If you’re an athlete, especially the type that trains for endurance, then you must check out this book. This is the first book of its kind that goes into great detail about enhancing your diet and exercise to be similar to those of our Stone Age ancestors. These were the days before food [...]
I happened to read this great book today, entitled “Who Moved My Cheese?” and I have to say it really made my day. It’s a motivational book written by Spencer Johnson about dealing with CHANGE in our work and in our personal life. It’s a fairly short book with only 96 pages, you can actually [...]
I'm always on the lookout for good books, so whenever I see a book list entitled Books that have changed my life, I tend to pay attention. Most of the time I make a mental note of the books I'd like to read someday, and on occasion I'll hop on over to Amazon.com and buy the book. Only rarely, however, will I actually read the book before I've forgotten why I bought it in the first place. Happily,
From Chelsea Green Publishing: "In a stunning indictment of the Bush administration and Congress, best-selling author Naomi Wolf lays out her case for saving American democracy. In authoritative research and documentation Wolf explains how events of the last six years parallel steps taken in the early years of the 20th century’s worst dictatorships such as Germany, Russia, China, and Chile.The book cuts across political parties and ideologies and speaks directly to those among us who are concerned about the ever-tightening noose being placed around our liberties.In this timely call to arms, Naomi Wolf compels us to face the way our free America is under assault. She warns us–with the straight-to-fellow-citizens urgency of one of Thomas Paine’s revolutionary pamphlets–that we have little time to lose if our children are to live in real freedom." Click here for more info.
Offshore outsourcing is something that we, as paralegals, need to be prepared to counter. It is happening, as more Indian lawyers are trained in U.S. law to do work for less than the cost of an in-house paralegal. However, we do not have to accept this as an eventuality.In My Job Went to India: 52 Ways to Save Your Job (Pragmatic Programmers) by Chad Fowler, ways to keep your job while outsourcing happens all around you are detailed. The book is written for computer programmers, but I found it to be very useful for paralegals as well, with some creative reading between the lines. There are some sections that can be skimmed, but for the most part, this book is brimming with useful advice for professionals who want to build their careers and keep their jobs in the U.S. For those that have already seen work in their firms outsources, Fowler offers advice to distinguish yourself from others by working with and providing leadership for the offshore team.In fact, in order to avoid the f
If you are going to write a guide to crafting sticky ideas, your book had better embody your principles. Authors Chip and Dan Heath succeed admirably. What I love about "Made to Stick" is that it is not merely entertaining (though it is), it provides practical, tangible strategies for creating sticky ideas. Once you understand these recommendations, you can boil them down to a set of touchstone points to evaluate your own work. This sets "Made to Stick" apart from the work of Malcolm Gladwell, whom the Heath brothers cite as an inspiration. I enjoyed Gladwell's books but could not necessarily apply his ideas to my own work.My review copy of "Made to Stick" is covered with highlighter. I am reading the book once through for pure pleasure, and then I am going back again to apply the ideas to evaluate the communications of a non-profit organization I am working for. "Made to Stick" challenges you to distill the essence of your message, to get back to core principles and to communicate th
This author has convinced me to change my assumptions about work life and personal goals. This is an easy read. Although I am a slow and easily distracted reader, I finished the book from cover-to-cover in a few sittings. I even spent some time researching the web links but didn't do all the challenges because I was eager to absorb all the ideas first.It is probably best to read the book one time through quickly to grasp his point of view (the author even gives a brief blurb on how to speed read). Then after you "get it" take some time doing the challenges if you feel so compelled.I have already implemented one of the author's recommendations in my daily life....check email only twice per day: right before lunch then again an hour before the end of the day. Process every email at the time you read it. Seems a simple challenge but I did suffer "withdrawal symptoms" from not constantly checking email. And you know what? Because I stayed focus on the task at hand and not constantly chec
In A Survival Guide for Paralegals: Tips from the Trenches, veteran paralegals share their tips for surviving as a paralegal. Definitely more than just your average cheerleading career book, Tips from the Trenches covers everything from seven guiding principles to surviving in specific areas of law.The authors, Alan Gelb and Karen Levine, packed this book with proven tips. Work issues, stress, asking for a raise, office politics, research and writing, and even how to dress is covered, all in easy bite-size tips. An easy to read and easy reference, Tips from the Trenches should be in every successful paralegal's library.
If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be a litigation paralegal, pick up a copy of Behind the Bar: Inside the Paralegal Profession, by Catherine Astl. A Certified Legal Assistant, Astl details her experience working for several different attorneys, including her husband, as she found her niche and worked with different personalities. She has spent most of her time as a litigation paralegal, which is reflected in the book.It does read like a novel, and in addition to her experience, Astl offers tips to be organized and how to find your own niche. She also describes working in different areas of law, such as family law, criminal law, personal injury, and bankruptcy. A fascinating account of life as a paralegal, it's a quick, easy read for those looking for more information on the profession or thinking of switching their specialty.
In paralegal courses, you learn the law and how to apply it to your work. Everything else, from keeping your career goals fresh to navigating office politics to being the office superstar, is up to you. Paralegal Success: Going From Good to Great in the New Century, by Deborah Bogen, helps you keep your edge, not only at your current position, but in your career. From the paralegal student just starting a career to the veteran paralegal looking for a new challenge, Bogen covers all the bases.Bogen explains the files every paralegal should keep and use for his or her own personal growth. She also details how to develop your own area of expertise and balance work and family life. Also included is the Successful Paralegal's Almanac, a year-long plan to stay on top of work, continuing education, and your career. Month by month, she lays out a plan that seems simple yet comprehensive.This is a great book to keep in your personal library, and I highly recommend it. The tips never go
