The Smart Read

25/12/2022

Project Hail Mary

This is officially my favorite read of 2022 so far!

Ryland Grace wakes up with no memory of who he is or where he is.

He soon discovers he’s been sent to space on a mission to save the Earth, but that’s only the beginning.

This story was completely fascinating and I couldn’t put it down.

Once I did finish, I was genuinely sad the book was over and started to miss some of the characters.

My favorite thing about Andy Weir’s writing is that he makes the science of everything so accessible and easy to understand—it’s also woven into the prose naturally so it doesn’t feel out of place.

I’ve previously read two other books by Weir but I forgot how funny he is! I laughed out loud multiple times during this one.

This is not only my current favorite of the year but also my favorite Andy Weir novel. I also enjoyed The Martian and Artemis, and would recommend any of those three books. 📚

04/11/2022

The Daily Stoic

Stoicism is a philosophy that dates back thousands of years. It asserts that happiness is defined by virtue (self-control, courage, justice, and wisdom). To achieve virtue and thus live happily, the three Stoic disciplines of perceptions (how you see and understand the world), actions (how you act based on what you see), and will must be mastered (how you feel when events are outside your control).

The Daily Stoic is an exercise manual, not a Stoic history. Its goal is to help you understand the three disciplines - perception, action, and will - and apply what you've learned to your own life. Every day, you'll be given a Stoic lesson, explained in modern language, and advice on how to apply it in everyday life.

When studying Stoicism in the past, I’ve encountered two problems. The original sources can difficult to read. Simply put, we spoke differently 2,000 years ago. Stoicism is full of important lessons, but they can be lost when struggling with the language in Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and Letters from a Stoic by Seneca. Books like The Obstacle is the Way and a Guide to the Good Life help by interpreting and summarizing the lessons for a modern audience. But Stoicism contains hundreds lessons about how to live well, and modern summaries can be difficult to remember and apply them all.

This is where The Daily Stoic shines. Not only does it make Stoic lessons easy to understand and apply, it focuses you on just one lesson per day. I find this format - a daily practice guide - the most effective way of reading, understanding, and applying Stoicism.

Link to the book -> https://amzn.to/3SCQ25R

03/11/2022

Sapiens

I believe I am fairly familiar with history in general, and I am usually uninterested in learning more about it. But this book was different.

This book, which was beautifully written and easy to read, made me want to know more and more about how the author believes the world evolved to what it is today. Things were simplified while still maintaining valid points, revolution by revolution, religion by religion, conception by conception - and it was never boring.

The best part was that it actually made me think.

The author does not treat you as an ignorant person; instead, he assumes you know a lot and understand a lot, and he does not lecture about anything.

A great book that we advise you to read -> https://amzn.to/3TPyogq

02/11/2022

Greenlights

When writing a memoir, many celebrities hire a ghostwriter. Matthew McConaughey has kept a diary for decades, so he had plenty of material to work with, and this is one of the few times I believe a famous person wrote it with little or no outside assistance. He tells stories from his childhood, career, and life as a husband and father in his memoir. This isn't the memoir for you if you're looking for dirt and gossip. But, even though he doesn't go into his dating life prior to meeting his wife and there aren't many behind-the-scenes movie tidbits, I did feel like I got to know the real Matthew after reading this memoir.

I've read a lot of celebrity memoirs over the years, and this one is hands down one of my favorites. I highly recommend reading this book because he is a fascinating individual. And now I feel compelled to go find my copy of A Time to Kill on DVD in order to rewatch his breakthrough performance.

Link to the book -> https://amzn.to/3gzDhvA

01/11/2022

12 Rules for Life

I won't be able to do Jordan Peterson's book justice.

12 Rules for Life is an excellent book. It's classic Peterson, with plenty of insightful information and wit. The book contains information that I knew, did not know, and knew but did not realize I knew (like a Peterson lecture).

This book taught me three important lessons:

1. The world is a horrible place full of pain. If you do not suffer, someone you know will.
2. Begin with yourself if you want the world to be a better place. The more individuals who begin to better themselves, the greater the potential for the world to be just a little bit better.
3. We should live on the precipice of order and chaos. Both are required for a functioning society. We must evolve and adapt while not abandoning traditions and traditional structures, which may be very important.

I would recommend this book to anyone, whether they are familiar with Peterson or not.
Clean your room and organize yourself.

Check out the book ->

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

31/10/2022

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man

Paul Newman (1925-2008), the Oscar-winning actor, prize-winning race car driver, and philanthropist who donated more than $570 million to charities, was anything but ordinary. Newman never dwells on his accomplishments in THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF AN ORDINARY MAN, instead using the memoir as a long therapy session for soul-searching. He was plagued by chronic insecurity for most of his life, and he felt like an impostor who achieved success through luck rather than talent.

Newman taped conversations with friend and screenwriter Stewart Stern, who also interviewed many of Newman's family, friends, and coworkers, between 1986 and 1991. Newman became disinterested. The audiotapes were transcribed and then discarded. The 14,000 transcript pages were distilled into this posthumous memoir, which is a chronological, multi-voiced oral history. Despite stories about filming CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, HUD, THE STING, and other films, Newman is more interested in discussing serious issues like his alcoholism. "I used to think the only peace Paul ever found was that peace he used to find in being dead drunk," Joanne Woodward, his wife of 50 years, says. Scott, his son, died of a drug overdose at the age of 28 as a result of his father's addictive personality.

This unforgettable and extraordinary memoir, one of the best and most compelling books of 2022, is a breathtakingly honest confession from a complicated man attempting to exorcise his demons; according to Newman's daughter Clea, who writes the memoir's afterword, he succeeded in his final decades.

Link to the book -> https://amzn.to/3TPvSH0

30/10/2022

And There Was Light
This book is like a warm, cozy blanket for those who admire Abraham Lincoln. It can be enjoyed as a reassuring "Great Man of History" Dad book, and it is bound to appear under many a Christmas tree this year.

But Meacham's goal here is more than just telling a reassuring civic bedtime story. While the book's veneration of Lincoln is a throwback in some ways, it is, in many ways, the Lincoln book that our current times demand - a corrective that aims to restore Lincoln to his exalted status, quietly rebuking those on the far left who explicitly reject him, as well as those on the far right who more implicitly reject him.

Much of the book is an argument against the recently popular notion that Lincoln was a racist who cared far more about the Union than abolition, and that his name and likeness should be removed from places of public prominence as a result. Meacham encourages these critics to understand Lincoln rather than dismiss him by emphasizing his morality and emphasizing how much he was able to accomplish and how much better off we are today as a result.

"To chart Lincoln's lifelong moral and political course on slavery and equality is not to sing his praises as if he were the hero of an epic poem, but to chart his lifelong moral and political course on slavery and equality, "Meacham admits it. Lincoln did not exist "not otherworldly, saintly, or savior-like, but an imperfect man seeking to bring a more perfect Union into being.

According to the book's introduction, Lincoln "has much to teach us in a twenty-first-century moment of polarization, passionate disagreement, and diverging understandings of reality." I suppose connecting historical narratives to modern times is de rigueur for a work of popular history in order to appeal to a broad audience who might otherwise be turned off by stories about a bunch of old dead guys from dusty old history books. However, Meacham avoids making too many then-and-now comparisons or offering platitudes like "don't worry, we've been through tough times before, and we can do it again."

In his conclusion, he does return to modern times, warning against "politics divorced from conscience." We live in very different times than Lincoln did.

Link to the book -> https://amzn.to/3Ff60jL

29/10/2022

Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

David Goggins forced me to do it.

It's like a breath of fresh air. Finally, a self-help book written by someone who has been there and is living the life he preaches. And in such a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. Goggins is brutal, honest, and extremely inspiring. Definitely the kind of book I needed as the new year began. I felt his drive and passion every time I picked up this book, and when I put it down, I applied that mentality to my own life and got s**t done! Also, I ran more this week than I have all year - who am I?! I am completely captivated by this man and his determination.

A wonderful book that I truly advice to anyone -> https://amzn.to/3svzNNu

28/10/2022

Discipline Is Destiny

“Unless we'd rather be adrift, vulnerable, disordered, disconnected, we are responsible for ourselves. Technology, access, success, power, privilege- this is only a blessing when accompanied by the second of the cardinal virtues: self-restraint.”

The Obstacle Is The Way changed my life a few years ago. But Ryan Holiday's new book might be my favorite. Discipline is Destiny is inspired by the stories of historical figures such as Lou Gehrig, Queen Elizabeth II, boxer Floyd Patterson, and Marcus Aurelius, as well as Napoleon, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Babe Ruth.

I like how short the chapters are. They're simple to understand and made the book easier to read. Ryan Holiday's writing style is also worth mentioning. He frequently incorporates quotes and anecdotes from some of history's most brilliant minds.

It doesn't matter if you're a writer, an artist, or a Walmart employee. This is a book that should be read as soon as possible.

Link to the book -> https://amzn.to/3U3wAk9

27/10/2022

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

I have hundreds of books on my Kindle; most are "average," and quite a few are terrible, but every now and then a diamond appears out of the rough; this is one of those books for me.

I'm not usually drawn to self-help books, but this one spoke to me: "The desire for more positive experiences is a negative experience in and of itself. And, paradoxically, accepting one's negative experience is a positive experience in and of itself."

I don't know how to review this book without typing out the entire thing, so I'll try something new: I'll be brief. This book is for anyone who wants to live in reality and not buy into our national capitalist mindset that life is about chasing one high after another. This book encourages you to embrace conflict, to be at ease with feeling uncomfortable, and to be confident in discovering and advocating for what you truly believe in. Screw being likeable.

My one criticism of this book turned out to be a plus. My interest began to wane around Chapter Six because Manson provided me with very little that I didn't already know. In addition, he tells his own story about entering adulthood at "rock bottom." His lowest points in life include being caught with ma*****na in school, his parents' divorce, and not finding work right after college.

My first thought was, "Are you fu***ng kidding me?" If that's rock bottom, then my life takes place in a subterranean cavern. Mark Manson's life, on the other hand, is not mine. Everyone's experiences are unique. And, in some ways, our differences make me admire him even more.

I don't often read books that make me want to thank the author, but — Thank you, Mark.

Link to the book https://amzn.to/3TInEAM

27/10/2022

Book reviewer needed!

The Smart Read is a book review company that provides video reviews for books. We work with authors and publishers to help promote their books through our network of reviewers. We are looking for people who love to read and would like to receive free books in exchange for their reviews.

Job Description:
- You will be responsible for reading the books that are sent to you and leaving a video review on our website and social media channels.
- You will need to be comfortable in front of a camera and be able to leave a structured review.
- You should expect to receive 1-2 books per month, but you will have the opportunity to pick the books that you want to receive.

The Successful Applicant:
- Native or Bilingual English speaker
- Must love reading
- Should read at least 1 book per month
- Must be comfortable in front of a camera
- Should be able to leave a structured review

Offer Details:
- Will receive some of the best selling books in the market for free directly at your home
- Opportunity of picking the books that you like

If you liked what you have read, please send us a short video review of a book that you have liked!

This position is fully remote, we are happy to collaborate with people from all over the world.

Please send us a message with a short book review video! 🙂