Category: Book Reviews

Book Review: Live Happy

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It’s not often I come across a book I want to read a few times over. Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy is one of those books. I read it three times so far!

Live Happy combines the science of happiness and ways you can create joy each and every day. From an attitude with gratitude to finding meaning even in the darkest of hours, we can all improve the quality of our lives through small, daily practices.

The book includes stories from people who worked through life’s challenges by simple acts they made each day. Some of the stories you’ll read are from celebrities like Alanis Morisette and Hoda Koth. Best selling positive psychologist, Shawn Achor, offers his research on happiness and is among the 40 stories available from all kinds of people. You will feel inspired about your own journey. Continue reading →

Book Review: Strengths Finder 2.0

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Strengths Finder 2.0Do you know your strengths? It’s likely you’re not able to use them every day while at the office or home. So many of us move through life without truly tapping into our talents and strengths.

Strengths Finder has been around for many years. The first version came out in 2001 and my husband introduced it to me several years ago when he was at a large Silicon Valley corporation that used it.

Strengths Finder 2.0 is a reference guide by Tom Rath that is based on research from Gallup and Dr. Don Clifton, Father of Strengths Psychology. I call it a reference guide because you can use for years after you complete the assessment tool that comes with the book. You’ll begin with the first chapter that sets up the importance of understanding our own unique strengths and how they impact all aspects of your life. Continue reading →

Book Review: Arianna Huffington’s Thrive

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Book Review: Thrive by Arianna HuffingtonSometimes we get a wake-up call when we’re running at warp speed for too long. Arianna Huffington’s wake-up call came in the form of a collapse on her bathroom floor. To the public, she had it all money, power and fame. That’s how we define success, right?

Huffington was exhausted, lacked sleep and self-care. She was lucky that she survived her collapse that day. Some people don’t, but she took the message her body was giving her and turned it into her mission to help others redefine success and live on their own terms.

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder. Continue reading →

Book Review: #GIRLBOSS

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#GIRLBOSS by Sophia AmorusoAre you a #GIRLBOSS? Sophia Amoruso sure is and her  New York Times bestseller shares just how she grew her business from its MySpace beginnings to a $250- million fashion retailer success story.

I had never heard of Sophia Amoruso or her business Nasty Gal other than seeing her book on the “must-read” lists. We had a secret Santa gift exchange at the office and I received the book as a gift.

I love learning about successful business women, not so much about their net worth, but the journey to success they experienced. So I was excited to read the book and I’m glad I didn’t read the reviews prior to starting it. They’re a mixed bag of praise and criticism. Continue reading →

Book Review: Body of Work

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Book Review: Body of WorkJob longevity is becoming more rare these days. An employee staying at a job over 5 to 10 years is almost shocking. It’s not because people are fickle, but industries cycle and positions are cut.

As employees, we often get locked into tunnel thinking. Our job title becomes our identity and we can forget that we do so much more outside of work. That’s a scary mindset when you can lose your job at any time. Here today, gone tomorrow. Continue reading →

Lean In… You won’t fall over

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Book Review: Lean In by Sheryl SandbergOn the heels of the Yahoo! work from home ban by Marissa Mayer, Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In was met with a hefty amount of backlash. In just under a month, gender roles and flexibility in the workplace came to the forefront. Debates flared and blogger keyboards burned up!

My first reaction to the book title was similar to most. The reality of leaning in more could certainly mean I’d fall over and hard. Who wants to lean in when you are already maxed out, right? Not the intended meaning of the title though. I started reading with both excitement and an open mind. Continue reading →

Book Review: Children’s Book Tour with Ripple’s Effect!

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Ripples EffectHave you ever noticed what a difference a smile makes? You know when you see someone walking along with no expression and a simple smile may brighten his or her day. It has a ripple effect.

I was asked to join the blog tour for a new children’s book titled Ripple’s Effect and was beyond thrilled to contribute my thoughts along with the group of amazing people promoting this story. Continue reading →

Book Review: Escape From Cubicle Nation

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Escape From Cubicle NationAre you in the land of cubes and ready to escape? 

Pamela Slim sure was. I read her 2010 book Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur a couple times.

The cover with the people looking over the cube walls is pretty funny and so are her references to the corporate satire Office Space, a great movie to see if you are a cube dweller.

Pamela’s book provides the aspiring entrepreneur with a healthy dose of reality as he or she dreams about taking that leap from the corporate to entrepreneurship. Continue reading →