Shelf Care

21/08/2025

Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, explores the art of rethinking—challenging our own assumptions, beliefs, and habits. Rather than clinging to what we know, Grant encourages us to adopt the mindset of a scientist: curious, humble, and open to being wrong.

The book is structured around three levels of rethinking:
- Individual – How we update our own beliefs.
- Interpersonal – How we encourage others to rethink.
- Collective – How we build cultures of learning and adaptability.

Grant uses engaging stories—from firefighters who rethink survival strategies to entrepreneurs who pivot successfully—to show how rethinking can lead to better decisions, deeper relationships, and greater innovation.

🌟 Key Takeaways
1. Think Like a Scientist
Instead of preaching, prosecuting, or politicking, adopt the scientist mindset: form hypotheses, test ideas, and revise beliefs based on evidence.

2. Detach Identity from Beliefs
When we tie our identity to our opinions, we resist change. Grant urges us to define ourselves by our values (like curiosity or integrity), not our conclusions.

3. The Joy of Being Wrong
Being wrong isn’t a failure—it’s a sign of growth. People who enjoy discovering their errors tend to learn faster and adapt better.

4. Confident Humility
Grant introduces the concept of being confident in your ability to learn, but humble enough to admit what you don’t know. This balance fosters resilience and credibility.

5. Argument Literacy
Effective persuasion isn’t about winning debates—it’s about inviting others to rethink. Asking questions, listening actively, and finding common ground are more powerful than confrontation.

6. Rethinking in Teams and Communities
Organizations thrive when they build cultures that reward curiosity, challenge norms, and welcome dissent. Grant shows how leaders can foster psychological safety and continuous learning.

One of the most resonant quotes from the book is:
“The purpose of learning is not to affirm our beliefs. It’s to evolve our beliefs.”

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21/08/2025

Paul Kalanithi was a brilliant neurosurgeon and a deeply philosophical thinker. At the age of 36, just as he was poised to finish his training and begin a promising career, he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. This memoir chronicles his transformation from doctor to patient, and his reflections on mortality, meaning, and what it means to truly live.

The book is structured in two main parts:
- Part 1 explores Paul’s journey into medicine, his love for literature, and the intellectual pursuit of understanding life and death.

- Part 2 shifts to his experience as a patient, grappling with the fragility of life, the loss of identity, and the urgency to find purpose in the time he had left.

The epilogue, written by his wife Lucy, offers a tender and powerful conclusion to Paul’s story, honoring his legacy and the emotional weight of his final days.

🌟 Key Takeaways
1. Mortality Clarifies Meaning
Paul’s diagnosis forces him to confront the question: What makes life worth living in the face of death? His answer lies in love, legacy, and presence.

2. The Duality of Roles
As both a doctor and a patient, Paul offers rare insight into the emotional and ethical complexities of medicine. He explores how clinical detachment can coexist with deep compassion.

3. Identity Is Fluid
Paul’s shift from surgeon to patient reveals how identity can be reshaped by circumstance. He reflects on how we define ourselves—not just by what we do, but by how we face adversity.

4. Literature as Lifeline
His love for literature and philosophy becomes a guiding force, helping him make sense of suffering and mortality. He quotes thinkers like Tolstoy and Beckett to frame his experience.

5. Legacy Through Connection
Paul’s decision to write this book, even as his health declined, was an act of service. He wanted to leave something behind—not just for his daughter, but for anyone searching for meaning.

One of the most memorable lines from the book is:
“I can’t go on. I’ll go on.” — quoting Samuel Beckett, a mantra of resilience.

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19/07/2025

This book revolves around two deceptively simple words: “Let Them.”
It’s a call to stop controlling others and start reclaiming your energy. Whether it’s friends who ghost you, coworkers who don’t pull their weight, or family members who don’t get it — let them. And then shift the focus to “Let Me” — what you choose to do next.

🔑 Key Takeaways
- Let Them be who they are
Stop wasting energy trying to change people. If someone’s not showing up how you need them to — let them. That’s data. You get to decide what you do with it.

- Let Me take radical responsibility
You’re not here to fix, chase, or convince. You’re here to live aligned. So instead of reacting, ask: What’s my next best move?

- Boundaries are clarity, not conflict
Saying “Let Them” isn’t passive — it’s powerful. It’s how you protect your peace without drama or guilt.

- Other people’s opinions? Let Them talk
You’re not for everyone, and that’s a good thing. Mel reminds us that most judgment is just projection. So let them judge — and keep building your thing.

- Stress comes from control — peace comes from release
Trying to manage everything is exhausting. Robbins shows how letting go actually rewires your brain for calm and clarity.

- Let Them fail, struggle, or drift away
It’s not your job to rescue or babysit grown adults. Let them learn. Let them reveal who they are. You focus on your lane.
- Let Me choose authenticity over approval
Whether it’s posting online, launching a new offer, or saying no — do it because it feels right to you, not because it’ll win applause.

💬 Favorite Quote
“Let Them be themselves because they are revealing who they are to you. Just Let Them — and then you get to choose what you do next.”

This book is like a permission slip to stop over-functioning and start living with intention.

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18/07/2025

This book is a reminder that time is your most precious currency — and you don’t get refunds. Atkins shares bite-sized reflections on how to live intentionally, love deeply, and work smart. It’s not about hustle culture or toxic positivity — it’s about clarity, courage, and conscious choices.

🔑 Key Takeaways
- Say no to what doesn’t matter
Atkins is big on trimming the fat — whether it’s distractions, obligations, or people-pleasing. You get to choose what gets your energy.

- Create space for creativity
He talks about how stepping back — walking, journaling, unplugging — helps you access your best ideas. You already know that pause = power.

- Don’t do really dumb things
Sounds blunt, but it’s gold. Avoid irreversible mistakes. Trust your gut. If something feels off, let it go before it grows.

- Build character and choose your circle wisely
Atkins reminds us that reputation is your personal brand. Be honest, own your mistakes, and surround yourself with people who reflect your values.

- Balance is a non-negotiable
He shares how he left a high-profile job to build a life he actually loved. It’s a nudge to check in: Are you living or just existing?

- Help others to help yourself
When you’re stuck, anxious, or low — serve someone. It’s the fastest way to reconnect with purpose and joy.

- Laugh, even when it’s messy
Atkins encourages finding humor in the chaos. It’s not about ignoring problems — it’s about softening them with perspective.

- Reinvent yourself, unapologetically
You’re not locked into one version of you. Atkins says it’s never too late to pivot, dream bigger, or start fresh.

💬 Favorite Quote
“The things you choose to do today really matter. So take the time to develop good habits. Don’t live in denial — take action.”

This book is like a gentle slap and a warm hug rolled into one.

Find the book here:
https://amzn.to/4m0WJxR
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https://amzn.to/456oUEX

18/07/2025

This book is all about breaking free from the mental loops that keep you stuck in stress, anxiety, and indecision. Trenton lays out 9 actionable steps to help you shift from spiraling thoughts to focused productivity. It’s not just theory — it’s a toolkit for reclaiming your peace and power.

🔑 Key Takeaways
- Overthinking is a symptom, not the root
Trenton reframes overthinking as a byproduct of anxiety — not a personality flaw. That shift alone is freeing.

- Awareness is your first superpower
You can’t change what you don’t notice. The book teaches you how to spot your triggers and thought spirals before they hijack your day.
- Declutter your mental inputs
Just like you’d clean up your workspace, Trenton shows how to organize your thoughts, environment, and schedule to reduce overwhelm.
- Use the 4 A’s of stress management
Avoid, Alter, Accept, Adapt — these become your go-to filters for handling stress without spiraling.
- Ground yourself with sensory techniques
The 5-4-3-2-1 method is a game-changer for snapping out of anxious loops and reconnecting with the present moment.
- Challenge your cognitive distortions
Trenton walks you through how to spot and reframe those sneaky “I’m not good enough” or “what if everything goes wrong” thoughts.

- Time-blocking = peace + productivity
He’s big on managing your time with intention. Less multitasking, more deep focus — which you already vibe with.
- Relaxation is a habit, not a luxury
Guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and autogenic training are introduced as daily rituals to calm your nervous system.
- Rewire your mindset with CBT-inspired tools
You learn how to replace negative thought loops with empowering beliefs — and actually believe them.

💬 Favorite Quote
“We don't see the filter we pass reality through, but in truth, we all view the world through our own personalized set of expectations, beliefs, values, attitudes, biases, assumptions or flat-out illusions.”

This book is like a reset button for your brain — especially if you’re juggling a million ideas, goals, and emotions.

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16/07/2025

Junot Díaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a literary firecracker—equal parts tragic, hilarious, and culturally rich. At its heart is Oscar de León, a sweet, overweight Dominican-American teen who dreams of becoming the next Tolkien and finding true love. But Oscar’s life is overshadowed by the fukú, a generational curse that has haunted his family since the brutal Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.
Narrated by Yunior, Oscar’s college roommate and sometime boyfriend to his sister Lola, the story zigzags through time and space—from Santo Domingo’s sugarcane fields to New Jersey’s gritty suburbs—unpacking the trauma, resilience, and contradictions of Dominican-American identity.

🔑 Key Takeaways
The Power of Storytelling
- Díaz uses footnotes, Spanglish, and pop culture references to create a layered, immersive narrative.
- The novel blends sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction to reflect Oscar’s inner world and cultural dislocation.

Generational Trauma & Colonial Legacy
- The fukú curse symbolizes the lingering effects of dictatorship, violence, and displacement.
- The characters’ lives are shaped by Trujillo’s regime—even decades later.

Masculinity & Identity
- Oscar defies Dominican hypermasculine norms, embracing vulnerability and nerdiness.
- Yunior’s narration reveals his own struggle with toxic masculinity and emotional repression.

Love as Resistance
- Despite rejection and ridicule, Oscar’s unwavering belief in love becomes his quiet rebellion.
- His final act—returning to the Dominican Republic for love—becomes a tragic but redemptive moment.

Diaspora & Belonging
- The novel explores what it means to be Dominican in America, and how cultural identity is shaped by history, language, and myth.
- Lola and Oscar’s journeys reflect the tension between assimilation and heritage.

💬 Memorable Quote
“You can never run away. Not ever. The only way out is in.”

This book is a masterclass in voice, structure, and emotional depth. If you’re crafting content around cultural identity, resilience, or rewriting the narrative of what it means to be “other,” this novel offers endless inspiration

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16/07/2025

Joseph Nguyen delivers a refreshing and accessible take on mindfulness, consciousness, and emotional freedom. In just under 100 pages, he challenges the idea that we are our thoughts and shows how thinking itself—not external circumstances—is the source of most psychological pain. Drawing from Eastern philosophy, neuroscience, and personal insight, Nguyen invites readers to step into a state of “non-thinking” where peace, clarity, and creativity naturally arise.
This book is especially powerful for anyone feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, self-doubt, or overthinking. It’s a graduation gift for the soul—offering timeless wisdom for navigating life with more ease and authenticity.

🔑 Key Takeaways
-Thinking ≠ Reality
We live in a world shaped by thought, not objective reality.
Our emotions stem from how we interpret events—not the events themselves.

- You Are Not Your Thoughts
Thoughts are neutral; suffering begins when we engage with them through judgment or rumination.
Detaching from thoughts allows us to return to our natural state of peace.

- Presence Is Power
True happiness comes from being fully present—not from achieving goals or fixing problems.
Mindfulness and awareness help us observe thoughts without becoming them.

- Inspired Goals vs. Desperate Goals
Goals born from inspiration feel light and expansive.
Goals driven by desperation often stem from fear and lead to burnout.

- Surrender Brings Clarity
Letting go of control and trusting intuition opens space for creativity and insight.
Non-thinking isn’t passive—it’s a gateway to flow and peak performance.

- Darkness Exists Because of Light
Even in our lowest moments, the potential for joy and clarity is always present.
Suffering is optional when we shift our consciousness.

This book is a gentle but radical invitation to stop fighting your mind and start observing it. If you’re crafting content around emotional clarity, mindset shifts, or soulful entrepreneurship, this could be a goldmine of inspiration.

Find the book here:
https://amzn.to/40QHlMi
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https://amzn.to/3TEQtjl

12/07/2025

Set in the late 1980s, this fast-paced narrative follows three gamblers—Miami Paul, Dino Mateo, and Big Bernie—who place a longshot bet on a filly named Winning Colors to win the 1988 Kentucky Derby.
Instead of betting in Las Vegas, they head to Agua Caliente racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, lured by better odds. What they don’t realize is that their wager is placed with individuals tied to the Mexican drug cartel.
As Winning Colors defies expectations and clinches victory, the trio finds themselves in a dangerous scramble to claim their million-dollar winnings—without getting killed. The book reads like a cinematic thriller, blending humor, suspense, and the gritty reality of gambling’s underbelly.

🔑 Key Takeaways
- Calculated Risk Can Be Life-Altering
The trio’s bet was based on research and instinct, but the real gamble was trusting the wrong people.

- Winning Doesn’t Always Mean Safety
Victory brought danger, not celebration. The gamblers had to navigate cartel threats and border patrols to survive.

- Friendship & Loyalty Under Pressure
Their bond is tested as they face life-threatening obstacles, showing how camaraderie can be both a strength and a liability.

- The Power of Belief in the Underdog
Winning Colors wasn’t expected to win, but her triumph mirrors the gamblers’ own audacious pursuit of the impossible.

- The Dark Side of Gambling Culture
The story exposes how organized crime can infiltrate even seemingly innocent bets, turning a thrill into a nightmare.

If you love true stories with cinematic flair, this one’s a page-turner.

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https://amzn.to/456oUEX

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel

12/07/2025

A.J. Baime’s The Accidental President is a riveting deep-dive into one of the most high-stakes transitions of power in American history. In just four months, Harry S. Truman—unexpectedly elevated to the presidency after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt—was tasked with steering the world through the final throes of World War II, navigating atomic warfare, and laying the groundwork for a post-war global order. The real power of this book lies in how it humanizes Truman, showing a modest man stepping into extraordinary responsibility with grit, humility, and clarity.

🕰️ Why These Four Months Matter
Baime doesn’t just recount events—he captures the relentless pressure Truman faced and the historical gravity of every decision. From greenlighting the atomic bombs to chairing the Potsdam Conference, Truman’s leadership shaped the end of WWII, the birth of the United Nations, and the simmering tensions of the Cold War.

✨ Standout Themes
- Leadership Under Fire: Truman’s rise from obscurity to global decision-maker is both inspiring and sobering.
- Ethical Dilemmas: The Manhattan Project reveals the weight of moral decision-making in wartime.
- World Stage Diplomacy: His dealings with Churchill and Stalin spotlight the fragile beginnings of international diplomacy.

💬 What Resonates
Baime gives us more than dates and decisions—he paints Truman as a man of integrity, known for saying, “Right was right and wrong was wrong, and you didn’t have to talk about it.” That simplicity is a refreshing contrast to the complexity around him.

📝 Final Take
If you love biographies that read like political thrillers, this one’s for you. It’s a masterclass in unexpected leadership, rich in historical nuance yet grounded in character. You’ll finish with a renewed respect for the quiet, decisive strength that changed the world.

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07/02/2025

“It Didn’t Start With You” by Mark Wolynn is a thought-provoking book that delves into the impact of inherited family trauma on our lives. Here are my key takeaways from the book:

The Relationship with Our Parents:
Wolynn encourages readers to reflect on their relationships with their parents. The book contains insightful quotes that prompt us to consider how we treat and view our parents.

Challenging Stoic Philosophy:
While the book offers an alternative perspective on healing and trauma, it contradicts the fundamental tenets of Stoicism. Wolynn asserts that unhealed family trauma can influence our thoughts and actions, challenging the Stoic belief that we have complete control over our minds.

Embracing Healing Sentences:
“It Didn’t Start With You” emphasizes therapy’s role in the healing process and provides a framework for individuals to explore and resolve their inherited trauma. The book encourages us to acknowledge and heal from intergenerational trauma.

In summary, this self-help book explores the psychology and science behind traumatic experiences, how they are passed down through generations, and how we can break the cycle of trauma. It’s a fascinating read that encourages self-awareness and healing.
Goodreads rating 3.5/5 stars
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https://amzn.to/40RmPKG

06/02/2025

“Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be” by Dr. Becky Kennedy offers a refreshing perspective on parenting. Let me share some key takeaways and reviews from the book:

Parenting Revolution:
Dr. Becky has sparked a parenting revolution. She challenges traditional advice that often doesn’t work or feels ineffective.
Her approach prioritizes connecting with kids over correcting them, emphasizing understanding and empathy.

The Problem with Traditional Approaches:
Many popular parenting techniques focus on shaping behavior rather than nurturing the development of essential life skills and emotional well-being. Dr. Becky’s model recognizes the complexity of children’s emotional needs and aims to build resilience, confidence, and self-regulation.

Practical Strategies:
Dr. Becky shares actionable strategies for various scenarios, including sibling rivalry, separation anxiety, and tantrums.
Her goal is to empower parents to move from uncertainty and self-blame to confidence and effective leadership.

Parenting Philosophy:
The “Good Inside” approach centers around recognizing the potential in every child and nurturing it through understanding, empathy, and respect.

Dr. Beckys message resonates with parents seeking to build strong, loving relationships based on mutual respect.

Reviews:
Readers on Goodreads have given the book an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars.
In summary, “Good Inside” provides a fresh perspective on parenting, emphasizing connection, empathy, and practical strategies for raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids.
If you’re looking for a new parenting approach, this book is worth exploring!

Find the book here:
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02/10/2024

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho is a beloved novel that offers several profound life lessons.

Here are some key takeaways:

Follow Your Dreams: The protagonist, Santiago, embarks on a journey to find a hidden treasure, symbolizing the pursuit of one’s dreams and personal legend.

Listen to Your Heart: Santiago learns to trust his heart and follow the signs and omens that guide him on his path.

Embrace the Journey: The journey itself is as important as the destination. Santiago’s adventures and the people he meets teach him valuable lessons.

Overcome Fear: Fear is a major obstacle to achieving one’s dreams. Santiago learns that the fear of suffering is often worse than the suffering itself.

The Universe Conspires to Help You: When you are determined to achieve your personal legend, the universe will conspire to help you succeed.

Treasure Lies Within: Ultimately, Santiago discovers that the true treasure lies within himself and his journey.

These themes encourage readers to pursue their dreams, trust their intuition, and embrace the journey of life with all its challenges and rewards.

Check the book out here: https://amzn.to/4eO9Xdx

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https://amzn.to/3WPcfmE

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