I was chatting with a friend recently when I made a critical error and asked, What are you doing this weekend? No, no. It’s not what you think.
I genuinely enjoy hearing what people are planning on doing with their free time, but they always reciprocate and ask me what I’ll be up to. And I can’t think of anything. I run errands and go out to dinner like a normal person, but that doesn’t seem convo-worthy. Really, my weekends are often spent reading through a pile of New Yorkers or watching a movie (or in times of nuttiness, working).
However, a couple of weeks ago, I took a week off. I hung out at home, and I’m proud to say I read the following:
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell: I keep Gladwell’s books and New Yorker pieces handy, b/c they’re excellent for quick, entertaining, provocative reads.
Sources of Power by Gary Klein: I’ve read chapters from Dr Klein’s book, but not the whole chimichanga. I am fascinated by decision-making, and there is so much knowledge in this book. I have taken many lessons from it, but reading it through was even better. I think it’s a must-read for anyone who works in a team environment, develops products that other people will use, and/or plans experiences.
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner: I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never read the book, just the blog. Economics is fascinating, and Mssrs. Levitt and Dubner make it a thing of beauty.
Microtrends by Mark Penn: I love subcultures and little emerging pockets of interest. Very cool, especially since it’s an election year.
Tapping the Source by Kem Nunn: Surf/noir… the seedy underbelly of the California dream… cults… good stuff.
So, all in all, I had an excellent vacation. Expect to see references to some of these books in future posts.