I have always loved books. Even as a child, I was an avid reader. When I was young, the majority of my reading was for enjoyment. Today, I read for a variety of reasons. I read to be entertained, I read to gain a new perspective, but mostly I read to learn something new. As a leader, it is imperative that you be a lifelong learner. One of the easiest ways to learn is by reading.
With today’s devices, you can carry hundreds of books where ever you go. It has never been easier or more convenient to pick up a great book and startreading . Periodically, I plan to publish a book review I believe would be of interest to law enforcement leaders. Books have changed my life, and I am hopeful that the books I recommend and review can change yours.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Atomic Habits provides a step-by-step plan for building better habits for a lifetime by making tiny improvements over time.
These tiny improvements may seem insignificant when they are implemented but result in big changes over time.
The author opens this book with the gripping account of being struck in the face with a baseball bat in high school, his slow recovery and his revelation and dramatic change in his life due to the tiny habits he discovered.
James Clear bases his observations and recommendations on the fields of biology, neuroscience, psychology and more.
One of the key concepts in the book is the idea of the Habit Loop. All habits proceed through these four stages in the same order forming a loop.
More info →Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World
On May 21, 2014, the author gave a commencement speech at the University of Texas, his alma mater. This book is based on that speech.
The author learned many lessons while attending Navy SEAL training. Those lessons have been condensed into 10 points that can help change your life and as the author states, and may change the world.
- Start Your Day With a Task Completed (Make your bed)
“Nothing can replace the strength and comfort of one’s faith, but sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide you the satisfaction to end it right.”
More info →The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
The authors set up the entire premise of the book with a description of a scene from the movie “City Slickers.”
In one scene, Curly asks Mitch if he knows what the secret of life is. Mitch answers no. Curly then holds up one finger and says the secret to life is one thing, just one thing.
From this quote and through a process of discovery, the authors narrowed down their focus to this one question, “What’s the ONE Thing you can do this week such that by doing it everything else would be easier or unnecessary?”
The Domino Effect is the concept that domino falls can topple big things. A domino can knock over a domino 50% larger. In that scenario, the 57th domino is almost the distance to the moon. The moon is reachable if you prioritize everything and put all of your energy into accomplishing the most important thing.
More info →Writing Fiction for Dummies
The Most Wished For book in the Fiction Writing Reference category on Amazon is Writing Fiction for Dummies, the complete guide for writing and selling your novel.
More info →Designing Web & Mobile Graphics
Designing Web & Mobile Graphics provides foundational methodology for optimal use of graphics that begins with HTML and CSS, and delves into the worlds of typography, color, transparency, accessibility, imagery, and layout for optimal delivery on all the different devices people use today.
More info →A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider
A collection of over 50 true stories, fictional short stories, and poems by 37 writers whose work is distinguished by honesty and vulnerability, combined with encouragement and hope.
More info →Deadly Straits
When marine engineer and very part-time spook Tom Dugan becomes collateral damage in the War on Terror, he's not about to take it lying down. Deadly Straits is a non-stop thrill ride, fast-paced, multilayered and gripping.
More info →The 11 Secrets of Getting Published
Learn insider secrets of getting published! Become an author. Hold the book of your heart in your hands for the first time.
More info →Thriving: Trusting God for Life to The Fullest
Thriving equips you to live the abundant life – even in difficult circumstances. Chapters include practical questions for individual study or small group discussion.
More info →Confident Faith
You can enjoy a robust faith - one you can share with skeptical friends - by learning the "Twenty Arrows of Truth," including evidence from science, logic, history, archaeology, the Bible, and more. Experience a confident faith - today!
More info →Flying Solo
Sometimes the choices we make in life have devastating consequences. Based on a true story, Nora is a 1960s French Cajun housewife who trains as a pilot. Dynamics collide when an ilicit affair produces a child and a choice.
More info →