Mean People Suck

Title:  Mean People Suck- How empathy leads to bigger profits and a better life
Author: Michael Brenner
Source: NetGalley
Publish Date: October 2019
Synopsis:  Given by Goodreads
Are you happy? Like your job? Most people report low engagement and enthusiasm in their careers. And point their finger at a negative work culture, a mean boss... co-worker... or customer. Mean people suck.

Some leaders believe that they need to be mean in order to be effective. Their lack of compassion creates negative relationships that lowers performance and profits!

Michael Brenner's Mean People Suck uses real-life experience and proven research to show why instead of blaming others, we can look inside ourselves, and learn how to use empathy to defeat "mean" in every situation. This insightful guide shows leaders, and employees how more emotional communication increases profits and enhances lives. You'll learn:

Why employees are unhappy and the power of empathy to turn things around. How organizational charts disengage employees by neglecting the human element. Why empathy seems counter-intuitive to success. The secrets to a happy, meaningful and impactful career. If you're ready to enjoy a more gratifying professional and personal life, this book's stories and proven tips will help get you there - even if Mean People Suck

My thoughts:    Empathy is huge in todays world.  I see a lot of people lacking, while others struggle under the weight of it.  I requested to read this book from Netgalley because I am a practice manager always wanting to explore new ways, or new ideas on how to keep my staff engaged, satisfied and wanting to work.  This book touched on the views of employers and employees

The author explains how he has come about with his information, his many jobs over a span of decades working has given him insight on some great working atmospheres and some not so great.  He explains why being a mean employee may seem like the most effective way to get employees to do what they should, in reality, it may only hinder ambition to work.

This book is captures both the employee standpoint and the employer when it comes to empathy and success.  It's a great read for those getting into the role of leadership, or those who have been in leadership who may need to be refreshed on the smaller things that make employees happier.

Overall I would give this book a 3.5 star.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone within a leadership role who needs a reminder that we are all human, and we don't all have to be mean to make things work.

Relatively Happy- Whitney Dineen

Title:  Relatively Happy
Author:  Whitney Dineen
Published date: September 2019
Source:  NetGalley
Synopsis:   via Goodreads 
Sarah Hastings' life is chaotic. Between running her organic farm, her yurt-style holistic B&B, and her vegan café Eat Me!, she barely has time for an aura cleanse. What's more, her spirit guide just announced the universe is sending her a man.

Suddenly, a sexy pro-football player, a hipster photojournalist, and fellow organic farmer practically fall from the sky onto her doorstep. But which one is her cosmic soulmate?

While Sarah meditates on the answer, her parents show up unexpectedly throwing the mother of all monkey wrenches into her carefully laid plans.

With only morning yoga and her erotic book club to keep her sane, no wonder she's chucked her vegan diet in search of bacon. Will the stars of love align, or will the universe let her down in the biggest way possible?  


My thoughts:
I loved this novel.  While its in the Relative series from Dineen, this one could be read as a stand alone.  It has a the same characters, but the storyline focuses on a one of the supporting characters in the first two novels of the series.

Dineen creates characters that are happy, fun, loving.  I was drawn into Sarah from the previous novels, but was excited to see that Happy was her story.  She runs an organic farm, takes no crap from anyone and wants the very best for her family and friends.  She is constantly trying to help others at her holistic bed and breakfast.  She is constantly surrounded by friends.

It isn't until she gets a new/old set of neighbors and her father becomes ill that she realizes she needs to rely on the support from others as well.  She's looking for love, she is looking to continue on her vegan path and she is looking for guidance about her family's health. 

Overall, I loved this novel just as much as the first two.  I don't know that I've laughed so much with characters in a novel before.  I have already suggested it to all of my reader friends.  

Star Rating:  5 stars

Whitney Dineen- Relatively Normal AND Relatively Sane

Guys!  Whitney Dineen!  I'm not sure where to start!  I read Relatively Normal and Relatively Sane in two days.  I was reeled in immediately by the characters.  I was laughing out loud at almost every page.  I was entranced.  Who doesn't love kilt wearing, bagpipe playing, and Scottish dancing fools? 

So, why did I pick up these books?  Well, the cover of Relatively Happy drew me in on Netgalley, and I was chosen to read that novel.  What I didn't know when I selected it was that it was the third book in the series.  So of course, I needed to read the first two before I could read the third!  I wasn't disappointed to say the least. 

I've never read anything by Whitney Dineen before.  I didn't know what to expect, but the covers of the stories drew me in and I had a feeling it was going to be a fun and quick read.  I was right.  I was immediately drawn in by the characters, Cat, Ethan, Sam, Sarah, and my personal favorite, Nan.  They were all so different, but melded so well together for the storyline. 

The novels touched on heartbreak, illness, laughter, and Sottish heritage among so many other things.  This was certainly a fun and easy read though.  I have rated 4-5 stars on Goodreads, and have already uploaded the books on others Kindles.  I will undoubtedly be reading more from Dineen in hopes that the rest of her storylines are just as catching.

Girl, Wash Your Face-Rachel Hollis

Title- Girl, Wash Your Face

Author- Rachel Hollis

Published- Feb 2018

Genre-Nonfiction, Kickass empowering 

Where I got the book- Netgalley

Synopsis- Can be found at Goodreads

My thoughts-

First, let me start of by saying that I can relate to Rachel on so many levels.  I understand that this kind of nonfiction may not be for the masses, but it's her version of her life, not everyone needs to read it. I, however, couldn't put it down. (Seriously, I spent two days hiding in my office at work reading.)

 Rachel brings about humor, tragedy, and real life issues to light.  I didn't know I was in need of "pick my up by the boot straps book" but this was the perfect book at the perfect time for me.  I laughed, I thought, I smiled.  That was all I needed.  I thoroughly appreciate her candor, her willingness to shed light on her trials and tribulations.  Reading her stories made me think about things in ways that I needed to, but was maybe too afraid to.  

I wouldn't consider this a self help book.  I do think this book keeps things in perspective and shows the struggles of most women.  We've all been in a relationship like hers, mothers I know struggle with thoughts like hers, every one I know hates their body at some point in their life.  This is truth.  We aren't alone, and it's nice to hear someone elses perspective on things once in a while. 

Since I've started this book I have researched and followed Rachel on all social media accounts.  I am excited to follow her and her crazy yet empowering self.  I read this as an ebook, but I may just have to pick up a hard copy to have.  

I'd recommend this to anyone, and have already told a few people they need to pick this up.  It was such a good read.  

 

The Dinner List-- Rebecca Serle

How many times have we said to ourselves, "I wish I could have one more day, one more hour, one more moment with ____."  I know I have.  I never met my grandparents and would love to sit on a park bench and have them watch their great grandkids and listen to their stories.  I often wonder if they are proud of the people we turned out to be.

Sabby has that chance with The Dinner List.  She chooses five people in which she would love to have dinner with.  Some dead, some alive, everyone with their own story to tell and their own advice for her.

She's in love with this man, and has been for many years.  She is the one for him and he for her.  Or so they think.

Most of the relationships Sabby has seems to be rocky, but there has been one person at one time helping her along the way.

Overall, I liked what this novel represented.  It was a first for me from Serle, but I look forward to more from her.