Review: Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can by Frank W. Abagnale

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book was a lot like the movie, at least what I remember. It was a long time ago.

Con man stories are fun, and it is outrageous to me what he was able to get away with at such a young age. Airline pilot, doctor, lawyer. It's ridiculous. But a couple of things really struck me. First of all, there was an utter lack of remorse. He's smug and proud of what he accomplished. A complete sociopath. He said he felt bad in a few places, but I don't believe him. And the ending was abrupt. It just ended on one of his escapades. I would have rather heard about his punishment through his eyes. It was a strange choice to me.

Overall it was entertaining. Three stars.



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Review: The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation

The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired A Nation by Elizabeth Letts

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Be right back, I'm running off to buy me a horse! Loved reading about Snowman's rescue from the glue factory to national champion. Who doesn't love a rags to riches story, especially when it involves animals?

This book is as much about Harry de Leyer as it is about Snowman. It's about a friendship and love between man and beast, and I'm not going to lie, I teared up at the end.

I listened to it on audio, and the narration was well done, but I'm sure it's just as good in book form. 3 stars.



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Review: Call the Nurse: True Stories of a Country Nurse on a Scottish Isle

Call the Nurse: True Stories of a Country Nurse on a Scottish Isle by Mary J. Macleod

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Quaint, interesting anecdotes about a family who moves to the remote Hebrides of Scotland. Mary J, the country nurse, sees the islanders through good times and bad. Some stories are funny, some are quite sad, and some will make you shake your head.

An interesting look into the culture of rural Scotland and the life of a woman devoted to helping others.



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Review: How Will You Measure Your Life?

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Quick read about the goals you set for your life and how you can apply them in all areas. I especially enjoyed the section called, "What Makes Us Tick". It was all about motivation, for both yourself and others. Some of his thoughts for job satisfaction that really resonated with me:

Is this job meaningful to me?
Is this job going to give me a chance to develop?
Am I going to learn new things?
Will I have an opportunity for recognition and achievement?
Am I going to be given responsibility?

Good thoughts around parenting, work, and life. Three stars.



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Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars: A Leadership Fable about Destroying the Barriers That Turn Colleagues into Competitors

Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars: A Leadership Fable about Destroying the Barriers That Turn Colleagues Into Competitors by Patrick Lencioni
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Another leadership fable by Patrick Lencioni. His books are quick reads and leave you with common sense nuggets you can share with your team. This one is about breaking down silos to unite your team with a goal to rally behind. Lencioni takes common issues often experienced in the business world and breaks these problems down in a simple, relatable story. Good for teams and leaders who are looking for ways to work better together.

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Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An interesting look into one girl's life growing up in the cult of Scientology. 95% of the book was a recounting of the events in her life growing up in Sea Org, separated from her parents, and how she was indoctrinated into the world of Scientology. The final 5% is about her "escape", which wasn't so much harrowing as it was anticlimactic. Her experiences, while horrible and I wouldn't wish them on any child, were clearly not as bad as some of the others growing up around her, and I would love to read another insider perspective as well.

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Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by Fiona Carnarvon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm torn on how to best rate this book. On the one hand, it is an interesting glimpse into the lives and times of "the real Downton Abbey". On the other hand, it is a fawning, at times disjointed account of the author's ancestor and a jumbled picture of how she lived after becoming the lady of the manor.
Worth a read for people who love British history or Downton Abbey. 2 1/2 stars.

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The End of Your Life Book Club

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived. Will Schwalbe shares his mother's fight with pancreatic cancer, the books they read together throughout her treatments, and a glimpse into the life of an extraordinary woman whose impact on lives was spread across the globe. While the discussions and insights into the books they read were wonderful and added more books to my "to read" shelf, his book has more importantly inspired me to live more fully and be grateful for my amazingly blessed life. As an unrepentant "read the last chapter first" person, I forced myself to read this through in order since I could guess the ultimate outcome by the title. I was left sobbing on the couch for my efforts, truly moved by his final chapters. This book is a treat.

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Founding Mothers

Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An interesting look into the daily lives of the women who helped found our nation. I enjoyed looking back into colonial times and finding out more about influential women in our history. This is a bit of a slow read, and the stories get a bit muddled at times, but you walk away learning a lot.

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Know What You Don't Know: How Great Leaders Prevent Problems Before They Happen

Know What You Don't Know: How Great Leaders Prevent Problems Before They Happen by Michael A. Roberto
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I expected more from this book. Essentially you must ask questions, share information, encourage your team to take smart risks, and incorporate after-action reviews into your routines. I did enjoy the section on "Listening". Winston Churchill once said, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
Overall this book doesn't uncover any groundbreaking information on problem solving, and I found the extensive citations at the end of each chapter annoying. They would have been fine at the end of the book, where I could easily skip them. It caused the book to feel more like a college textbook instead of a motivating business book I could recommend to others.


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The Inspiring Leader: Unlocking the Secrets of How Extraordinary Leaders Motivate

The Inspiring Leader: Unlocking the Secrets of How Extraordinary Leaders Motivate by John H. (Jack) Zenger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think all leaders strive to truly inspire those around them, but some do it better, and more naturally, than others. Zenger breaks down how to change how you motivate yourself and others to achieve great results. I found some really good takeaways to share with the team and some nice reflection for myself. Mainly common sense ideas for leading people, but useful for new leaders, or those leaders looking to change their styles.

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Paris in Love: A Memoir

Paris in Love: A Memoir by Eloisa James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My latest armchair traveler read, Paris in Love, will take you through snippets of Eloise James's (pen name of historical romance novelist and professor Mary Bly) year-long sabbatical in Paris with her family. Originally her Facebook and Twitter posts, she weaves together the daily happenings and Parisian experiences with her musings on life, family, and her journey after breast cancer. A bit slow and disjointed at times, this allows you to step back and be a part of her life during her year of self-reflection and change. An enjoyable read.

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A Thousand Days in Venice

A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena De Blasi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, travel memoirs! I enjoy being an armchair traveler and finding new destinations to add to my travel wish list. I loved her descriptions of Venice--it's on my "must see" list now. This book seems to be about the author falling in love with a stranger and uprooting her entire life to be with him, but it is really about her love affair with Venice: the city, its people, its rich history. She's written three books about her journeys and her life and this is the first. Lovers of travel and wanderlust will appreciate her descriptions of the city and its people.

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The Extraordinary Leader: Turning Good Managers Into Great Leaders

Extraordinary Leader: Turning Good Managers Into Great Leaders by John H. (Jack) Zenger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I like reading leadership books. They always make me think and reflect on how I am leading my team. The authors break leadership down to five main traits, which they call "tent poles": character, personal capability, focus on results, interpersonal skills, and leading organizational change. Each chapter addresses a different insight and will provide you with reflection and action items to enhance your leadership. An overall solid read. I'm looking forward to reading another book by Zenger/Folkman next called, "The Inspiring Leader".

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Younger by the Day: 365 Ways to Rejuvenate your Body and Revitalize your Spirit

Younger by the Day: 365 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body and Revitalize Your Spirit by Victoria Moran


Beginning my year-long journey. It will be so strange to have a book on my "currently reading" shelf for an entire year. I will try to update my review at the end of each month.

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