Book Archives

This is pertinent since knowledge can be gained by anyone, but if it is not being shared and expanded upon to as many persons as possible, is it truly beneficial at all? My overarching goal is to help people and I understand this is a vague statement. But helping others comes in many forms and I try to be as open-minded as possible in order to see the most growth in my career and as an individual. I strive to always educate myself, whether inside or outside of the classroom due to there being so much information at our fingertips. Books have become my "brain food" and this has now turned into a daily habit.

It is important to add that these books are not in any particular order, but more of a random list.

November 2, 2021?The Power of Positive Thinking, by: Norman Vincent Peale

This was a good read and was not time consuming. Although it has an emphasis on religion, it focused on the powerful, motivating, and uplifting phrases in the Bible. There is a power in words that readers understand with the use of real life stories mentioned. Manifestation is real and the human brain is a powerful place that registers everything that is said and digested. Simple techniques such as having a pep talk in the mirror or repeating positive words such as "Tranquility" and "Peace" to yourself daily has a profound impact on self esteem and actions in everyday life.

I found this book to be helpful because I have a bad habit of being harder on myself than I should be at times. I speak negatively about myself if I do not get to achieve my daily list or performing poorly on an exam. It was a nice reminder to see the positive words of affirmation to help keep my spirits lifted when they were defeated.

November 9, 2021?Fierce Conversations, by: Susan Scott

The book was not a difficult read and contained quality information on how to have those conversations one has been avoiding and pushing off for the longest. There are times where you and I lose relationships whether they are romantic or solely friendship based. Even times where managers lose good people for not giving them enough praise is something that happens well too often. The author of this book goes into the offices of CEOs and managers to have conversations with them. Each chapter tells of different stories being shared and the progress that is made after having that well needed conversation. One interaction that stuck out to me was a time where a manager of a fishing place had two talented employees who were always butting heads; the tension between the two got so bad that it was starting to hurt the company and relationship between fisherman and HQ employee.

November 16, 2021?The Go Giver, by: Bob Burg & John D. Mann

This was a short read, but I enjoyed it. Humans are greedy by nature and we are so wired to think about ourselves most times that even the thought of lending a helping hand is rare. The main character in this book was stressed at work and at home. Just as many of us have had deadlines to meet with a short time window, a big client deal one hopes to gain, or even a presentation in a class; whatever the case may be, stress levels are high.

The first couple of chapters discusses the dilemma the gentleman was in and focused only on himself. It was getting to the point where his marriage was beginning to dissipate due to issues at work. There was an older gentleman who worked for the same company and had been there for most of his working life and saw the gentleman frustrated. He offered him a contact that could help him become successful. The person was uneasy at first because the day he started his lessons, the classroom he was in shifted from person to person meeting people who started off with just ideas that turned them into millionaires.

Long story short, the man began to understand that people were at the forefront of trying to achieve the goals that one has set. Putting good energy out into the world allows a person to be open to receiving that same energy in return. After he learns the gift of giving, he ends up giving his competitor the business he was hoping to acquire. Then the blessings start to flow as he is seen being the CEO of a startup at the end.

Moral of the story: money is not always the driving factor. Although money and profits are important, it is essential to help others. I used to think that the more money I had, the more successful I would be. I shifted my mindset to focus on how impactful I can be and now set my sights on how many lives I can reach. A mindset shift is important when trying to grow and progress professionally and individually.

November 23, 2021?What Color is Your Parachute??by: Richard N. Bolles

This was a book talking about job searches and expands the reader's knowledge about which search is the most effective. I liked this read because it is something that everyone can relate to since it is quite impossible to get an interview for every job one applies for. It shows statistics as to what is the most and least successful ways of grabbing the attention of employers.

Especially after always hearing positive feedback from interviews with no formal offers, it can become frustrating and most job hunters give up after the initial months of looking. There is the possibility that the employer did not like your resume, but that does not mean the resume is not sufficient enough, it might just meant this employer has a different idea on different things. The book is helpful with giving tips such as approaching the dreaded salary negotiation or sending thank you letters no more than twenty four hours after an interview to show gratitude.

For the people who are out there searching for a job, do not give up hope. There are bound to be millions of "No" during the process but that is just one step closer to finding that "Yes." There are lots of job postings out there but that does not mean that everyone looking for job online will find one. The company owes you no callback or response (although it would be nice) and it is on the individual to figure out a successful game plan.

People are looking for jobs for all sorts of reasons but it is nice to see in reading that you are not alone, there are lots of people like myself out there and that opportunity will be knocking before you know it.

I was surprised as to how many websites there were with job postings and how they will continue to update as time progresses. It is also important to note that different strategies work for different people and different positions. Instead of quitting prematurely, try using an alternative approach to see if any success comes out of it. Never give up and always have faith!

November 30, 2021?The Moviegoer?by: Walker Percy

Another classic read that I enjoyed so much, had to read it again. This is a story about a narrator who is a successful businessman that loves his secretaries and going to the movies. The narrator has his identity in the form of driver's licenses, credit cards, etc. He knows what he is but fails to identify "himself"; he does not know his origin or his roots well enough to give an answer to his liking. Just as many other people in the world, they get used to having a routine that turns into a habit; with no difference between being human and being machine. Walker Percy calls that boring everydayness the "malaise". The narrator finds himself the malaise and wants to know how to break the wretched cycle. The rest of the book goes into him tracing his steps and get a better sense of why things are the way they are. Bolling (narrator) learns more about his family dynamics, and contemplate what it means to be alive. At the same time, he watched movies and television trying to find a connection to humanity as well. Bolling is close with his aunt and his aunt tries to always lecture him. Just as family members tell you what they think you should be and what you should think, diluting the individual throughout the process. Bolling has a relationship with a mentally unstable cousin named Kate who nobody else seems to understand. He was a veteran from the war and now lived in New Orleans since there was a mention of Mardi Gras. Even being around the bright lights and festive events, the narrator still does not seem to be satisfied. A great life lesson about finding oneself and learning why things are instead of settling for ignorance as many do.

December 7, 2021?Leadership Diversity in America,?by: Ann M. Morrison

This book talked about the pros and cons of diversity in the workplace. The statistics are outdated since it has been awhile since the book was published, but it still serves as a template for showing how pertinent it is for a successful business. It was interesting to see that some companies discourage diversity and that creates(in extreme cases) a hostile work environment. It is important to understand that having different people that creates more ideas being generated as well as everyone feeling included. There are too many people who go to work and dread going because their concerns are not being met. Having a diverse group of employees can provide diverse backgrounds and diverse experiences. Many of the best ideas come from brainstorming and if everyone thinks the same or even have the same background, it will be impossible to see unique thinking. The best part about working with others that are different than you allows you to see other perspectives. Having more than one perspective to view the world from can make a free thinker unstoppable.

Another issue that many companies face is saying they are diverse but not actually walking the walk. Instead of trying to check off a box to make a supervisor or board member happy, employers should think less selfish and more selfless. Companies with high turnover rates can spend more than necessary on bringing in new employees; and if they never correct their mistakes, it will lead to a continuous cycle that will destroy a company's image, customer base, and potential revenue loss. Being more diverse also leads to a larger target audience to offer products and services too. It can be difficult to reach the largest audience with limited ideas and limited thinking. There are times where enforcing diversity results in losing top talent and a hostile work environment, the benefits long term are worth the growing pains.

December 14, 2021?Guaranteed Success?by: Percy "Master P" Miller

This was an audiobook that I decided to check out and would recommend it to anyone who seems to lack motivation (because we are human and we have our not so good days). Master P has lived a successful life even though he was not born into that wealth. He is a true product of consistency, hard work, and determination. The biggest factor that separates the successful from those who are not I would say would be discipline or self awareness. The book goes into depth about how even at a young age, Master P had an entrepreneurial mindset that helped pave the way for him to be where he stands today. Selling records and mixtapes out of his car to help get his name out there and establishing his "brand." An empire cannot be built overnight and one must be patient to expect results. One portion of the book stuck out more than the rest when he talked about knowing your worth. He was getting to the point where people started to know his name and had an interview with a record label. In this meeting, the record deal offered him a million dollar contract and he said no. His brother was furious because he thought Master P was out of his mind, not realizing that if he could get a million dollar offer there must be someone out there who might triple or even quadruple that if they could be found. There are no secrets to success and although some people may have socio-economic advantages, opportunities and money and success and whatever else you may want are out there, it is up to the individual to find a plan to get them to the goal. Now, Master P has a son who was able to sign an NIL deal worth two million dollars and has created many businesses that have served his family and community well. It is also worth noting that he started as a rapper, made it to the NBA, entrepreneur and real estate mogul. Learn to get uncomfortable in order to see growth and be consistent. The results are good, but enjoy the process. The end is only a culmination of what you started with.

December 21, 2021?The 10x Rule?by: Grant Cardone

This audiobook helped me realize that I was not setting big enough goals. It helps for those who listen/read it to set and reach goals that one thought to be impossible. The 10X Rule helps take fear out of the equation and help give people more confidence. Whatever you think you are doing is enough, you need to multiply that effort by ten to see drastic results. It gives you the frame of mind to think like those who are successful and helps the daily talks that we have with ourselves. I am sure there are plenty of people who say that your dreams are not big enough if they do not scare you or others. Not only does Grant Cardone help in terms of business, but also in terms of life. There was a few chapters in the book that went over how to become satisfied in all areas of life. Fear can be a tool to move you into action. You do not want to be a person that lived a regretful life, you have to accept and be at terms with whatever decision that is made and move on from there. Just as a quarterback who throws an interception in the clutch or a hooper missing the game winning shot, having short term memory helps keep the long term goal in the picture. Nowadays, people are always looking for the "get rich quick" schemes and quickest way to obtain what they want. An empire cannot be built overnight and this is another reminder about that. Remember, life gives you what you work for, not what you want.

December 28, 2021?A Generation of Sociopaths: How Baby Boomers Betrayed America?by: Bruce Cannon Gibney

A story told from the perspective of a Millennial, this book dives into what the Baby Boomer generation did to hurt and harm America. The book goes over statistics that go over pros and cons for how society has been shaped. The author was a bit bias in his critique of Boomers saying that "they made an already minuscule problem much worse" with the way they responded to certain events that went on. There were some statistics showing that Boomers had the highest rate of STDs compared to Millennials and Gen X. there were more people who began to resist government actions. Gibney thought it advantageous most Boomers took office and have been the majority since. I think there should be a maximum age on seats in office because it is baffling an eighty-year-old man can dictate what goes on for a generation of people he or she will never understand or relate to. Interesting enough, Boomers have an obsession with watching TV. Boomers had advantages when it came to taxes since they were able to bend the rules to and profit due to less being owed on capital gains and estate taxes. Inflation was mentioned as a silent killer, especially in terms of education. They mentioned how rich people were able to avoid getting drafted to the war and how minorities/poorest were the ones dying on the battlefield. This book can be interpreted in many ways and only a handful of topics were mentioned in this summary. The one biggest takeaway I found while reading was the ability to see different perspectives. This allows one to cater each and every message to different people depending on their age and possible beliefs. Boomers had a role to play in shaping America for the better and Gibney believed they were looking only far enough that they could see instead of forty, fifty years down the road.

January 4, 2022?Black Buck?by: Mateo Askaripour

A book that was gifted to me that was difficult to put down. This is a story of a twenty-two year old Starbucks barista expert turned salesman. Darren Vender was comfortable with the life he lived because he, like many, get complacent. He never went to college and his reasoning was so his mother was never alone. Darren was valedictorian of his high school class and had a best friend (Jason) who was a drug dealer. He was the big fish in a small pond at Starbucks and gave great recommendations for drinks when people walked in. There was one gentleman specifically who was a regular that Vender knew and could tell his day was not going so well. In the book, the author depicts a salesman without even knowing it since he convinced this gentleman to order and try another drink while having had a bad start to the day. The gentleman is named Rhett and at the time he did not realize Rhett would give him a chance with a startup to showcase his talents. Darren does not want his life to change even though his mother, girlfriend, and neighborhood know what he is capable of. It turns out that Rhett taking that chance on him would work out (at first) and Vender now found himself as the little fish in the big pond. He is now the only black man in a room full of enthusiastic white persons who are now his new coworkers. On his first day of work, Darren is clowned and ridiculed by having white paint fall all over him, while also having to rap for everyone all in a week of work. There were times Vender did not think he was cut out for this line of work even though as the plot builds, he ends up helping other young people become salesman while help get them opportunities. The book was well written and every page had me excited to see what was going to happen next. The story ends with a big plot twist that I will not spoil but can say I could never have guessed. It tells the struggles of being the minority in a company and how microaggressions built up over his entire career. With or without success, the racism and prejudices were apparent.

January 11, 2022?Everyday Millionaires?by: Chris Hogan

A book that talks about the steps and actions needed for people to become net-worth millionaires. What that means is that their assets minus their liabilities are over a million. It was interesting to see that majority of Americans believed that those with millions had a head start or have been spoon fed most of their lives. The author does a good job of showing statistics on top of the 10,000 people that were surveyed to get a sample of what most millionaires have done to get to where they are now. The common theme across all millionaires is that their parents were not well off and learned their work ethic and discipline from hardships. Most people who have the most assets are usually your next door neighbors (which can be quite surprising for most). I was shocked to find that most of what contributed to their wealth was in employee sponsored retirement accounts. The earlier you start saving, the more you can expect to have once retirement comes. Most of the jobs that these people were found working in were accountants. engineers, and teachers with most of them not having executive or C-level titles. All of the people who are now living the life they saved and invested for were hard workers and had a long term plan. The overwhelming majority of those studied said that becoming a millionaire is possible for anyone, but consistency and intentionality are part of the picture as well. Many millionaires mentioned some sort of giving or donating with the money they had which was a common theme. Myths such as wealthy people taking unnecessary risks or having been given some inheritance was debunked and it can be hard to argue against numbers. People stayed away from most debt and had their mortgages paid off, which meant that they were debt free. These individuals did not have any credit card debt and rarely mentioned having student debt. Education was important, although it did not matter where one went to school to be a determinant in success outside of the classroom. Keeping up with the Joneses will do you no good because they are broke! That was a quote from one of the millionaires in the book but apologies for not knowing their name to credit them. For those looking for ways to become millionaires, the get rich quick schemes and impatience will do you no good, be in it for the long run and look how much life during retirement will change.

January 18, 2022?The Warmth of Other Suns?by: Isabel Wilkerson

This has been one of my favorite books to date because of the information and story that was told. The plot talked about three different people and their journey from the south during historians called "The Great Migration." I enjoyed this read because it gave the audience a glimpse into what those who experienced the Jim Crow era and the hardships that went along with it. During the 1960s, even dating back to slavery, white people have used an entire body of people for unpaid labor, or in these days volunteer work. Just imagine having to work all day to feed your family to get paid nothing and not argue at all. Any type of altercation could have led to you being lynched or chased out of town in a moment's notice. In the South, at this time racism was blatant and alive compared to the North where racism was hidden with people tricking you into thinking they are an ally to stab you in the back when one is not looking. Black people built this United States yet were in bondage every day they woke up. A great quote by W.E.B. Du Bois sums it up: "to be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships." There were no opportunities. I remember a section in the book where it talked about how the white students in town had the best school and the newest textbooks to give their students. Meanwhile, the black children got their books out of the junk that were not updated to try and learn from. Every time a page was turned, there was more injustice that was saddening. One of the people that the author covered dreamed of being a businessman and after his journey to the North, he was a train operator that did labor for majority of his living days. Plenty of people had to put dreams on hold to give a better life to their future generations. It is difficult to place blame on one person or factor more than others since the culmination of injustice and systemic racism has been going on for hundreds of years. Black people have no faith in a system that tears them down and blames them every chance they get, no matter what they have to offer. Black people have not been able to create wealth or live comfortably since the "land of opportunity" has robbed us of so much. When there were more students in classrooms once people began to migrate, studies found that those who were from the North blamed those Southern students and assumed they were the reason standardized test scores were bad and had the most behavioral problems. When looking at statistics, those who migrated North were better educated and even were found to have more successful marriages. What I mentioned was just a slither of facts that were mentioned but for those who are unaware of what has truly been going on or those looking for an informative read this book would be the one.

January 25, 2022?A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence by:?Jeff Hawkins

Another good read that I fond on Bill Gates's book list for the most current year. A book that talks about AI (artificial intelligence) and the brain while discussing how the brain works. It talks about how and what qualifies a machine as being "intelligent" and the pros and cons that could come about from programming machines to be more intelligent than humans. The biggest thing that I took away from this book was the function of our brain, which includes the neocortex, old brain and new brain functions. I look at the old brain and its functions as a caveman like thinking. An example could be seeing cake, the old brain would say, "Cake. Sweet. Let's eat." On the other hand, the new brain would deal with the complex thinking and the more analytical side of the brain. Going back to the cake example, the new brain would react and answer to questions that philosophers would pose. Another big lesson from this was that it can be impossible to program a machine to be autonomous and want to harm or subjugate humanity. There are people out there who are inherently bad and they could program machines to do harm, but most times that programming would be too complex to be even an afterthought. The codes necessary to program a machine to build cars will focus on just building cars. That machine is intelligent for that specific function, but for any other function would be defective. Hawkins had an example where Earth was uninhabitable and society would move to Mars. Mars is a difficult planet for humans to survive so building infrastructure would be done by intelligent machines. The benefit for machines is that they have no emotions and working nonstop is easy. The hard part comes in when trying to account for every possible scenario possible. What if a machine was able to figure out that the process of building a house could be made more efficient: how will that said program be able to correct the issue if it was not pre programmed? It is not feasible. There seems to be a laundry list to consider a machine intelligent and it would take an entire society of persons to truly effect humanity in the worst way. Learning about the brain was interesting and the examples that were used made it resonate.

February 1, 2022?Rich Dad Poor Dad by:?Robert Kiyosaki

This is one of the books that helped get me out of an "employee" mindset and on the path toward "entrepreneur." Kiyosaki and his dads helped him to learn more about money and a brief overview of what is considered an asset compared to a liability. An asset is something that pays you while a liability is something that you owe. The most expensive asset most people usually own is their home and it is an asset since it increases in value over time. A new $35,000 car would be a liability since there are payments being made on the vehicle with no appreciating value. The goal is to make enough from your assets one can buy those wants and liabilities for pleasure. Kiyosaki's poor dad was well educated and had a doctorate degree. His mode of thinking was pay bills on time, go to school, and make an earnest living going to work for the next thirty to forty years. Kiyosaki's rich dad owned multiple businesses and seemed to always be at work. One taught him how to feed himself and the other one taught him the keys to living a successful and wealthy life. Kiyosaki details using a Monopoly-like board game to teach people young and old to avoid the "rat race." Many get stuck in the rat race and never figure out how to exit the wretched situation. Basic fundamentals of personal finance should be a requirement for all students graduating high school because that is what life becomes after school: paying bills and paying bills. Financial literacy is not emphasized and there is no surprise since education focuses on obedience rather than learning. Memorizing rather than understanding and it has shown. Over seventy percent of Americans were found to not have more than $1,000 in their bank accounts. There are plenty of ways to become rich or wealthy and schools will not teach people that. School is good for making great employees and nothing else. It is hard to put blame on one party more than another, the only thing that matters is spreading the knowledge that people lack to help them escape living paycheck to paycheck. This book was filled with knowledge and insightful tools that I hope to pass on to as many as possible.

February 8, 2022?Dream Psychology by:?Sigmund Freud

Reading this book was an experience since it is not something I would normally pick up, but this time it was different. Sigmund Freud is a famous psychologist that discussed psychoanalysis, which analyzes psychic phenomena and emotional disorders that help treat patients. Dreams, according to Freud, allow people to express unconscious subjects they may deem "unacceptable" in real life. Freud had two categories for dreams: manifest content and latent content. The manifest content is basically the setting of the dream which could include who is in the dream and perhaps what might be going on. The latent content is the meaning behind the dreams. The plot can hide the true meaning of the dream, although if you are like me, you will probably wake up most days and forget about it immediately. Dreams became more meaningful after starting to learn more about psychoanalysis and what it entails. It helped to create a better sense of self and awareness in order to help remember and trigger unconscious thoughts. I will not ever paint a false narrative and say that I remember every single dream while being able to interpret them all without fail would be a reach. The point of most books is to learn to see from a different perspective and learn during the process. And I was able to learn more about the brain and its functions which is intriguing as well.

February 15, 2022?Just Mercy by:?Bryan Stevenson

A good read that talked about injustices of the court system. It dives into why those who lack necessary resources continue to go without and the reason that most black fathers are not present in the lives of their children: the court system. Although the justice system is one of many factors to blame, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Bryan Stevenson dedicated his life to others and tried to give everyone what they deserve, a fair trial. There are tons of people on Death Row for crimes they did not commit. There were at least two instances where Stevenson had found evidence to overturn the court hearings and was denied due to missing deadlines or a judge simply not wanting to re open that case. Stevenson did all he could to give his clients a slither of hope. His commute was long and most days he would be working for at least 16 hours of the day along with hours of commuting to and from. There were times that readers could pick up on the emotional burden Stevenson put himself through. They say that nothing worthwhile comes easy and here is an example of that in practice. Throughout the book, judges seem to be the villain. Judges are those in charge of the freedom, life, and/or death of an individual. Judges are supposed to be as fair and impartial and it seemed as if their biases were what made or broke the final decision. Stevenson was a true hero for the marginalized community, often sharing meals with the families of clients he worked with. He did not only talk the talk, but walked the walk for his fight for equality. Stevenson was dedicated to his calling because the salary he was being paid was nothing exciting, barely enough to be over the poverty line. The Constitution says that a fair trial is a right, what the fine print shows readers is that poor people seem to be the exception. Obtaining a lawyer has heavy costs associated with it, court fees, taking time off of work, etc. A long list can be created to get us to a total bill that is astronomical for some to grasp. How can one eat in prison if they or their family cannot afford commissary? How can a single parent take care of three to four children while staying on top of every other responsibility they have? CEOs get big bonuses and employees get laid off or less PTO. The systems in place are there to be enforced and unfortunately those with no resources pay the most time and energy for it. Doing the right thing is not difficult, but the world we live in makes it harder and harder to do good and have a positive impact in the lives of those who need it. A team is as strong as its weakest link. How can the US call itself a powerhouse when its own people are grasping for air? One may never know.

February 22, 2022?In Cold Blood by:?Truman Capote

A murder mystery that shook a small, rural town in Kansas. The Clutters were loved by everyone, a family who no one would have never expected to get murdered. One morning a neighbor comes over to the Clutters' house to find it suspiciously quiet. It was not enough they were murdered, but it was gruesome on top of it which made the situation wretched. The daughter, Nancy, was discovered by a friend the day of church to find she was killed. The lead investigator on the case had no clues or evidence to lead him to any solid conclusion. The investigator begins to think that an outsider of the town committed the crime. Two criminals, named Dick and Perry, fled Kansas and went various places cashing "hot" checks and hitchhiking to get to whatever their next destination was. Although they were being hunted down for murder, Capote does an exceptional job of giving life and substance to criminals. Giving them life made it exciting and terrifying to turn the next page. Perry Smith had grown up in an abusive household where he saw no love. He considered himself to be quite intelligent and a hard worker, just one who had been dealt the wrong hand in life. Richard Hicock grew up in a family that had love and affection, but no money. Dick realized his parents had no money or financial assistance for him when he was an athlete looking to go to college but ultimately could not since it was not affordable. Readers now can get a sense of why he was forging checks as well as he did. Dick and Perry had anger issues and seemed to but heads every chance they got. Unfortunately, Dick was the one that heard about Herbert Clutter and his fortune which put the plan into action. It was even worse adding that Dick intended to take advantage of the younger daughter( Nancy). The guys went to travel part of the world and learning more about their past, even if they are not true friends, having only crime and growing up with nothing. In the end, the two were executed by hanging in 1965. This book opened my eyes to empathy and underlying messages. People have been through an array of difficulties and being able to sit back and observe is a necessary trait. Being able to pick up on subtleties are important to help one interact with those they come in contact with as well as showing people they matter.

March 1, 2022?Own The Room by:?Amy J. Su & Muriel M. Wilkins

This book discusses strategies to help those become their best leader in and out of the office. There were countless stories of senior managers who are looking to get promoted, have all the credentials and know, yet has one flaw that holds them back: their signature voice. A leader's voice can either be for self or for others; and it can be difficult to advocate for both at the same time in different scenarios. A woman mentioned in the book was used as an example to talk about her leadership style. Terri was in a predicament since she was looking for promotion and feedback from peers and subordinates discovered that she was perceived as stern. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand what others think of a person, especially when they are more senior in leadership; everything they do is seen under a microscope. Terri was a blunt person and got annoyed quickly while people being scared of her. Sometimes she would not be engaged in active listening and her employees saw that. Terri was mentioned to have two children and was instructed to engage in active listening at home to see what might happen. Just as we thought, Terri was now able to learn the passions and current events of children which got them further submerged in conversation. She notices the reactions and then applies this to her work life for exponential results. Constructive criticism and individuals strengthening weaknesses can be the difference between a promotion or not. Working on yourself is a daily task and that applies to whatever setting you are in. Employee moral can be diminished if everyone does not feel included. Work productivity will not be at an optimal point if everyone is not the same page. Just as a car needs an engine, transmission, ignition, and battery to run smooth so does a well functioning team in any capacity. For those looking to improve their situational awareness in conversations will enjoy and those who may want a short read can check this out.

March 8, 2022?Their Eyes Were Watching God by:?Zora Neale Hurston

This story is the true epitome of "the grass is not always greener." A black woman named Janie is found sitting on her porch after coming back to the town she grew up in. People love to speculate and make up stories that satisfies them instead of searching for the truth. The author starts the book by giving some background on the main character. Janie's grandmother is her caregiver since her mother ran off and did all she knew. The book was published in 1937 and that meant Janie's grandmother was at the beginning stages of being a "free person." Most of what she taught her granddaughter was all she knew: being a good wife and sticking besides your partner until the day you die. The goal was to find a husband for Janie as soon as possible to ensure social status and financial security. Her first marriage was to an older farmer named Logan who treated her second to dirt, treating her almost like an animal than a person. Janie is miserable and ends up flirting with another man named Jody who was known for his ambitions and smooth-talking. After a few weeks of flirting, Janie decides to run off and marry Jody. Jody was a mayor and spoke like a politician. He was also a storeowner and landlord. Janie gets tired of the politics and would rather converse and be around the townspeople. Jody insists on her staying in the house, grooming her to be a politician's wife even if she did not want that for herself. One day, Janie is tired of the mistreatment and sounds off on Jody in front of everyone. Since his pride was hurt he ends up beating Janie and then falls terribly ill. After a few months of being bed-ridden, Jody dies. After two unsuccessful marriages, Janie says this is the freest she has ever felt. Nine months later, Janie encounters a man named Tea Cake who was a harvester and they hit things off, married only a short time after. Tea Cake was twelve years younger than her and some believed that they were only married because she had money. After two years of marriage, a bad storm hits the harvest that Janie and Tea Cake depend on for income and people being to flee the Everglades. Amongst the chaos, Tea Cake is bitten by a dog and in less than a month contracts rabies. Not knowing his condition, Tea Cake begins to assert that Janie is cheating on him. Tea Cake's emotions lead him to firing a pistol at his wife and Janie reacts by killing him to protect her life. Janie was found to be not guilty by an all white juror and then ends with Janie speaking with a neighbor who has not seen her in a long time. This book teaches readers a lesson on living your life on your terms, perceptions, and speaking up for yourself. If Janine had not killed Tea Cake, would she have been alive to recount her story? If her mother had been in her life to help guide and care for, would Janie have gotten married as many times as she did? Instead of assuming, it is best to ask and hope for a heartfelt answer. People go through more than what the surface shows and we need to take that into consideration when dealing with others.

March 15, 2022?The Great Gatsby by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

A classic tale that is the epitome of the grass is not always greener. The idea of something or someone and reality are two extremes. The narrator, Nick Callaway, moves to New York to learn more about business. Nick rents a house out in West Egg, which contains those who just came into wealth with no social status. Nick's next door neighbor is an "interesting" man named Jay Gatsby. Gatsby lives in a large estate with no one to share it with. Come to find out that Gatsby is known for his extravagant parties. Nick is unlike the others in West Egg since he was educated at Yale and has a network in East Egg. He has a cousin named Daisy Buchanan who is married to Tom and decides to have dinner with one evening. Nick is introduced to a woman named Jordan Baker and they eventually get involved romantically. While conversing with Jordan, Nick begins to learn more about his cousin's marriage and learns that Tom has a lover (mistress) named Myrtle. Myrtle lives between East and West Egg in an industrial place. Tom has an apartment solely for rendezvouses with her. There is one instance where the two meet and Myrtle taunts Tom about his wife. That ends up with his lover having a broken nose, showing readers more of what is to come. As the summer progresses, Nick is finally invited to an infamous Gatsby party where he and Jordan meet him. It is during this encounter that Gatsby finally reveals his love for Daisy. They were both from Louisville and finding out Daisy was so close to being his gave him hope. The dreaming is part of what led to the demise of Gatsby throughout the story. Readers learn that Gatsby throws parties to get the attention of Daisy. He is holding on to the idea of her when he knew her instead of realizing people and things evolve. Nothing stays constant in life. Nick works his magic and arranges a meeting with Gatsby and Daisy to rekindle the love they once had. After sharing a meal with the group, Tom now sees for himself the feelings and emotions Gatsby has for his wife. It seems so funny that a person already in the wrong can get upset about their significant other being wrong, showing Tom's greed and power struggles. After this, Tom decides that they should all take a trip to New York where Gatsby is confronted. Even after the confrontation, Gatsby still struggled with realizing that Daisy would never be his. Gatsby's fortune was revealed and now readers see that Gatsby is a fraud that told lies and half truths. On the way back from the day trip, Daisy and Gatsby drive together in Tom's car while Tom drove Gatsby's car. During the trek, Myrtle sees a fancy car and mistakes it for Tom's vehicle. As she was walking towards the car, she gets struck and killed. Daisy killed the mistress and Gatsby took the blame for her (bad mistake). The next day, Myrtle's husband, George, found out and went to Gatsby's house where he killed the supposed killer and then took his own life. Gatsby could not let go of the past and in the end it was the past that killed him. His whole life revolved around impressing Daisy and protecting her all the while she had a husband and no loyalty ties to Gatsby. Gatsby came from nothing and built a fortune. The only thing he could not cross off on the to-do list was Daisy.

March 22, 2022?The Legends Club: A Season on the Brink by:?John Feinstein

An amazing take on lessons in sports and life talked about from perspectives of three legendary coaches. They were the ones that took North Carolina by storm and made college basketball historical and memorable for years to come. Coach Mike Krzyewski from Duke, Dean Smith from North Carolina, and Jimmy Valvano(Jimmy V) from NC State. The author does a great job of giving each coach an identity that continues until the end of the book. Everyone had a unique personality and whether you favored them or not, there was respect and that is what matters. Learning that Coach K started his career at Army, Dean Smith never being a closer when it came to the "big game", or even Jimmy V and his short battle with cancer gave readers a better understanding of the battles it took to become great. Jimmy V and Coach K started their jobs around the same time in the early 1980s and were complete opposite. Jimmy V always had the largest personality in the room, no matter where he was. Coach K was a bit more reserve yet still strict to keep his players in order. The battles that every coach had seemed to never end, whether that was for the best recruits, most won games, best record, and everything else you can imagine. Readers get a chance to see the lives outside of basketball and the sacrifices they had to make. The wives had to endure losses and bad games once they were home. There could have been only so much they could have done to help their husbands, but they were also aware of the tremendous pressures of being a coach. Think about the amount of time lost with no quality family time. Then again, when one is great and the world has caught on, the only option should be to run into the storm. Seeing how competitive each man was and being so detail-oriented, it was truly poetry in motion. It was nice to see the human side of Coach K when he recounted going to visit Jimmy V in his last days on this Earth. In the media especially, there is a bad habit of portraying only negative aspects of someone and ignoring the good. Jimmy V was a star and comedian even on his death bed, as Coach K mentioned. The legacy and impact Jimmy V left the world will live forever. The moral of the story is to be love what you do and do what you love. Falling in love with the journey is the goal. Be great and do it in whatever way you see fit.

March 29, 2022?Mahogany: Reflections of a Young Black Man?by: Josué Casa

A culmination of poems and short stories that talk about the world and how there needs to be more LFG spread. LFG stands for love, growth, and freedom which helps individuals learn more about themselves while also pouring more into the cups of others. The poems cover an array of topics regarding love, lust, one's place in the world, mistreatment, and growth. Coming from the perspective of a Black man in a world that shuns anything black. A world that uses everything Black people innovate as a tool to put them down in the same swoop. How can my neighbor say he loves me when he is not advocating on my behalf? How can one say they care about my wellbeing when nobody is checking up to see how my mental wellbeing is. A country that supports hatred and bigotry even without realizing it. There are times where I feel out of place and have nobody to turn to. The pain and trauma that our black boys and girls carry is tremendous and it seems not enough are empathetic enough. How do you tell someone who cannot look past the color of your skin that you are qualified for this position? What about all of the "allies" that you have who go silent when I say my life matters? America needs to work on showing compassion to all of its citizens instead of picking and choosing when it is convenient. There are people out there who do not want me to succeed and could not even tell you why. The struggle between trying to fit in at work and fit in within one's community can become a slippery slope. Those who are advocating for Black people, even if they are known or not. are doing the bare minimum and helping create that change. Moral of the story: always be who you are and spread as much love as humanly possible. The world may look at you in a bad light and instead of trying to retaliate or make a costly decision, fight that with success. The journey of helping others does not stop at any point of our lives and we should continue to learn about others with different backgrounds as often as we brush our teeth.

April 5, 2022 Rule the Freakin' Markets by Michael Parness

A good book that helps beginners and those new to investing the basics and a roadmap to build upon for trading strategies. Parness grew up poor and did not understand the value of a dollar until being a bit older. Parness had dreams of being a screenwriter who had a successful sports memorabilia business to become a writer full-time. In the late 90s, Parness put a broker in charge of $150,000 and ended up with a little over twenty percent of his portfolio after a crash in 1998. Parness then went on financial revenge tour that helped him turn $33,000 into several millions of dollars in the span of fifteen months. There were a few lessons that he went over to help build the discipline needed to become a successful trader. The biggest takeaway was having a maximum and minimum exit price. The reason it is so important is due to the fact that the individual knows before executing any trade the goal they set. It allows for investors to maximize their profit as well as minimizing their risk. As humans, we are more likely to loom over losses compared to gains. Building discipline will be the determinant in a good and successful trader. Just as accounting rules and regulations are updated from year to year, so does a trading strategy. The financial objectives change as we age. One will not be as risk-seeking at age thirty compared to age forty-five or even fifty. The best part about investing is that each and every plan caters to a different person. Another big takeaway was not being married to any particular stock or position. There is no loyalty to anything specific. One has to treat it as a means to an end instead of vice versa. Just as companies treat people as if they are replaceable, the same holds true for stocks. You are in it for the money and not because you really like that particular organization. This has helped me in my investing journey and has helped to build that discipline that I was missing at 18 years old when I first started out. In life, there are no failures if it is a lesson learned and always push yourself to new heights. Complacency is the devil in disguise.

April 12, 2022 The Invisible Man by: H.G. Wells

A classic story that talks about people being understood. In a small town called Iping, a stranger arrives to a motel to work on his studies. The narrator lives a private life and the townspeople of Iping are at the exact opposite end of the spectrum as they live for drama and not minding their business. The narrator has a difficult time getting along with the common people and even the ones who own the motel are not liked. Since the town knows everyone, they accuse the narrator of stealing. In return, the narrator (who we find out later in the book is named Griffin) gets agitated and decides to undress himself. The villagers now are aware that he in invisible Griffin flees the town after causing a ruckus. Before leaving town, Griffin forgets his important scientific notes and documents. This information is vital to whatever project he was embarking on because he made a homeless man named Marvel to retrieve his items. Griffin and Marvel go into another town where Griffin steals some money for the two. He gives the money to Marvel and Marvel ends up running away with the funds. Griffin finds him and tries to kill him but does not succeed. They were at a local bar where the townspeople helped to fight him off. Griffin then is on the run again, this time going to an old friend's house named Kemp. Griffin begins to open up about his poor childhood and stealing money from his father (who committed suicide, reasons unknown) before going to study invisibility. The main goal for Griffin was to burn his landlord's building down, wander around London, and find some "unique" articles of clothing to help him find some work. Griffin thought that Kemp was an ally and turns out it was the exact opposite. Kemp calls the police and helps them to locate Griffin to kill him. The story ends with Griffin being caught and being killed, becoming visible for the first time throughout the story. Looking back on the story, Griffin had good intentions and am sure he wanted to use his profound ability to help the world. Stealing from his father was not the best decision, but under the circumstances he was faced, it can be justified. The world needs to be more receptive of ideas that go against the norm. It should not be the first reaction to want to ostracize those who have new ideas and concepts. There is a chance that someone can have the cancer for cure, or help aleve ailments. We may never know about the good those can contribute to society if we tear them down and shut them out any time they speak. As some older adults project their fears on the younger generation should not deter an individual from doing what they believe is right.

April 19, 2022 Fab Five by: Mitch Albom

Arguably one of the best recruiting classes ever in men's college basketball, the Fab Five would go on to change the culture of sports and perspectives that have lasted even today. Mitch Albom does a good job of showing the impact these players had on and off the court. Everything from baggy shorts and ankle socks to freshly shaven bald cuts helped society to shift and accept change. The five young men were Ray Jackson, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, and Jimmy King. This was monumental because of the talent that was in this recruiting class. Throughout the book, Albom emphasizes each individual's background showing they are human just like we are. It was important to know that Jalen Rose had a father whom he did not know who made it to the NBA. It was important to know that Chris Webber played at a private high school that he did not like or that Juwan Howard's grandmother would be the person coaches had to connect with to get a commitment. Media is the biggest enemy for any person in the "public eye." One could only imagine the immense pressure of dealing with heckling fans on top of every news outlet tarnishing your name; all at the age of nineteen. The Fab Five was known for their charisma and confidence, some may consider it overconfidence. There was a section in the book that talked about how some Michigan fans were "appalled" and "ashamed" at the actions of the players and many threatened to stop supporting the basketball program. Freshmen had to earn their stripes to even see the court and now it was a chance that five freshman would potentially be starting. Throughout the book, there were numerous examples of adversity after adversity. Ray Jackson was thinking about taking his talents elsewhere after one game his parents were able to attend. It is important to note that Jackson was from Texas and that trek could not have been easy. The Fab Five showed readers that love and support can go a long way. There are times in life where we think that being alone and in isolation is ideal and it is but not all the time. It can be impossible to navigate the world on your own without support. Asking for help and saying you had a bad day is expected. Usually the world will hate you before they love you and the most important thing through it all is to keep faith and believe in yourself. Believe in yourself and speak up for what you believe in. There will always be at least one person or group trying to deter you from the goal. Everything that is a distraction is "noise" and noise gets tuned out after awhile. Teamwork can truly make the dream work.

April 26, 2022 The Souls of Black Folk by: W.E.B. Du Bois

A collection of essays that details life after the Civil War for black society as well as the effect it had on white society. The life of the newly "freedmen" even though Jim Crow laws, segregation, and lack of education that kept blacks from advancing at the pace that white people were able to after the Emancipation Proclamation. Each chapter starts off with verse from a sad and sorrowful-toned song to portray what little black Americans had in times of hardship. Slaves used music to express their emotions and that shows readers that history truly does repeat itself. Du Bois has the book flow from a historical perspective, starting the first few chapters discussing history behind Emancipation and his own experiences. Du Bois talked about black leadership and criticized Booker T. Washington's ideals relating to "self-help" and "racial solidarity" for advancement of black society. He goes over how most workers were laborers, seeing a small population of skilled workers compared to those unskilled. Upward mobility was a cause of concern since black Americans could not climb that ladder or make progress in a "land of opportunity." Du Bois took a trip to rural Georgia and saw the discrepancies that some of the southern folk could not even grasp. It is one thing to be aware of a problem before coming up with a solution. It is another thing trying to unite people when they themselves are ignorant to the world around them. Closer to the ending stages of the book, Du Bois delves deeper into the meaning of songs. Society shows us that black and brown bodies are only useful and needed for entertainment and seemingly finding a scapegoat. The culture that is there seems to be fading away slowly but surely due to the world wanting to steal our ideas and beliefs without any credit. Those songs have been passed down and is a way that heritage is kept and updated. The tales and folklores have to be kept alive so we can continue to know who we are and where we might come from. The world has not understood yet that one group can be lifted up and assisted without tearing another group down. Then again, for a system that was never meant for us, it becomes more and more difficult trying to have any belief in it. Change is possible if and only if people take corrective actions.

May 3, 2022 The 9 Types of Leadership by: Beatrice Chestnut

This audiobook provided a framework containing descriptions of the different leadership styles. There are nine types of leadership and have brief summaries for how to interact with an individual from that group as well as how one can tell if they fit in the specific category. Knowing one's leadership style can help keep people more aware and accountable for their words and actions. The first type are sometimes called "the Perfectionist" as they have that sixth sense that tells them how "right" something feels. If you have a voice in your head that acts as your "coach" while also providing feedback then you fit this category. Sometimes we are our biggest critics and type ones fit that description well. Those that are sensitive to criticism and those that think of the world as just good versus bad will be in this category. Type two is those persons that care about being likeable more than anything else. That is how they were given the label "The Giver" or "The Helper." Type twos are not altruists but they look to establish long lasting connections and relationships. People who are motivated by pleasing, impressing, or supporting others. Or those that are seeking success for reasons besides themselves. Type threes were given the label of "The Achiever" and are able to be recognized by their laser beam like focus as well as ability to read an audience. Type fours want to be seen as unique and special in the things that they do. Type fours are found based on the connections they have to their emotional life, being their authentic selves, and connecting with others on a real level. The interaction they desire is not superficial and look to have genuine conversations with everyone they come in contact with. Type five is applicable to the more reserved individuals. Type fives rely on numbers and data rather than people and emotions. Type fives enjoy being alone and private time is emphasized more than anything. Type six people seek certainty and security, even if they do not receive it (most of the time). These types of people read and observe people and their actions before making any final decisions. Type six people enjoy poking holes in ideas and suggestions, focusing on the errors. They also have a pessimistic view in the sense they are always looking for what could go wrong. Type sevens are given the label of "The Adventurer" and have an optimistic view on life. They are easily fascinated by interesting ideas and people while focusing on the positives and good things that come from their work. Type eights are called "The Boss" and those people who make others intimidated easily fit this archetype. Those type eights have leadership come easier to them and they do not always have to be in charge to lead. Type nines are those individuals who seek to avoid conflict and do what is best for other people. Type nines value everyone's opinion and are aware of their sensitivity to conflict and criticism. Knowing yourself can help to increase engagement in conversations while helping to increase efficiency. It also helps to avoid misunderstandings when supervisors and managers know their style of leadership to help themselves as well as subordinates to a completed objective.

May 10, 2022 Invisible Man by: Ralph Ellison

The book starts off with the narrator being invited to speak at an event with a group of important white men that could determine his future. The narrator was granted a scholarship to a local Black college to help with his studies. Unfortunately, the prominent men made young Black men fight in what they called a "battle royal." The young men had to fight blind folded and the prize were fake gold coins that were on an electrified rug. Once in college, he is tasked with a very important job: be a chauffeur for a trustee of the school named Mr. Norton. The narrator's curiosity gets the best of him as he takes Mr. Norton to a poor Black family with a disturbing dynamic; a father who impregnated his own daughter and that is enough to prompt Mr. Norton to need a drink. The narrator is a people pleaser and after hearing those words is called to action which ends up with the two at a local bar and brothel called the Golden Day. Once they arrive to the Golden Day, a fight starts and turns into a brawl, causing Mr. Norton to pass out. The bar was known to have mentally unstable army veterans. One even claims to be a doctor and aids to Mr. Norton while insulting the narrator for not knowing his place. After being able to make the man conscious again they depart and head back to campus to hear a speech, The president, Dr. Bledsoe antagonizes the narrator for not showing Mr. Norton an idealized version of Black life and ends up expelling the narrator. Dr. Bledsoe said he would help the narrators out by giving him some letters of recommendation for when he arrives in New York. It is not until the narrator gets to Harlem and starts looking for jobs to find those letters of recommendation were no help. The letter contained information to the last individual was named Mr. Emerson. His son ended up talking to the narrator where he finds that Dr. Bledsoe portrayed him as unreliable and dishonest. The son helps get the narrator a job in a paint factory. His stint at the paint factory did not last long as his supervisor suspected him of participating in union activities, such as Amazon has done recently, and fires him. His supervisor knocks him into a tank that explodes and renders him unconscious. The narrator wakes up in the paint factory and realizes he cannot talk. The doctors have no way to identify the narrator as he is theoretically invisible and start to perform electric shocks on the patient without consent. After being released from the hospital, the narrator stays with a woman named Mary who allows him to live there for free until he is able to get back on his feet. One day while walking down the street, the narrator sees an elder Black couple being evicted and uses his oratory skills in the perfect moment. He delivers a speech that is powerful enough to sway the crowd. Little did he know his life would be taking a shift at this moment as a man by the name of Brother Jack hears it and now wants to recruit the narrator to the Brotherhood. The narrator is trained in rhetoric and starts to deliver his speeches all across Harlem. He was starting to see some success and was enjoying his work. Things then turn sour once other members of the Brotherhood start to leave and fight amongst themselves. The strong cohesiveness the group had to begin with is slowly dissipating and things begin to fall apart. After arriving back to Harlem, the narrator has seen that race relations have gotten even worse and becomes agitated with Brother Jack. At the end, a riot broke out and the narrator ended up setting fire to a building while trying to avoid being executed by his enemies. Running away from his enemies lands him near the police who assume he has loot from the ensuing riot and then the policemen begin to chase him. He gets lucky and evades the officers by falling in a ditch and living his life out underground, awaiting to emerge. While underground, he learns to play their game to his advantage. There is no way to sacrifice your moral compass to please anyone else besides who you see when you look in the mirror. One is able to remain true to themselves while also trying to help the community. A new sense of knowledge is gained when the narrator is able to sit and be with his thoughts.