. It’s frustratingly repetitive and light on new insights.

This wasn’t really my type of read to begin with, but I still hoped to take away something useful. I didn’t. For me it’s a 2-star read.

The Future Is Smart: How Your Company Can Capitalize on the Internet of Things—And Win in a Connected Economy
W. David Stephenson

This book gives a broad introduction to how businesses can use the Internet of Things (IoT) to become more connected, efficient, and data-driven. It includes some interesting examples from big companies like GE and John Deere, and it’s written in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not very techy.

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Moonshot
Inside Pfizer’s Nine-Month Race to Make the Impossible Possible
Albert Bourla

“The exclusive, first-hand, behind-the-scenes story of how Pfizer raced to create the first Covid-19 vaccine, told by Pfizer’s Chairman and CEO Dr. Albert Bourla. A riveting, fast-paced, inside look at one of the most incredible private sector achievements in history, Moonshot recounts the intensive nine months in 2020 when the scientists at Pfizer… As Dr. Bourla makes clear, Pfizer’s success wasn’t due to luck; it was because of preparation driven by four simple values—Courage, Excellence, Equity, and Joy.”

Moonshot is a fascinating and fast-paced look at the incredible race to develop Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Written by the Pfizer’s CEO, it’s an engaging read that takes you behind the scenes of one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs in recent history.

The author does a great job explaining the challenges, risks, and big decisions that had to be made to pull this off. From completely rethinking testing processes to overhauling the supply chain, the book highlights how Pfizer managed to produce millions of vaccines in record time. It’s hard not to admire the leadership and vision it took to make it all happen.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is the breakdown of how a vaccine, which normally takes over seven years to develop, was done in just nine months. It raises some big questions: If this is possible, why isn’t it the norm? The author points out the inefficiencies in the current system, with its red tape and politics, and challenges us to think about how things could change.

The book spends a lot of time on the political side of things—world leaders, negotiations, and global politics played a big role in the process. While that’s part of the story, it might not be as interesting for people hoping for more behind-the-scenes science or business strategies. There are moments where more detail about the actual decision-making would’ve made it even better, especially for those curious about the organizational side of things.

Overall, Moonshot is an inspiring and easy read that captures a historical moment we all lived through. It’s a unique perspective on the pandemic and what it took to create a vaccine that changed the world. 4 stars.

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Everyone’s An Artist (or At Least They Should Be)
How Creativity Gives You the Edge in Everything You Do
Ron Tite, Scott Kavanagh, Christopher Novais

“Can a Canali-clad million-dollar banker learn anything from a paint-stained artist? Definitely. Especially now. Clearly, succeeding in business is an art form. We’ve informally labelled activities and pursuits as “the art of management,” “the art of marketing” or even “the art of doing more with less,” but we’ve rarely made the direct connection between the two worlds. With a rapidly changing digital economy, new and emerging technologies, increased clutter and a drastically altered media landscape, successful companies are those that are original, creative and innovative. Defining business as art is now a credible school of thought, and the lessons are far more practical than philosophical. Everyone’s an Artist shows how and why the most successful executives and entrepreneurs think like artists.”

The core message of this book is clear: being in business requires creativity, whether you’re an executive or an entrepreneur. It’s an interesting concept, but the execution leaves something to be desired.

The author has a fun, light-hearted writing style with plenty of humor, which I appreciated—it gave the book a relatable, human touch. However the book felt overly long and could have conveyed its key points more efficiently. The narrative often drifted into lengthy discussions about artists and their work. While there’s a connection between art and creativity in business, the references and stories were about artists. From comedians, painters, writers etc. Instead of focusing on artists, it would have been more relevant to highlight creative business leaders, of which there were only a handful, and those mentioned were the usual suspects like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.

Each chapter seemed to blend into the next without distinct takeaways. The overall message was there to be an artist, I guess just in fluffy art format! While I recommend the core idea of the book, I’m not convinced it’s worth the full read. 3 stars.

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Leaders Eat Last
Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t
Simon Sinek

“Why do only a few people get to say “I love my job”? It seems unfair that finding fulfillment at work is like winning a lottery; that only a few lucky ones get to feel valued by their organizations, to feel like they belong. Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. This is not a crazy, idealized notion. Today, in many successful organizations, great leaders are creating environments in which people naturally work together to do remarkable things.”

Having enjoyed Simon Sinek’s widely acclaimed book Start With Why, I approached Leaders Eat Last with high expectations. Unfortunately, it didn’t deliver the same impact.

While the premise of the book is intriguing, I found it fell into a pattern of clichés and overused concepts. The author weaves together scientific definitions and business jargon in an attempt to present insights into leadership and teamwork. However, the ideas felt neither fresh nor insightful.

The authors points felt disjointed, and the narrative often jumped between topics without clear connections. Much of the content focused on how we arrived at this point, including the different generations and examples of companies with poor leadership. It offered little in terms of actionable solutions or standout examples of companies that embody effective leadership practices. When tips were provided, they were buried in five small chapters that lacked clear, memorable points.

Much of the content seemed to regurgitate basic principles that other authors and studies have explored more effectively. I was disinterested with the military stories, US politics and other outdated US company stories that have no relevance. While these anecdotes might resonate with some readers, they didn’t feel relatable to me.

The book’s central message—treat your employees as human beings rather than numbers—is undeniably valuable. However, it felt stretched thin across the chapters. As someone who loved Start With Why, I was genuinely disappointed by Leaders Eat Last. While the intention behind the book is admirable, the execution didn’t meet my expectations. If you’re looking for fresh insights on leadership, there are other books that might resonate more deeply. 3 stars.

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Emotional Intelligence 2.0
Travis Bradberry

“From Dr. Travis Bradberry, #1 bestselling author of EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE HABITS. The book’s smooth narrative style turns rigorous research into memorable stories and practical strategies that anyone can use to his or her advantage. With 90% of top performers high in EQ, and EQ twice as important as IQ in getting where you want to go in life, who can afford to ignore it?”

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 is a quick, 250-page guide full of practical tips for improving your emotional intelligence. You could read it all in one go but it might be better to take your time, spread it out over a few days or weeks so you can actually try out some of the advice and think about how it applies to your life.

If you’re someone who reads a lot of self-help or personal growth books, this one probably isn’t for you. It’s more like a short summary of the basics. But if you’re looking for a quick refresher or just a straightforward starting point, this book does the job.

A lot of the info isn’t new but sometimes we need a reminder of the basics to make better decisions or adopt healthier habits. Seeing those ideas in a new way—or just having them pop up at the right time—can be really helpful.

I’d recommend this book to older teens or young adults, especially if they’re just starting to explore things like self-awareness and personal growth. It’s a great intro to understanding yourself better and building habits that could lead to real success and happiness. It’s a good, simple resource. I’d give it 3 stars.

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Silos, Politics and Turf Wars
A Leadership Fable About Destroying the Barriers That Turn Colleagues Into Competitors
Patrick Lencioni

“Practical and hands-on strategies for breaking down silos and minimizing workplace politics In yet another page-turner, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed management expert Patrick Lencioni addresses the costly and maddening issue of silos: the barriers that create organizational politics. Silos devastate organizations, kill productivity, push good people out the door, and jeopardize the achievement of corporate goals. As with his other books, Lencioni writes Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars as a fictional―but eerily familiar―story. The story is about Jude Cousins, an eager young management consultant struggling to launch his practice by solving one of the more universal and frustrating problems faced by his clients. Through trial and error, he develops a simple yet ground-breaking approach for helping them transform confusion and infighting into clarity and alignment.”

The author dives into one of the most frustrating issues at work—silos. If you aren’t familiar with Lencioni’s work he writes fables that embed simple business truths into a story.

The big takeaway? Teams need a shared goal that’s clear and actionable. People have to understand how their work fits into the bigger picture and, more importantly, prioritize the team’s success over their own agendas. The author also makes a strong case for leaders to drop their titles at the door. No matter your role, when you’re part of a leadership team, your job is to make the company better—not just protect your department.

The storyline—a consultant figuring out how to solve silo problems—is pretty relatable, but it didn’t grab me like some of the author’s other books. It’s a little weak on the storytelling side and doesn’t have those big “aha” moments that stick with you long after.

That said, the lessons are practical and easy to apply, especially if silos are causing headaches in your organization. While it’s not my favorite from the author, it’s still a solid read for anyone trying to build a more connected, aligned team. 4 stars.

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The 6 Types of Working Genius
Patrick Lencioni

“The 6 Types of Working Genius is the fastest way to help people identify the type of work that brings them joy and energy, and avoid work that leads to frustration and burnout. Beyond the personal discovery and instant relief that Working Genius provides, the model also gives teams a remarkably simple and practical framework for tapping into one another’s natural gifts, which increases productivity and reduces unnecessary judgment. In classic Lencioni fashion, Pat brings his model to life in a page-turning fable that is as relatable as it is compelling. He tells the story of Bull Brooks, an entrepreneur, husband, and father who sets out to solve his own frustration at work and stumbles into a new way of thinking that changes the way he sees his work, his team, and even his marriage.”

I love this author and his books. I was looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint! The overall take away of the book is to do what you love. The author doesn’t particularly mean based on your work industry but rather the type of task you are doing. I definitely do agree with this! I loved the fable story that the author tells the book through, and definitely found it funny at times. However, as I have read a lot of his other books, it has a similar narrative that it follows which you can predict after you have read a few of his books.
Most people have two areas where they’re in the zone and get energy when they do it (genius), two areas where they get frustrated and are miserable when they do it (frustrations), and two areas in the middle they’re good at, but don’t really love to do (competencies).

I highly recommend that you check this book out! 4.5 stars.

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The Comfort Zone
Create a Life You Really Love with Less Stress and More Flow
Kristen Butler

The Comfort Zone challenges the familiar mantra that we must constantly push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Instead, the author argues that thriving within our comfort zone is not only possible but beneficial. Rather than seeing comfort as something we need to escape from, the author presents it as a place where we can recharge, grow, and ultimately build a life we love.

In a world where we’re always encouraged to stretch beyond our limits, this message feels refreshing. Rather than stressing and burning ourselves out by constantly stepping into the unknown, the author suggests that comfort can be a source of strength. The idea is that when we leave our comfort zone too often, we can become anxious and stressed, comparing ourselves to others and often doing things that don’t truly bring joy to our lives. According to the author, our comfort zone isn’t a danger zone—it’s the foundation for our best life.

However the book isn’t saying to stay completely within your comfort zone forever. The author encourages readers to push the boundaries of their comfort zones in small, manageable ways, rather than taking huge leaps into the unknown. It’s about slow, intentional growth without forcing ourselves into survival mode.

While the core idea is solid, I found some parts of the book a bit repetitive. The message seemed to be stretched out, with certain metaphors and ideas repeated a few too many times. While there are good tips scattered throughout, the pacing can feel slow, and the content might have been more impactful in a shorter format.

Overall The Comfort Zone is a good read for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed by the pressure to always be doing more. If you need a positivity boost or feel like you’re pushing yourself too hard, this book might provide some much-needed perspective. I’d give it 3 stars—it has helpful insights but could benefit from a more concise delivery.

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