The 900lbs QuaranTEAM: Reads That Keep Us Sane + Creative
by 900lbs of Creative
As we all know, this quarantine has been, well…weird. Like most everyone else, our team at 900lbs has been working remotely during the pandemic. And, for all of us in the creative industry, isolation can be challenging. In order to ensure we keep our creative energy flowing, during the last few weeks, our team has been staying creative from home by drawing inspiration from some of our favorite hobbies.
Here are a few books and articles our team has been reading recently that help us stay on top of our game and inspired – hopefully they spark some creativity and personal/professional growth for you, as well!
Read By: Steve Deitz
Why We’re Reading This:
“Moore’s Law has always fascinated me. This book dives into so many future-focused evolutions.. like a bunch of Black Mirror episodes. I like revisiting a few sections that reinforce how all technology costs drop while the only things that increase in cost are human experiences – which cannot be copied or replaced by robots. Humans excel at creating/consuming experiences.”
Read By: Mitchell Massey
Why We’re Reading This:
“The Ride of a Lifetime gives insight to Bob Iger’s highlights as CEO of Disney. There are nice details around the negotiations / purchases of Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, while the culture and management of Disney are just fascinating. In the words of the author. “If you run a business, or manage a team, or collaborate with others in pursuit of a common goal, this book might be helpful to you.”
Blood Sweat and Pixels by Jason Schrier
Read By: Scott Sengbush
Why We’re Reading This:
“This book is great for gamers who ever think they want to get into game development or want to understand the business of creating games. Jason Schreier interviewed several top studios on the problems they face making popular games like The Witcher 3, Uncharted 4, and Halo Wars. He even Interviewed independent developers from Stardew Valley and Pillars of Eternity to showcase the hard work it is for smaller teams to develop games. It’s a great primer for anyone who wants to start a creative project to see some pitfalls and hopefully avoid them.“
Read By: Heather Jones
Why We’re Reading This:
“I read Raving Fans for the first time several years ago, and it is a book that I have picked up and read again several times over the years. It is a timeless piece! Raving Fans is a simple, quick read that reminds us all what customer service truly means. Based on three simple principles (Decide, Discover, Deliver), you can create Raving Fans who wouldn’t consider going anywhere else.”
Other Awesome Books and Articles:
Hubble Telescope 30 Year Anniversary
The Last Wish (Introducing The Witcher) by Andrzej Sapkowski
Gilgamesh: A New English Version by Stephen Mitchell
Men and Women: Enjoying the Difference by Larry Crabb
Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller
Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles Hummel
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Lust for Light, Grand Illusions by Tom Savini