Same as Ever (Morgan Housel)

Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes
Morgan Housel
Portfolio
Nonfiction, Business/History/Human Psychology
**** (Good)

DESCRIPTION: It's not hard to find evidence that the world is going crazy lately. Political strife, income disparity, pandemics, floods of lies drowning truth and facts... the list goes on an on. While these are doubtless perilous times, they are far from entirely unprecedented. Business writer Morgan Housel digs into the past to put the present in perspective, finding a surprising number of basic ideas and truths that never seem to change.

REVIEW: With so much bombarding us with fear and gloom, this book seemed like a possible antidote for, or at least partial check on, the downward spiral. By looking back on other "unprecedented" times, Housel does indeed offer a bit of comfort (if mildly cold comfort; as much as pure pessimism is unwarranted, pure optimism's at least as self-deceptive) that what we're going through now isn't completely dissimilar to what humanity has gone through before. As the saying goes (often attributed to Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens), history doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. While the details and specifics vary, society's reactions and human psychology remain the same. Greed and innovation, ambition and caution, selflessness and selfishness, the attractiveness of a compelling but potentially misleading story over solid but uninteresting or intimidating truths, all these and more have followed our species since long before prehistory, and will almost certainly continue with us as long as our species persists; indeed, the author uses evolution to demonstrate several concepts he presents in this book, such as how generalism often beats out specialization and how niches are constantly in flux, no life form guaranteed a perpetual pass from needing to adapt or die.
Housel does not offer specific predictions, as there are too many variables and too many times major events have hinged on the unanticipated and unquantifiable, but offers ways to reframe one's viewpoint to a more rational and less reactionary stance. Yes, there are plenty of things to worry about, but there is also some valid cause for cautious optimism. The focus tends to be on the business and financial side of things, which does lend itself to a few potential blind spots (in particular, I think he glossed over the potential problems of environmental and climate shifts, not to mention future competition for fresh water on a scale I don't think our species has faced), plus he has a way of glossing over the very real pitfalls and long-term costs of poverty. Overall, though, Housel presents an interesting and well-researched call for, if not complete calm, at least some hesitation before chalking our world and civilization up as a lost cause.

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The Myth of Multitasking (Dave Crenshaw)

The Myth of Multitasking: How "Doing It All" Gets Nothing Done
Dave Crenshaw
Jossey-Bass
Nonfiction, Business/Self-Help
***+ (Okay/Good)

DESCRIPTION: In a fable for the modern business world, consultant Phil helps business owner Helen figure out how the corporate myth of "multitasking" is costing her company more time, energy, and money than she realized - and what to do about it.

REVIEW: A few years back, I watched Crenshaw's time management lecture course via Lynda's online learning site, so I thought I'd track down his book. As numerous studies indicate, multitasking is not something a human brain actually does. In truth, brains and computers only do one thing at a time. The problem is that a computer processor switches tasks so fast a human doesn't notice the lag, so the human thinks they can do the same, when in fact every switch costs time - sometimes mere seconds, sometimes minutes - that adds up to startling amounts of waste, not to mention mistakes and frustrations.
The fictional Phil walks Helen and subordinate Sally through a few exercises that point out how counterproductive the concept of multitasking truly is, and offers some steps to remedy the situation, improve actual productivity, and reduce stress all around. He is, however, intentionally vague on several points; I suspect this book was originally part of a live lecture/course series, wherein Crenshaw provided more detailed (and likely customized) information beyond the few worksheets included at the back, meaning the book was never intended to stand completely on its own. As such, it loses a little effectiveness when read without supplemental material or support. (It also has limited use beyond the corporate world; when one takes books out of boxes at a part-time warehouse job, dealing with phone calls from co-workers or scheduling regular meeting times with nonexistent subordinates isn't really an issue.) I also found the fable structure forced; why couldn't Crenshaw just write a nonfiction book, with anecdotes and study excerpts to back up claims and emphasize points?
The Myth of Multitasking makes a decent, quick-reading counterpoint to the continued cultural insistence that, thanks to technology, we can overcome our evolved mental capacities and do it all, all at once. Mental resources, like time and money, need to be budgeted carefully; they are not infinite, and no smartphone or app is ever going to change that. (To be honest, though, I got more out of the Lynda courses, which delved into more specifics of setting up a calendar, dealing with physical as well as mental clutter, and other issues that come up when trying to make a major change. Since Lynda access is now offered through some library services for free, I'd suggest taking a look for yourself if you're serious about breaking the multitasking habit.)

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How to Work from Home (Sadie Lankford)

How to Work from Home
Sadie Lankford
Sadie Lankford, publisher
Nonfiction, Business
**+ (Bad/Okay)

DESCRIPTION: Transcriber, virtual assistant, stock photographer, tutor... today, the average person has many opportunities to earn an income without leaving home - or to run their own business from the living room. The author offers over one hundred tips for anyone who wants to earn a little money on the side, or who wants to cut the cord altogether and be their own boss.
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: One the one hand, Lankford is honest: as the subtitle states, these are "100ish Random Work at Home Tips, Tricks, and Ideas." On the other, she seems less than familiar with some of her ideas, tossing them out on friend-of-a-friend recommendations or just things she may have stumbled across without bothering to personally research. It weakens her credibility, a problem not helped by her occasionally immature writing style. While some of these ideas may pan out, others sound iffy at best, and some are so mired in scams that any true gold may not be worth the effort of sifting out the dross. In the end, while a few tips may have intrigued me, I just don't think I can trust this person to give me career advice, despite her apparently successful "Slap Dash Mom" site.

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In Search of the Fun-Forever Job (Ellis Chase)

In Search of the Fun-Forever Job
Ellis Chase
Smashwords
Nonfiction, Business
***+ (Okay/Good)

DESCRIPTION: Many years ago, the average worker hired into a company after school, stuck it out for a few decades, then retired with a cake, a gold watch, and a nice pension. Those days are long gone. Changing jobs and careers, by choice or otherwise, is the new normal, but that doesn't mean job hunting is any easier than it used to be. An experienced consultant offers advice for your next employment transition.

REVIEW: Despite the title, this isn't about finding a job you enjoy, but about transitioning careers, ideally moving toward something one likes more than whatever one is currently doing (or was just fired from.) Like most job search guides, Chase emphasizes the need to network and look beyond the usual want ads in order to reach the people who matter, in addition to creating a "brand" and polishing a sales pitch to market oneself. His advice is better suited to trained professionals, college graduates, and experienced white-collar workers than undereducated bookslingers (like me), but it seems sound enough. I just found it a little long-winded and repetitious, making my eyes glaze over at several points.

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Easy eBook Publishing (Barney Schwartz)

Easy eBook Publishing
Barney Schwartz
B.E.N. Publishing
Nonfiction, Writing
**+ (Bad/Okay)

DESCRIPTION: Learn how to format and publish an eBook with this quick guide.
An eBook-exclusive title.

REVIEW: On the plus side, this book does exactly what it says, walking the reader step by step through eBook software and websites. On the minus side, it does almost nothing else. It doesn't explain any of the options one is presented with. It only touches on pros and cons of different places and methods of e-publishing. Indeed, I'm not entirely sure that this sort of walkthrough isn't covered under any given software's FAQ or help section. The illustrations are also difficult to read on an eInk screen. Being free, I didn't expect too much out of it, but it still feels unnecessary.

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The Truth About Publishing on Kindle (Rick Frazier)

The Truth About Publishing on Kindle
Rick Frazier
Amazon Digital Services
Nonfiction, Business/Writing
**+ (Bad/Okay)

DESCRIPTION: With the increasing popularity of eBooks, a whole new world of potential income has opened up to writers and entrepreneurs. Learn how to write, publish, and promote your own eBooks via Amazon's Kindle platform.
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: Yet another make-money-on-Amazon book, it barely touches on writing the content, focusing on how to format, upload, and promote your work. (Actually, it need not even be your work; this is another title that considers writing to be an optional factor in becoming a published author.) It reads like a sales pitch for the Amazon Kindle platform, crossed with a vague instruction manual on the KDP uploader software, with tips on using keywords for optimal product placement in search results. Some of the advice was so rushed it made little sense, or so vague as to be less than useful. While I can credit it for being exactly what it says it is, I can't say I found it particularly inspiring.

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Make Money From Home: How to Become a Non-Medical Home-Based Transcriptionist (April Hodson)

Make Money From Home: How to Become a Non-Medical Home-Based Transcriptionist
April Hodson
Amazon Digital Services
Nonfiction, Business/Employment
**** (Good)

DESCRIPTION: Everyone could use some extra money, but most work-at-home "opportunities" tend to be scams or spam. Transcription is a legitimate job that can, indeed, be done at home. All you need to get started is a computer, a word processor, and being willing to learn. The author explains the field of transcription, from required skills to lists of legitimate companies hiring at-home workers.
A Kindle-exclusive edition.

REVIEW: I've read a few of these Kindle "make a fortune in your spare time" titles. This one actually feels legitimate, describing a real job in a real field with real demand. Hodson does a good job explaining what transcriptionists do, what's expected of them, and how to explore employment options. She even touches on tax issues for self-employed workers. There is no promise of a fortune for nothing; transcription is a job, like any other, and the people who make good money are the ones who put in the time and produce good work. Free updates ensure that the companies linked in the Resources section stay current, no matter when you download this eBook.
The only downside I can think of is a lack of discussion about voice-recognition software's potential impact on the field. Many years ago, when I studied to be a medical transcriptionist, Dragon and its kin were considered potential job security threats, though that threat was balanced with a need for competent proofreaders to correct mistakes. Other than that oversight, I found this informative and inspiring, definitely a cut above the usual Kindle business book.

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The Digital Writer's Guide to Twitter (Tracy O'Connor and the Digital Writer)

The Digital Writer's Guide to Twitter
Tracy O'Connor and The Digital Writer (Sean Platt)
Sterling and Stone
Nonfiction, Business
*** (Okay)

DESCRIPTION: The social media revolution's impact on how we work and play cannot be overstated. Instead of powerful gatekeepers controlling access, now everyone - from megacorporations to individuals - has an equal voice. For authors, small businesses, and others looking to carve out their own niche, tools like Twitter are too powerful to ignore. But just how do you get started? Let the Digital Writer explain the ins and outs of Twitter, so you can start building your own brand and writing your own success story.
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: I'm one of the few Americans who has not succumbed to Twitter's charms. I was hoping this title would help me understand the fascination... and, perhaps, understand why I might want to join the Twitterverse if and when I ever get my own writing published. Unfortunately, I walked away little more enlightened than I started. The authors get repetitious, talking in circles and catchphrases while stating (and restating, and re-restating) similar points under different headings. They also contradict themselves a few times. While they point out just how powerful a strong Twitter presence can be for a small business, they failed to convince me that it's worth my while to try. Granted, I'm not the most social butterfly in the garden of Life, but when you start talking about the necessity of mastering extra programs and apps to manage your accounts should you "succeed" at Twitter, requiring an investment of time and energy that can be put to use elsewhere (such as, say, writing) you lose me.
I'm not discounting the power of social media, nor am I discounting the value of books like this. I just failed to find it relevant to my life, online or otherwise, at this time. Since I can't honestly say I was the intended target audience, I gave this one a break on an Okay rating.

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Secrets to Writing Your First eBook and Getting It Online (Haphiza Baboolal)

Secrets to Writing Your First eBook and Getting It Online
Haphiza Baboolal
Amazon Digital Services
Nonfiction, Business/Writing
**+ (Bad/Okay)

DESCRIPTION: These days, it seems like everyone has an eBook available on Amazon, covering all manner of subjects, from the frivolous to the serious. Do you have something to add? The author explains how to choose a topic, conduct research, format, and upload an eBook using free tools found online.
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: I'm a little torn on my rating. Granted, this is not an in-depth book on writing, or on marketing. At only 11 pages, it outlines the bare bones of e-publishing simple self-help titles, and nothing more. However, in all honesty, this is all Baboolal promises. He explains the process simply enough, though I can't help suspecting that there's a little more to it than what he describes here. If nothing else, with slapdash how-to eBooks flooding the virtual shelves, standing out among the pack isn't nearly as easy as the brief marketing section here indicates. There are also several editing and syntax errors, though not nearly so many (or so glaring) as other titles I've read.
Even though I'm not fond of the "crank out a Google-researched advice book, rake in the income" mentality that eBooks like this perpetuate, I cannot fault it for being what it is. That, and that alone, spared it a flat Bad rating.

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The Motivation Myth (Mattison Grey and Jonathan Manske)

The Motivation Myth
Mattison Grey and Jonathan Manske
CreateSpace
Nonfiction, Business/Self-Help
*** (Okay)

DESCRIPTION: For decades, we have been told that praise and positive recognition lead to increased happiness, improved work performance, and better lives... yet most of us are just as miserable as ever. The "feedback sandwich" - slipping negatives between layers of positives - has been force-fed to workers, clients, children, and spouses until we're all ready to choke. Businesses spend millions of dollars annually on pep rallies and seminars to boost morale, but none of it ever seems to take. We should be swimming in motivation, but we're drowning in mediocrity.
What's wrong?
The problem, according to Grey and Manske, is a fundamental flaw in how we understand and interact with our fellow human beings. It's not praise that we're seeking, nor is it criticism. It's the simple, yet powerful, act of acknowledgement. Using this, they have turned underachievers into go-getters, saved business and personal relationships... in short, they've managed to achieve the results that all those pricey motivation speakers and feedback sandwiches have failed to produce. Learn how to use acknowledgement to improve your own life, and find the key to truly motivating yourself and others.

REVIEW: Backing their claims with numerous studies, articles, and anecdotes, Grey and Manske explain what many of us know: just as negative feedback leads to poor performance and self-image, positive feedback often leads to second-guessing, skepticism, or even fear of moving out of one's comfort zone. They offer many, many studies, articles, and anecdotes... too many, in my opinion. Between that, and the way they string readers along for four full chapters before even explaining what their book is about, my eyes tended to glaze over. I'm not discounting the idea of acknowledgement as a powerful communication tool, but this book would've been more effective at one-third to half its current length.

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Write a F*$%ing Book Already - The Insider's Guide To Increasing Your Sales & Improving Your Career With A Book (Jim Kukral)

Write a F*$%ing Book Already - The Insider's Guide To Increasing Your Sales & Improving Your Career With A Book
Jim Kukral
Digital Book Launch
Nonfiction, Business/Writing
**** (Good)

DESCRIPTION: Books - be they old-fashioned hardcovers or ebook titles - create automatic authority. A book can help you land a job, increase your income, and otherwise improve every aspect of your life. No matter what you do, no matter what you know, someone out there wants to read about it... and that someone will pay money to do it.
So why haven't you written one yet?
Jim Kukral explains how the changing face of publishing is opening opportunities like never before - but you can't hope to take advantage of them until you've written a book. So get writing, already! What are you afraid of? Too much success?
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: Though pitched at nonfiction, Kukral's blunt advice and brick-to-the-skull encouragement speak to all would-be authors currently hemming and hawing over the keyboard... not to mention people who never realized what a simple, 10,000-word ebook could do for their careers. He covers why everyone has at least one book in them (even if they think they don't), how to knock out the naysaying voices inside and outside one's head, and methods for using a new-minted book to increase existing revenue streams and open up new ones. If a few of his chapters seem a trifle sparse, Kukral has plenty of links to his website for more information - just the sort of cross-platform pitch that makes books, especially ebooks, such a lucrative investment for anyone.
One of my few complaints is how little time Kukral spends on the actual writing part of writing a book. He glosses over the actual process of organizing, outlining, drafting and polishing a manuscript, focusing instead on the end result and the benefits it will bring. I would argue that a well-polished book will ultimately bring more benefits than a slapdash hack job - judging solely from my personal experiences reading both polished books and hack jobs - but I suppose, to a seasoned salesman, ground chuck and sirloin both have the same sizzle.
If you've ever looked at a so-called "expert" book and thought you knew more than that guy, or if you've spent too long stifling your own writing urges, this book makes a good, solid kick in the backside to get moving and start writing.

The Moonlighter's Guide to Online Writing for Immediate Income (Connie Brentford)

The Moonlighter's Guide to Online Writing for Immediate Income
Connie Brentford
Moonlight Media
Nonfiction, Business/Writing
**** (Good)

DESCRIPTION: Most of us could use a little more money... or a lot more money. How can we generate extra income without tying ourselves to a second job? Many opportunities await, if you know where - and how - to look for them. The author, a professional freelance writer for many years, shares tips for finding legitimate jobs writing articles and other content online.
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: A short, informative ebook, The Moonlighter's Guide delivers exactly what the cover blurb promises: a number of ideas, helpful hints on getting started, and an extensive list of websites where would-be freelancers can find either more information or actual paying jobs. Brentford explains the various methods of earning money with online content - up-front pay, residual pay, and affiliate links - plus their pros and cons. She also touches on basic grammar, how to get started, and other things a newbie ought to keep in mind. Her list of sites might use more annotation, but considering the size of the guidebook (and the fact that I downloaded it during a freebie promotion window), I can't complain.

Unconventional Ways to Earn an Income (Ruth I)

Unconventional Ways to Earn an Income
Ruth I
Amazon Digital Services
Nonfiction, Business
** (Bad)

DESCRIPTION: Looking to pick up some extra cash? Don't have a college degree? Don't have the time or the experience to land a better job? The author outlines several opportunities available, today, in your community. Work at your own pace, on your own time, and earn hundreds of extra dollars every month!
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: When the first page contains numerous grammatical errors, it's never a good sign. This book reads very fast - under an hour, in my case - largely because there isn't much there to read. Nearly half of the book simply repeats things mentioned in previous sections, with several unhelpful charts stuck in for little to no reason. To her credit, the author does, indeed, mention some different income streams, but all of them center around becoming a Certified Field Associate for a specific handful of websites. Something about the slapdash feel of this eBook makes me wary of investigating them without a second (or third) opinion on their effectiveness, not to mention their legitimacy. Fortunately, since I downloaded it during a limited-time freebie promotion, I'm not out any money for the scant information I found.
(EDIT - Evidently, this title and author have vanished from Amazon. Very suspicious...)

Profit from the eBook Revolution (Bob Perry)

Profit from the eBook Revolution
Bob Perry
Amazon Digital Services
Nonfiction, Business/Writing
**+ (Bad/Okay)

DESCRIPTION: The debut of ebooks has revolutionized the centuries-old world of publishing, creating opportunities and markets that traditional printhouses have yet to understand, let alone explore. Even if you've never written a word in your life, learn how to capitalize on these lucrative opportunities and write your own success story!
A Kindle-exclusive title.

REVIEW: This low-effort/high-profit sales pitch only needs a little synthesized music and stock footage to become a full-blown infomercial. Perry glosses over the important considerations of why, what, and how to write; indeed, he happily informs the would-be profiteer that it's just as easy - easier, even - to outsource that particular tedious and unrewarding step. The rest of his information, on how to actually publish and market "your" ebook for maximum exposure and profit, was equally vague, and only occasionally enlightening. While I understand and appreciate that marketing's a big part of success in any field, especially the competitive world of writing and publishing, this sort of get-rich-quick "plan," glorifying speed and greed, just rubs my little writer soul the wrong way.
(Okay - this is strange. When I typed this review initially, Amazon listed the author as John Haydn. Now it lists this as the work of Bob Perry. Apologies for any confusion... though, considering the author's views on profiting off other people's work, perhaps it's to be expected.)