Shortform Books

Rest Is Resistance: Book Overview & Takeaways (Tricia Hersey)

A woman wearing glasses and blue jeans reading a book while lying in a hammock in the summertime with trees in the background

Is rest truly a form of resistance? Can taking a break actually lead to social change? Rest Is Resistance, a book by Tricia Hersey (the “Nap Bishop”), challenges our society’s obsession with productivity. The book offers both inspiration and practical advice for reclaiming our lives from exhaustion and burnout. Keep reading for an overview of the book and to discover how rest can be a radical act of self-care and societal transformation.

Principles for Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio

A bearded man wearing glasses and a denim jacket reading a book in a cafe by a window with shelves of dishes behind him

How does history unfold in cycles? What can we learn from studying these patterns? Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio explores the cyclical nature of history and its impact on global powers. Dalio examines how empires rise and fall, economies expand and contract, and societies experience periods of harmony and discord. Keep reading for our overview of this book, and discover Dalio’s insights on navigating an uncertain future in a changing world.

The Importance of Good Customer Service Horst Schulze)

A woman working at a call center showing the importance of good customer service, smiling and helping someone with a computer in front of her

What are customers turned off by? What’s the importance of good customer service? In today’s fiercely competitive marketplace, businesses that fail to deliver exceptional service are destined for irrelevance. According to hotel manager Horst Schulze in Excellence Wins, this is because lackluster service can drive away even your most diehard fans. Continue reading to learn why every business needs to invest in exceptional customer service.

Aware: Book Overview & Key Takeaways (Daniel J. Siegel)

A woman with long hair wearing a bluish sweater holding an open hardcover book

How can you expand your consciousness and improve your overall well-being? What benefits might you experience from strengthening your awareness? Aware, a book by Daniel J. Siegel, introduces a meditation tool called the Wheel of Awareness. This practice aims to enhance your focus, emotional health, and cognitive abilities. It also claims to offer physical benefits such as improved immune function and heart health. Read on for an overview of Siegel’s book.

The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley: Book Overview

A woman reading a book with a globe on her desk

What’s The Rational Optimist about? What would’ve happened if we never discovered free trade? In The Rational Optimist, Matt Ridley writes that such a cross-pollination of ideas would have been impossible without free trade and the exchange of goods. This is because when we trade goods, we create networks of knowledge that reach beyond local communities and nations—allowing innovators to build upon each other’s work. Read below for a brief overview of The Rational Optimist.

What Is Your Self-Concept & How Does It Affect Your Success?

A woman looking at herself in the mirror what her self-concept is

What is your self-concept? How does your self-concept determine how much success you have in life? According to Brian Tracy, your self-concept determines your level of success across all areas of life. Everything you do gets filtered through your self-concept, influencing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in alignment with that internalized perception of yourself. To learn more about your self-concept and its role in your life, keep reading.

Mindfulness and Art: Why You Need to Pay More Attention

A man sitting on a park bench watching people because mindfulness and art are connected

How are mindfulness and art connected? Why should you pay more attention to your surroundings? If you want to be more creative, then you need to learn how to be more observant. Daily distractions such as cell phones make tapping into creativity more difficult. Here’s what Rick Rubin has to say about artistic mindfulness.

Brain Energy: Book Overview (Christopher M. Palmer)

A man reading a book at a table in a cafe next to a window and in front of a brick wall

What if the key to understanding and treating mental illness isn’t in the brain itself, but in how the brain gets its energy? Could improving your metabolic health alleviate symptoms of mental illness? Christopher M. Palmer’s book Brain Energy explores the connection between mental health and metabolism. He proposes that mental disorders stem from metabolic issues affecting brain function and offers insights into how lifestyle changes can boost metabolic efficiency and potentially improve mental health. Continue reading for our Brain Energy book overview.

How to Avoid Bad Luck: Look on the Bright Side

An older man on a sidewalk looking at a black cat, trying to avoid bad luck

Does bad luck seem to follow you? Do you want to know how to avoid bad luck? Many people revert to superstitions to prevent bad luck, such as avoiding black cats, not opening umbrellas indoors, and so on. But psychologist Richard Wiseman says that avoiding bad luck can be as simple as changing how you view it. Here’s Wiseman’s take on bad luck from The Luck Factor.

The Benefits of Awareness: Dan Siegel on Living in the Moment

A close-up of a smiling woman looking out the window where the sun is shining illustrates the benefits of awareness

How can living in the present moment enhance your life? What physical benefits might you experience from expanding your awareness? In his book Aware, Dan Siegel discusses the transformative power of awareness in your daily life. From deepening connections to improving mental flexibility, the benefits of awareness extend far beyond the mind. Read on to unlock the secrets of a more conscious and fulfilling life.