Tag Archives: 3-stars

Quick Reviews of Non-Fiction Business Books #7 (S)

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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.

That said, it’s already starting to feel a bit outdated, and the ideas don’t go very deep. It could’ve used more diverse, up-to-date examples and clearer takeaways. Overall, it doesn’t really land on a strong point or message, more of a general overview than a compelling argument.

Average, skimmable if you’re just curious. I didn’t really get into it. 3 stars.

The Art of Thinking in a Digital World: Be Logical – Be Creative – Be Critical
Luc de Brabandere

I picked up this book hoping for fresh, practical insights, but it mostly felt like a rambling mix of poorly organised stuff that the author thought could vaguely be relevant. It covers the “three modes of thinking”, logical, creative, critical and has a bit of historical context and AI-awareness, but it never drills into how to think better in a way that sticks. Instead you get a lot of surface chatter without much depth or actionable takeaways. The illustrations are nice, and I appreciated the occasional metaphor, but I often found myself wondering: “What’s the point?” Luc de Brabandere does shine in his earlier book Thinking in New Boxes. It’s far more practical and definitely worth a read if you want genuine, hands‑on strategies for reframing how you think.

2 Stars. Skip this one, and reach for Thinking in New Boxes instead.

Review: Ron Tite, Scott Kavanagh, Christopher Novais – Everyone’s An Artist

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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.

Review: Simon Sinek – Leaders Eat Last (S)

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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.

Review: Travis Bradberry – Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (S)

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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.

Review: Kristen Butler – The Comfort Zone

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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.

Quick Reviews of Non-Fiction Business Books #7 (S)

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Good People: The Only Leadership Decision That Really Matters – Anthony Tjan

This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I anticipated a more in-depth exploration of “good people” within companies—not just those who are competent at their jobs, but those who fit the author’s definition of genuinely good individuals. I expected more practical examples and tips, such as how to identify and hire good people. Instead, the author wrote in more general terms.

It was an enjoyable and inspiring read, serving as a reminder to strive to be a good person in general. However, some material could have been presented more concisely. The “Goodness of People” pyramid seemed overly simplified. I appreciated the point that leaders should prioritize values over competence. Practicing goodness can make us better employees, mentors, and humans. We often overestimate short-term effects and underestimate long-term effects. While I didn’t learn anything new from this book, it provided good reminders. I recommend this book if you are a mentor or in a position to hire team members. 3 stars.

The Real-Life MBA: The no-nonsense guide to winning the game, building a team and growing your career –  Jack Welch and Suzy Welch

This book covers the basics of career development and team building in a straightforward way. It’s good if you want a quick overview of these topics in one place. However, if you’re looking for more detailed insights, you might find it a bit too general. The book is aimed to be general and the basics, so I guess it achieved that. The content is interesting but might seem a bit too simple if you’re hoping to learn how to build a team and advance your career beyond the basics. It’s not specifically aimed at MBA students and is more of a general business book, but it still offers some valuable ideas. I especially liked the section on career development called “It’s About You.” It gives practical advice that makes sense, even if it’s mostly common sense.

Overall, this book serves as a helpful reminder of key career strategies, pointing out areas where you can improve and confirming what you’re doing well. If you want a quick introduction to career and business basics, this book does the job. 3 stars.

Quick Reviews of Non-Fiction Business Books #6 (S)

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Creative Selection: Inside Apple’s Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs – Ken Kocienda

This book turned out to be different from my initial expectations, yet it was a satisfying read. It doesn’t provide a comprehensive overview of Apple’s entire history and product line, and it’s not a conventional business theory book either. It goes in depth with the author’s experience in his areas of product development only. It has very little of Steve Jobs. So if you are looking for a book on him, this is not it. I really enjoyed it though. It was well written, and in depth on the product creation. It’s very much written like a story. It had me laughing at some points and I found it interesting. There were a few points that I lost interest in it though. The author being a software engineer does get a bit technical at times, but does a great job of drawing familiar parallels to software principles.

I would enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone curious about the intricate process of product development at Apple. It offers a delightful and enlightening reading experience, making it a solid 4 star recommendation.

Hello Gen Z: Engaging the Generation of Post-Millennials – Claire Madden

Gen Z, born between 1995 and 2009, currently aged 29 to 15, I picked up this book wanting to know more about Gen Z, particularly in the workforce. I understand that at the time of writing, in 2017, many Gen Z individuals were teenagers, but there were also adults in the workforce, and Gen Z would be increasingly entering the workforce as the years went on. The author could have focused more on the future. I felt that I had high hopes to learn a lot from the book, but in the end, it let me down. It was filled with quotes from Gen Z, which is fine, but it was inundated with repetitive quotes all saying the same thing. There was a lot of “this is how it is right now,” but no strategies for dealing with Gen Z in the workforce or in general. Some of it focused on understanding Gen Z, which is necessary in the book, but not to the extreme extent of what we are already observing from them. It didn’t provide explanations. I felt it took a long time to get into the book, and even then, it lacked depth. I’ve read other books on different generations, and they had more depth, even for the era in which they were written. I felt like the terms, slang, and things labeled as Gen Z were more characteristic of Gen Y, especially since I am Gen Y. I’m unsure if Gen Z is just not that different, or if I’m not as old as I thought I was! I recommend this for generations X and above. 3 stars.

Conscious Leadership: Reveal your potential. Inspire excellence. – Neil Seligman

I don’t believe this book is poor, but it didn’t quite resonate with me either. This book presents itself as a guide for leaders, but it’s really for anyone interested in understanding themselves better and making better choices. It offers examples, exercises, and suggestions for further reading on each topic. It’s short and covers a lot about self-development and becoming a better person. Overall, it’s a pretty good book. I don’t really have any faults with it. I think it just wasn’t for me. 3 stars.

Review: Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick – Make My Wish Come True

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Make My Wish Come True
Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick

Arden James left her small town to make it big in LA – leaving everything and everyone behind without a goodbye. Caroline Beckett was one of those left behind without an explanation and she’s done her best to move on with life and support Arden’s family as best she can. When Arden rocks back into town with the request for fake-dating 12 times, Caroline can’t say no.

She Gets the Girl was very good and I therefore jumped at the chance of an ARC of this novel. Unfortunately, Make My Wish Come True was a letdown. It was very predictable and also similar in nature to Finding my Elf. As a probably demisexual, I can’t imagine holding onto the idea of loving someone for four years when they’ve left you. Caroline is finally moving on for someone else, and Arden just waltzes back in and expects her to jump. And she does!

How many teenagers really relate to a popstar/celebrity relocation to LA? I can tell you that today’s teenagers (that I know) couldn’t care less, because tiktok and other social media has made it possible to be famous without moving. On the other hand, Caroline’s dreams of journalism are achievable, if a bit typical of teenage novels. I think that young lesbians could still love this novel, particularly if they like seasonal reading (and snow).

I think I’m allowed to be picky with the #queer novels that come across my path now because there are so many great ones out there! I don’t love Christmas either. That being said, I did recently read another ARC of a Christmas novel (barista/artist/fake-engagement) that I did enjoy. So it’s not just that. 3 stars for this novel from me for a protagonist who seems to be missing a backbone and a storyline that’s a little too predictable.

Simon & Schuster | 2nd October 2024 | AU$22.99 | ebook (ARC)

Review: Sonali Mishra – The Arrangement

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The Arrangement
Sonali Mishra

Arjun is 30, single and feeling the pressure to get married, buy a house and have 2.5 kids. He’s resisted an arranged marriage so far, but with his best friends getting hitched soon he’s feeling pretty lonely. Even a spark with a green-eyed local Indian girl isn’t enough to get him engaged. Arjun finally agrees for his mother to arrange a marriage – but will any of them be the one?

This book could have done with some ruthless editing. It takes FOREVER for anything to happen, and there’s a fair few things that don’t add anything to the plot line. I don’t find Arjun’s business trip to be relevant, nor is his boss’ somewhat insensitive behaviour. Did I honestly care about how many choc chip scones he bought? No.

Is being beautiful a criteria when finding a new partner? Sure, if it’s an arranged marriage you hope they’re attractive, but it’s not a given! Arjun is also described in multiple places as being handsome. What about the rest of us? Considering that the theme of the book is that an arranged marriage can still work and possibly build a more solid love story than a spontaneous spark, the ending is quite disappointing.

Was going to a divorce party at a gay bar necessary? A secondary character can be useful, but honestly the poor guy seemed like just a way for Arjun to show some character growth. Don’t judge people based on what they look like…

Dude! What’s with wanting to be married? Isn’t a committed relationship sufficient? This isn’t 20 years ago where you couldn’t cohabitate and you couldn’t have kids. Yes, I get that culturally it might be a bit of a problem, but it doesn’t seem like Arjun has a problem with it personally (given we understand he’s had sex before, and otherwise he’s a hypocrite). Marriage isn’t forever anymore.

So, after all those complaints, I did finish the book. I vaguely hoped that Arjun would realise that it was super rude of him either way he chose and maybe spend some more time thinking about what he wanted. He needed to use his words a bit more! ASK her, don’t assume things. 3 stars from me.

Harbor Lane Books | 13th August 2024 | AU$24.99 | ebook

Review: Vi Keeland – The Invitation

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The Invitation
Vi Keeland

Stella’s roommate bailed on her with a bounced check for the last two months rent, so Stella feels as if Evelyn owes her something… an invitation to a swanky wedding at the library?! Stella and her bestie crash the wedding, enjoy the food, and then Stella is caught out by the bride’s brother. Uh oh! Little does Stella know that this chance invitation could help her get her startup off the ground.

Many reviewers hated this book for the same reason I liked it! Thankfully, a lot of the text was dedicated to how the venture capitalists could support Stella’s Signature Scent start-up. There aren’t too many loooonnnngggg sex scenes that have them going at it like bunnies all night (and getting a blow by blow of the action). Does anyone read those $3X scenes and actually enjoy them? I’m also very over people saying ‘is it spicy?’ No, there’s no delicious cooking in this novel, just home-made mac’n’cheese.

Is there anything more stereotypical at the moment than the female male character having a gay male bestfriend? I feel like this trope is one of the top picks of the season (yes, I realise that it’s a 2021 book). There’s a bit of #enemiestolovers, but it’s not like you don’t already know how a romance is going to work out. I did like the slight twist, but again, I saw it coming from a while off and I knew that Stella and Hudson would make it up anyway.

This shouldn’t have been called ‘The Invitation’, it should have been titled Signature Scent! The business idea behind this book, which is for someone to answer questions and decide how much they like each of 10 scents to create their own scent, is brilliant. In fact, I could have sworn that I’d read a book on that premise before… anyway, I enjoy reading about chemistry and perfumes, and anything with at least a bit of science I can get excited about.

Given that other reviewers give this book a bad rap due to the lack of sex, I’m not going to be reading any more of this author’s novels. I’m giving this one a solid 3 stars – an enjoyable way to pass the day, but not really nailbiting or rereadable.