We (and by we we mean Julianne) have a hefty stack of books this week! A lot of them are interior design-related, but that’s how the cookie crumbles these days. Here’s what we read:
- The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
- Styled by Emily Henderson
- Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards (this is the book recap for the week, as well!)
- Big Style in Small Spaces by Sarah Dorsey
- Fostered by Tori Hope Petersen
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz
The Bomber Mafia – Malcolm Gladwell
If you listened to our last episode, I (Julianne) talked about this book a bit. This week, I FINISHED it!!!
This book was really thought-provoking. It’s hard to talk about without giving away too much, but I really appreciated how Malcolm Gladwell did his best to really dive into what motivated the different people in this situation. You felt like you understood why they did the things they did, even if you didn’t like what they were doing. He made them human.
There are a couple of things that I’d like to talk about that get into kinda spoiler-y territory, so SPOILER WARNING (You can skip to the next section if you plan on reading this book!
The first is the difference at the beginning of the war between how the British used bomber planes and how the Americans were trying to use them. And how the British thought their way was “superior” because it would, “break the will of their enemies” when in fact the Germans were doing the same thing to them and it actually made their people more patriotic and determined. It’s crazy how we justify things.
The other is that… I thought we didn’t drop bombs on Japan until the atomic bombs. Turns out that wasn’t the case! And in fact, Malcolm Gladwell hints at the fact that the atomic bombs might not have been super needed or as devastating as we tend to think, compared to the number of bombs we were dropping on Japan in the months leading up to them. It’s staggering to think about that.
Styled – Emily Henderson
I (Julianne ) bought this book because I’ve been really wanting to scratch my interior design itch! And it did not disappoint. We took the style quiz together and found out our style is either minimal or contemporary- but we both agreed we like contemporary better, so we’re going to go with that.
She has this cool “style wheel” where you’re supposed to pick the style across from your preferred style as a good contrast or complement or something. She says we need to do 80s-inspired decor and I am not sold on this idea but I am willing to see where it goes.
The book itself is gorgeous, I found a photo of what has now become my dream library already, and we’ve barely started the book!
Captivate – Vanessa Van Edwards
This book is about connecting with people on a better level. And SPOILER ALERT AGAIN– it’s our book recap/slideshow this week! Keep reading to find Andrew’s slide show for this book.
Big Style in Small Spaces – Sarah Dorsey
I (Julianne) “read” this book this week (aka mostly looked at the pictures) and found some really cool projects I want to either make or talk Andrew into making for me! There’s a sweet table that I want for the office, and some great ideas for using space economically in bedrooms. 😀
Fostered – Tori Hope Petersen
This book! I (Julianne) started it the day before we recorded this podcast and it’s so good. It’s making me feel a lot of emotions. That’s a really weird way to put that, but I feel sad- a lot of the things she’s recounting just activate my empathy. I wish she didn’t have to experience those things, and that she didn’t spend so much of her time feeling alone, even as a small kid. But at the same time, she doesn’t speak out of bitterness- she’s writing out of healing and hope. And I love that!
I found myself bingeing some youtube videos about Harry and Meghan this week (my brain was fried so I’m sure that contributed to that decision) and it’s interesting to see the contrast. I haven’t read Harry’s new book (and I probably won’t) but the consensus on parts of Youtube seems to be that he hasn’t healed or forgiven- that he’s still working through the things that happened to him over the course of his life, but he wrote a memoir out of that pain and bitterness.
Tori’s book is very different- she’s experienced things that no one should have to go through, but she has grace sprinkled throughout all of it. It’s a testament to the power of God (and she makes a very concerted effort to show that) but I also think it’s a testament to her maturity and the work that she’s put in to grow in her faith and to heal. I really admire that, and I’m excited to read more!
Dune – Frank Herbert
This is a sci-fi book about a boy who is destined for great things.
I (Andrew) read this book A LOT this week, and it’s been great!
You can hear more thoughts on Dune in The Mafia of Extinct Countries
Clockwork – Mike Michalowicz
This book was really good! I (Julianne) think I already summarized a couple of my main takeaways last week, so I don’t have a lot to add here, even though I only have a couple of chapters left.
BUT- if you are prone to workaholism, which he says is basically an epidemic among entrepreneurs, then he gives you step-by-step instructions for how to get your team to a place where you can take a one-month vacation without the business blowing up in your face.
It’s super cool! He has a lot of stories from people who have done it, and how it made their businesses better.
He also makes the really good point that being able to step away for that long means that you make the business better- because you’re able to come up with new ideas and really go all-in on the things you enjoy doing when you come back. You don’t have to get bogged down in the day-to-day stuff because your team is equipped to handle it.
In fact, I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately bought one of his other ones! Lol You’ll have to stay tuned to hear how that goes!
Book Recap: Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards
You can see Andrew presenting this slideshow on our Youtube Channel!