Books For Your Holiday Brain

We’ve all been sharing our reading lists in our own little book club so we thought we’d share the joy.

The holiday season is nearly upon us and we’re all looking forward to the break. Between catching up with friends and family, we will all be preparing for some serious down time and what better way to relax than with a stellar book for some brain food.

Find a selection of our best reads for work and play below. Let us know if you get through them all!

Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioural Economics – Richard Thaler

The winner of this year’s Nobel prize in economics, Thaler is best know for his contributions to the field of behavioural economics. This book is a great introduction into the subject matter, full of anecdotes and case studies illustrating of human beings are in fact not rational decision makers.

Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job – Gem Barton

Being thrown out in the harsh reality of the job market as a creative graduate can be harrowing, although exciting. Chances are that you may not have been properly introduced to all the possible professional opportunities ahead of you.

This book is a collection of case studies, advices, testimonies and inspirations from people in design who built up their own career paths. It’s not often that you get books dedicated to creatives that are so hands-on and technical. ‘Don’t Get a Job… Make a Job’ is the book equivalent of seating down with a coffee with all those who’ve made it, big or small, and hear their life advice.

Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist – Kate Raworth

A reframing of macro economic theory that includes sustainability and social justice. Some people say her new model may turn out to be a Nobel prize for Economics winner in a few decades.

Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives – Gretchen Rubin

Time is one of our biggest commodities and I frankly don’t have enough of it! This book was much first exploration into habits and how they can help not only free up time, but make you more productive, focussed and content. It’s the reason I bought a dog and work from home if I need to focus… so worth a read even if it’s to prompt a spontaneous pet purchase!

The Man Who Risked It All – Laurent Gounelle

A very captivating story about a man who – unhappy in his job and with his life overall – embarks on a wild journey of self-discovery. The protagonist learns to overcome his deepest fears and self-doubts, and learns to fully accept himself in the process. The book is not only a great read but with Gounelle being a personal development specialist, it’s also a subtle way to learn about the principles of neuro-linguistic programming too.

Screen-Printing, the Ultimate Studio Book – Print Club London

This might seem like a niche creative practice, but this fantastic book focuses on screen-printing, from initial doodle to your wall. Print Club in London created this book working with a photographer over a year. It’s filled in depth with fantastic illustrations, pictures and understandable step-by-step explanations on printing, creating, sharing your work, throwing an exhibition… A beautiful art book with an easy budget.

Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts

Semi-autobiographic book about an Australian bank robber who escapes prison and flees to India, becomes a slum doctor in Mumbai, gets involved in the Bollywood scene, becomes a money launderer and passport forger and ends up fighting in the Afghan war. After he gets recaptured he spends decades writing this book (at one point he loses 6 years of work and starts over) which is a mix of facts and fantasy, but gives an authentic peek into Indian culture.

Good Omens – Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

A story about the world ending. From a mix up at birth with the Anti-Christ, to an angel and demon that aren’t really that keen on Judgement day; this book is light hearted wizardry from these two awesome authors. The pure imagination stitched into this story is amazing. You’ll be confused throughout but thoroughly entertained. Plus, it’s about to made into a TV series for 2018 with a stellar cast in Jon Hamm, David Tennant and Michael Sheen.

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