QuickRead Podcast - Free book summaries

Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy.

Why is it that some people find success and others don’t? For some, they believe success can be solely attributed to a person’s talent and hard work; however, others point out that many people have those same qualities yet never earn much. As it turns out, luck plays a major role in our successes and failures. Author Robert Frank aims to explain the role of luck and why the rich underestimate its importance. In the long run, this lack of acknowledgment hurts everyone. You see, our world is largely dominated by winner-take-all markets, and chance opportunities and initial advantages often lead to much larger ones - creating enormous income differences. We can decrease this inequality driven by sheer luck by adopting simple policies that would free up enough money to help the economy, provide affordable healthcare, fight global warming, and reduce poverty. As you read, you’ll learn how luck plays a major role in our lives, why society encourages us to spend too much money, and how a new tax system can encourage us to save more and spend less.

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How to enjoy your own company.

Living alone is often regarded as a sad or lonely experience characterized by some form of social failure. But Jane Matthews seeks to transcend this stigma by providing practical and positive tips for those who want to build a fulfilling life on their own. Written with single women in mind, The Art of Living Alone (2018) demonstrates that living alone doesn’t have to be sad and it definitely doesn’t mean you’re a failure!

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Unpack the psychology behind conspiracy theories.

Do you have a pet conspiracy theory or two? Almost everyone does, although we usually hesitate to admit it. We know that conspiracy theories are regarded as being paranoid or nonsensical and yet we all engage with them from time to time. But have you ever wondered why people spend so much time and mental energy on conspiracies? Why do we want to believe in them? Why do we spend hours picking them apart? Suspicious Minds (2015) unpacks our relationship with conspiracies to answer these questions and more!

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DISCLAIMER: This book summary is meant as a preview and not a replacement for the original book. If you like this summary please consider purchasing the original book to get the full experience as the original author intended it to be. If you are the original author of any book on QuickRead and would like us to remove it, please contact us at [email protected]

Unlock the power of the habit that can change your life.

We know about the seven wonders of the world, unparalleled in their beauty and historical significance. But what if there was an eighth wonder? What would it change? What would it add to our understanding and appreciation of the world? The eighth habit is much the same in that it builds on the established principles for success to add something new and revolutionary. Written for anyone who feels lost or wants to enhance their sense of purpose and motivation, The 8th Habit (2004) is the secret ingredient you’ve been missing.

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DISCLAIMER: This book summary is meant as a preview and not a replacement for the original book. If you like this summary please consider purchasing the original book to get the full experience as the original author intended it to be. If you are the original author of any book on QuickRead and would like us to remove it, please contact us at [email protected]

Learn why math and soccer go hand in hand.

Here’s a riddle for you: what do soccer and math have in common? At first glance, you might say, “Nothing!” We tend to think of sports and STEM as operating in two different hemispheres, populated either by dumb jocks or “eggheads.” But David Sumpter argues that math and soccer are intimately intertwined. Soccermatics (2016) explores this theory in depth.

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DISCLAIMER: This book summary is meant as a preview and not a replacement for the original book. If you like this summary please consider purchasing the original book to get the full experience as the original author intended it to be. If you are the original author of any book on QuickRead and would like us to remove it, please contact us at [email protected]

The Radically New Approach to Changing Your Life.

Everything you know about emotions and actions is wrong. It isn’t our feelings that guide our actions but our actions that guide our emotions. For instance, you aren’t laughing because you feel happy, you feel happy because you are laughing. This revolutionary theory about emotion and behavior was initially presented by Victorian philosopher William James, which led to the remarkable conclusion that, “If you want a quality, act as if you already have it.” Author Richard Wiseman builds upon James’s theory and confirms just how powerful our behavior can be in influencing our emotions. He goes on to illustrate how you can apply this principle in your daily life by doing small easy-to-implement tasks. As you read, you’ll see The As If Principle shows you how to smile to become happier, how to time-travel and feel younger, and how the principle can even make us healthier.

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Discover the captivating and brilliant exploration of one of our world’s most underappreciated forces: shame.

What do you think of when you hear the word “shame?” For many, shame is perhaps worse than any possible punishment. After all, we spend our lives building a career, a reputation, and a family, and one thing can take it all away: shame. The shamed people today are people just like you or me. They are people who made a joke on social media that came out badly or made a mistake at work. But once that transgression is revealed to the public, collective outrage overcomes the victim, and they find themselves at the center of an angry mob who will stop at nothing until justice is served. Today, the silent majority have been given a voice, but what are we doing with it? We are ruthlessly finding faults in people and using shame as a form of social control. As you read, you’ll learn how easy a small mistake can turn into a public shaming campaign, the damaging effects public shaming has on its victims, and how costly it is to salvage your reputation once it’s been marred.

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How to supercharge your potential.

Remember that Daft Punk song entitled “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger?” It’s a catchy tune with a great message that speaks to the power of a strong personal work ethic. And this book is basically that song in book form! Smarter, Faster, Better (2016) was written for anyone who wants to maximize their potential. It’s for anyone who’s serious about accomplishing their life goals. Packed with tips for productivity, motivation, and more, Charles Duhigg’s research will help you supercharge your life!

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The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Those with a passion for food and hospitality often dream of opening up their own restaurant or becoming the next celebrity chef. And why not? After all, it seems as if restaurateurs and celebrity chefs live a life surrounded by good food, great drinks, and even better people. People pursue this passion because they believe that their love of food is enough, but these people also struggle, and more often than not, they fail. Opening a restaurant is more than just having a passion for food, it’s also about learning the business of an increasingly competitive industry. Author Danny Meyer is one of the most successful restaurateurs in the United States because of his passion for hospitality and his knowledge of the business. So if you want to learn how to build a restaurant empire like Danny Meyer, then keep on reading! As you read, you’ll learn how to adopt a successful business model, why it's important to give to the community, and how you can go the extra mile in treating your guests.

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Secrets of the Ueber-Brands.

When you think of prestige brands, you might think of companies like Apple, Red Bull, and Hermès. Each company is vastly different; while Apple dominates the technology sector, Red Bull dominates the energy drink market and Hermès is known for its prestigious fashion. But did you know each company shares one thing in common? Well, maybe not just one, but seven. After years of research, prestige brand experts JP Kuehlwein and Wolfgang Schaefer uncover the seven principles of prestige brands and offer a behind-the-scenes look into both the practical marketing of brands and how consumers respond to them psychologically and emotionally. As you read, you’ll learn why stories lead to sales, why authenticity and following your brand's mission is key, and how an expensive face cream became a luxury brand.

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DISCLAIMER: This book summary is meant as a preview and not a replacement for the original book. If you like this summary please consider purchasing the original book to get the full experience as the original author intended to. If you are the original author of any book on QuickRead and would like us to remove it, please contact us at [email protected]