Tag: Books

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Best Books for Business Owners

Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here.

Running your own business is hard. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for decades, you’ll need all the advice you can get. As an avid reader and business owner, I want to share some recommendations for books that are sure to help both new and seasoned business professionals alike.

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

If you’re an entrepreneur just starting out, you’ll want as much guidance as possible on how to keep your startup from failing. This book details a different approach to building a company and launching new products and is sure to provide you with helpful guidance on how to adapt and adjust your business plan. If you’ve been in business for years, this could also serve as a helpful refresher.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

For a more optimistic take on building a business, Peter Thiel offers business owners a promising look at the viability of new ideas. It can often feel like there’s no original idea left in the world, but this book help you ask the innovative questions that get you your standout idea.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Other Don’t by Jim Collins

This book by Jim Collins builds of a study he conducted examining how businesses, good or bad, are able to find enduring success. Readers will benefit from understanding the kind of leadership success demands and the way risk can make or break a business.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

While this book isn’t necessarily focused on running a business, it’s an important resource for business owners to learn habits that help in their day-to-day lives. Professional lives are, of course, usually kept separate from your personal life, but building up healthy and effective long-term habits will ease both.

There’s no single way to run a business. The leadership style, industry demands, and risk factors can all change between each company, but there’s usually just enough overlap to figure out what does or doesn’t work. I hope these books can provide a helpful starting point so you can help your business achieve the success you’ve dreamed of. 

If you want to hear about some of my favorite books and bookstore recommendations, check out my blog for more.

Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri. Also, follow Michael on Medium, Twitter, and Xing.

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Best Bookstores in Kansas City

Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here.

As a reader myself, I always appreciate browsing through bookstores to find my next read. Kansas City is full of wonderful options that any book lover will enjoy. Here are some of the best bookstores Kansas City has to offer: 

Prospero’s Books 

At Prospero’s Books, three floors are filled to the brim with books for your next read. With plenty of restaurants and bars close by, you can grab a quick bite to eat as you stroll through the aisles. Readings, book releases, and art openings are just a few of the fun events open to the public. 

Afterword Tavern & Shelves 

Afterword serves a side of beer and a bite to eat along with your book purchase. Grab food with a friend and talk about the book you’re looking for. Or better yet, break out your newly purchased book and jump in as you relax with a nice glass of wine. 

Wise Blood Booksellers 

This bookstore is nestled inside a record store and provides new and used books for customers to browse through. They have various genres and a great selection of music to choose from so you can listen to your new book with the perfect soundtrack. 

Flagship Books 

This small, neighborhood bookstore is a nice respite during a busy day. They supply books across all genres and even offer a “Big Open Book Club” where readers can come and discuss whatever it is they’ve been reading. Drop in to hear readings from local Kansas City writers and pick up a book of your own. 

Rainy Day Books 

What I loved about Rainy Day Books was the personalized recommendations from staff. If you’re looking for a new read but can’t nail down what it is you’re looking for, staff will figure out the perfect book for you. This is especially helpful when out shopping for gifts. Rainy Day Books hosts over 300 author events yearly so be sure to stop in for a reading. 

Bookstores give literature fans the perfect space to discuss and appreciate the books they love. Next time you’re in Kansas City, be sure to stop by one of these stores to find your next read. 

If you want to know what books to buy when you’re visiting, check out this list of some of my favorites. Or, check out this blog if you want to figure out how to read more often.  

Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri. 
Also follow Michael on Medium, Twitter, and Xing.

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2023 Mystery and Thriller Novels I’m Looking Forward To Reading

Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. 

Anyone who knows me knows I love an excellent edge-of-your-seat read. Needing to know what happens next is a great motivator that gets me reading more. Here are some mystery and thriller books debuting in 2023 that I can’t wait to dive into. 

“Just the Nicest Couple” by Mary Kubica 

Tension abounds in this thriller as a wife searches for her missing husband and finds that the couple they were close to knows more than they’re letting on. Alternating perspectives between Nina, looking desperately for her husband, and Christian, the other husband trying to cover it up to protect his wife, will make for an exciting read. 

“The Shards” by Bret Easton Ellis 

From the same author that crafted “American Psycho,” this thriller follows a teenage Bret on his journey from adolescence to adulthood. Bret finds himself in the middle of a tight-knit group of friends and a budding obsession with a new student, Mallory, just as a serial killer in Los Angeles targets teenagers. This story is set to fuse fiction with Bret Easton Ellis’ reality, making for an intriguing ride. 

“The Angel Maker” by Alex North 

This suspenseful new thriller follows a sister fighting to bring her missing brother home from a serial killer who seems to know the future. Katie Shaw and Detective Laurence Page try to make sense of the brutal actions of a notorious killer whose actions have haunted the Shaws for years. 

“Exiles” by Jane Harper 

Federal investigator, Aaron Falk, finds himself in South Australian wine country navigating the tight-knit family of a woman who went missing a year before. Long-ago truths threaten to emerge as Falk questions some people closest to him. This is the third book in the “Aaron Falk” series and is sure to be a heart-pounding installment. 

“The Kind Worth Saving” by Peter Swanson 

Private investigator Henry Kimball must investigate the husband of a woman from his past, only to be confronted with memories of the worst day of his life. Scared a murderer he thought was buried in his past is now closer than ever, he must investigate further into an infidelity case now turned homicide. This thrilling ca-and-mouse chase is the long-awaited second installment following Henry Kimball and Lily Kintner. 

If mystery isn’t your genre, seek the books that will excite you to read. These are just a few great reads that will be released in 2023 and I’m looking forward to including them in my collection. If you want tips on reading more, check out my blog about it here. 

While you’re waiting for these books’ releases, look at some of my other favorite mysteries and thrillers. 

Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri. 
Also follow Michael on Medium, Twitter, and Xing.

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How to Read More Often

Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here. 

Reading as a hobby can be difficult. For many such as myself, the main problem you face is simply finding the time. When we have other commitments to attend to, it can be easy to let reading fall to the wayside. I wanted to share some ways for you to make the time to pick up a book!

Make a list of books you want to read

It’s easier to make time for reading when you feel excited to read. Look up books in your favorite genre and make a list of books you can look forward to. I’ve found websites like Goodreads especially helpful when trying to narrow down my next read. 

If you’re looking for mystery and thriller novels, consider checking out my blog where I discuss some of my favorites. 

Start by reading a few pages each day

If it’s been a while, don’t be afraid to set a lower number as your reading goal. Try reading just 15 or 20 pages a night before you go to bed. It’ll be a great way to reduce your screen time before bed and ease yourself back into the habit. If you keep it up, soon enough you’ll be able to get through pages at a quicker pace. 

Listen to audiobooks. 

Many of us are leading busy lives and don’t often have the time to physically sit down and read a book. What I’ve found helpful is listening to audiobooks as I’m cleaning, exercising, or driving in the car. Audiobooks are a great, hands-free alternative. Audiobooks tend to be pricier than their hardcopy counterparts, so I suggest using a library app like Libby to get access and support your local public library. 

Use the Library

It can be hard to fully commit to buying a book when you’re first starting to get back into reading. Libraries will help save you money and give you a time limit. If you’re someone who’s motivated by a deadline, a library due date could be the perfect solution to get you reading. 

Join a book club

What might be holding you back from making more time for reading is not having anyone to talk about your book with. A book club can make your reading experience more engaging as many will provide their members with questions to keep in mind as they read. Whether you love or hate a book, you’ll have a group of people to discuss your thoughts with. 

Reading is a great hobby to cultivate but can be difficult to make time for. Once you figure out which reading methods work best for you, you’ll be zipping through your pile of books in no time. 

Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Also follow Michael on Medium, Twitter, and Xing. 

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Best Mystery and Thriller Novels in the 2010s

Hello, everyone, Michael Gortenburg here! 

Finding the right book can be a tricky process. No one wants to spend hours of their time reading something only to end up hating the final chapter. As an avid reader and fan of the mystery genre, I wanted to share with you all some of my personal favorites from the last decade or so: 

Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (2014)

Mr. Mercedes is the first book of a trilogy by renowned horror and sci-fi author, Stephen King. The book follows former police detective, Bill Hodges, as he tries to hunt down a local serial killer before he can strike again. The killer’s point of view was a chilling and effective addition to the story. Mr. Mercedes is a classic cat-and-mouse tale with engaging characters and a thrilling mystery that keeps up the suspense. If you’re a fan of King’s previous work, or looking to explore more of his work, Mr. Mercedes is a great start. 

Defending Jacob by William Landay (2012)

Defending Jacob is a crime drama that follows district attorney and family man, Andy Barber, as a shocking murder unfolds with his son at the center. Where once Andy felt welcomed and appreciated in his community, he’s now ostracized as he’s forced to examine his own son’s innocence. Both gripping and clever, Defending Jacob forces readers to examine the difficult reality of facing your family’s mistakes and the impacts of nature versus nurture. Once you’ve finished reading, you can experience the story all over again by watching the adaptation on Apple TV. 

Command Authority by Tom Clancy (2013)

The last outing from Tom Clancy before his death, Command Authority is the explosive final book of the “Ryanverse.” Command Authority follows President Jack Ryan and the covert members of The Campus, a covert intelligence organization, as they try to thwart a Russian dictator’s plans. The central conflict is one that’s been built up for 30 years, starting back in Jack Ryan’s days as a young CIA analyst until his final confrontation with the assassin he could never catch. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019)

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a more recent hit, following criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber and his obsession with uncovering a woman’s motive for the brutal murder of her husband. What’s exciting about The Silent Patient is the added layer of intrigue surrounding Alicia’s sudden silence. We watch as Theo maps out her motive while also uncovering chilling parallels between the two of them. The Silent Patient offers a page-turning examination of love, betrayal and how tragedy impacts us all. 

A good mystery novel should toe the line between intrigue and confusion. I hope some of these will give you the edge-of-your-seat thrill you’re seeking. If you’d like more suggestions on page turners, check out Book Riot. Aside from mystery novels, I also greatly enjoy business books. Here are some of my top picks for business success.

Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Also follow Michael on Medium, Twitter, and Xing.