January 2021-Reading
One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick
Overview
This book tells the story of Nathaniel Fick, a Marine
officer. Fick was on tour in the middle east when 9/11 happened. Because his
platoon was the nearest and already active, they were one of the first people
to set foot in Afghanistan once the war started. This is a gripping, first
hand, account of the war and Fick’s view on leadership, the military and peace.
I’m
not generally a fan of military books. But I enjoyed this one! It zeroed in and
gave me texture and story instead of just stats and overwhelming ideas that
make me numb.
What We Can Learn
I
loved the honesty of this book. Never before have I read an account of someone
so frustrated with the military leadership. Fick broke down all the
frustrations of being a man on the ground while others behind the lines make
calls that didn’t make sense. It made me think about how I lead and the importance of sharing the reason behind my choices.
Rating
I
likely won’t read the book a second time, but I’m glad I read it. It helped me
understand the war in Afghanistan in a way I hadn’t before.
Finding Quiet by Jamie Grace
Overview
Finding Quiet is part autobiography and part self-help.
Musician Jamie Grace breaks down her struggles with Tourettes and how she’s
learned to be herself. Tourettes is a medical disorder that causes people to
have either what may appear to be a nervous twitch or even say things
involuntarily. Understandably, this causes a lot of anxiety and made her try to hide this part of herself.
What We Can Learn
Story is a powerful learning device. We can learn from
Jamie’s story and journey as she learned to stop hiding her Tourettes and be
herself. It’s a journey we’re all on (at least I am) and knowing others’ stories
helps normalize the struggle to be authentic.
Rating
While I enjoyed the book and learned some from it, I found
the demonstration and message a touch shallow. I’m sure that for Jamie, it was
raw, and vulnerable, but it didn’t resonate with where I am at on my
journey.
Synapse by Steven James
Overview
Wow! This is a fictional story of a girl in an advanced
futuristic society who receives a robot as a gift. This robot is extremely
advanced and lifelike. Upon unboxing her new “friend” the girl is prompted to calibrate
the robot by setting its ability to think and feel pain.
This book explores the relationship between pain and learning
in a powerful way. The main character is trying not to feel after a deep
personal loss, her robot friend wants to feel and understand why connection
demands vulnerability. We can’t have vulnerability without pain. Growth never
comes without some struggle. And trying to avoid these doesn’t work.
What We Can Learn
This is a deeply intellectual book disguised as a sci-fi
thriller. What does it mean to be human? What value do memories and experiences
have? How does our ability to feel impact our lives? You will learn what you
want about life, if you allow yourself to ponder and be inspired.
Rating
If you want to sit down and think about what it means to be
human, how we experience pain, what role intelligent thought has in our lives
and other mind-blowing philosophical questions, read this book!
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson
Overview
This book explores the steps needed to have productive and
hard conversations. It’s mainly applicable for the professional environment.
What We Can Learn
We can learn how to approach difficult conversations and
create a productive dialogue.
Rating
While I am glad I read it and took some away, the fact that
I remember very little from the book is very telling. I much prefer Brene Brown’s
work.
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