What I’m reading – February 2016

I’ve set myself a goal of reading 50 business or other non-fiction in 2016. You can read the full list here.

The business books I read in February 2016** were:

1. How Shrinks Think: An insight into modern-day psychiatry by Dr Helen Schultz*

My cousin James, a med student and 2015 President of the Australian Medical Students’ Association, tweeted how much he enjoyed this book, which prompted me to further investigate. Dr Helen Schultz is a consultant psychiatrist who wrote this based on her experience, and in response to the stigma that plagues her profession. It was a very easy read, and certainly enlightened me as to the challenges faced by psychiatrists. She discusses, often with brutal honesty, the challenges faced by psychiatrists, often by other medical professionals. I was particularly interested in the chapters that identify what mental illness is, what psychiatrists actually do, the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists and the mythbusting. I’m interviewing Helen for my new podcast shortly, and I’m looking forward to asking her plenty of questions about her chosen profession.

Verdict – A fascinating book that should be read by those with or those caring for patients with mental illness, and those in the medical profession.

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2. Your Best Year Ever: 7 simple ways to shift your thinking and take charge of your life by Kelly Exeter

I have known of Kelly for many years, as she was part of the ProBlogger team, we have connected via Facebook and twitter and I suspect we have more than a few mutual friends. My social feeds were full of praise when she released this book, and while I was quick to get a copy, I was slow to open it. It is a very short book – only about 10,000 words, and I read it in one sitting. This book reminded me that “The people who achieve the most aren’t the ones with the most time on their hands, but the ones who waste the least of the time available to them.” Kelly shares many personal experiences and while there was nothing new or earth shattering revealed in this book, for me it was a timely reminder to just get on with life and take action to take charge.

Verdict – a quick and easy read for those needing a reminder to be the person they want to be.

For me, this book was a timely reminder to just get on with life and take action Click To Tweet

3. Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

I know I’m going to horrify many people when I say I have never seen ET. However I have been a fan of Drew Barrymore’s for a long, long time, which is why I wanted to read this book. This book is not a memoir per se, but more a series of anecdotes and stories inelegantly woven together. There were a few laugh out loud moments, and many more what-were-you-thinking moments, and while I enjoyed reading about her life, it wasn’t a book that captured my attention. The most beautiful chapters were those where she talks about her overwhelming joy at being a mother and her love and devotion for her husband and daughters. That alone made it worth a read.

Verdict – for the Drew Barrymore fans. 

4. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

I really, really wanted to love this book, as I absolutely love the concept of a year of yes. I’m also a massive fan of Rhimes’ TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, and I  think how she has ascended to the top of TV is remarkable. I loved the first half of the book, but found the second half lacking and a little whiney. Rhimes wrote a lot about the racism and misogyny she battles in Hollywood, being a massive introvert and her fear of public speaking and live TV, and she shares many of her personal joys, fears and challenges. However I really wanted more. She is a single mother by choice (to three daughters by adoption and surrogacy), and I wanted to know more about that. I also wanted to learn more about her remarkable career progression.

Verdict – worth a read if you’re in a bit of a rut

 

Disclaimer: Books marked with a * were provided to me by either NetGalley, the author or the publisher in accordance with my editorial policy. I have not been paid to write about any of these products. All opinions are mine unless otherwise mentioned.

** There are affiliate links in this post.