Accidental Genius, by Mark Levy (Paperback)

I often feel like I should write something. Unfortunately, I usually have no idea what I should write about, so I’m forced to devise stall tactics. In this case, what could be a more clever way to avoid writing than by reading a book on writing?

Accidental Genius is not actually a book about writing. It teaches you how to utilize writing to download information from your brain. Much in the same way that mind mapping can be a powerful way to generate ideas, the methods of free writing taught in this book can help you be more creative, more focused, and more productive. The book is an easy ready and you’ll learn techniques you can put into practice immediately.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain (Audio)

I’m clearly an introvert. Not the “awkward-social-skills” type of introvert; rather, the “needs-solitude-and-reflection-to-recharge” type. My first impression when seeing this book was that it would be a whining session, how introverts are great but end up getting the short end of the stick.

I wasn’t even close.

Quiet outlines, in a very engaging manner, what exactly makes a person an introvert. I’m not talking (just) about characteristics and attributes, but the actual physiology behind introversion. If you’ve ever wondered what makes an introvert tick, or why some people can seem completely extroverted on a stage in front of 300 people yet seem awkward in small-group settings, this book is for you. I’d also highly recommend this book if you regularly interact with introverts (even if you yourself are one), and especially if you’re an extrovert with children who are introverts.

The Son, Philipp Meyer (Audio)

The article Philipp Meyer: An Obsessed Novelist’s Extreme Research in the Wall Street Journal (behind pay wall) piqued my interest in The Son.

It didn’t disappoint.

The story was gripping and the amount of detail provided was staggering. Just when it felt like things were slowing down, elements of the story started to come together like a vortex picking up speed. It was a full 20 minutes after I finished the last chapter before one of the clever elements of the plot occurred to me. I suspect I missed some, and am tempted to read the book again.

I listened to this audio version of this book. The multiple voice actors were outstanding. In fact, I generally listen to audio books with a 1.5 to 3.0 times speed-up. But these voice actors were so particularly outstanding that I listened to the entire book at normal speed.

A note of caution: This book can be very raw at times. You can read some of the reviews at Amazon.com to see others’ take on this.