Variations on a Theme: Ch-ch-ch-changes

Spring is here! Or, near. Whatever.

Spring is not yet warming, D.C. but I can feel it in my bones that spring is coming. (That and they just mulched my apartment complex and the stinky sweet smell of manure is in the air.) To honor the coming season, I bring you books about change.


Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Changing is not easy, yet life constantly asks us to adapt. In this book, the Heaths showcase how people change all the time. They buy new gadgets, enter new relationships, and move to new locations. The authors discuss how we think differently about types of changes, and how we can learn to view "major" changes with less fear.


Influencer: The Power to Change Anything
Kerry Patterson et al.

The authors of this book prove a framework by which the reader can influence their family, friends, and community. They discuss the  many methods one can employ to influence those around them - including philosophies steeped in psychology, sociology, and other 'ology' terms. To back up their evidence, the authors cite examples from corporations and individuals. You have the power to mindwarp. Muhahaha.

Wings of Change
Franklin Hill

I'm stealing the recap from Amazon because it's too perfect not to use. "Wings of Change is the story of Anew, a contented little caterpillar who is afraid to become a butterfly. After experiencing some puzzling dreams, he turns to Faith, a wise old snail, for advice. She gently explains, 'As the world turns, so do you. When you change for the good, you change the world too.' This tender, humorous story follows little Anew as he learns to release his fears and embrace his destiny. Dr. Hill, an acclaimed educational futurist, has created a dynamic medium for exploring the timeless topic of change"
 
Evolution for Everyone: How Darwin's Theory Can Change the Way We Think About Our Lives
David Sloan Wilson

What's a better example for change than evolution? Sloan discusses how the theory of evolution is relevant to our everyday lives. Our languages evolve. We create new technologies. We redefine culture and morality on a daily basis. Evolution of human life is all around us. Sloan draws connections between divergent topics to show that evolution goes beyond Darwin's finches.

My, Oh My -- A Butterfly!: All About Butterflies
Tish Rabe

Butterflies are the poster-animals for change. Their transformation form small caterpillar to gorgeous butterfly is a dramatic example of change. This Dr. Suess book teaches children about the metamorphosis, eating habits, and life of butterflies.




History of the United States Mint and Its Coinage
David W. Lange

Coins... change. Get it. Change. Ha. ha. I crack myself up sometimes. (I think the title is pretty self explanatory on this one.)



More Change Titles:
Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success - Kerry Patterson et al.
Change: A Story for All Ages - Judith Barnes and Erick James
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed - Jared Diamond
Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions - Guy Kawasaki
The Evolution Explosion: How Humans Cause Rapid Evolutionary Change - Stephen R. Palumbi
Overthrow: America's History of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq - Stephen Kinzer
Seeds of Change: Six Plants that Transformed Mankind - Henry Hobhouse
The Shock of the New - Robert Hughes
So That's How the Moon Changes Shape! - Allan Fowler
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) - Sue Macy
Why Evolution is True - Jerry A. Coyne