Weekly-ish notes on navigating big change

Book Club

What I’m Reading: July 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

 

What I'm reading this month, from Book-of-the-Month-Club to business education to comic books. See the full list at https://taraswiger.com/im-reading-july-2016/ and send me your recommendations for what to read next!

 

What I read

  • Sprint, at the suggestion of Joeli (You know we’re doing an event together, in Manchester, England, right? Join us here!)
  • Shrill, by Lindy West – I got this as part of Book of the Month Club and LOVED it. Lindy is funny, smart, and writes about body love, feminism, and internet outrage (and backlash) in a way that I found very encouraging and cheering.
  • Eligible, by Curtis Sittenfeld – Another book from Book of the Month Club*. This is a fun retelling of Pride & Prejudice, set in modern-day Cincinnati.
  • Millefiori Quilts, by Willyne Hammersetin – I became totally obsessed with the quilt on the cover, La Passacaglia, after finding this hashtag on Instagram.
  • Lumberjanes – I loooove this comic! I read a lot of comics this month, but this is the one I recommend the highest! (Just ask me on Twitter if you'd like a recommendation of other good reads!) 

*The Book of the Month Club is seriously the best investment I've made in my own entertainment. I've loved both of the books, and I appreciate that I can pick which book they send, or skip a month whenever I want. I love it so much I went ahead and signed up as an affiliate, so I get a tiny discount on my membership whenever you sign up through my link. (I chose Missing, Presumed as my choice for this month!)

What I’m reading

What I read last July.

And in July 2014

What are you reading?

I could use some recommendations! What are you reading and loving right now?

What I’m reading: June 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

What I'm reading in June: SuperBetter and lots of novels.

What I read

  • Smarter, Faster, Better, by Charles Duhigg
  • The Great Vegan Protein Book, by Celine Steen – Ok, so the title isn't all that compelling, but this book has more recipes-i'll-make-again than any book I've tried in the last year. The Caribbean tofu was inspired by one of our fave restaurants, Nine Mile, and it turned out delicious. We're buying this one, for sure.
  • Prep, Sisterland, and American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld – I've been on a Sittenfeld kick, as I waited for my copy of Eligible to come as part of my new Book of the Month membership!
  • SuperBetter, by Jane McGonigal – Oh man, this was an instant classic, I'm going to be referring to it and the studies it highlights about how to pursue a life you want again and again. A lot of it's lessons found their way into #monthofbizlove and the Starship voted to make it our reading choice for the informal book club!

What I’m reading

  • Sprint, at the suggestion of Joeli (You know we're doing an event together, in Manchester, England, right? Join us here!)

What I read last June.

And in June 2014 (Oh, wow! I read another Charles Duhigg book exactly 2 years ago!)

What are you reading?

I could use some recommendations! What are you reading and loving right now?

 

 

Disclaimer-y Disclaimer!  Or course I’m biased when my friends write a book, but I don’t mention things I don’t like. Read the usual disclaimer here.

What I’m Reading: May 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

What I'm reading this month: business books, memoirs, novels. Find out more at TaraSwiger.com

What I read

  • The Introvert Entrepreneur, by Beth Buelow. I SO enjoyed this book! It is so inline with the many “For Introverts” podcast episodes I've made, and the author gave voice to why I do a lot of my business practices and systems. I loved it so much, I'm going to give away a copy next week! Be sure you're signed up here to get the chance to win it!
  • Wake up Happy, by Michael Strahan. It's so weird that I read two books kinda related to sports this month. This one was happy, upbeat, and encouraging. I didn't know anything about Michael and I like him quite a lot after reading it. If you need a pick-me-up, read it!
  • Lock in, by John Scalzi. Oh man. This novel was SO good. If you like sci-fi set in an almost real-world, read it. I have loved every Scalzi book I've ever read. I'll be reading more!
  • Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable, by Tim Grover. I have mixed feelings about this book, written by a superstar basketball trainer (he worked with Michael Jordan!). I want my teenage brothers to read it, for its message of “work harder than anyone else, in order to be great”… but making excuses for why “great” men cheat on their families is pretty disgusting. Related: He only talks about great men. Not once does he mention women, or how they can be relentless and great. Ugh.
  • Drawing Blood, by Molly Crabapple. I had no idea who the author was, or how the book even landed on my “to read” list, but it came in at the library so I got it. And it was very engaging. Fascinating to read about a world that's unfolded parallel to my own (we're close in age) but so totally different (being raised in rural Ohio, going to school in East TN then living in Appalachia is nothing like NYC!)

What I’m reading

What I read last May.
And in May 2014.

What are you reading?

I could use some recommendations! What are you reading and loving right now?

 

 

What I’m Reading: April 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

What are YOU reading this month? I'm sharing my list of April reads on the blog, at TaraSwiger.com. Come and read my mini-reviews and leave recommendations of YOUR favorite books!

 

What I read

  • Presence, by Amy Cuddy – I really liked this! I recommend it for everyone who gets nervous and feels frozen or awkward in… any situation! If you don't read the book (which you totally should!), you can watch her TED talk.
  • The Secret History, by Donna Tartt – I'm like a decade after everyone else, but this book was great – I love the way the mystery unfolded. You know who did it, but you don't get why until the very end.
  • Year of Cozy, by Adrianna Adarme – so pretty! Totally inspired me to make my own candles.

What I’m reading

What I read last March.
And in April 2014.

What are you reading?

I could use some recommendations! What are you reading and loving right now?

 

 

 

What I’m Reading: March 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

A list of the business + fiction books I'm reading this month, with mini-reviews and recommendations, at TaraSwiger.com.

What I read

  • The Magic of Thinking Big, by David Schwartz – Recommended a LOT on several podcasts. I enjoyed bits of it, but it's very 70s-self-help-business-y. That said, if you're not turned off by that style book, I loved it.
  • Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell – With all my travel, teaching and house-unpacking in February, I ended up mostly reading novels this month. My brain needed a break from all the strategic thinking it was doing. I particularly adore Rainbow Rowell and I loved both of hers that I read this month.
  • Attachments, by Rainbow Rowell
  • Fates and Furies, by Laura Groff

What I’m reading

What I read last March.
And in March 2014.

What are you reading?

 

 

 

What I’m reading: February 2016

Join me for an informal book club! A list of all the books I've read in February, and what I plan to read next. From businessy goodness to classic lit to comics! More at TaraSwiger.com

 I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

What I read

  • Year of Yes, by Shonda Rhimes. This is one of those books I've been thinking about since I started it. I'll be revisiting it for sure. If you need to feel bolder to take big action in your life or biz, read this. Now.
  • Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. Laugh out loud funny. Check out The Bloggess and if you find it hilarious, read this book.
  • So You've Been Publicly Shamed, by Jon Ronson. What happens to people who are the publicly shamed by Twitter, who become “trending topics” because of their stupidity or honest mistake? Ronson finds those people and talks to them. I kinda live in fear of the internet turning on me, so I found it strangely comforting.
  • Alias, by Brian Michael Bendis. If you liked the Netflix show Jessica Jones, you gotta read this. This comic is SO much more than the one storyline in Jessica Jones and is even better (and I really loved that show!) {Note: I read the Omnibus, from my library. But if you don't want to commit to that, start with Volume 1. Better yet, request it at your library!}
  • Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans. The story of a girl who was raised Evangelical (like me) and slowly realized she needed to find a new tradition.
  • Hunger Makes me a Modern Girl, by Carrie Brownstein. Oh man, I read this book because I loved Sleater-Kinney and this book delivers. Carrie is a beautiful writer. I was totally blown away by the first few chapters.
  • Wildflower, by Drew Barrymore. I just now realized this month was full of autobiography-ish type books. As much as I love Drew, this suffered from being read right after Brownstein's book. It wasn't as beautifully written, but did manage to dig a bit deeper into specific stories. I read it in a day, so it was definitely enjoyable!

What I’m reading

What I read last February.
And in February 2014.

What are you reading?

The 8 Best Books for your Creative Business

There are so many great books for creative business owners out there, but everyone needs to read something different, depending on where they are in their business journey. Today on the podcast I'm sharing the 8 best books I can think of for every stage of business. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast90/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What are the best books for your creative business?

Today I decided to share the best books for your specific situation. Listen in to find out what I suggest for where you are in your business journey!

 This topic was suggested by Ana on Periscope. I broadcast these podcast recordings a whole week early, on Periscope. If you’d like to get early access, follow me at Periscope.tv/TaraSwiger. I also publish a video version of this podcast on YouTube along with a new lesson every week!

 

Resources:

 

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

What I’m reading: January 2016

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

What I read

  • Emma, by Jane Austen
  • A Curious Mind, by Brian Grazer. So good! Brian has spent his life holding “curiosity conversations” – once a week he talks to someone interesting and is just curious about them. I love the idea and the book inspired me to be more curious with everyone I meet.
  • Knit Wear Love, by Amy Herzog. I enjoyed this book about changing your sweater pattern to match your personal style.
  • Design Mom, by Gabrielle Blair. A gorgeous book, that gave me some ideas for our new place. But I couldn't get over how she always refers to her husband by his full name (Ben Blair). Every. Time. Distracting, but beautiful!

What I’m reading

What I read last January.
And in January 2014.

What are you reading?

What I’m reading: December 2015

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.

 

What I'm reading in December 2015

What I read

  • The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks – Oh, this book! It had been on my list forever, but when a Starship Captain started a discussion about “Upper Limit Problems”, I decided to finally read it. I'm so glad I did. If your business is growing but you feel like you struggle to keep up, or you're holding it back, read this!
  • The Little Spark, by Carrie Bloomston – Perfect for re-sparking your flagging enthusiasm or creativity.
  • The Ultimate Webinar Marketing Guide, by Lewis Howes – Read this in preparation for today's webinar.
  • The Uncommon Reader, by Alan Bennet – I saw this slim novella at my library and picked up. So glad I did – it resulted in a very happy afternoon of reading.

What I’m reading

 

What I read last December
And the December before that

What are you reading?

 

 

What I’m Reading: November 2015

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list in the comments and find all the posts here.
"The last of human freedoms- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." -Victor Frankl #whatimreading #airplanemode

What I read

  • Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is this quarter’s Starship Book Club pick. I LOVED it. I highlighted it like crazy. If you're a creative, get it and read it. Please.
  • Steal the Show, by Michael Port – Pre-ordered it on my Kindle, to read before my teaching gigs, and I learned a few things I implemented in my recent classes.
  • Why Not Me, by Mindy Kaling. Funny + quick!
  • You're Never Weird on the Internet, by Felicia Day. Super encouraging autobiography, for internet-nerd gals.
  • The Confidence Code by Katty Kay. This book is inspiring my current #BizConfidenceChallenge! I learned a lot, and it cleared up a lot that I've experienced with my clients (and myself)!
  • Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl. This is part of my #greatbooksproject (reading all the books I missed in high school and college) and it was just beyond description. It begins as the story of Frankl's experiences in the concentration camps during WWII. But it's somehow not dark, but completely hopeful. As the book continues, he begins to tease apart what pushed some people to survive and find peace during the atrocities.

The quote that will stick with me:

“The last of human freedoms – to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”

-Victor Frankl

What I’m reading

 

What I read last November
And the November before that

What are you reading?

 

 

The usual disclaimery disclaimer applies! 

 

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