Shortform Books

Loving Your Job: Work Doesn’t Have to Suck

Are you happy at your job? What are some things you can do to improve your job satisfaction? Your job satisfaction inevitably affects the rest of your life. Being happy at work is linked to better physical and mental health—the lack of which may drain the energy you need both to enjoy your personal life and succeed at work. Time management expert Laura Vanderkam explains why loving your job is so important and how you can increase your job satisfaction by creating your perfect position.

Shortform Reads: A Love for Short Stories With Big Impacts

Why does Violet think people are fascinated by horror? What book genre is she wary of? Violet is a Shortform book guide writer from Nebraska. She loves an impactful short story and an occasional YA novel.

Why Is Astrophysics Important? It Humbles & Stretches Us

Why is astrophysics important? In the big scheme of things, how special are Earth and human beings? Neil deGrasse Tyson shows how astrophysics has stripped humanity of its archaic belief that we hold a special place at the center of the universe. Still, it affirms what we share in common and provides a vast new frontier for discoveries that may transform how we understand reality. Read more to understand this perspective from Tyson’s book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.

The Ultimate Guide to Changing Organizational Culture

How do you institute a change in an organization’s culture? Why can’t corporate culture be enforced in a top-down fashion? Changing organizational culture is the first step to implementing any other changes in a company (e.g. operational or restructuring). Any organizational changes will likely be illusory unless there’s a transformation of the broader culture because policy, practice, and process are all ultimately downstream from culture. In this article, you’ll learn what exactly is meant by “organizational culture,” why it’s important, and what it takes to change it.

How to Stop Living Above Your Means

Do you have trouble saving money? Do you tend to spend more than you earn? How does living above your means hinder your financial prospects? In this day and age of conspicuous consumption, it has become the norm to live above your means. While it could be fun for a while, it damages your long-term financial prospects by driving you further and further into debt. Here’s how to stop living above your means.

The Two Uses of Salt in the Culinary World

What are the two uses of salt when it comes to food? What’s the cultural significance of salt? In Salt, Mark Kurlansky argues that salt has played an important role in shaping cuisines around the world. Salt both preserves food when production is low and is a seasoning that makes food more flavorful. Let’s explore these uses of salt.

Black Like Me Book Review (John Howard Griffin)

Looking for a book review of Black Like Me? What criticism or praise did John Howard Griffin’s book receive? John Howard Griffin wrote Black Like Me after conducting a social experiment in the segregated Southern U.S. Since its publication, book reviews of Black Like Me have both praised and criticized Griffin for his work and the methods he used. Read on for a book review of Black Like Me, based on an analysis of its critical reception.

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre: Book Overview

What is Bad Science by Ben Goldacre about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre details the strategies researchers, corporations, and journalists use to mislead the public. Goldacre also gives you the tools you need to identify and call out shady science when you see it. Read below for a brief overview of Bad Science.

The 3 Signs of Emotionally Immature Parents & the Effects

What are the signs of emotionally immature parents? What features do these parents share? In Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, Lindsey Gibson says that emotionally underdeveloped parents share a number of common features. Understanding what they are can help you determine if your parent was emotionally immature. Let’s look at the signs of emotionally immature parents to be on the lookout for.

Paying for Chores: Reasons to Delegate Your Housework

Do you delegate your housework? Is paying for chores worth it? People are often reluctant to hire others to do their housework because it costs too much. This is for two main reasons. First, housework only seems expensive because it’s considered free female labor. Second, hiring a maid is worth the investment because it buys you back time to focus on more important tasks. Here’s why you should delegate your housework despite the costs involved.