Book Review: Your Genius Mind

Book: Your Genius Mind: Why You Don't Need to be a College Graduate but You Do Need to Think Like One by K. Candis Best, Ph.D.

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

Don’t let the subtitle fool you. Your Genius Mind is a passionate and unapologetic statement about the importance of a quality four-year degree. But in this frank, insightful and often humorous account, author K. Candis Best makes clear that a degree will be worthless to anyone who graduates without college level thinking skills. This is a must-read for anyone who is about to start college for the first time, considering a return to college to complete a degree or needs to be convinced about the true value of a college education. Your Genius Mind is the map that every aspiring college graduate needs to chart a path to success through school and through life.


Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Review:

Think textbook meets self-help book but in a good way. The author who is also a professor gives the reader good information to understanding that everyone is a genius but the problem is that most people see the term genius and think it means being one of a kind or extraordinary. But thinking that way limits your ability to see that you can achieve your goals and dreams but you need to be able to think creatively.

I like that the author said that going to college isn't going to guarantee you a job because college is supposed to show you how to think and to problem solve. All the classes that students take are to get them prepared to think creatively.

This book is to inspire (and guide) the reader whether they are currently attending college, attended college or never attended college to re-ignite the love of learning and start thinking outside the box.

For fans of Star Wars, the author also uses Luke Skywalker's progress to becoming a Jedi as an example for how his journey is similar to anyone's discovery to achieving something. She also quotes Yoda's popular phrase "Do...or Do Not. There Is NO Try.", which is the mindset that will keep you going because don't make excuses either you do it or you don't. There are a lot of good examples shown throughout.

But an example that I always have in my mind when I think of the creative thinking process is to think of the TV series Castle. On that show Richard Castle's mind is always coming up with different and unique little insights for clues that sometimes point Detectives Kate Beckett, Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan in the right direction. No matter how ridiculous his comments or suggestions may be there is always some little gem hidden in them.

The book also provides examples of those who have found their genius such as painter Kieron Williamson and scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson and then set out to pursue their dreams.

In a way, reading this felt like a refresher course for me but I think even if you have never set foot into a college classroom you will learn a good amount from reading this.

I do feel like even though the subtitle says you don't need to graduate from college, I did find that the book does emphasis college and how the reader can use the information in the book to succeed while there. It does make the title seem a little misleading and also I found the book to lag near the end and become a little boring.

I think this is great for someone who doesn't know much about the information that's in it but if the information isn't new to you, it might feel like either a refresher or to be a little boring.

So in the end the goal of this book is to show that we are all geniuses and to stay curious and continue to learn and to use your mind creatively.