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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This book made me want to try new things. It’s a great reminder that we’re seldom effortlessly good at anything, and that it’s ok to do things because you enjoy them, not because you have any talent.
I tuned out a little of the chess talk, but singing and surfing almost had me looking for local classes. So also a reminder we all enjoy different things?
I tuned out a little of the chess talk, but singing and surfing almost had me looking for local classes. So also a reminder we all enjoy different things?
I can’t say I learned a lot from this book, and it probably could’ve been an essay or longform article and gotten the same point across, but I did find it inspiring to listen to — a bit like having a motivational speaker in my ear. It sometimes seems like for people my age, the act of learning a new craft (and being bad at it at first) is labeled as “midlife crisis” territory — which always confuses me. Aren’t beginners supposed to be bad? Isn’t it a good thing to always be learning and trying new things, to not let our fear of being bad stop us? Sometimes it seems that we believe these things for kids, but not adults. It was refreshing to read about someone who wasn’t afraid to be a beginner and struggle a bit to learn how to play chess, juggle, sing and surf for the first time in his forties.
medium-paced
challenging
inspiring
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars!
What an amazing, uplifting, inspiring ride Beginners took me on. I absolutely ate this book up and truly feel like it shifted my mindset. Easily one of my new favorite “self-help-ish” books!
Vanderbilt’s chronicles tackling a plethora of new skills and hobbies as an adult were so much fun. From surfing, to chess, to singing, to juggling, to jewelry making, and even to art school, his experiences truly showed that you can teach and old dog new tricks…and more importantly, that old dogs should actively pursue new tricks to explore.
Some readers may find the amount of detail to be irrelevant, boring, or unnecessary, but I thought it was so fun to hear about the ups, downs, and intricacies behind each skill. I also loved to read about the connections and friendships Vanderbilt made throughout his processes and how it also helped him further connect with his daughter.
Beginners was a genuinely positive, feel-good book. Loved Vanderbilt’s mindset and I hope to continue being a beginner in many new things moving forward! It actually inspired me to get out of my comfort zone more - my friend and I are signing up for a pottery class together!
What an amazing, uplifting, inspiring ride Beginners took me on. I absolutely ate this book up and truly feel like it shifted my mindset. Easily one of my new favorite “self-help-ish” books!
Vanderbilt’s chronicles tackling a plethora of new skills and hobbies as an adult were so much fun. From surfing, to chess, to singing, to juggling, to jewelry making, and even to art school, his experiences truly showed that you can teach and old dog new tricks…and more importantly, that old dogs should actively pursue new tricks to explore.
Some readers may find the amount of detail to be irrelevant, boring, or unnecessary, but I thought it was so fun to hear about the ups, downs, and intricacies behind each skill. I also loved to read about the connections and friendships Vanderbilt made throughout his processes and how it also helped him further connect with his daughter.
Beginners was a genuinely positive, feel-good book. Loved Vanderbilt’s mindset and I hope to continue being a beginner in many new things moving forward! It actually inspired me to get out of my comfort zone more - my friend and I are signing up for a pottery class together!
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I was a little frustrated with this book as I read it.
Here's why I think this was so:
I assumed the genre was a Malcomb Gladwellesque "Big Idea" book and it just wasn't landing with me.
This book is a memoir about being a perpretual beginner. Once I got it in my head that this is a memoir, it was easier to read. The "big idea" of this book could be a long-form magazine article. But, again, this is a memoir.
Keep that in mind as you read, or you may find this book frustrating with very long passages (well-written passages, mind you) about learning to play chess, surf, swim, juggle, etc.
Here's why I think this was so:
I assumed the genre was a Malcomb Gladwellesque "Big Idea" book and it just wasn't landing with me.
This book is a memoir about being a perpretual beginner. Once I got it in my head that this is a memoir, it was easier to read. The "big idea" of this book could be a long-form magazine article. But, again, this is a memoir.
Keep that in mind as you read, or you may find this book frustrating with very long passages (well-written passages, mind you) about learning to play chess, surf, swim, juggle, etc.
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I'm a firm believer in lifelong learning, so I was very interested in some of the research he cited. However, some of his specific undertakings were more detailed than necessary. And some of the interactions he recounted with his wife gave me the impression that maybe she didn't appreciate his constant hobbying.
(5h 4m)
(5h 4m)