Summer reading & listening
Summer is upon us (yes, I know, I’m a bit slow sometimes. 😉) and I thought it was about time to revive this blog with some light summer reading (and listening!) for you. Because what’s better than accompanying this time of the year with a nice book or podcast while you enjoy a light summer breeze, a beautiful view of the sea or the mountains (or your garden)?
Podcasts
Let’s start with the podcasts! Here comes a selection of the podcasts I listened to (and really liked!) over the past few weeks and I felt like they would fit into the category of “summer listening” very well.
It's the shortest podcast episode (in case you have less time at hand) and she's a lovely young woman who I discovered thanks to a friend's suggestion. She's a neuroscientist and manages to break down quite complex and abstract topics into understandable words and podcast episodes.
I had to share two episodes of The Curiosity Shop! They are just too good. Whenever Brené Brown, Adam Grant and Simon Sinek come together, you bet I want to be at their table. And listening to them feels just like that. They are funny, they carry so much wisdom and experience and I just keep on laughing and nodding ahead. For the other episode, they use a lot of sports metaphors and studies from the area of sports and they still managed to speak to me. They are simply amazing. Yes, I admit, I'm biased. 😃
This is the podcast by Michelle Obama and her brother. IMO stands for "In My Opinion" and they usually have a guest and some listener's questions as well. In the episode I'm sharing with you, they are interviewing the comedian Craig Robinson and what can I say? It's really funny. So, if you need a laugh, some entertainment, and want to hear an inspiring story, this is for you. ✨
2. Books
Who says summer (and summer vacation), says books, right? 🌞 And then there’s this very romantic image of the whole reading atmosphere…be it at the beach, in the mountains or in your garden or on your balcony. It is this mix of relaxation, joy, self-care and enjoying the sun. As there has been lots of sunshine and heat over the last few weeks, I hope that you had the time to already enjoy summer and maybe even start one of the many books that are on your reading list.
With my book recommendations, I don’t want to add any stress to your vacation, it is a gentle invitation to maybe add a non-fiction book to your (summer) reading list, as they can be plenty of fun and full of inspiration at the same time!
Let’s start with Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. She’s know for her book “Eat, Pray, Love” that was turned into a movie as well and this one is different…it is about creativity, following your intuition and it will ask you some very interesting questions as well…like for example: “What shit sandwich are you ready to eat?” If you are intrigued and want to focus during the rest of the year more on your creativity then this is definitely the book to read.
P.S.: …and isn’t this cover just screaming summer and fun?! 🤩
If you are reading my newsletter Heart Talks, you might remember me mentioning the book “The Midnight Library” at one point. And “The Art of Possibility” might go in the same direction, just so that it is non-fiction. The book is written by a couple and they both bring their perspectives of being a conductor and a family therapist and I love the different music metaphors and possibilities they will open up for you!
Definitely the right book for if you feel like you are often stuck in the same way of thinking and acting and want to open up to new perspectives and possibilities.
I recently led a whole book club session on Grit by Angela Duckworth and what can I say, I find her insights into talent and success really interesting.
She gives some insights into how she directly applies her research findings in her own family and I find her own story of how she ended up researching this topic also extremely interesting. So, I will not share more, but I definitely recommend it for everyone looking for some motivation to start working on a particular topic or activity. You can do it! 💪