Welcome to The Reading Journal, your trusted companion in the captivating world of books! We are thrilled to celebrate our 52nd issue, marking an entire year of sharing literary wonders with our devoted readers.

Over the past twelve months, The Reading Journal has embarked on an incredible journey, exploring the realms of imagination, knowledge, and storytelling. We've delved into diverse genres, traversed historical epochs, and unraveled the minds of renowned authors. Through it all, our mission has remained steadfast: to ignite a love for reading and foster a community of avid book enthusiasts.

As we enter our second year, we are brimming with excitement for the literary treasures that lie ahead. Join us as we continue to uncover hidden gems, embark on literary adventures, and dive into the literary zeitgeist. Each week, we'll bring you fresh recommendations, literary news, and thought-provoking discussions, ensuring that your reading journey remains rich and fulfilling.

Thank you for being a part of The Reading Journal community and for accompanying us on this literary voyage. We invite you to immerse yourself in the pages of our 52nd issue and join us in celebrating the joy of reading as we embark on another year of literary exploration.

Happy reading!

The Reading Journal Team 📚

P.S. Happy July 4th! 🇺🇸

📷️ Bookshelf Humble Brag

📝 Note

📚️ Staff Pick of the Week

Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke

"In Thinking in Bets," Annie Duke explores the concept of decision-making through the lens of uncertainty and luck. Using the infamous Super Bowl XLIX play as an example, Duke challenges the notion of judging decisions solely based on outcomes, emphasizing that even the best decisions can yield unfavorable results due to uncontrollable factors. She advocates for thinking in terms of probabilities, considering various potential outcomes and assessing the likelihood of success. Drawing from her experience as a poker player and business consultant, Duke shares practical tools to embrace uncertainty, make better decisions, and avoid being trapped by the need for certainty. By shifting focus towards accurately assessing knowledge and accepting the role of luck, readers can enhance their decision-making skills and foster long-term success with confidence, composure, empathy, and effectiveness.

🎥 Reading Talk's

📈 Rising Quickly - Week of June 26, 2023

Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

"Dying with Zero" is a thought-provoking book by Bill Perkins that challenges the conventional wisdom of saving money for retirement and instead emphasizes the importance of living a fulfilling life. Perkins encourages readers to prioritize memorable experiences over accumulating wealth, providing a practical guide on how to optimize their lives at each stage. The book introduces concepts like "experience bucketing" to maximize meaningful moments, following the "net worth curve" to convert earnings into priceless memories, and considering the "spend curve" and "personal interest rate" when investing in adventures. Perkins combines personal anecdotes, inspiring stories, and insights from psychology and finance to make a compelling case for embracing life to the fullest.

🪄Most Talked About Fiction - Week of June 26, 2023

Don’t Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders

Richard was over the moon that his daughter wanted to come back into his life. ‘You’ll love her,’ he'd said, beaming. ‘She’s very sweet. She just had a wobble about me marrying again, but that’s over now.’

Well, she was going to find out she had nothing to worry about. I’d been fantasising non-stop about the two of us becoming close. I had visions of us baking together while Richard was at work, chatting about her boyfriends, her studies, what kind of job she’d like to do. I would be someone she could rely on, someone she could talk to when she would have spoken to her mum if she’d still been alive.

Anyway, let’s just say things haven't quite worked out that way.

📚️ Most Talked About Non-Fiction - Week of June 26, 2023

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Julie Smith

"Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before" by Dr. Julie Smith is a comprehensive guide that equips readers with valuable insights and practical techniques to enhance and safeguard their mental health. Covering a wide range of topics such as anxiety, criticism, depression, self-confidence, motivation, and self-forgiveness, Dr. Julie's expertise and therapeutic secrets empower individuals to build resilience in challenging times. The book presents bite-sized entries that offer easily accessible information and actionable solutions for everyday issues. By emphasizing the importance of mental well-being and providing proven strategies, this empathetic guide grants readers a deeper understanding of their minds and the tools necessary to nurture their mental health on a daily basis. Offering wisdom and practicality, "Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before" has the potential to be life-changing.

🆕 New and Noteworthy

Fool Me Once by Kelly Richmond Pope

"Fool Me Once" by Kelly Richmond Pope is an eye-opening book that explores the pervasive nature of fraud in society, from high-profile cases like Bernie Madoff and Elizabeth Holmes to everyday scams and corporate malfeasance. Pope, a forensic accounting expert, delves into the motivations of perpetrators, the vulnerabilities of victims, and the courage of whistleblowers. Through captivating stories and insightful analysis, the book not only expands our understanding of fraud but also prompts introspection about our own behaviors and the need for vigilance. By the end, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of fraud and are encouraged to challenge their preconceived notions while taking steps to protect themselves and their organizations from financial crime.

✍️ Quote of the Week

If you are interested in sponsoring The Reading Journal, you can learn more on our advertise page.