What Should I Read Next? Ep 492: Reflective nonfiction about finding your path
Lynn Bain, a Dallas-based entrepreneur and owner of Boxwood Hospitality, shares her unique journey from CPA to business owner. She discusses her quest for engaging business books that align with her love for fiction, expressing frustrations with typical titles. Lynn reflects on the emotional impact of revisiting cherished books and how they prompt personal growth. The conversation also explores the power of food memoirs to tell personal stories, emphasizing their significance in the hospitality industry.
54:34
Books That Build Empathy
- Lynn reread Dave Eggers' What Is the What and learned about Valentino's refugee journey to Atlanta.
- The book expanded her empathy and prompted further research into the Sudanese Civil War.
Food Memoirs Mirror Business Life
- Lynn kept a food-memoir shelf in her kitchen and Delancey hit her during construction of her first venue.
- She cried reading the husband-and-wife restaurant startup story because it mirrored her own business struggles.
Teach Culture With Memoirs, Not Manuals
- Use memoir-style hospitality books like Setting the Table and Unreasonable Hospitality to teach culture and service through story.
- Assign such books to new hires to communicate values rather than procedures.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring the Intersection of Business and Fiction in Reading
02:21 • 3min
From CPA to Entrepreneur: A Journey of Passion and Books
05:17 • 9min
Exploring Personal Reading Preferences
14:22 • 2min
Literary Reflections on Growth
16:03 • 15min
Exploring Reflective Nonfiction and Personal Journeys
30:38 • 3min
Creating Memorable Moments
33:19 • 15min
Tales of Taste: Food Memoirs and Personal Journeys
48:39 • 6min
#2138
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
Rules of civility
George Washington
This book contains a list of 110 rules that George Washington copied from a French etiquette manual written by Jesuits in 1595.
The rules, translated into English by Francis Hawkins in 1640, cover various aspects of social behavior, including respect for others, proper conduct in company, and general courtesies.
These rules were influential in shaping Washington's character and behavior throughout his life, and they remain relevant today as a guide to respectful and considerate behavior.
#13293
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
What Is the What
Dave Eggers
This book follows the life of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the tens of thousands of boys displaced and orphaned during the Second Sudanese War. The narrative, written by Dave Eggers, alternates between Valentino's past in Sudan and his present life in Atlanta, Georgia.
It recounts his harrowing experiences, including fleeing his village, surviving in refugee camps, and facing numerous challenges in the United States.
The book is a powerful exploration of themes such as grief, alienation, good and evil, love, and friendship, and it provides a human face to the conflicts in Sudan and the experiences of refugees.
#375
• Mentioned in 76 episodes
The Art of Gathering
How We Meet and Why It Matters
Priya Parker
In 'The Art of Gathering', Priya Parker argues that many gatherings are lackluster and unproductive, but they don't have to be.
Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of various types of gatherings, Parker offers a human-centered approach to create meaningful experiences.
She explores a wide array of gatherings, including conferences, meetings, and social events, and provides practical advice on how simple changes can invigorate any group experience.
The book emphasizes the importance of knowing the purpose of a gathering, selecting the right venue, and ensuring the event is unique and effective for all attendees.
#13754
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Seekers
Meetings with Remarkable Musicians
John Densmore
#2
• Mentioned in 1,343 episodes
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
#277
• Mentioned in 92 episodes
The Checklist Manifesto
How To Get Things Right
Atul Gawande
In 'The Checklist Manifesto', Atul Gawande explores the power of checklists in overcoming the complexities of modern professional work.
He argues that despite advanced training and technology, professionals often fail due to the sheer volume and complexity of knowledge.
Gawande illustrates how checklists, first introduced by the U.S.
Air Force, have been successfully adopted in various fields, including medicine, to reduce errors and improve outcomes.
He provides compelling examples, such as the reduction of fatalities in surgical procedures and the elimination of hospital infections, to demonstrate the effectiveness of checklists.
The book emphasizes the importance of balancing autonomy and control, empowering frontline workers, and continuously improving checklists based on feedback and experience.
#22915
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Jimmy Buffett
A Good Life All the Way
Ryan White
Jimmy Buffett: A Good Life All the Way by Ryan White offers a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of Jimmy Buffett's life, from his early days in Mobile, Alabama, to his emergence as a cultural icon.
The book delves into Buffett's transformation into a successful entrepreneur, creating one of the most lucrative entertainment brands in history.
Through interviews with friends, musicians, and business partners, White provides a detailed and engaging narrative that captures the essence of Buffett's multifaceted persona.
#3348
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Off the clock
Laura Vanderkam
#676
• Mentioned in 49 episodes
Setting the Table
Danny Meyer
In this landmark book, Danny Meyer recounts his experiences and the lessons he learned in developing his philosophy of Enlightened Hospitality.
Meyer started Union Square Cafe at the age of 27 and has since built a restaurant empire.
His philosophy, which emphasizes strong in-house relationships and customer satisfaction, is applicable to any business.
The book covers various aspects of running a restaurant, including selecting real estate, hiring, training, and providing exceptional service.
Meyer's approach to hospitality extends to guests, the community, suppliers, and investors, and he provides practical advice on how to maintain long-term success through these relationships.
#7547
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Be Ready When the Luck Happens
A Memoir
Ina Garten
In 'Be Ready When the Luck Happens,' Ina Garten shares her life story, from a challenging childhood to her marriage with Jeffrey and her journey to becoming the Barefoot Contessa.
The memoir details her transition from a job in the White House to owning a specialty food store in the Hamptons, and eventually becoming a bestselling cookbook author and celebrated television host.
Garten's story is filled with advice on relationships, business partnerships, and pursuing one's dreams, emphasizing the importance of hard work, tenacity, and doing what you love.
#52403
Save Me the Plums
My Gourmet Memoir
Ruth Reichl
Save Me the Plums is a personal and professional memoir by Ruth Reichl, chronicling her decade as Editor in Chief of Gourmet magazine.
The book recounts her transition from a Berkeley hippie to a corporate leader, her interactions with legendary chefs and writers, and the significant changes in the culinary and media landscapes during her time at Gourmet.
It includes recipes and reflects on the golden age of print media before the Internet's impact on the industry.
#109
• Mentioned in 165 episodes
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports.
The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today.
It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success.
The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way.
#865
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
The Power of Moments
Chip Heath
Dan Heath
In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore why certain brief experiences can have a profound impact on our lives.
They argue that our most memorable positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride, and connection.
The authors provide practical advice and numerous examples on how to engineer these moments, whether in professional settings, educational environments, or personal life.
The book delves into the psychology behind why we remember certain experiences and how we can intentionally create more meaningful moments rather than leaving them to chance.
#108
• Mentioned in 166 episodes
Unreasonable Hospitality
The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Will Guidara
In 'Unreasonable Hospitality,' Will Guidara shares his experiences as the General Manager of Eleven Madison Park and The NoMad, highlighting the importance of hospitality in any business.
The book emphasizes that simply offering a great product is not enough; organizations must also focus on creating authentic connections and memorable experiences for both customers and employees.
Guidara provides practical advice on setting expectations, managing teams, and adapting to unexpected situations, all while maintaining a commitment to hospitality that goes beyond mere service.
His approach is applicable across various industries, not just limited to restaurants and luxury businesses.
#31818
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Personal Librarian
Victoria Christopher Murray
Marie Benedict
The Personal Librarian is based on the life of Belle da Costa Greene, who was hired by J. P. Morgan in 1906 to curate his collection for the newly built Pierpont Morgan Library.
Belle, a light-skinned Black woman passing as white, becomes a fixture in New York City society and a powerful figure in the art and book world.
She works tirelessly to acquire and curate rare and ancient works, developing a close but complicated relationship with J. P. Morgan.
After Morgan's death, she ensures his son Jack keeps the collection intact and eventually turns it into a public library.
The novel explores themes of identity, legacy, and the impact of her work on future generations.
#98274
A Fine Sight to See
True Stories of American Christian Leadership
Sophie Hudson
#68567
Delancey
Molly Wizenberg
#83651
Garlic and Sapphires
Ruth Reichl
'Garlic and Sapphires' by Ruth Reichl recounts her experiences as a restaurant critic for The New York Times, where she used disguises to conceal her identity.
Reichl's memoir offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fine dining and the power of perception.
The book explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the subjective nature of taste.
Reichl's witty and insightful writing captures the vibrant culinary scene of New York City.
'Garlic and Sapphires' is a captivating tale of food, disguise, and self-discovery, offering a unique perspective on the art of criticism.
We love fielding very specific readerly requests that will also appeal to a wide range of readers, and today's episode is just that.
Lynn Bain describers herself as an accidental entrepreneur. While she loves to read a wide range of genres and styles, she's here today to get Anne's help in identifying good business books to read alongside her beloved stack of fiction.
Lynn's tried a bunch of business books and found they haven't worked out well for her. But Lynn is also confident that there are good titles out there and she would love to find them, because she knows they will really benefit her, personally and professionally. She and Anne explore this today and Anne makes recommendations that fit this particular section of Lynn's reading life.
If you have ideas for Lynn, please share those by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/492. That's where you'll also find the list of titles discussed in today's episode.
Our Fall Book Preview is right around the corner! This signature event includes our live unboxing party on Thursday, September 18th, and our 12-page digital booklet featuring the selected titles. It's always a great time. Enjoy this event and access our library of bonus episodes and past previews by joining our Patreon community. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.
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