Book Synopsis:
This ultimate introvert's guide to surviving and thriving in the globalized workplace is written by an "extreme introvert" who is also a bestselling international author and a successful sports agent, businesswoman, and philanthropist.

How does a self-described "extreme introvert" thrive in a world where extroverts are rewarded and social institutions are set up in favor of them? Using her personal story as a "case study of one," debut Taiwanese author Jill Chang shows that introverts hold great, untapped potential for success in a globalized world. Chang draws from her own experience working in fields that are filled with extroverts, including as an agent for Major League Baseball players, a founder of her own business, and a leading figure in tech philanthropy. Instead of changing herself to fit a mold, she learned that embracing her introversion was the reason she was able to accomplish great goals and see blind spots that obstructed her extroverted peers. Quiet Is a Superpower gives introverts the tools to better understand how they can form relationships, excel in cross-cultural workplaces, and navigate extroverted settings without compromising comfort or personality.

My thoughts:

Susan Cain's Quiet went a long way towards changing attitudes towards introverts, but we still need more books like Jill Chang's Quiet is a Superpower, books that tackle the subject of the  workplace. An introvert myself, I related strongly to her personal story of achieving success in the professional field where extroversion is seen as a must. Too often introversion is perceived as something that must stay in the domain of our personal life and interests, and very rarely managers try to understand the benefits of a different approach their introverted employees adopt in dealing with their professional challenges and goals.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Berrett-Koehler Publishers for the review copy.
The book is out on October 6th, 2020.

Who wore the first pants? Who painted the first masterpiece? Who first rode the horse? This madcap adventure across ancient history uses everything from modern genetics to archaeology to uncover the geniuses behind these and other world-changing innovations.

Who invented the wheel? Who told the first joke? Who drank the first beer? Who was the murderer in the first murder mystery, who was the first surgeon, who sparked the first fire--and most critically, who was the first to brave the slimy, pale oyster?

In this book, writer Cody Cassidy digs deep into the latest research to uncover the untold stories of some of these incredible innovators (or participants in lucky accidents). With a sharp sense of humor and boundless enthusiasm for the wonders of our ancient ancestors, Who Ate the First Oyster? profiles the perpetrators of the greatest firsts and catastrophes of prehistory, using the lives of individuals to provide a glimpse into ancient cultures, show how and why these critical developments occurred, and educate us on a period of time that until recently we've known almost nothing about.


My thoughts:
Written in an engaging style and well-researched, Who Ate the First Oyaster is divided into short chapters that focus on an invention that was important for our evolution and progress. For instance, the first oyster chapter is really about our ancestors first getting interested in practical astronomy i.e realising that low and high tides were connected to the Moon phases.
I liked the way the author used the clock analogy to represent how long ago these events happened. It might not be new, but it was clear and very effective. I also liked the way the author did everything to avoid gender bias.
Very easy to follow, the book is ideal for teenagers, but also anybody with a curious mind and willingness to look beyond history we get taught at school.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

uAn illuminating dive into the latest science on our brain's remarkable learning abilities and the potential of the machines we program to imitate them

The human brain is an extraordinary machine. Its ability to process information and adapt to circumstances by reprogramming itself is unparalleled and it remains the best source of inspiration for recent developments in artificial intelligence. In How We Learn, Stanislas Dehaene decodes the brain's biological mechanisms, delving into the neuronal, synaptic, and molecular processes taking place. He explains why youth is such a sensitive period, during which brain plasticity is maximal, but assures us that our abilities continue into adulthood and that we can enhance our learning and memory at any age. We can all learn to learn by taking maximal advantage of the four pillars of the brain's learning algorithm: attention, active engagement, error feedback, and consolidation.

The exciting advancements in artificial intelligence of the last twenty years reveal just as much about our remarkable abilities as they do about the potential of machines. How We Learn finds the boundary of computer science, neurobiology, and cognitive psychology to explain how learning really works and how to make the best use of the brain's learning algorithms, in our schools and universities, as well as in everyday life. (From the blurb)

My thoughts:
Written in a very captivating manner, easy to follow and understand, How We Learn discusses one of  the most important abilities that dstinguishes humans form the rest of the world- our ability to learn in a conscious way. Stanislas Dehaene is a neuroscientist who has written a number of books to help the general public understand better how our brains use information in order to learn and create.
The amount of information available to us nowadays is staggering. Our ability to select and process input in order to adapt to and enhance our environment  as well as using feedback as the most important learning tool are the reasons why we keep surviving and advancing our knowledge. Stanislas Dehaene looks in detail at the biological processes that happen in our brain, and discusses the issue of neuroplasticity and learning at different ages.
As we live in a very technological society, it is not surprising that our interest in the science of learning is partly driven by our desire to develop 'smarter' machines and artificial intelligence. But it is not the only reason why we should keep trying to understand our learning process better. Our life is already calling for a life-long - 360° learner able to cope with the speed with which our world is changing. This is why this thought-provoking book is so important and timely.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Viking for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

 
In the military, a field manual provides instructions in simple, clear, step-by-step language to help soldiers complete their mission. In the civilian sector, books offer information on everything from fixing a leaky faucet to developing an effective workout program to cooking a good steak.

But what if you are promoted into a new position leading your former peers? What if you don’t get selected for the leadership position you wanted? How do you overcome imposter syndrome, when you aren’t sure you should be leading? As a leader, how do you judiciously dole out punishment? What about reward? How do you build trust with your both your superiors and your subordinates? How do you deliver truthful criticism up and down the chain of command in a tactful and positive way?

These are all questions about leadership—the most complex of all human endeavors. And while there are books out there that provide solid leadership principles, books like Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership, there is no leadership field manual that provides a direct, situational, pragmatic how-to guide that anyone can instantly put to use.

Until now. Leadership Strategy and Tactics explains how to take leadership theory, quickly translate that theory into applicable strategy, and then put leadership into action at a tactical level. This book is the solution that leaders at every level need—not just to understand the leadership game, but also how to play the leadership game, and win it. (Book Blurb)

My thoughts:
I read a lot of books on leadership and strategy during my studies, so it was easy to see that this manual has something unique to offer- it is based on the author's personal military experience. It is honest and clear and uses memorable examples.
Jocko Willinks starts by describing his military background and telling the reader what leadership means to him and how he developed and successfully applied his skills in a SEAL platoon and later  on one of the most famous battlefields during a military operation.
Step by step he lays out leadership principles in a pragmatic way to show how they apply in real life situations and help you choose a sound course of action and make informed choices.
Thank you to Edelweiss and St.Martin's Press for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.