Part 6 of my Magic Test of Seven
I consider the power of reading tremendously. Books can make you travel to places that may only exist in your imagination. Making your world – however limited or difficult it may be – infinite. Beyond that, books are great teachers.
In 2013, Dr. Alice Sullivan and Matt Brown analyzed the reading behavior of approximately 6,000 young people. They found that reading for pleasure made a substantial difference – on intellectual progress – the difference made was around four times greater than the difference made by having a parent with a degree.
They also found that “reading introduces young people to new vocabulary and to new ideas, and both of these things are likely to enable them to better understand and absorb new information and concepts across the curriculum.”
I would argue this is not just the case for young people but for anyone. Reading expands your horizon. Ever since I was a little girl, I love to read. I can completely lose myself in books. Here are seven books I read the past few months.
How to change the world
John-Paul Flintoff
The School of Life
“If you had the chance, would you change the world? Of course you would. There are plenty of things that you would change right now, if you were given a magic wand.” . . . “But whatever our disposition, we often conclude that to change the world would be hard work, if not impossible. And so we don’t even try.”
A very inspirational book about what we can do and why we should do so. More . . .
Everything that remains
Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus
“What if everything you ever wanted isn’t what you actually want?” A marvelous memoir by The Minimalist about how minimalism changed their lives. It is not merely a book about minimalism though; it’s a book about finding meaning and happiness. It shows how extremely rewarding it can be to change our way of living. More . . .
Vom Unsinns des Sinns oder Vom Sinn des Unsinns
Paul Watzlawick
Everyone creates their own reality. This specific book does not seem to be available in English. Paul Watzlawick was an Austrian-American psychologist and philosopher. He wrote many books like for instance “How real is real”, “The invented reality – how do we know what we believe we know” as well as “The Situation Is Hopeless But Not Serious (The Pursuit of Unhappiness) “. I am surely going to read more of his books. More . . .
Toen ik je zag. Mijn leven met Antonie
Isa Hoes
A book written by a Dutch actress about her life with Antonie – her husband – who was an actor as well. Antonie committed suicide October 2010. Books like these are important to break through the taboo of depression and destigmatize mental illness. It can happen to anyone, and it is hard to deal with for everyone. For those that suffer as well as for those who feel helpless when they aren’t able to help. More . . .
The Happiness Quest
Lana Penrose
Another book about depression but written from a very different angle and with a very tone of voice. In an incredible humorous A to Z journey, Lara talks about the numerous things she tried – and scored – to overcome her depression. A survivors journey that gives hope and smart advice to those who need to hear it. It is possible to get through it, it may not be easy, it will not happen overnight, but it is possible. More . . .
Switch
How to change things when change is hard
Chip & Dan Heath
A marvelous book with great examples of people, who were able to change things – in a meaningful way – in often seemingly hopeless situations. A great guide on what to be mindful off when you want to bring about change.
Contagious
How to build word of mouth in the digital age
Jonah Berger
A book about what triggers word of mouth and how the human brain works. Fascinating research and stories that enlighten.
One thing all of these books have in common, is that all of them deal in one way or another with Change. No change is possible without people. People that want to change things. People that know how to change things. People that show we have the capacity to change things. One day I would love to be such example.
What did you read lately? Do you keep track – in any kind of form – of the things that catch your interest?
