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Derek Sivers

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Derek Sivers is an American writer, musician, programmer and entrepreneur best known for being the founder and former president of CD Baby, an online CD store for independent musicians. A professional musician since 1987, Sivers started CD Baby by accident in 1997 when he was selling his own CD on his website, and friends asked if he could sell theirs, too. CD Baby went on to become the largest seller of independent music on the web, with over $100M in sales for over 150,000 musician clients.
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Hilo book cover
Hilo
Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth
Judd Winick - 2015-09-01
Goodreads Rating
Explore the hilarious world of HILO, the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series that kids can't get enough of! Follow ordinary kids D.J. and Gina as they meet the extraordinary Hilo, who mysteriously fell from the sky and doesn't know how he got to Earth. Together, they uncover the secrets of Hilo's past and navigate the ups and downs of school with the occasional mutant space robot thrown in the mix. Get ready for a blast of epic adventure and friendship in HILO!
Derek Sivers
2021-10-23T17:40:31.000Z
Parents of young (age 5-10) readers: We just finished reading the “HILO” comic books - which my boy’s librarian recommended - and it’s the best we’ve ever found. GREAT writing/story/twists/everything. If you know another this good, please let me know.      source
Several Short Sentences About Writing book cover
Several Short Sentences About Writing
Verlyn Klinkenborg - 2012-08-07
Goodreads Rating
Improve your writing by unlearning what you were taught in school. Verlyn Klinkenborg’s Several Short Sentences About Writing provides a new approach to writing that will change your perception of the craft. This book will help you clear your mind of illusions and discover your unique writing style. It’s a revolutionary guide full of first steps and experiments that will forever change how you view yourself as a writer. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how to think about what you do and how to improve the quality of your writing.
Derek Sivers
2021-10-20T19:13:40.000Z
@mapc LOVE this book!      source
Recommended by
Sanjay Bakshi
Thinking, Fast and Slow book cover
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman - 2011-10-25
Goodreads Rating
Explore the inner workings of the mind in this groundbreaking book that explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, emotional, and intuitive while System 2 is slower, more analytical, and logical. Discover the benefits and drawbacks of both systems and learn how to tap into the benefits of slow thinking. With practical insights into decision-making in both our personal and professional lives, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to guard against mental pitfalls and gain a deeper understanding of the way we think.
Derek Sivers
2020-02-11T06:15:11.000Z
If you liked “Predictably Irrational” or “Stumbling on Happiness” or any of those pop-psychology books, well, this is the Godfather of all of their work. Huge thorough book gives a great overview of much of his work. Read the other quotes on Amazon about it.      source
Moonwalking with Einstein book cover
Moonwalking with Einstein
The Art and Science of Remembering Everything
Joshua Foer - 2011-03-03
Goodreads Rating
Discover the incredible power of human memory with this electrifying work of journalism. Follow the year-long journey of author Joshua Foer as he learns from top "mental athletes," delves into cutting-edge research, and explores the surprising cultural history of remembering. This instant bestseller is poised to become a classic, revolutionizing our concept of memory and reminding us that we are the sum of our memories.
Derek Sivers
2020-02-11T06:15:11.000Z
For those fascinated with memory. Riveting page-turner about a journalist (with no particularly good memory) who went to cover a memory championship event. Intrigued and befriending some competitors, he starts practicing, and a year later wins the U.S. memory championship event himself. Inspiring dive into the subject of memorization.      source
Made to Stick book cover
Made to Stick
Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath - 2007-01-02 (first published in 2006)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the secrets behind ideas that stick with Made to Stick. In this instant classic, Chip & Dan Heath reveal the anatomy of successful ideas and outline ways to make your own ideas stickier, from creating curiosity gaps to using the Velcro Theory of Memory. Along the way, you'll be entertained with stories of success (and failure) that will transform the way you communicate. Whether you're an entrepreneur, teacher, politician, or journalist, this book is essential reading in the "fake news" era.
Derek Sivers
2020-02-11T06:15:11.000Z
Actually analyzing what makes certain ideas or stories more memorable than others! Fascinating. Apply this wisdom to your songs, bio/story, communication with fans, etc.      source
The Third Ear book cover
The Third Ear
On Listening to the World
Joachim-Ernst Berendt - 1992-01-01 (first published in 1985)
Goodreads Rating
Learn how the ear is connected to compassion and peacefulness in this captivating book. Based on the author's thorough exploration of different cultures, you'll discover how the ear plays a vital role in how we process and interpret information.
Derek Sivers
2020-01-20T19:36:51.000Z
My #1 most-gifted book is “The Third Ear” by Joachim-Ernst Berendt. Forever changes how you think of sound.      source
Prisoners of Geography book cover
Prisoners of Geography
Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World (1) (Politics of Place)
Tim Marshall - 2015-07-09
Goodreads Rating
This acclaimed book examines how geography shapes global politics, using ten crucial regions to explain the strategies of world powers. The author provides unique perspectives on Russia, China, the US, Latin America, and more, exploring how each country's physical characteristics impact their leadership and decision-making. Whether through ancient maps or Google Earth, this compelling read reveals how geography always plays a role in shaping our world.
Derek Sivers
2019-10-15T00:00:00.000Z
The world's cultures and politics are this way because of geography : oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts, farmable land, etc. Fascinating for me because I'd never looked at this world this way before.      source
Culture Shock! Finland book cover
Culture Shock! Finland
A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette
Deborah Swallow - 2008-01-01 (first published in 2001)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the local customs and etiquette of Finland with the "Culture Shock!" guide by Deborah Swallow. Written by someone who has lived and worked in the country, this practical and accurate book will help you thrive whether you're traveling for business or pleasure. Get the inside information you need to navigate a new culture and feel at home.
Derek Sivers
2019-10-05T00:00:00.000Z
Surprisingly insightful. Much better than expected. An outsider’s insights into Finnish culture. I read it on my way to Finland, and swooned at the description of what sound like my kind of people. My experience in Finland mostly matches the book’s description, except I was in louder central Helsinki, so the anti-social silence was not on display. The book has a list of spectrums of culture which could be a good framework to categorize various countries’ cultures.      source
This Is Marketing book cover
This Is Marketing
You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See
Seth Godin - 2018-11-13
Goodreads Rating
Learn from Seth Godin, the inventor of countless marketing ideas and phrases, about how real marketing is about connection, empathy, and making a difference. In his book, THIS IS MARKETING, he shares his core marketing wisdom, emphasizing that great marketers don't use consumers to solve their company's problem; they use marketing to solve other people's problems. Discover how to build trust, speak to your audience's narratives, create and release tension, and give people the tools to achieve their goals. It's time to stop confusing social media metrics with true connections and start making the world a better place through powerful marketing grounded in empathy, generosity, and emotional labor.
Derek Sivers
2019-08-02T00:00:00.000Z
A must-read for every entrepreneur. A holistic, generous, human, emotional, long-term, story-driven approach to your business. The world would be a much better place if businesses were led this way. You'll have a competitive advantage if you do this, since so few do.      source
Everything Is F*cked book cover
Everything Is F*cked
A Book About Hope
Mark Manson - 2019-05-14
Goodreads Rating
In Everything Is F*cked, the bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck takes on the problems of hope in our modern world. With a mix of psychological research and philosophy from Plato to Tom Waits, Mark Manson dissects religion, politics, money, and more to challenge our views on faith, happiness, and hope itself. With erudition and humor, Manson takes on the pain and stress of our souls, offering a bold challenge to be more honest with ourselves and connected with the world. A must-read for those looking to navigate our current malaise.
Derek Sivers
2019-07-27T00:00:00.000Z
Philosophy made relatable. Great points about taking feelings seriously, pain as the speed of light, humanity as an ends not means, and democracy acknowledging human nature. Sections on Nietzsche and Kant are fascinating, not academic. The second half grabbed me the most.      source
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The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle
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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes and How to Correct Them by Gary Belsky
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