Cabin Diaries #7

One of my favourite ways to spend my free time is with a good book. The cabins are the perfect environment to read. The surroundings are beautiful, they’re peaceful, and there are very few distractions (no wifi or people).

So, I thought I’d share with you guys the books I’ve been reading during the lockdown, and what I’ve thought of them!

1. “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. Voss was the FBI’s lead international hostage negotiator, where he faced off against terrorists and bank robbers, playing with the highest stakes possible. He’s taken everything he’s learned over his insane career and condensed it into nine principles, all of which can be applied to everyday life. He makes the important point that you’re involved in around three-to-seven negotiations every day, whether you’re aware of it or not, and to be able to negotiate well is therefore a vital life skill to develop. The book is well-written, the principles easy to understand, and the stories he shares from the front lines are genuinely gripping. I highly recommend this book and give it an 8/10.

2. “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A book which often features on ‘50 books you must read in your life’ lists, “100 years of solitude” is a novel based in the small town of Macondo, Colombia. The story follows the Beundia family, the town’s founders. Over multiple generations, the town grows from a few people to many thousands. The members of the family fight disease, wage war and start businesses. It’s an extremely impressive book, as Marquez manages to keep the plot moving at a satisfying pace, while developing multiple characters you come to very much like. At times I found it difficult to remember how the characters were related to one another, but it didn’t detract from the read. If you’re looking for a new novel, why not try “100 years of solitude”? I give it a 7/10.

3. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. A Phenomenal read. “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” It doesn’t matter if you set the goal of losing 20kgs, if you don’t make a habit of eating well and exercising, you aren’t going to change anything. Clear outlines how important our daily habits are, how they form, and how we can change them to better serve ourselves and goals. I absolutely loved this book, and give it an 8.5/10

4. “Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work” by Mason Currey. Similar to “Atomic Habits”, this book looks at how the greatest minds – including Ben Franklin and Sigmund Freud – liked to structure their time. It’s a fascinating insight into some of the most incredible people to ever live, and how they managed to achieve what they did. I think we can gain a lot by copying how the best minds operate, so this book was a real treat. 8/10

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

I’d love to hear your book recommendations too. Are there any books you think everyone should read at least once in their lives? Are there any books you’ve read multiple times throughout the years? Have there been any stand-outs during lockdown? Please get in touch and share your suggestions!

Ross