The World's Best Book Summaries
How did eukaryotes evolve? How can we even go about figuring it out? Biochemist Nick Lane follows clues provided by introns to learn how eukaryotes evolved. He takes us on a journey through time, explaining how eukaryotic life might have experienced ever greater organization and complexity, eventually evolving into the plant and animal kingdoms we know today. Keep reading to learn what Lane believes about the evolution of eukaryotes.
How should flashbacks be used in a story? What role do subplots play in a narrative? Good stories are powered by conflict. Struggle moves a plot forward toward its resolution. But, our brains can get overloaded when we don’t get breaks from conflict in a story. Lisa Cron, who approaches story writing from a neurological perspective, explains that effective story pacing is the answer. Read on for Cron’s exploration of two story pacing techniques: subplots and flashbacks.
Do you have a car loan, a mortgage, or student debt? How could your life be different if you were debt free? According to early retiree Jacob Lund Fisker, most people can do without many things they think they “need.” When you lower your annual expenses, the time it takes to save for retirement drops rapidly. Debt implies significant expenditures, and it adds to your expenditures in the form of interest. Keep reading to learn how to avoid debt and minimize your cost of living.
Do you struggle with ADHD symptoms? How can you cope with ADHD? Every person with ADHD is different, and their ADHD affects them differently. There’s no cookie-cutter method for organization that will work perfectly for everyone, so you have to form an understanding of how your ADHD affects you personally in order to devise the best organizational system to manage it. Here’s how to cope with ADHD, according to Order From Chaos by Jaclyn Paul.
How can a brain injury impact someone’s ability to process and express emotion? How does looking at different types of art affect the brain? Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist argues that the right hemisphere is more important than the left—and that a failure to recognize this threatens to rob our lives of meaning and happiness. One reason why he believes this is that the right hemisphere is primarily responsible for processing and expressing emotions. Continue reading to learn about McGilchrist’s important research into emotions and the brain.
Do you want to be an everyday superhero? How can you reach your full potential? Becoming a hero like The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma describes doesn’t require superpowers or extraordinary talents, but it does require work. We’ll go over Sharma’s suggestions for how to strengthen your mind, body, and heart to realize your full heroic potential. Let’s look at how to reach your full potential to help you succeed.
Do you avoid making the first move to talk with someone? If so, what opportunities are you missing? Social interaction specialist Patrick King argues that the oft-dreaded small talk is actually the best way to start a conversation that eventually can go in any direction and to any depth. He shares practical tips for approaching and engaging someone effectively and comfortably. Continue reading to learn how to initiate a conversation and make a good first impression in the process.
Is ADHD caused by bad parenting? How does the bond with your parent affect your cognitive-emotional development? ADHD is one of the most common disorders in the world, but many people are still unaware of the root causes of it. While this isn’t the case for everyone, Scattered Minds by Gabor Maté suggests that one explanation for an ADHD diagnosis is a negative relationship between parent and child. Continue reading for a more in-depth explanation of a parent’s influence on their child’s development.
How did Eleven Madison Park get three Michelin Stars? What does it take to have a three-star fine-dining restaurant? Will Guidara joined Eleven Madison Park (EMP) in 2006 to transform the casual brasserie into a three-star fine-dining restaurant worthy of its spectacular location. By 2007, Guidara achieved that goal. We’ll detail what Guidara did to gain Eleven Madison Park’s Michelin Stars.
How’s a story’s plot different from what your story is about? How can understanding how the brain works help you create a compelling plot? Lisa Cron explains the formula that the human brain expects to encounter in a story. Then, she shows how you as a writer can employ that formula. She provides tips on how to develop a plot—exploring elements such as conflict, cause and effect, hooking the reader, suspense and reveals, and pacing. Continue reading to learn how to develop a plot that satisfies the expectations of your readers.