nonfiction
Book Review: From an Idea to Nike
From an Idea to Nike: How Marketing Made Nike a Global Success
by Lowey Bundy Sichol (Goodreads Author)
by Lowey Bundy Sichol (Goodreads Author)
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book tells how Phil Knight began his business with a simple idea for a better running shoe and how it developed into the massive global company it is today. Focusing on the marketing and the innovative concepts that built the Nike empire, this story explains how a business can use good branding, endorsements, and an understanding of the needs of their customers in order to succeed.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It is written for young children, so many business concepts that a child wouldn’t know like “Revenue,” Investments,” or “Board of Directors” are explained with definitions for the bigger words. There are also “Fun Fact” boxes within the text that give extra tidbits of information about how the Nike company was built.
There are funny anecdotes about how the company received its name, designed the classic Swoosh logo, and developed its rapport with athletes, then began reaching out to pros for endorsement deals. Continue reading
Book Review: From an Idea to Disney
From an Idea to Disney: How Branding Made Disney a Household Name
by Lowey Bundy Sichol
by Lowey Bundy Sichol
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book is a wonderful overview of how Walt Disney began his business with a simple cartoon mouse and how it developed into the massive global company it is today. Focusing on the business savvy and the innovative concepts that built the Disney empire, this story explains how a business needs investors, branding, and loyal customers to succeed, but that it is the magic in the details that builds a heritage of excellence.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It is written for young children, so many business concepts that a child wouldn’t know like “Revenue,” Mortgage,” or “Board of Directors” are explained with definitions for the bigger words. There are also “Fun Fact” boxes within the text that give extra tidbits of information about Walt Disney and his company.
Continue reading
Non-Fiction Book Review: Vlog Like a Boss
Vlog Like a Boss: How to Kill It Online with Video Blogging
by Amy Landino (Goodreads Author)
by Amy Landino (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
I got some really good ideas from this book, and got inspired to polish up my vlogging in a more professional way. Some of the tips were things that I already knew or had learned myself from over 4 years of vlogging on YouTube, but some of the advice was new to me. I wish that I had read this book when I was first starting out, and I might have grown my brand much more quickly.
I like that the author goes in depth into the structure of a video, how to engage your audience, how to film with good lighting, how to promote your brand, how to include a call to action for new subscribers, how to set up a collaboration with another vlogger or company, and a dozen other subjects that come up in the world of vlogging and interacting through social media. And she gives examples, and practical tips, and good solid ideas, that you can immediately use to create a plan and take action.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in vlogging, filming, and creating their own brand on social media.
Book Review: Goodbye, Things
Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism
by Fumio Sasaki, Eriko Sugita
by Fumio Sasaki, Eriko Sugita
2 out of 5 stars
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. The author tells about his personal journey becoming a minimalist, and how terrible his life was before, and how he turned his life around through tossing out most of his possessions, and that made him a happier person. Then he gives a lot of philosophy about minimalism, and tips and advice about the mental and emotional experience of becoming a minimalist.
He doesn’t give very many practical tips; It’s mostly about having a minimalist attitude.
Continue reading
He doesn’t give very many practical tips; It’s mostly about having a minimalist attitude.
Continue reading
Book Review: Make This!
Make This!: Building Thinking, and Tinkering Projects for the Amazing Maker in You
by Ella Schwartz
by Ella Schwartz
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book is perfect for any curious child who loves to take apart their toys, build a bridge out of books, or create their own system of pulleys and levers to open the bedroom door.
With special sections for materials, energy, optics, connecting systems, acoustics, and forces in motion, this book provides all the steps to create a rocket ship powered by your breath, make an entire rainforest ecosystem in a jar, and make a periscope out of cardboard, along with dozens of other projects. Each chapter also has questions to be solved and scenarios that require an imaginative solution.
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Book Review: John Winthrop, Oliver Cromwell, and the Land of Promise
John Winthrop, Oliver Cromwell, and the Land of Promise
by Marc Aronson
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book explores the connections between two historical figures, John Winthrop and Oliver Cromwell, as both attempt to establish a new order in their respective lands, America and England.
John Winthrop based his new colony on the idea that God was guiding the Puritans’ community to a righteous way of life. Oliver Cromwell believed that God was guiding his army to purge England of the old evil ways and establish a better government for the British people.
Book Review: The Joy of Less
The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify
by Francine Jay
K
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book is perfect for those who are curious about minimalism and want to declutter their homes and try it out. I love that the author emphasizes that minimalism is a mind-set and a life-style, not an aesthetic or a decorating trend. It’s not about how your home looks; it’s about how you feel in your home. It’s not about having a set number of belongings; it’s about having the right number of items that belong in your life for a reason.
I find the philosophy similar to the KonMari method of decluttering. Every item must have a purpose, whether it is useful or brings beauty into your life or just makes you happy.
This book takes you room by room, and gives common-sense advice on decluttering each space, how to get rid of things you don’t need or want, how to store what is left, and how to keep more clutter from building up again.
There is also a chapter all about how to get your family involved in decluttering the house and keeping it tidy.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and it inspired me to do a mini-decluttering session in my closet! (My house is already pretty minimal, but my clothing needed some pruning.)
I would recommend this book to anyone who isn’t sure about minimalism, or who hates minimalism but just wants to declutter and find more space in their home. This book might change your mind about minimalism and what it really stands for!
Book Review: Strange Lives of Venomous Sea Creatures
Don’t Mess With Me: The Strange Lives of Venomous Sea Creatures
by Paul Erickson, Andrew Martinez
by Paul Erickson, Andrew Martinez
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This book tells all about the venomous creatures of the sea, with beautiful photographs of each type of fish, coral, and worm. Each page has wonderful explanations of how the creatures feed on their prey, how they deliver their venom to their victims, and how they protect themselves from other predators.
The information is interesting and memorable, but uses many big words and technical terms that children might find too heavy for enjoyable reading.
I loved the colorful photographs, and curious facts about each animal, and I found it very informative and impressive. Continue reading
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