• Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas For Millions: Ben Mezrich.
• The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win: Maria Konnikova.
• The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel: Mark Paul.
• The Easy Way to Stop Gambling: Allen Carr.
• The Logic of Sports Betting: Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow.
• Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold’em: Phil Gordon.
• The Theory of Poker: A Professional Poker Player Teaches You How to Think Like One: David Sklansky.
• Super Casino: Inside the New Las Vegas: Pete Earley.

This list gives you a short introduction to each of these books so you can decide which ones you should read to improve your gambling experience. The list includes books ranging from raw strategy to memoirs and historical narratives about the most iconic events that have happened in the world of gambling.

Bringing Down the House

Every gambler knows about card counting and is keen to learn how to p

ull it off. It is a skill that requires constant awareness, maths skills, and a strong nerve. Successful card-counting teams switch the odds in favour of the player and can win millions. One of the most successful card-counting teams of all time was the MIT Blackjack Team. They travelled to Las Vegas, where they were financed by Micky Rosa and won millions of dollars from the casinos.

Despite allegations that elements of the book have been fictionalized, Bringing Down the House remains one of the most popular gambling books of all time. It has been adapted into two movies: 21 and The Last Casino.

Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book

Gambling enthusiasts might find that Konnikova’s book strays too far away from poker and goes too deeply into her lived experiences. The antidote to this issue is Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book which focuses entirely on the strategy and maths of poker to maximize your chance of winning.

Phil Gordon is a professional poker player who has participated in tournaments all over the world. He was famous in the US as the resident expert on the TV show Celebrity Poker Showdown.

In his book, Gordon uses his extensive experience to teach you to have the patience, aggression, courage, and determination to be the best player possible. He also shares mathematical information that will help you to understand how to play in every scenario. But this isn’t just a dry strategy book. Gordon shares this information in the form of captivating anecdotes about his experiences playing with celebrities like Ben Affleck.

The Theory of Poker

Another essential poker theory book is David Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker. This is a thorough and comprehensive review of essential strategies in every variation of poker, including Texas Hold’em. Sklansky has chapters on poker theory, deception, raising, bluffing, playing slow, the importance of position, psychology, game theory, implied odds, the free card, heads-up play, and semi-bluffing.

Some readers may find Sklansky’s work denser and more difficult than Gordon’s Little Green Book. However, it is far more comprehensive. By reading this book, you can leave your opponents behind and ensure you are the most knowledgeable player at the table.

Thousands of poker players rely on Sklansky’s knowledge to perform at their best at the poker table. Moreover, Sklansky himself uses the knowledge contained in his book to continue being a successful poker player.

If you’re a fan of poker books, you could also give the following a try:

• Playing to Win: Roger L. Martin
• Mastering Small Stakes: Jonathan Little
• Super System: Doyle Brunson
• Harrington on Hold’em: Dan Harrington
• The Myth of Poker Talent: Alexander Fitzgerald

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told

Mark Paul’s work is essential reading for lovers of horse racing. It combines the excitement of betting on horses with the tension and danger of dealing with the Mexican cartel. This book tells the story of a female racehorse called Winning Colors, who was owned by the owner of the San Diego Chargers American Football team. Three gamblers – Miami Paul, Dino Mateo, and Big Bernie – realized this filly could be an unlikely winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

The three gamblers place their bets, unknowingly, with the Mexican drug cartel, and when their horse wins, they realize it is going to be a challenge to claim their winnings. The book then tracks their high-octane adventure into Mexico to get their money. They have run-ins with killers, the border force, and of course, hardened cartel gangsters.

The Logic of Sports Betting

The next book, written by Ed Miller and Matthew Davidow, is essential reading if you are a sports fan. Miller is a bestselling author of gambling books, and Davidow is a sports modeller who has been using his unique methodology to beat the bookies for 15 years. They have been named the “smartest minds in sports betting.”

In this incredible book, the authors start with the basics. They explain how sports betting works and the ways that bookies make their sportsbooks. They then use this invaluable insider knowledge to give you the best strategies when betting on sports.

However, you should be aware that this book is focused on American sports. As a UK sports fan, you may find it difficult to understand. However, their advice still applies to European sports, and you should be able to translate it easily.

Super Casino: Inside the New Las Vegas

Playing at an online casino can be a fun and adrenaline-filled experience. However, every gambling fanatic harbours ambitions to visit the most iconic gambling site in the world: Las Vegas. If you are planning on taking a trip into the Nevada desert, you have to read Pete Earley’s Super Casino before you go.

Super Casino is a comprehensive history of the city. It traces its chequered past, revealing the real stories of the men who created the strip that now defines Nevada. This book looks into the moguls, mobsters, and entertainers who made Las Vegas what it is today.

Out of this gripping tale rose entrepreneurial casino owners and the Las Vegas of today. This book offers a portrait of the lives of those who call Vegas home, caught up in the never-ending chaos of one of the most infamous cities in the world.

The Easy Way to Stop Gambling

So far, this list has been a celebration of gambling, helping you to master the odds and have the best experience possible. However, we must always remember that gambling can be addictive, and sometimes the most responsible thing to do is to take a temporary or permanent break. All UK casinos are required to have self-exclusion measures in place. For people that love to gamble, this can be challenging, and Allen Carr’s The Easy Way to Stop Gambling is an essential book.

Allen Carr evangelizes the easy way method, which he has used to help people with books across multiple addictive practices. He has sold 18 million books in this genre. The Easy Way to Stop Gambling shares a step-by-step guide to stopping gambling. It understands how gamblers think and behave, explaining the psychology of addictions to gambling without patronizing the reader.

Book Ratings

Here is a brief rundown of each book to summarise them all:

Choosing Your Gambling Book

As you choose the right gambling book for you, it is important that you think about where you are in your gambling journey. If you are a hardcore gambler looking to go professional, you should read heavy theory books like The Logic of Sports Betting or The Theory of Poker. These books will put you in the best possible position to beat the bookies and the other players at your table.

However, if you are interested in gambling history and culture, you should look at other books on this list. Bringing Down the House and The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told will get you gripped on the history of gambling and keen to learn more.

The post The Best Gambling Books You Will Ever Read appeared first on Discover books.

Some people perceive books about business as recipes for success and try to apply all the recommendations, others do not see any benefit in them, since it is impossible to repeat someone else’s experience. The truth is somewhere in the middle: business books are useful, but it is worth understanding what their benefits are and for what purpose they should be read.

And it is equally important to choose only the best books on business topics – those that will help you avoid mistakes at the start, lay the right foundation for a business project and quickly make a profit.

How business books help entrepreneurs

Books for entrepreneurs teach you how to build a business on the experience and mistakes of others. They will help you avoid common problems and share useful tools and life hacks.

More books on business motivate. Stories of success and failure, examples from the real experience of entrepreneurs and reflected mistakes make you want to act on your own. The psychological impact of business literature should not be underestimated: many aspiring entrepreneurs lack such a stimulating push to put aside fears, start acting and earning.

Books for self-improvement and self-development give inspiration and bring new ideas. And the stories of other businesses help to look at your usual and well-known business from the outside, as if through someone else’s eyes. Someone else’s experience makes you go beyond and come up with something fundamentally new.

The Purpose, Eliyahu Goldratt

This is both a book about management and a story about a man who solves life’s problems. You can not only read inspiring advice, but also evaluate by example how realistic it is to follow them in life

What is this book about. Eliyahu Goldratt is an Israeli physicist, economist, and author of a popular management method called “Theory of Constraints.” In 1984, Goldratt laid out the principles of his theory in the production novel The Purpose, which remains a bestseller in business literature to this day.

“The Purpose” is the story of a plant manager who is on the verge of closing. The hero seeks help from a familiar physicist who knows how to establish control in any system. Under his leadership, the director finds and corrects problems that slow down production: incorrect distribution of work responsibilities, outdated accounting principles, inefficient work of the marketing department.

Goldratt describes in detail and step by step the essence of his method of management, which is to detect and eliminate the weak points of the system – “bottlenecks”.

Who should read. Entrepreneurs starting a business in the industrial sector, as the author describes the real logic of production processes in a factory.

For those who find it difficult to read dry business literature: Goldratt’s book captivates with the plot and unobtrusively teaches with illustrative examples.

People who do not have basic knowledge of economics and management. But for people with an economic education, most of the principles described in the book are already familiar.

What will help the business. “Goal” will help to establish management in any system and in any business. Goldratt’s methods are applicable not only to production in a factory, but also to the operation of a construction company, cafe or online store.

The book will tell you how to check the business from the position of the theory of constraints: find weaknesses, turn the restrictions in your favor and eliminate bottlenecks over time.

Motivates to continuously improve, analyze management, look for cause-and-effect relationships and patterns.

Helpful advice. The main goal of any business is profit. When managing complex systems, especially those not directly related to sales, it is difficult to remember the end goal, which leads to problems and failures. When making decisions, always focus on profit.

“Customers for Life” Carl Sewell, Paul Brown

To provide good service, you need to reconsider the organization of work in general and wages. The author is convinced that point changes in service are unlikely to help improve the service

What is this book about. Carl Sewell is the owner of one of the largest and most successful auto dealer networks in the United States. In collaboration with professional writer Paul Brown, he created the book “Customers for Life”, which has become a desktop book for millions of entrepreneurs and managers around the world.

This is a practical guide to working with customers and improving service. Sewell is convinced that it is necessary to build long-term relationships with consumers. It is regular, not one-time customers that bring the greatest profit.

The book gives recommendations on how to understand people’s desires, build service strategies, organize feedback and motivate customers to come back again and again.

Who should read. Those who work directly with people, especially in areas with high competition.

What will help the business. It will help to attract, and most importantly, to retain customers. Much of Sewell’s advice is about how to turn existing customers into long-term customers.

Stimulates to improve the quality of service. Service is one of the weakest points in many Russian companies. This book will give specific recommendations on how to achieve the perfect service and help you withstand high competition. Quality service is the most important component of success in areas where you need to compete for customers with other companies.

Helpful advice. “The world’s best customer service system is also the simplest: do what you promise and do it the first time.”

Accelerated the cycle of work on orders

How did it work

“Think Slow… Decide Fast” by Daniel Kahneman

The book warns that it is necessary to double-check and critically evaluate even those data that seem obvious to us.

What is this book about. Think Slow, Decide Fast is a bestseller by psychologist Daniel Kahneman, who won the Nobel Prize for applying psychological techniques to economics. Kahneman’s research refutes the conventional wisdom that a person usually thinks sanely when making a decision or forming a judgment about something. In fact, the brain constantly makes logical errors.

The book talks about how thinking works. It consists of two systems. The first operates at the subconscious level and thinks quickly, intuitively, but not always correctly. The second turns on consciously and relies on logic, but requires effort and time, which the brain saves. Therefore, the second system often agrees with the first without rechecking. Sometimes this leads to incorrect or suboptimal decisions in areas that require logic and precise calculations, such as economics or business.

Daniel Kahneman talks about existing thinking errors and how to overcome them.

Who should read. Anyone who is interested in economics, logic, neuroscience and self-development.

Those who want to understand the psychology of consumption and learn how to use cognitive distortions in marketing.

What will help the business. It will teach you how to make the right decisions in difficult and critical situations when doing business. The book deals in detail with examples of irrational choices associated with the errors of thinking of the first system.

Will give insight into customer behavior to use this knowledge in marketing.

Helpful advice. One of the most common thinking distortions is called the planning error. When making predictions, people tend to be optimistic. Most plans are unrealistic, too close to the best case scenario, and ultimately not implemented. Kahneman recommends using statistics and past experience to draw up an effective plan of action.

“Zero to One” by Peter Thiel

According to the author, the strength of a startup founder is not that he figured out how to create something of value. The talent of a successful founder is to inspire every employee to put their best into work

What is this book about. American entrepreneur Peter Thiel created the PayPal payment system and analyzed the activities of other successful startups – LinkedIn, Twitter, eBay, Facebook. He identified patterns that allowed these endeavors to succeed. Thiel presents his findings in the popular Stanford lectures that form the basis of the book From Zero to One.

Peter Thiel says over and over again that the basis of a startup’s success is a monopoly. Strong competition is a serious obstacle to building a stable business. Monopoly, on the other hand, makes it possible for a long time to receive high incomes. To create a monopoly enterprise, you need a unique product.

Who should read. Founders of startups, developers of fundamentally new products and services.

Ambitious future and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to create something unique.

What will help the business. It will help to lay a solid foundation for a startup. Peter Thiel talks about the importance of a start and gives tips on how to find good partners, attract good employees and get the project off the ground.

It will inspire you to create new products and services and use innovation in business. The most difficult and important step for success is the step from zero to one, that is, the creation of something fundamentally new from scratch. A separate chapter is devoted to how to look for ideas for innovation, find free niches and see opportunities where others do not see anything.

Helpful advice. “Think about the product, not the sales.”

“Business from scratch” by Eric Rees

The author warns: if you imagine a startup as an exciting project without rules, it may not start to make a profit. Need a clear plan and methodical work

What is this book about. The author of the book “Business from scratch” is an American business consultant and blogger Eric Rees, who has both positive and negative experience in creating startups. After analyzing his mistakes and his achievements, Rees created the Lean Startup methodology, which is now successfully used all over the world.

Rees’s idea is based on the rule of thrift. It is important to constantly reduce the inefficient waste of resources and time, get rid of losses and useless activities. Each part of the business plan must first be tested and checked for value, and only then fully implemented. The book describes in detail and with examples how to apply this principle in practice. In parallel, Rees gives recommendations on marketing, general business strategy, and sales.

Who should read. Beginners and experienced entrepreneurs in any field. Although the book focuses on high-tech startups, the methods described in it are applicable to any business.

What will help the business. He will tell you how to launch a startup or any new project with minimal risks.

It will help to analyze investments in the business and reduce unnecessary expenses. Many entrepreneurs spend a lot of time and money on new projects without checking their value, which is why they suffer losses. Rees tells how to implement ideas from the point of view of the principle of frugality.

Helpful advice. “Efforts that do not lead to an understanding of the desires of customers are not needed. This is how evidence-based knowledge is born, which always leads to an improvement in the key performance indicators of a startup.”

Rework. Business Without Prejudice Jason Fried, David Hensson

The authors believe that the heroes are those managers and employees who have learned to organize their affairs in such a way that they can relax at home with their families in the evening. Although it is generally accepted to consider the heroes of workaholics who work 20 hours a day

What is this book about. Jason Fried and David Hensson are American businessmen, founders of the legendary firm 37signals. It has only 14 employees, but the company has millions of customers. Fried and Hansson’s book became a sensation all over the world. It is written in an easy, engaging and humorous way.

The book breaks stereotypes about business management, such as that a company must seek investment, that profits depend on the number of employees, or that entrepreneurs need to work 100 hours a week to be successful. The authors give non-standard, but proven in practice and reasoned advice that you want to instantly try.

Who should read. Small business owners. The book dispels the stereotype that only large companies can be successful, and gives advice on how to manage a small business.

For future and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to run their own project in parallel with their main job. The authors describe how this can be implemented in practice.

What will help the business. It will inspire, give confidence and energy to start a business or launch a new product.

It will help you rethink your approach to doing business, get rid of stereotyped thinking.

Helpful advice. “The easiest and most obvious way to create a first-class product or service is to make something that you yourself would like to use.”

The post 15 Best Books for Aspiring Entrepreneurs appeared first on Discover books.

The demand for gambling generates interest in this topic among people who are not familiar with gambling. Experienced players and professionals are also interested in thematic literature. This reader base is a great reason to write a book.

Today, you can buy dozens of books on gambling topics on the Internet. Part of it has been translated into Russian, part is available in the original – in English, German, Spanish.

Stories, methods, teaching materials. The stories and lessons presented in such literature are entertaining and help to understand the nuances of the gameplay. Buying such a book often pays off: the beginner avoids mistakes, and the professional hones his skills even more. This literature will help our players understand how to play in a casino for rubles or another currency, and increase their chances of winning.

Gambling 102

This book is currently on sale on English-language websites. There is no Russian translation yet. Its author is Michael Shackleford, an American mathematician, risk assessor and financial analyst.

In 19 chapters, the author explains the principles of basic gambling. The information is presented in an accessible language (for those who speak English). The tips, systems, and strategies outlined here are designed to help beginner players get the basics and level up.

Bringing Down the House

The author of the work is American Ben Mezrich. This is his first known novel, published in 2002. After that, he wrote 4 more stories. The last one is Reluctant Billionaire about Mark Zuckerberg.

The theme of the book is how to beat the casino. This is a fiction novel, not a reference book. The plot develops around a group of students led by an MTI professor. They came up with and implemented a blackjack game scheme that allowed them to beat the Las Vegas casinos. The story is presented so interestingly that it forced Hollywood filmmakers to make a film based on this plot – “21”.

American Casino Guide: 2018 (American Casino Guide: 2018)

This is a reference yearly publication. Its audience is Americans and foreign tourists wishing to visit US casinos. The directory is full of useful information about all US casinos: prices for accommodation and meals, a list of games, features of various casinos. For beginners, the rules for games are given, explanations are given on the main strategies and systems. Coupons are attached to the publication, allowing Americans to save significantly when visiting a gambling house. The reference book has not been translated into Russian.

Beat the Dealer

This is a systematic guide to blackjack, first published in 1966. It is useful for beginners and people who are professionally interested in this game. It teaches basic card counting skills and system analysis. The author, American Edward Thorp, professor of mathematics, advises to apply the principles of his leadership in all spheres of life, not only in casinos.

New Complete Guide to Gambling

This book is a hybrid of a reference book and a fascinating story. She talks about the operation of the casino, the principles of gambling and ways to win. This background information is peppered with real life stories. The author is John Scarney, an American gambling specialist. The book is not published in Russian.

These 5 books are considered board games by gamblers. They develop, entertain, make you dream and think. With their help, you can play in the casino for real money, but first you need to make casinos minimum deposit. Use the tips given in them and win.

Fiction books about gambling

If we talk about fiction, where gambling plays an important role, then it is worth mentioning such works as:

• “Gambler” – a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky, where much is taken from the personal gambling experience of the author, who himself was a famous gambler;
• “Red and Black” – Stendhal’s masterpiece of world literature;
• “Turkish Gambit” – a novel from a cycle of detective stories about Erast Fandorin by Boris Akunin;
• “Casino Royale” by Ian Fleming – a book about agent 007 James Bond (there is a successful adaptation with Daniel Craig in the title role);
• The Queen of Spades is a famous novel by Valentin Pikul.

Each item on the list undoubtedly has a lot of artistic merit, and often you will notice the peculiarities of the psychology of the players.

Books will help you better understand some aspects of the game, but without practice they will be useless.

The post Top 5 books about casinos and gambling appeared first on Discover books.

Here are a few reasons why you should opt for an ebook.

Working with text and optimization can be comfortable.

Many people don’t want to worry about bookshelves or the weight of multiple books when storing their collection. Younger generations are more likely to read on their phone because it’s very lightweight and time-saving. There are also those who would love paper books but can no longer read them because their eyesight has worsened: the paper is too small, letters blur before your eyes. An ebook reader is a great way to read books on the go. It helps you to find the perfect font size for you, adjust the brightness and page length. It also knows which genre of book you prefer and will download more of them automatically! Readers are specially designed for people who often work with text and are eager to find quotes and paragraphs of interest. In the classic version, you would have to scribble in the book yourself or use stickers, but now you can save your thoughts without altering the original layout. Reading with the Reader allows you to take notes, mark tabs and review what you’ve saved at any time. You can also easily go back to something if you have trouble remembering it right away. Description written for people who study from books regularly.

There’s always an app for everything, and great libraries are now ubiquitous.

The more books you have in your house, the more places to put them. You might need shelves, a rack or cabinet to store things while some people fill the walls with their books. On the one hand, libraries can become a beautiful addition to your home if you have the space for a well-managed look. This isn’t often the case in real life scenarios, which may see homes with stacks of books or a lack of storage space in some rooms. One e-book can hold an entire library and more. Thousands of books, encyclopedias, albums all fit in a compact device the size of your. When you’re a bookworm and always reading, carrying all your books is laborious. Now with the Books Alive app for Android and iPhone, you never have to do it again!

This is a good reason to consider E-Books over traditional books. They’re cheaper and more accessible and with so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find something that suits your interests.

Those who are interested in reading a new book typically have to do some digging. If you’re lucky, there might be one on display at the bookstore, but otherwise you’ll need to explore your options and find it somewhere else. If you live in a major city, it shouldn’t be hard to find. New items or old rare editions that people might be looking for won’t reach small towns and they’ll find it difficult or even impossible to find them in physical stores. When you are looking for a book and can’t find it, it is much easier to search the internet from your phone and have the book delivered to you within minutes, versus having to surf all over town or worse yet, order through an online retailer and wait for it to get delivered. Plus, e-books are always at least two times cheaper than paper ones. The high quality paper publishing industry is becoming increasingly costly and e-books offer a quick, cheap alternative. And yet there is no issue what to do with a novel you did not like: resell it, give it to friends, take it to the closest library? Delete on the machine in a second – and that’s all!

Ease of Use: Simply hold, read, and flip.

They are perfect for carrying around without worrying about any damage. They never rustle and always open to the page you want. Unlike paper books, an electonic reader will never have loose pages, which means they’re perfect for long trips or big heavy encyclopedias. Massive paper books can be inconvenient to hold with one hand, it’s difficult to turn them over closer to the middle. It’s also not so pleasant lying in bed with them in the evening, because you want to put such impressive paperbacks on the table and they shake your. You don’t have to worry about weight or bulk with e-books. It weighs less than 300 grams and does not increase in size no matter how many volumes of the Encyclopedia you load into it. Operating the Kindle is easy and doesn’t require much effort – most basic tasks can be done by one hand. So it’s easy to use an e-book no matter where you are or how you like to hold it, e.g. sitting on a bus, lying in bed or on an airplane. For people who often travel or work to different places, an e-reader can be really helpful. This is because it takes up less space and weight in your bag. You can still enjoy your favorite books while you’re on the road or roughing it in the wilderness.

When you’re thinking about what book to buy, it can be tempting to lean towards paperback editions–especially when considering a high-quality hardback edition. But the act of using a paper products versus electronic.

Technologies often seem greener, generally speaking, than the familiar thing they’re replacing. So, even though e-books may have a much smaller environmental footprint than physical books – their carbon footprint is still significant. So, according to an Amazon-commissioned study from Cleantech Group, it was found that the production of one e-book provokes the release of 168 kg of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or 7.4 kg for regular books. Therefore, Carbone 4 and Hachette have joined forces to combat this issue. According to them, a paper book leaves behind 1.3 kg of CO2 and Sony Reader first generation – 235 kg. So 23 print books add up to the same amount of carbon emissions as one digital ebook, but hundreds of times more digital works can be downloaded than physical ones. If you read a lot and often, then using readers can be just as environmentally friendly.

Carbon dioxide may be used by flora as a nutrient. Paper books could remedy this as they can be recycled more often than technological devices and are not toxic. Amazon is recycling its old Kindle’s. More precisely, they’re finding new ways to use and reuse the parts of the device.

There are countless ways to consume content, be it on TV, from a Kindle, or on a PC. Of course all of these will have an impact on the environment to some degree. However, if you buy and then discard hundreds of paper publications every year you in turn do the most harm compared to other media like e-books which could be disposed of with one click.

As a compromise, you can save the most valuable books in print, such as classics that you don’t want to read on an e-reader. Novelties and recent books are better off being saved in an electronic format – so readers have access to both.

Paper books are old-fashioned and the future belongs to digital content.

The post 5 reasons why an e-book is better than a paper book appeared first on Discover books.

If you’re searching for a good book to read, then there are some major mistakes you need to avoid. If you want an enjoyable and memorable read this holiday season, then take at these top tips.

1. Don’t Rush Your Decisions

Deciding what to read next can be overwhelming. There are so many choices out there. It’s tempting to just grab the first thing that looks interesting and dive right into it. However, if you rush your decisions, you’re likely to choose books that don’t interest you or that aren’t well-written enough for you to enjoy them fully.

If you end up reading books this way during the holidays, then chances are good that they’ll end up living on your shelf until next year when they’ll be pushed aside by new releases from your favorite authors. Don’t let this happen! Take your time choosing new reads so that you end up with something truly special – one that will stay with you long after Christmas is over.

2. Don’t Rely on the Back Cover Copy

Sometimes, it’s difficult to figure out what a book is actually about from looking at the back cover copy. The summary of the plot might look interesting, but you don’t know if it’s going to be too intense or boring. Try reading reviews instead. Many people post their honest thoughts and feelings online, so you often get a much more accurate idea of whether a book is worth reading or not.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Authors

The holiday season is often an excellent time to try new authors. Just because you’ve never read someone’s work before doesn’t mean they’re not any good. Even if the first book you read from a new author isn’t your favorite, there are plenty of others that might be.

Most of the new authors you’ll find these days are quite talented, so don’t be afraid to give them a chance. You never know what gem might catch your eye and capture your imagination for hours on end!

4.  Take Your Time When You’re Reading

Another mistake many people make when looking for a good book is that they rush through it. They want to get the story over and done with as quickly as possible so that they can move on to something else. The problem with this approach is that it can lead to you missing the finer points of what you’re reading.

If you want to enjoy your book, then take your time and really savor it. Read each word slowly and think about the meaning behind them. Let yourself get absorbed in the story and immerse yourself in the world that has been created by the author. This way, you’ll experience the full effect of the book and reap all the benefits that it has to offer.

5. Don’t Get Caught Up in Popular Culture Fads

Another biggest mistakes you can make when looking for a good holiday read is getting caught up in popular culture trends. Just because a certain book is trending right now doesn’t mean that it’s the right one for you.

Take the time to research books and authors to find the ones that truly speak to you. Your book choices should be based on your individual tastes, not what is popular at the moment. 

You’ll enjoy your reading experience much more if it reflects who you are and what interests you in life. So don’t get swept up by the latest trends – focus on your Christmas reading goals instead and you’ll find the perfect book every time.

6. Don’t Choose a Book Just Because It’s on Sale

You may be tempted to grab a book just because of the price, but this isn’t always the best way to go. There are many books out there that are so poorly written that they’re hardly worth reading, even if they’re free.

On the other hand, some lesser-known authors have penned some amazing works. By choosing a book solely because it’s cheap, you could easily miss out on some incredible stories. So check the reviews and do your research before making a decision.

7. Don’t Forget to Take Notes

If you’re reading an especially interesting or intricate book, then it can be helpful to take some notes as you go along. This way, you’ll easily recall certain parts that you enjoyed or need to refer back to later.

If the book is non-fiction, then notes can help remind you of key points and important facts. And if it’s fiction, then writing down your favorite quotes or memorable scenes can be a way to revisit the story once you’re finished reading. So take some time to jot down your thoughts and reactions as you read!

8. Don’t Limit Yourself to One Genre

Reading is good for you, and there are many genres that can help you learn new things, develop new interests, and expand your horizons in different ways. If you have always been interested in science fiction but have never tried it before, then reading this book is a great way to start! 

You might find that it’s not quite what you expected or hoped for — but that doesn’t mean that science fiction isn’t right for you; it just means that this particular book wasn’t right for you. The same goes for any other type of reading material — if it doesn’t grab your attention right away, don’t give up on the genre just yet! 

Happy Reading!

Whether it’s the holidays or not, choosing which books to read is always a tough decision. But if you keep these tips in mind, then you’ll choose something that’s truly special – one that you’ll enjoy and remember long after the holiday season has come to

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How long should you wait before you read your favorite book again? Do you have to wait a huge amount of time between readings, or can you increase the frequency of your favorite books? If you are dying to find out, this blog post is for you.

When You Want To Feel Inspired

If you want to feel inspired and motivated, picking up your favorite book is a great option. Reading a good book can put you in the right headspace and help you to think more clearly, making it easier to tackle challenges and problems that come your way.

Whether you are struggling with work or personal issues, reading your favorite book can help to reframe your mindset. It will also give you the motivation and drive you to need to push through any obstacles you face.

If you want to feel inspired and motivated, picking up your favorite book is the way to go. Reading can help you clear your mind and focus on the task at hand, giving you the mental clarity and motivation to take control of your life. So if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to pick up your favorite book and dive in!

When You Want To Relax And Unwind

Another great reason to read your favorite book is when you want to relax and unwind. Whether you are dealing with stress at work or need some downtime after a long day, reading can help you to disconnect from the world and briefly escape into another realm.

This is especially true if you are reading a novel or other type of fictional story that takes you on an exciting journey. So if you’re looking to relax and unwind, pick up your favorite book and let the magic of storytelling carry you away!

When You Want To Connect With Others

Beyond simply being a form of entertainment, reading is also a wonderful way to connect with others. Whether reading a book recommended by a friend or simply discussing your favorite books with other readers, there are many ways to find kindred spirits and share your love of reading.

If you don’t have many friends who share your passion for reading or want to connect with others who understand the true joy of reading, don’t hesitate to seek out book clubs and other reader communities online. With so many resources available, there is no better time than now to dive into the wonderful world of books!

When You are on Vacation

Vacation is the perfect time to read your book. Whether lounging by the beach, exploring a new city, or simply sitting in your hotel room, reading can help you relax and unwind.

So if you want to make the most of your vacation, pick up a good book and get lost in its pages! Whether you are looking for an engrossing page-turner or enjoy rereading the same stories repeatedly, there is no better time than now to dive into your favorite books.

When You Need Some Time To Yourself

Another great reason to read your favorite book is to enjoy it. Whether you have had a long day and want some time to yourself or are looking for a way to relax after a stressful week, reading can be the perfect way to unwind and disconnect from the world around you.

So if you need some quality “me time,” don’t hesitate to pick up your favorite book and escape into another world for a little while! Whether you read during your lunch break, before bed, or on the weekends, reading can be a great way to refocus and recharge, helping you take on whatever life throws your way. And who knows, you might even fall in love with reading all over again!

After Playing Casino Games Online

If you enjoy playing online casino games, then another great time to pick up your favorite book is after playing these games. Most casinos offering betting not on Gamstop provide a great way to relax and unwind, but this can often lead to an increase in stress levels once the fun is over.

Fortunately, reading is a great way to decompress after spending time playing casino games. Whether you choose to read right after you finish a game or save it for later in the day, reading can help to clear your mind and put things into perspective, helping you to move on from any disappointments or frustrations that may have arisen during your time at the casino.

When You Want To Learn Something New

Reading your favorite book is a great option if you are looking for a way to learn something new or challenge yourself intellectually. Whether you want to develop new skills or learn more about a topic that interests you, reading can be the perfect way to expand your knowledge and broaden your horizons.

So if you want to learn something new or explore your interests further, consider picking up your favorite book and immersing yourself in a world of knowledge! Whether you choose to read for an hour every day or spend some time reading on the weekends, reading has the power to expose you to new ideas and concepts that can help you.

Enjoy Reading!

Whether you are looking for a way to relax, need some time to yourself, or want to learn something new, reading your favorite book is a great option. With so many benefits and countless ways to enjoy reading, there is no better time than now to dive into the wonderful world of books!

The post When is the Right Time to Read Your Favorite Book appeared first on Discover books.

Tips on choosing a good literature essay topic

* When choosing your topic, you need to make sure it is unique, straight to the point, and one you can easily research.

* Do a thorough reading of the work you have chosen.

* Set objectives to help you organize your work and develop a good topic.

* Make sure your essay topic reflects the theme of your work.

* Identify what the audience expects from you. Knowing what the audience anticipates from the composition will help you choose a theme.

* Select a topic that effectively expresses your perspective on the chosen material.

Literature essay topics

1. What part does history play in Romeo and Juliet?

2. Racism and gender roles in Othello

3. Examine Othello’s relationship.

4. The Great Gatsby and modernism.

5. Examine Hamlet’s psychological state.

6. Plato’s Republic

7. Fate or free will in Romeo and Juliet?

8. The way Stephen Crane’s poetry depicts conflict and violence

9. Literature during World War I

10. Analyze how women are portrayed in Romeo and Juliet

11. The concept of guilt in Frankenstein

12. What does wealth mean in Great Gatsby?

13. How does Shakespeare depict madness in Hamlet?

14. The significance of morality in Macbeth.

15. Examination of Beowulf symbols and their significance

16. The Catcher in the Rye’s Use of Dialogue and its function

17. Examine O’Brien’s impact on Winston’s life.

18. The effect of Gordon Byron and Henry Miller’s lives on their legacies

19. Paradise Lost’s conflict between demons and angels

20. Analyzing Emmy’s personality in Vanity Fair

Literature argumentative essay topics

For argumentive essays, you need to give both sides of the story and then give your verdict in the end with the evidence you have acquired from the book.

21. What effects has mythological literature had on art?

22. How much do you believe Khaled Hosseini’s writing has changed how people view Afghanistan?

23. Do you consider Shakespeare’s plays universal and timeless?

24. How did famous authors gain respect back in the day?

25. How much does literature influence our religious beliefs?

26. Does Stephen King include sexism in his books?

27. Do you believe the films inspired by books do justice to the published literature?

28. Does poetry, like “The Slave’s Dream,” encourage empathy for inequality?

29. Why does reading mysticism-infused literature affect the reader’s outlook today?

30. Why did the French language shape English culture?

31. What makes literature a medium for feeling expression?

32. What books do people read today?

33. What is the artistic and temporal life of a literary work?

34. Why does literature frequently employ creative techniques?

American literature essay topics

35. Racism portrayal in American books

36. Depictions of the labor movement in writing

37. The history of theater and how it has impacted American literature

38. The expansion of the American literary scene and politics

39. American authors from different generations

40. American writers’ global contributions

41. Contemporary American poets.

42. American literature’s representations of the native people

43. Social media and American literature

44. The Nobel Price and American literature

45. Mark Twain’s impact

46. American literary evolution

47. Impact of technology on literature

48. Gender disparities in literature

49. American fiction writers’

50. Black American literature poets

When it comes to literature essays, there is a wide range of topics you can select. Ensure you have an in-depth of your work and follow the tips we have provided to guide you. Pick a topic that will challenge your thinking so you can provide the most informed essay.

The post Top 50 literature essay topics to get the best grade appeared first on Discover books.

1. IMPROVED SOCIAL/COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A good imagination is one half of leading a productive conversation – the other is a rich vocabulary. Each individual book will give you plenty of examples of expressing your thoughts and constructing meaningful sentences. You’ll find it much easier to put your feelings and emotions into words which can boost your self-confidence. Effective communication is especially important in job interviews, where you’ll have to handle complex social relationships.

2. LESS STRESS

When reading books, you immerse yourself in the story, essentially disconnecting yourself from daily life. A study showed reduced stress levels of up to 70% after just 6 minutes of reading. You never know when a book will present a potential solution to your problems. Also, a few pages before going to sleep can help you rest much better than if you were browsing your phone.

3. DEVELOPED EMPATHY

Being able to relate to others is an important factor in building empathy. Experiencing hundreds of different realities that characters go through helps you understand how they’re feeling and gives you an insight into their thought process. When you deepen your comprehension with books, it’s going to transfer into real life.

4. BETTER CONCENTRATION

During reading, your brain is actively working every second. To fully immerse yourself in the book and follow the story, you have to redirect your focus to it. Many beginners struggle with this aspect, often being unable to read for more than a couple of minutes. Over time, you get better at concentrating which you’ll be able to notice in other situations as well.

5. BOOSTED COGNITIVE CAPABILITIES

The longer the book, the more information you have to store in your mind. Organizing all of that in order to connect the dots is a form of mental exercise. You predict what’s going to happen in the following chapters and make conclusions based on your current knowledge. This skill is applicable in everyday problem-solving,

6. IMPROVED TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING

With all the different characters, you get a different view of their situation. As they explain their way of thinking, you realize what they base their approaches on. This widens your horizons and plays a big part in building your personality. Improved tolerance is a direct result of lower stress levels from reading books.

7. REDUCED INTELLECTUAL DECLINE

Keeping your brain activity slows down the development of brain plaque and lesions which are connected with Alzheimer’s disease. This works in the same way as with physical exercise that keeps your body healthy and in top shape. Although reading is important regardless of your age, it seems to become gradually more vital as you get older.

8. ENHANCED VOCABULARY

You’re likely to encounter at least a few unfamiliar words in every single book you read. Then, you’re going to research what they mean, and before you know it, you’ll use them in a sentence. You’ll be better at expressing yourself when you have more words to choose from. As a result, books are a great resource to learn new languages.

9. BETTER WRITING SKILLS

Besides improving your speech, books make you better at writing essays. This is directly caused by the previous skill since the expression is noticeable both in writing and in direct communication. Reading sentences from classic novels gives you an idea of how to better structure your own texts. This isn’t limited to certain forms of writing – even your emails are going to be more fluent and easier to read.

10. LONGER ATTENTION SPAN

Reading regularly has been shown to improve attention span and overall quality of life. This is why books are considered to be the best and healthiest form of entertainment – way more useful than movies or video games.

To maximize the benefits that reading books bring, it’s important to learn how to love reading. This comes with experience and dedication, and even if you’re starting out, it’s better to go through one page than none at all. As long as you keep going, you’ll notice the results eventually.

The post 10 Important Skills That You Will Gain By Reading Books appeared first on Discover books.

As long as you have a general idea of what you’re interested in, there are many resources that can point you in the right direction, from friends and family to your local librarian.

How to Find a Good Book

Wondering what to read next? Use these tips to find books you’ll love.

1. Talk to your librarian or local bookshop staff.

Libraries are great because 1) everything is free, and 2) you get to take a test drive before making a decision. Head over to the areas of your favorite genres and start browsing, or feel free to talk to a librarian. Most likely they have plenty of ideas that will suit your taste, and they can point you in the right direction.

Once you find a few options that might work, you can sit down and start reading for a preview (with no sales pressure!).

You can also hit up your local bookstores, which usually have successful titles on prominent displays around the store. Check these books out, but also browse the shelves that aren’t front and center. You might find some hidden gems, or older titles that you never got around to reading.

Again, don’t be afraid to ask the staff for guidance. In most cases, they’re book people too, and should be able to point you toward books you’ll like based on your interests.

2. Ask friends or family.

Ask your close friends or family what their favorite books are, or what they’ve enjoyed reading lately. This isn’t a foolproof method, since being even the best of friends with someone doesn’t guarantee that you’ll share the same taste in literature.

But, chances are there’s someone in your life who likes reading, and they can probably tell you about the must-read titles of the moment. And they might even lend you some of their favorites for free!

3. Consult teachers or professors.

If you’re wondering what to read next, try consulting your teachers or professors (ideally the ones who teach your favorite subjects).

Teachers and professors are people who read a lot of books, usually in both fiction and nonfiction. Don’t assume that you can only ask your Lit professor for book recommendations—if you’re a history buff, ask your history teacher what their favorite books on history are (and do the same for any subject you’re especially interested in).

4. Join a book club.

Book clubs are fun ways to meet new people, discuss books, and of course, discover great new reads! Most book clubs meet about once every month to talk about what they read last, and agree on the book they will all read next.

Depending on the type of book club you join, your group will probably focus on specific genres (such as self-help, religion, women’s fiction, etc.), but in general, the books selected are of good quality and ideal for starting discussions.

Join or start your own book club to uncover new books and connect with like-minded readers with a passion for literature.

5. Read and follow book blogs.

There’s a blog out there for pretty much every genre and subgenre you can imagine, and most of them offer their top picks and suggestions for books.

Or, more general blogs dedicated to books and book lovers tend to offer plenty of suggestions as well, including TCK’s own blog, which features lists of book suggestions for every genre.

6. Search on WhichBook.

Don’t feel like heading out to the library or bookstore? No problem! Because you can WhichBook everything you would tell a librarian about your interests, and the online tool will generate a selection of titles that most closely meet your needs.

WhichBook can accommodate millions of combinations of factors and then suggest books that most closely match your needs. For example, you can indicate on a scale how gentle or violent you want the book to be, or how romantic, sad, challenging, etc.

You can also search for books based on their characters and plot by choosing the characters’ race, age, sexuality, and gender, and how much conflict or success you want the plot to contain.

7. Check out online communities for readers.

Millions of books are rated and reviewed on Goodreads, where a community of millions of readers from around the world come together to discuss all things books.

This means you can get plenty of opinions on what’s hot in the literature world, browse the top-rated books by genre and niche, and connect with other like-minded readers. All you need to do to get started is create a free account.

Another excellent option is BookTalk, an online community that’s been around for 18 years. Here, readers can engage in fun and informative discussions, share their thoughts on books, and recommend great new titles.

You can also ask around on social media. Try posting a simple question, such as “Have you read any good books lately?” or “What’s the last book you read?” to your Facebook timeline and see what your friends and family share.

8. Find related books.

If you use Amazon to browse and buy books, you’ve probably encountered a helpful little feature near the bottom of product pages that says “Customers who bought this item also bought…” or “Products related to this item.”

This will show you related books that people with similar taste also found interest in. So if you’ve recently read a book you loved, be sure to search it on Amazon and check out this section.

9. Start with the classics.

If you’ve resolved to start reading more but aren’t quite sure what you’re into the classics are a great place to start.

There’s no guarantee that you’ll love all these titles, but they are considered “classics” for a good reason, so whether you love or hate the authors’ styles, you’re at least promised an objectively good quality of writing and storytelling.

Getting your feet wet with the classics will help you understand the types of themes, styles, and niches you enjoy, and you can use those insights to guide your search for more great books.

10. Attend book fairs.

So you’ll probably attend book fairs if you’re already a devout book lover, but these events offer great opportunities for newbies and literature experts alike to discover new reads and connect with fellow readers.

You can find events at both the local and national level, where you can meet authors, get free goodies, and be the first to hear about hot new releases.

How Do You Decide What Book to Read?

The most important thing to consider when choosing your next book is what you enjoy. Sure, there will be times when you’re required to read something you may not like, but other than those exceptions, life is too short to waste time reading books you don’t enjoy.

So, the first step is to discover which genres and niches you like. Of course, you should still challenge yourself to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone, because that’s how you’ll find those delightful surprises that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about.

The bottom line, though, is that you shouldn’t have to suffer through a book just because that’s what your friends are reading, or because you think it will make you look smarter. If you find your self a third of the way into a book but just aren’t feeling it, you shouldn’t feel bad about putting it down and reaching for one you know you’ll love.

The post How to Find a Good Book: 10 Ways to Find Your Next Read appeared first on Discover books.

1. Creates reading accountability

One of the biggest benefits of book clubs, particularly for those trying to get back into reading, is that book clubs help keep you accountable to actually reading!

By joining a book club, you’re committing to read the book of the month (or week, etc.). And if you don’t read the book, you know you’ll be disappointing your fellow book club members. So joining a book club can be a great way to force yourself to read if you need a little external motivation to do so!

2. Helps You Engage Deeper With the Book

Another benefit of joining a book club is that it can help you engage deeper with the book. If you’re the type of person who reads quickly, then you may find that knowing you’ll be discussing the book with others helps you slow down and actually digest what you’re reading. Plus, book club discussion with others may help you see new details you missed in your own reading!

3. Encourages Critical Thinking

Joining a book club can also be a great way to encourage critical thinking in yourself and in your fellow book club members. By working through and discussing the book together, you can help each other to see all aspects of a topic and consider each one carefully.

4. Keeps Your Brain Sharp

Reading in general helps with overall brain function and increasing memory, but add in discussion time with your book club and your brain will be compelled to keep up and keep sharp! If you don’t have many other avenues to fully engage your brain, then book club can be a great way to keep everything working well.

5. Gives You New Perspectives

Another of the top benefits of book club is to help give you new perspectives! The other members in your book club may come from backgrounds that are different from yours, which may mean they bring vastly different perspectives to your discussions. This can help you learn new things and see things from new angles you might never have considered!

Of course, differing perspectives can lead to disagreements and even arguments…which is why it’s important to always be kind and considerate of each other in book club (that’s one of the most important rules for book club!).

6. Helps You Make New Friends

Yet another fantastic benefit of book club is that it can help you make new friends! If you’re looking to meet others in your area (or online) who share similar interests to you, then joining a book club can be a great way to do that. For book lovers, there are few things that forge a bond as instantly as meeting someone else who loves books…so get ready to make some new friends!

7. Can Improve Writing Skills

If you’re interested in both reading and writing, then book club can also benefit you by helping you improve your writing skills. By reading a variety of books, you’ll learn a lot about different styles of writing and what makes writing good. Before you know it, you’ll be incorporating elements of excellent writing into your own writing projects!

8. Fosters a Continuing Love of Literature

While reading is sometimes it’s own reward, joining a community of literature lovers can help foster a continuing love of literature in yourself and in your community. By meeting with others and sharing the love of literature, you’ll help keep your own love of reading strong and encourage each other to continue reading and loving literature!

9. Gives You a Break From Life

Life can be difficult. But book club can be a great escape when you need it! Whether your book club meets weekly, monthly, or any other frequency, knowing you have a book club meeting coming up can be a great way to help you make it through your daily tasks and can be something to look forward to!

When you meet with fellow book lovers, the stress and cares of your day-to-day life will melt away as you fall into the world of the book you’re reading and discussing!

The post 9 Benefits of a Book Club (And Why You Should Join One!) appeared first on Discover books.