Business related books I’ve read from April through June, in order of how I read them, and my synopsis below.

Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen – Donald Miller

• Summary: Donald Miller uses the seven universal elements of powerful stories to teach listeners how to dramatically improve how they connect with customers and grow their businesses.

• My Thoughts: I enjoyed thinking about marketing in this way. It is one of those books that you can continue to re-read every year and readjust how you think about your business marketing.

• Recommendation: Read

Everything is Figureoutable: How one simple belief can help us overcome any obstacle and create unstoppable success – Marie Forleo

• Summary: Whether you want to leave a dead-end job, heal a relationship, grow a business, master your money, or just find two free hours in your day, Everything is Figureoutable will train your brain to think more positively and help you break down any dream into manageable steps.

• My Thoughts: The slogan and stories were nice but in general, it is a standard self-help book for entrepreneurs. Don’t stop in the face of adversity but find a way through without getting discouraged is the overall theme.

• Recommendation: Pass

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it – Chris Voss

• Summary: A former international hostage negotiator for the FBI offers a new, field-tested approach to high-stakes negotiations—whether in the boardroom or at home.

• My Thoughts: I loved this book! The FBI stories kept the book moving quickly while actionable steps to negotiating for your salary, a contract, or your fees. I highly recommend for everyone.

• Recommendation: READ

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know – Malcolm Gladwell

• Summary: A powerful examination of our interactions with strangers. Something is very wrong, Gladwell argues, with the tools and strategies we use to make sense of people we don't know. And because we don't know how to talk to strangers, we are inviting conflict and misunderstanding in ways that have a profound effect on our lives and our world.

• My Thoughts: I found this book very interesting in examining how the literature and television we watch makes us believe something that isn’t true. How we perceive people if they don’t react the way we expect in certain circumstances. Multiple stories as examples.

• Recommendation: Read

Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder – Arianna Huffington

• Summary: Arianna Huffington makes an impassioned and compelling case for the need to redefine what it means to be successful in today's world.

• My Thoughts: I wasn’t that impressed by this book but I’ve already come to terms with my personal view of success and what I value both in and out of work. I think this may be a great book for someone who is beginning to examine those topics or is still running the rat race.

• Recommendation: Pass

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time– Brian Tracy

• Summary: This book provides the 21 most effective methods for conquering procrastination and accomplishing more.

• My Thoughts: The original version I read is dated when it comes to certain examples. The overall theme is excellent, focusing on the myth of multitasking, how too much technology can affect your brain, and why focusing a just a few things can make a big impact.

• Recommendation: Listen - as it doesn’t require a lot of focus