Why am I passionate about this?

In sixth grade, I got into an argument with my neighbor, Billy. We were in his backyard, looking at the stars through his new telescope. “I see Orion,” said Billy. “What do you see?” “A bunch of stars.” “I aimed it at Orion. See him?” ”I see a bunch of stars.” “Don’t you see his belt? His sword?” Billy got more agitated. “Everybody knows that’s Orion. I can’t believe you can’t see him.” “It’s not actually Orion – it was just a bunch of stars until someone told a story about it and gave it meaning.” That compelled me to write, to construct a meaning for what I experienced, and try to make sense of it.


I wrote

Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas

By B. Jeffrey Madoff,

Book cover of Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas

What is my book about?

It provides practical advice for turning creative passions into sustainable careers. The message is that business and creativity are not…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds

B. Jeffrey Madoff Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it opened my mind to new ways of thinking about thinking and how we make decisions. We are not the rational beings we think we are. Michael Lewis has the gift of being able to take complex ideas and make them understandable, informative, and very entertaining.

The book is about psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Khaneman and their research into how people make decisions. Their story is riveting, and I couldn’t help but think about how I make decisions and how to frame questions to gain greater insight into that process.

By Michael Lewis,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Undoing Project as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Michael Lewis could spin gold out of any topic he chose ... his best work ... vivid, original and hard to forget' Tim Harford, Financial Times

'Gripping ... There is war, heroism, genius, love, loss, discovery, enduring loyalty and friendship. It is epic stuff ... Michael Lewis is one of the best non-fiction writers of our time' Irish Times

From Michael Lewis, No.1 bestselling author of The Big Short and Flash Boys, this is the extraordinary story of the two men whose ideas changed the world.

Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky met in war-torn 1960s Israel. Both were gifted young…


Book cover of The Power of Film

B. Jeffrey Madoff Why did I love this book?

I love great storytelling and what makes stories compelling. Suber goes into great detail about story, plot, and characters in a way that I found totally fascinating. It inspired me to think about storytelling differently. I got deeper and deeper into the process of what makes characters and their journey interesting.

There are many films that are successful at the box office, but not memorable. They fade as time passes. Great stories resonate for generations. Ultimately, the book is about what makes a film memorable. 

By Howard Suber,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Power of Film as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Breaking News!
The Power of Film Series (based upon this book) is now available on MAX. (Formerly HBO)

Make sure you tune in to see this amazing six part series.

One of America's most distinguished film professors provides the definitive A to Z course on the intricacies of film. Each entry in this remarkable book, which represents a lifetime of teaching film, has already inspired and educated several generations of Hollywood's greatest filmmakers and writers. This book examines the patterns and principles that make films popular and memorable, and will be useful both for those who want to create films…


Book cover of Connections

B. Jeffrey Madoff Why did I love this book?

I love books that cause me to view things in ways I never had before. Connections did that over and over again.

Burke views history through the lens of technical innovation. What his book revealed to me was that everything has its antecedents; things that came before that were the building blocks of what was to come. The more I read, the more I noticed that I was looking at things differently, not only seeing links but thinking about what could come next based on where something came from and the direction our culture was moving. This is a transformative book.

By James Burke,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Connections as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

How did the popularity of underwear in the twelfth century lead to the invention of the printing press?
How did the waterwheel evolve into the computer?
How did the arrival of the cannon lead eventually to the development of movies?

In this highly acclaimed and bestselling book, James Burke brilliantly examines the ideas, inventions, and coincidences that have culminated in the major technological advances of today. With dazzling insight, he untangles the pattern of interconnecting events: the accidents of time, circumstance, and place that gave rise to the major inventions of the world.

Says Burke, "My purpose is to acquaint…


Book cover of God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning

B. Jeffrey Madoff Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because it raises challenging questions about AI, and made me think about what intelligence, creativity, and having agency over your decisions means.

A shovel doesn't know it’s a shovel. It can lift more dirt much faster than our bare hands, but that doesn’t mean it is more intelligent than humans. I love books that are provocative, that make me think about things in a different way. This book is one of those. 

By Meghan O'Gieblyn,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked God, Human, Animal, Machine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A strikingly original exploration of what it might mean to be authentically human in the age of artificial intelligence, from the author of the critically-acclaimed Interior States.

"Meghan O’Gieblyn is a brilliant and humble philosopher, and her book is an explosively thought-provoking, candidly personal ride I wished never to end ... This book is such an original synthesis of ideas and disclosures. It introduces what will soon be called the O’Gieblyn genre of essay writing.” —Heidi Julavits, author of The Folded Clock
 
For most of human history the world was a magical and enchanted place ruled by forces beyond our…


Book cover of Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters

B. Jeffrey Madoff Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because I remembered loving it. But why did I remember? What do I forget—and why? What is the function of memory? How do we unknowingly change our own narrative—and why?

I have always been fascinated by cognitive neuroscience. Thinking about how we think, what we think about, why we remember what we remember, and why we forget what we forget has always fascinated me. These are all things that we take for granted until something happens that changes our perception. We are constantly creating and editing our own narrative. From fond memories to trauma, memory is affected, as is our life narrative. It’s too early to tell if this book will be memorable to me, but I loved reading it. 

By Charan Ranganath,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Why We Remember as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'Radically new and engaging.' MATTHEW WALKER

'Not only will every reader remember better afterward, they'll also never forget this life-changing book.' SIDDHARTHA MUKHERJEE

'Ranganath turns much of what we think we know about memory on its head.' DANIEL J. LEVITIN

---

We talk about memory as a record of the past, but here's a surprising twist: we aren't supposed to remember everything. In fact, we're designed to forget.

We talk about memory as a record of the past, but here's a surprising twist: we aren't supposed to remember everything. In fact, we're designed to…


Explore my book 😀

Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas

By B. Jeffrey Madoff,

Book cover of Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas

What is my book about?

It provides practical advice for turning creative passions into sustainable careers. The message is that business and creativity are not opposing forces and that with the right strategies, creatives can build thriving careers on their ideas. 

I am an entrepreneur, filmmaker, designer, playwright, author, and professor. In this book, I outline strategies for identifying marketable skills, networking effectively, and pitching ideas to potential clients and investors. Through real-world examples and actionable tips, it empowers readers to transform their creative talents into fulfilling and financially rewarding careers. The book is a practical, inspirational, and actionable guide for creatives to monetize their talents and build sustainable, fulfilling careers, challenging the common "starving artist" stereotype.

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The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

By Susan Hartzler,

Book cover of The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

Susan Hartzler Author Of The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm an accomplished author, award-winning writer, seasoned blogger, and savvy Public Relations Consultant, but my true passion lies in being a die-hard dog lover. Due to the demands of my current pack of Australian Shepherds, Seven and Paige Turner, I’ve built a rewarding career working from home, writing dog-centric books, blogging for diverse clients, consulting in public relations, and creating dog-friendly travel stories. I also launched the online shop, “Dog Travel Gear,” where I share tips and adventures with fellow dog lovers on the blog, “Paws on the Go.”

Susan's book list on life with dogs

What is my book about?

As one of 67 million Americans who serve as caretakers to their elderly parents, Susan Hartzler cared for her dad for three years, gaining profound insight into Parkinson's disease and the multifaceted challenges of caregiving. Throughout this period, Hartzler's rescue dog, Baldwin, a precious gift from her late mom, provided unwavering support.

This memoir offers a personal roadmap for those facing similar caregiving decisions. Thoughtful, tragic, and funny, it shows that, while demanding, caregiving can be a fulfilling endeavor, especially with a dog by one's side. The author's story will better prepare others in similar situations and encourage them to…

The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace

By Susan Hartzler,

What is this book about?

In a role 67 million Americans face as caretakers to their elderly parents, Susan Hartzler cared for her dad for three years, gaining profound insight into Parkinson's disease and the multifaceted challenges of caregiving. Throughout this challenging period, Hartzler's rescue dog, Baldwin, a precious gift from her late mom, provided unwavering support.

This memoir offers a personal roadmap for those facing similar caregiving decisions. Thoughtful, tragic, and funny, it shows that while demanding, caregiving can be a fulfilling endeavor, especially with a dog by one's side. Hartzler's story will better prepare others in similar situations and encourage them to consider…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in technology, storytelling, and humanitas?

Technology 127 books
Storytelling 125 books
Humanitas 12 books