I am a voracious reader and every week I come across either a book, online piece or website I want to share with others. I’ve decided to curate these gems and highlight them on Friday. I hope you find these faves as insightful as I do.
- Are you looking for a simple way to be more productive? I love finding new methods to maximize my time. I recently bought a Bullet Journal as a way to plan my day and considered serendipitous when this article appeared in my feed, “People are falling in love with a simple productivity system that just uses pen and paper” by Belle Beth Cooper.
- Good news for those who love writing essays – In “Essay is the new black,” Keysha Whitaker writes about what she learned after listening to esteemed panelists discuss the resurgence of the personal narrative.
- I’ve often thought about authenticity, what it means and how to employ it my life. Can authenticity be stretched too far? Adam Grant makes wise points in “Unless You’re Oprah, ‘Be Yourself’ Is Terrible Advice,” in the New York Times. The following line resonated: “Pay attention to how we present ourselves to others, and then strive to be the people we claim to be.” The goal is not necessarily authenticity, but sincerity. Be who you say you are.
- Do you love poetry and beautiful images? I love Lifehack’s “10 Great Instagram Poets Who Are Worth Following.”
What were your favorite reads this week?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I love what Adam Grant says. It is so true. It is more important to be sincere than authentic. I’d never given this much thought. Thank you for the mind food today…going to be chewing on this the rest of the day!
I am so glad the piece resonated with you, Susan. It certainly offered much food for thought. However, Brene Brown pointed out that Grant’s interpretation of her words were incorrect. If you are curious about the article, it is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-response-adam-grants-new-york-times-oped-unless-youre-brené-brown
(With thanks to Jackie Cangro for pointing me to Brown’s response).
Great minds think alike, Rudri! I wrote about Adam Grant’s op/ed piece in my post as well. He makes some wonderful and important points, though he took Brene Brown’s quote out of context. She posted a response on LinkedIn. An interesting look at how tweaking a quote can reshape its meaning.
Thanks for pointing out the article, Jackie. I had no idea and am grateful you led me to her perspective. The tilt of a few words can make such a difference.
Oooh, saving the Grant one for later.
Is it really already Friday (well Saturday now) again? I feel like I just finally finished reading all of your favorites last week.
This week, the Grant one is my favorite.
Glad you liked the piece, Tamara. Grant did misquote Brown and if you are interested in her response, here is the link to her article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-response-adam-grants-new-york-times-oped-unless-youre-brené-brown