Book 5: Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics
I am extremely excited to read this one. Behavioral economics, or basically the intersection of psychology with economics, is the study of human behavior that drives economic decisions. Traditionally, economics assumes that we are rational actors. Unfortunately, humans are prone to being quite irrational. Shortlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year, Misbehaving is described as a “hilarious account of the struggle to bring an academic discipline back down to earth―and change the way we think about economics, ourselves, and our world.”
Book 6: Slaughterhouse Five
I don’t know much about Slaughterhouse Five, my first fiction book of 2017, except that it is supposed to be an antiwar American classic. “Centering on the infamous firebombing of Dresden, Billy Pilgrim’s odyssey through time reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives as we search for meaning in what we fear most.” There’s a lot to learn from fiction and I am excited to read this book which was recommended by several friends.
Book 7: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
I am a feminist. This means I believe in gender equality. Frankly, we should all be feminists. In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook, examines why women’s progress in leadership attainment has stalled. “Written with both humor and wisdom, Sandberg’s book is an inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth. Lean In is destined to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can.” Below is an excellent Ted talk on female leadership by Sheryl Sandberg.
Book 8: The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future
I have heard this is essentially required reading for business leaders and technologists.”Much of what will happen in the next thirty years is inevitable, driven by technological trends that are already in motion. In this fascinating, provocative new book, Kevin Kelly provides an optimistic road map for the future, showing how the coming changes in our lives—from virtual reality in the home to an on-demand economy to artificial intelligence embedded in everything we manufacture—can be understood as the result of a few long-term, accelerating forces.”