I’ve got two books on the go at the moment, along with about three magazines and endless bookmarked links of things to read. Lots of these are to do with work, but because I love my work and the industry I’m in, they mostly don’t feel like a chore to read. I tend to dip in and out of things, and I’m sure that my concentration span is getting shorter and shorter. A sign of getting older or a brain that’s now used to bite-sized information (140 characters!) and short updates?
I’m no book reviewer, but I thought I’d share my current reading:
1) Guy Martin – My autobiography
Lots of people will know Guy Martin from the TV show ‘Speed’, where he set out to break a series of speed records. But I’ve known of Guy for longer than that – as an international road racing legend, star of ‘Closer to the Edge’ and maverick never-winner of the Isle of Man TT.
It’s a really good book. There’s quite a bit of technical building-bikes stuff, which can be a bit hard going, but mostly it’s a pretty riveting read and a pretty good insight into the head of someone who regularly stares death in the face. It’s written completely in Guy’s ‘voice’ and you can almost imagine him saying it. It clearly appeals to motorbike racing fans, but would be a great read for anyone who likes a good autobiography, or who has seen the TV shows and wants to find out more about the man!
2) Creativity Inc
“When faced with a challenge, get smarter.”
Probably the best non-fiction book I’ve ever read.
Written by Ed Catmull, who alongside Steve Jobs and John Lasseter created Pixar, this is a book about creativity in business but also a manual for anyone who strives for originality.
I’m only half way through and I know the minute I finish this book I will want to start it all over again. It’s taking all my self reserve not to read it with a set of post-it notes and a pen, making notes, like revising for an exam. Ed Catmull really unlocks the secrets of Pixar, how they created an amazing environment and culture to pursue innovation and imagination, and most interestingly, how they empower their leaders to accomplish it. Inspiring.
“If you give a good idea to a mediocre team, they will screw it up. If you give a mediocre idea to a brilliant team, they will either fix it or throw it away and come up with something better.”
3) Bonkers: My life in laughs
Ok, so technically I’ve finished this, and technically I didn’t actually read it, but I reckon audiobooks count. This is Jennifer Saunders autobiography – and I’m so glad I listened to her read it to me. Listening to her recount the funny stories, the memories and her experience with breast cancer was so much enhanced by hearing it told in her own voice. Funny, warm and charming. Loved it.