read 100 books

Completed reading of “The Fourth Turning,” Was highly worth the read!!

I recently have started this book, and am devouring it. Must read for all those interested in history, generations, anthropology and economics.

Concluding that America is on the verge of crisis, the authors examine the cycles of American history and the interaction of the different generations to predict the future. Detailed discussion on each generation is provided: GI Generation, Silent Generation, Boomer Generation, Nomad Generation (Gen-X), Millennial Generation (Gen-Y) etc. As well as an examination of American history, what point in the cycle the events fit into, and what generations shaped the outcomes of history.

Fascinating read, highly recommended for our current times!!

I want to read this book next….looks like a fantastic treasure of info!

http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Money-Means-Well/dp/0824525205

Countless books tell you how to make money: only this one turns to the wisdom of the ages to illuminate for you the reasons you have money in the first place, and the role it’s meant to play in your life and in the lives of others. Here, American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Hanna introduces you to a lean, no-nonsense explanation of the meaning of your money, and a guide for dealing with it constructively.

From a tradition rooted in ordinary virtue, common sense, and the pragmatism that allows societies to flourish, Hanna has skillfully drawn forth principles and criteria that will enable you to discover quickly and with confidence:

• Why you, in particular, have money

• What your money calls you to be, and why

• How to determine how much money is enough

• The three vocations of all those who have money (can you name even one of them?)

• How to shield yourself and your loved ones from the dangers inherent in wealth (and even make your wealth a school of virtue!)

• How if philanthropy is your calling to give wisely (and ten rules of thumb that should guide all donors)

• Plus: much more to help you understand what your money means, and how to use it well.

“Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money” by Barb Schwarz

Great book and highly recommend to anyone who is not trying to sell their home as well if you want it to look fantastic! I learned some things I didn’t know before, and I think my successful staging worked as the 2nd people through my home eventually put in an offer (still pending, we’ll see!)

This book has before and after pics, and makes you aware of even more things that disgust people who might be walking through your home. I am keeping this book for the future, especially for when the inlaws come to visit! :-)

Completed reading of “The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play” by Neil Fiore, Ph.D.

This one complemented book #9 nicely. The biggest things I took away from this book is to “unschedule” which means after blocking in the normal necessary daily tasks (work, sleep, meals, etc.) you block in all the things you want to or love to do first into your schedule. THEN you fit in your other things around that schedule, which forces you to spend quality time on your mundane tasks rather than quantity time since you know you have something fun to look forward to (like spending an hour drawing or painting, or meeting a friend).

Giving this one a try for a while…already feels less stressful, and still works with my idea of balance in your day (see my Mission Statment on completed goals).

Read, “Following Through: A Revolutionary New Model for Finishing Whatever You Start” by Steve Levinson, Ph.D. & Pete Greider, M.Ed.

This book was a pretty good read. I couldn’t put it down. It differs from other books on similar topics in that it picks apart the human brain and behavior as to why it procrastinates, and concludes procrastination is not really our fault, it has to do with how we are wired (we are not all squirrels preprogrammed to efficiently stock nuts for the winter), and gives some suggestions for “coping skills” to deal with our disability.

I am still absorbing the coping skills. Some of them I have used without knowing it, others are no-brainers. The one that caught my attention is the use of a “beeper” to change behavior a’la Pavlov’s dogs style. You can use your cell phone on vibrate to set reminders throughout the day to remember to stand up straight, be nice to people, walk your dog, etc.

I am reading a second book on procrastination that seems complementary to the skills mentioned in “Following Through: A Revolutionary New Model for Finishing Whatever You Start.” I will post it when I finish it!

“The Difference Maker” by John C. Maxwell is a splendid read! I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a burst of motivation and a good swift kick!

“Lent and Easter With G.K. Chesterton” is finished! For the most part this was an enjoyable read, especially being I am a big G.K. Chesterton fan! Wasn’t the best book I have read, but the quotes from Chesterton made it all worthwhile.

Update on the books I have read:

1. “The Apostles” by Pope Benedict XVI

2. “Perpetual Motivation” by Dave Durand

3. “Advent and Christmas Wisdom” from G.K. Chesterton

4. “History’s Golden Thread: The History of Salvation by Sofia Calvaretti

5. “The Women of the Passion”

6. “Your Signature Work: Creating Excellence and Influencing Others at Work” by Dianna Booher.

7. “Lent and Easter With G.K. Chesterton”

Read the book “Your Signature Work: Creating Excellence and Influencing Others at Work” by Dianna Booher.

Overall, a good read, although some of it I have already been doing, so it got a bit boring through some parts, but there were some very good tips in it. I would suggest this book to others.

The Women of the Passion. Glad to be finished with this one as it was not as inspirational as I had hoped, but not a bad read either.