Any interest in reviving the monthly format?

[grantmeaname]

Hey all! Now that it's summer, is there anyone interested in doing another monthly book club where we all read a book together and discuss it? The first few we did that way had ten or so participants and were a really good time? What do you think?

If so, what sort of topic would interest you? Any books you think would be a good read?

[arebelspy]

My goal for the summer is to read a book every 3 days, so if they're not dry tomes, I'm in. :P

Here's some off my reading list that may interest other Mustachians:
You Are Not So Smart
The Fault In Our Stars (due to its high praise in this thread)
Happy Money (mentioned here)
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
God, No by Penn Jillette (and several of his other books)
Musashi
Capital (mentioned here)
Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Voluntary Simplicity
Mindset

There's (way) more, but that should be enough to get some ideas for now...

[MorningCoffee]

I'll follow along if I can get the book from my local library.
I read tons so I'm open to anything.

[aj_yooper]

I would participate if the list had arebelspy's type suggestions.  Hard stuff takes me a longer time.

[arebelspy]

Bump.  Let's nominate some books in the next 4 days, hold a poll June 15-21, then give everyone a week to acquire the book from the local library/get the ebook/whatever.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[aj_yooper]

Here are three books in priority I would like to read :

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: Th… (Hardcover)
by John C. Bogle

The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simp… (Hardcover)
by Jonathan Clements, William J. Bernstein

The Little Book of Behavioral Investing: How … (Hardcover)
by James Montier

[arebelspy]

Here are three books in priority I would like to read :

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: Th… (Hardcover)
by John C. Bogle

The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simp… (Hardcover)
by Jonathan Clements, William J. Bernstein

The Little Book of Behavioral Investing: How … (Hardcover)
by James Montier

You seem to have a thing about reading "Little Books"   :P

[nktokyo]

I've read enough books about saving money already... it's like preaching to the choir. Also real estate.

Stuff I want to learn more about.

Venture Capital Investing & IPOs
American History (I'm not American)
Psychology
Game Theory
Agriculture
Military History
Biology

I just finished Start Up Nation, which was really interesting.

[anastrophe]

I'm in. I don't mind books about money, and would rather not read books about politics or military topics. I like to read books about simple living, minimalism, and philosophy (the last thing I read was a translated volume of poems by the zen monk Ryokan). Arebelspy's suggestions sound good to me, I have not read any of them yet.

[grantmeaname]

So it sounds like there's not as much interest in the William Bernstein books and similar works, then. That's what I would have picked, although like nktokyo I suspect I would know most of it already.

[anastrophe]

So it sounds like there's not as much interest in the William Bernstein books and similar works, then. That's what I would have picked, although like nktokyo I suspect I would know most of it already.

I'm in. I don't mind books about money

No, I'd read some Little Books. Then you all will know how clueless I really am about investing;)

[destron]

@arebelspy

Musashi -- I would be very impressed if you could read that in 3 days!

I will have to think up some suggestions. Also, how about books on bicycling?

[aj_yooper]

Here are three books in priority I would like to read :

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: Th… (Hardcover)
by John C. Bogle

The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simp… (Hardcover)
by Jonathan Clements, William J. Bernstein

The Little Book of Behavioral Investing: How … (Hardcover)
by James Montier

You seem to have a thing about reading "Little Books"   :P

*Mens insana, in corpore insano.

[arebelspy]

So it sounds like there's not as much interest in the William Bernstein books and similar works, then. That's what I would have picked, although like nktokyo I suspect I would know most of it already.

I tend to like to take my time though those sort of books, which just doesn't lend itself well to a monthly format.

As another idea, we could start separate threads for each of these famous books and one can read through and comment at their pleasure (e.g. have a thread for A Random Walk, a thread for Investor's Manifesto, etc.), and then do easier reads for the monthly format.

@arebelspy

Musashi -- I would be very impressed if you could read that in 3 days!

I'm shooting to average a book every three days..some will be more, some less.  I've been on Musashi now for 3 days and am only about 1/4 of the way through, but I've also been very busy with other stuff.  It's a pretty quick, light read so far (entertaining), so I have no doubt one could read it in just a few days if they sat down and got to it!

As it is, it'll probably take me a week or so.

[mushroom]

Mindset was really disappointing, considering I see Dweck's work referenced all the time in psych books I read. Very repetitive and fluffy despite being written by a researcher who's done some really neat stuff.

I really enjoyed The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, which talks about why politics has become so divisive and touches on some other interesting areas as well.

[Lans Holman]

I would be interested in the book club, although I agree with not wanting to do super practical finance stuff.  The Righteous Mind looks really interesting.

[nktokyo]

Mindset was really disappointing, considering I see Dweck's work referenced all the time in psych books I read. Very repetitive and fluffy despite being written by a researcher who's done some really neat stuff.

I really enjoyed The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, which talks about why politics has become so divisive and touches on some other interesting areas as well.

I enjoyed Mindset - I used it as a textbook for self reflection and found it did the trick. I gave it to a few friends with similar results.

[tomatoprincess]

I'm interested in the book club, any books I could get out of the library would be great.

[arebelspy]

Bump.  Let's nominate some books in the next 4 days, hold a poll June 15-21, then give everyone a week to acquire the book from the local library/get the ebook/whatever.

Anyone have any suggestions?

So far none of the books have been nominated a second time.  That is, each book has been listed just once, and we need people to go through the thread and say "I'd read books X, Y, and Z" and then all the books that get a few nominations we can throw into a poll...

[-JR]

So it sounds like there's not as much interest in the William Bernstein books and similar works, then. That's what I would have picked, although like nktokyo I suspect I would know most of it already.

I've just checked out Bernstein's Investor's Manifesto, haven't cracked it open yet either. This idea sounds awesome.

Not sure how widely read "The Happiness Hypothesis" is, but that book piques my interest.

[velocistar237]

I second
Capital
The Fault in Our Stars
Books by Bogle or Bernstein

and suggest
Republic Lost

[aj_yooper]

I woud read:

Mindset
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: Th…
The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simple
by Jonathan Clements, William J. Bernstein
The Little Book of Behavioral Investing: How
by James Montier
You Are Not So Smart

[arebelspy]

Republic Lost

I second that.

So so far specific books with at least two votes include:
Republic Lost
Capital
The Fault in Our Stars
Mindset
You Are Not So Smart
The Investor's Manifesto

Let me know if I missed any!  And if anyone else wants to chime in with nominations or seconds (or thirds) a book already posted, let's do so in the next few days, then vote.

[Lans Holman]

You missed The Righteous Mind.  I really enjoyed Fault in Our Stars but I don't know that I see it as a book club read.

[grantmeaname]

Capital is 528 pages. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I'd still read it if its picked, but that's an awfully large commitment considering the book club has had trouble finishing 200 page books before.

[MorningCoffee]

I'll second or third these.

Capital
Mindset
You Are Not So Smart
The Investor's Manifesto
 The Righteous Mind
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing:
The Little Book of Main Street Money
The Little Book of Behavioral Investing

[aj_yooper]

I'll second or third these.

Capital
Mindset
You Are Not So Smart
The Investor's Manifesto
 The Righteous Mind
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing:
The Little Book of Main Street Money
The Little Book of Behavioral Investing

These would be good.

[jfer_rose]

Not sure how widely read "The Happiness Hypothesis" is, but that book piques my interest.

I would read many of the books already seconded if I can get them at the library. But I would also like to second to "The Happiness Hypothesis." That's one I know I want to read.

[arebelspy]

I would read many of the books already seconded if I can get them at the library.

Once we throw up the poll check which ones are available at your local library and reserve all of them before you vote (you can cancel/immediately return the ones you don't need/want later).  :D

[grantmeaname]

Any more seconds for the poll?

[nktokyo]

I have a recommendation - Predictably Irrational. I just started it today and it's awesome.

[grantmeaname]

I have a recommendation - Predictably Irrational. I just started it today and it's awesome.

Wrong link? Do you mean this?

[aj_yooper]

I would second Predictably Irrational as a book choice.  It looks better than the little book on behavioral investing, imo.

[nktokyo]

I have a recommendation - Predictably Irrational. I just started it today and it's awesome.

Wrong link? Do you mean this?

Yup. Thanks. I'm 2 chapters in and already I feel paradigms being shifted. I think it would go well with the general ethos of these boards.

[arebelspy]

Okay, looks like final nominees are:
Republic Lost
Capital
The Fault in Our Stars
Mindset
You Are Not So Smart
The Investor's Manifesto
The Righteous Mind
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
The Little Book of Main Street Money
The Little Book of Behavioral Investing
The Happiness Hypothesis
Predictably Irrational

[arebelspy]

Poll is up here - https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/mustachian-book-club/poll-july-2013-book-club-book/

Also good call on Predictably Irrational - it got 2nd in the Dec/Jan poll after Walden, with 12 votes; looking at past second place winners is a good idea.

I made the poll so you can choose multiple, so you can pick any book that you're willing/want to read.

[grantmeaname]

Poll is up here - https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/mustachian-book-club/poll-july-2013-book-club-book/

Thanks for setting up the poll!

[nktokyo]

I just got The Signal and the Noise. Not in time for July but it could be a good 'un

[swick]

Bumping to see if there is any new interest, I have to admit I have been so buried under my own work and reading that I haven't really strayed into the "Mustachian Book Club"  category, but I think I need to make the time - all prompted by finding an old roman coin I got as a kid bearing the face of Marcus Aurelius - random, I know.

Anyone else interested in reviving the monthly format?

[homehandymum]

I only found the book club threads today!

As it happens, I borrowed Random Walk down Wall Street from the library just this afternoon if anyone is keen to read with me?  I've been trying to get a couple of finance/money/investing/saving books out each library visit.

[arebelspy]

Bumping to see if there is any new interest, I have to admit I have been so buried under my own work and reading that I haven't really strayed into the "Mustachian Book Club"  category, but I think I need to make the time - all prompted by finding an old roman coin I got as a kid bearing the face of Marcus Aurelius - random, I know.

Anyone else interested in reviving the monthly format?

That could be fun.  I'm currently reading The Worldly Philosophers.

Also I want that coin!  :D

[grantmeaname]

I could probably keep up with a monthly book. Topic?

[swick]

hmm...

Both books suggested sound great! Neither are in my library so I am looking at three weeks minimum for an inter-library loan. Reminds me why I haven't been too keen.

I do have the following books that fellow Mustachians might be interested in, any sound good to you guys and then we can plan the next couple ahead of time, so I can get the books? If they come highly recommended and have future use, I don't mind buying them.

80/20 principal and living the 80/20 way by Richard Koch
Why we buy and the science of shopping by Paco Underhill
the Myth of Laziness by Mel Levine
Connected by James Fowler and Nicholas Christakis
Thinker Toys and Cracking Creativity by Michael Michalko - I love these books and have been using them in the classroom and workshops for years, while light on actual reading, it would be really fun to learn and work through the exercises as a group and compare and contrast experiences. I also use them all the time when trying to find a more mustachian way of doing something.

I'm also up for anything in the Public Domain that I can access easier - and really anything else if I can get my hands on it.

I tend to learn towards non-fiction business, creativity, philosophy, economics, finance and money...but I'm always willing to try something new.

arebelspy...if I ever do get over my attachment to old stuff, I will pass my coin on to you:)

[lifejoy]

Count me in!

And hey people - dont forget to use your university alumni memberships to get access to library books from your university library. If it applies to your situation. Not only do they often have tons of great books, but they can get them through interlibrary loan if they don't have them :)

[homehandymum]

Count me in!

And hey people - dont forget to use your university alumni memberships to get access to library books from your university library. If it applies to your situation. Not only do they often have tons of great books, but they can get them through interlibrary loan if they don't have them :)

Good thought!  I'm working my way through the public library books at present, but had forgotten about the uni library.  Gosh, that means I'll have to make my way into the business studies and finance section.  That's in a whole different building from my comfort zone  :)

[soccerluvof4]

I would be in.

[grantmeaname]

So what sort of topic should we choose our next poll on? Pop psychology/consumer behavior? Finance/investing? Business? Philosophy?

[palebluedot]

Anyone else use Goodreads.com to keep track of their books read/to read?

I just joined a few days ago. You can also create groups. Maybe a Mustachian Group can be arranged.

Here is my friend invite if anyone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?i=LTM2MTA2NzM2NDY6NDI5

[arebelspy]

I use GoodReads a little.  I usually forget.

[lifejoy]

So what sort of topic should we choose our next poll on? Pop psychology/consumer behavior? Finance/investing? Business? Philosophy?

I've been reading a lot of behavioral economics books lately. I could really go for something lighter. Kind of like The Millionaire Next Door or Leo Babauta style living-with-only-the-essential type deal.

That would interest me! But I'm up for anything :)

And I use goodreads extensively! It's great!