Hi there! Here at the JanusGroup, we're big readers. We love to learn, to challenge ourselves and to be constantly developing and improving. As individuals, as team members and as a collective unit. This month, we're trying something new and sharing a few books that we have recently read (or listened to! Audible books count!) and that we enjoyed. Without further delay...

Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating And Get More Done In Less Time

Author: Brian Tracy
Reader: Everyone on the team!
Thoughts: For the first installment in the team Book Of The Month Club, Aaron chose the business book Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy. A phrase that is frequently heard around the office, we decided it would be a good idea to have everyone on the team read the book and better understand the "decision, discipline and determination" that are vital to effective time management. A quick read, this concise book cuts to the chase and delivers powerful and actionable advice for tackling the daunting tasks that we avoid. Recommended for the procrastinators among us.

Atlas of a Lost World: Travels in Ice Age America

Author: Craig Childs
Reader: Jamie
Thoughts: Great book that takes a long view of history. I loved the grit and creativity that the first humans in the America’s displayed. It’s inspiring to read about surviving against great odds. I will never complain about being cold again!

Principles

Author: Ray Dalio
Reader: Jamie
Thoughts: A weighty amount of useful ideas toward running a transparent meritocracy are presented here.  I find the ideas around bringing a team to a point of being “in-sync” to be particularly interesting, especially the idea that it is the responsibility of each of us to communicate our views clearly to the group and to work to understand the views of others. In other words, a clear communication back-and-forth of views can bring clarity to the understanding of common goals and how to reach them. We are all different and can work together to create great things!

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We Are Wrong about the World and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

Author: Hans Rosling
Reader: Jamie
Thoughts: This is the best book I’ve read recently. It pulls up the corner of our educational biases and lets in the light of what the facts show us in several important areas. It is funny and enlightening. Can we answer 10 multiple choice questions about current world issues more accurately than chimpanzees?

Steal Like An Artist: Ten Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Author: Austin Kleon
Read by: Brett
Thoughts: This book caught my eye in a museum book store a few years back, and I keep going back and re-reading sections of it every so often. Austin has a great knack for explaining the nitty-gritty of being creative, while also providing the inspiration and guidance necessary for the task. I'm particularly fond of the "Use Your Hands" and "Be Boring" chapters.

Thanks for reading (ha!)! If you have a great book recommendation we'd love to hear it!