Hey there book lovers!
If your ‘career’ has felt more of a side-quest simulator, then you’ve been in great company this month with Range by David Epstein.
It turns out, dabbling isn’t a flaw, it’s a feature.
This month with Range, we’ve explored why generalists (a.k.a. curious people who seldom stick to one thing) often thrive in complex, unpredictable worlds. From athletes to inventors to career zig zaggers, this book has unpacked why breadth beats early specialisation more often than we think.
We hope you enjoyed Range this month as much as we have and week look forward to digging into it with you all at our Book club call this week!
If you are one of our newer members, or simply didn’t dive in this month, don’t worry at all - you’re in a perfect position to hit the ground running with our June book. Which of course, we are voting for today right here in this email!
Help us grow and win a $25 voucher!
Simply vote below for June’s book and invite one friend to join The Bad Ass Bookshelf before the end of June. If you do both, you’ll be entered into a random draw to win a $25 voucher from a brand of your choice. Only verified new subscriber emails count, so make sure your friends and colleagues sign up using your unique link below!
Good luck!
♦︎ Don’t forget, we’ll be discussing all things Range later this week Thursday 29th May at 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST).
Be there or be square. To register and ensure you don’t miss it, click here!
﹅ The shortlist
For next month, we’ve shortlisted three books that focus on topic of Finance and Wealth Building, and by doing so, bringing you some fantastic authors to chose from!
No matter which of the following books you vote for, we know it’ll be a great month.
1. Main Street Millionaire by Cody Sanchez
Ever wondered how to build serious wealth without chasing tech unicorns? Codie Sanchez pulls back the curtain on the world of “boring” businesses (think laundrettes, car washes, and cleaning services) and shows how they can be goldmines for entrepreneurial investors. Practical, provocative, and full of real-life examples, this one is ideal for anyone curious about building financial freedom on their own terms.
» Check it out on goodreads
2. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
A modern classic with a no-guilt, no-nonsense approach to money. Ramit’s six-week programme covers everything from conscious spending to investing and automating your finances, without giving up your daily coffee. This is the pick if you want a clear, actionable plan to master your money, whether you’re just getting started or want a fresh take on your financial habits.
He also has a wicked Netflix show!
» Check it out on goodreads
3. The Founders by Jimmy Soni
Part financial history, part entrepreneurial playbook, this gripping narrative dives into how PayPal came to be and how it launched some of the most influential figures in tech (hello, Elon Musk and Peter Thiel). If you enjoy business drama, big personalities, and lessons from the frontlines of innovation, this behind-the-scenes read is for you.
» Check it out on goodreads
● Vote now
It’s time to choose June’s book!
Which book should we dive into next? Cast your vote now, and the winning book will be announced on Monday next week.
Which book would you like to read in June?
► Join the conversation
What Bad Ass Bookshelf members are saying about our current book, Range.
Last week we asked:
Have you ever taken a detour (personally or professionally) that seemed unrelated at the time but ended up giving you a unique edge later on?
Here’s what David shared…
“I was working as a data analyst and my contract was coming to an end and I’d been getting personal training at the gym for a while. My PT thought I’d make a good PT myself so I ended up doing a 6 week full time PT course, qualified and worked as a PT for 5 months. Great experience, enjoyed it, such a different way of life.
Did it give me a unique edge later? Mmmmmnnnn, I think it helped me speaking to a variety of different gym goers, communicating concepts, encouragement.
It also made me realise how tenuous that life can be when a couple of clients end their sessions and all of a sudden you’re facing a big drop in your expected income.
I think it really helped me understand that I had to adapt how I communicated to each individual person. Some people weren’t at all bothered by understanding really technical cues or muscles names, whereas some loved it and responded to it.
So tailoring your communication styles/techniques to the audience is king.
Additionally, not everyone wanted to purely lift weights, some wanted a mix, some workouts which really raised the heart rate, kettlebells. So you use different tools/techniques to deliver what you need. If you look at every issue as a nail then you’ll use a hammer every time (words to that effect)”
♦︎ Next book club call
We're so excited to host our next Bad Ass Bookshelf bookclub call to discuss Range at the end of this week! Call details below:
Date: 29th May
Time: 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST)
Register for the call here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YK_qnF7RSTOV7P5i0FvHcw
Cannot wait to see you all there!
﹅ Community Corner
We’d like to introduce you to Alex & Books
Alex’s newsletter is designed to help you become a better reader! He’s laser focused on providing strategies to help people find amazing books and time to read them!
It’s a brilliant accompaniment to the Bad Ass Bookshelf.
If you’re interested in learning more: head here
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