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Who Moved My Cheese Book Club

By Ann Russo posted 05-17-2011 10:16

  

One afternoon, during the drive home from picking my nine-year old, Brendan, up from school, he told me that we had to go to the bookstore to buy a copy of Who Moved My Cheese.  I said, “We have to? Is this a book for kids? Or is it the book for business people?” What it all boiled down to, he told me, was that this book was great(!). It was about change and that it would, in fact, change my life. I was still confused. The book Who Moved My Cheese that was published several years ago? For business people? Was it a kids-version dumbed down?  Was this a book about change for kids? I was just still really confused. So we stopped by a local used bookstore.

Brendan walked through the door of the musty used bookstore, marched up to the counter and asked if they had a copy of Who Moved My Cheese. I was surprised - they were close by on a shelf right near the checkout counter. We pulled a used copy off the shelf that had a small, yellow sticker with “Cash $10” handwritten on it. “This is it!” he squealed with delight.

I was still confused (I'm sure he is brighter than I am). I didn’t understand how or why he had read this book at school. I was further astonished that he had been so affected by it and was bound and determined that I should read it.

It has been weeks since we purchased the used copy of Who Moved My Cheese. He picked it up last week to re-read it and just finished it last night. He handed it to me and said with a smile, “Move with the cheese and enjoy it."

I’ve got to read this book. Will you read it with me?

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05-19-2011 11:58

My supervisor brought this book into work for us along with FISH. They are both GREAT books, but I really liked Who Moved my Cheese. A co-worker and I even went so far as to buy a couple of pieces of toy cheese and when we are going to move someones schedule or disrupt something, we put the cheese in their mail box so they have a heads up that their cheese will be moved! I really encourage anyone to read this book that maybe doesn't like change too much. With our industry, change is inevitable.

05-19-2011 10:37

This is a great idea! I'm going to see if it's available for my Kindle.

05-18-2011 13:52

Great book! I had to read it for a class and would love to read it again with an eye toward public safety. Count me in.

05-18-2011 12:13

I have heard wonderful things about this book and have been wanting to read it. I believe the prospect of a lively discussion on it is just the motivation I need to get started. I am ordering today and anxiously awaiting its arrival. In our profession we are faced with so many changes, for the good and, of course, for the not so good. Unfortunately, change seems to come in "bunches". Changes at work, at home, at school. Seems it always runs in threes. As a rule, dispatchers generally do not like change. But, where there is rain, there is usually a rainbow at some point. SO if this book can help me get to the rainbow and embrace it that much faster.... I'm in!

05-18-2011 11:53

I read this book years ago when it was recommended by my Communications Supervisor. Our City HR Department also offered a class centered around the philosophy of Who Moved My Cheese. I would be interested in reading the book again and having a discussion with other Public Safety Communications personnel to see how the industry can really embrace change, learn from it, and enjoy it. I would also be interested, if this book club does well, in continuing a book club with other great topics that would help me with my PCS career.

05-17-2011 18:09

I went to the public library site and asked for the CD on the book Who Moved My Cheese. I find that having a 3 week time to use a library book pushes me to "get it done".
There are times in my life when change comes about and is right; but most of the time I look forward to the regular routines of my life. However life happens and I, too, must prepare for a new way of coping with the changes around me. I hope to hear what the book Who Moved My Cheese has to say in anticipation of finding creative ways to cope with change. What will I do with the new found ideas, I wonder?

05-17-2011 12:45

I'm in. Loved the book and it helped me greatly a few years ago. Maybe I'll even have my 10 y/o daughter read it if it had such an impact with your son Ann!

05-17-2011 10:45

It is one of those books that you need to recharge your thinking with from time to time. Great lessons, but rereading it helps me to stay on track with it. Change is constant - we need to be able to constantly change. A 9 year old reading it? Thats awesome.

05-17-2011 10:22

I haven't read this book in years. I'll have to find my old copy or buy a new one. Actually they came out with a movie a couple of years back. Maybe I'll just watch the movie. HA! Seriously, I'm in. I'd love to review this book as change is something we could all deal with better.

05-17-2011 09:53

I have not read the book yet, but I just ordered it. The title is intriguing and Ann's enthusiasm is contagious. I am always open to personal growth and new ideas, so I am excited to have this opportunity.

05-17-2011 09:48

I was given this book to read by my boss shortly after I started here in Thornton, Co. This book is all about change and how to look at it. It is usually read in one sitting or two but carries a lot of meaning. I do recommend for others to read...especially since we all know how hard "change' is for most people.

05-17-2011 09:30

Yes, everyone should read it. Most read it in one or two settings. I just checked and saw that Amazon.com has 13 used copies of it for $0.01 ea. They have 6 new under $3. It's the best place I've seen. The book was recommended to me by the (now) director of the FBI's Law Enforcement Online Program. I was recommending a book called "No Left Turns" to him (which is about the FBI under Hoover).
James Simmerman, Director of Training
Saline County Criminal Justice Training Center
Saline County Sheriff's Dept.
Marshall, MO
james.simmerman(at)att.net
(660) 886-7984 (direct phone 24/7)
And, Director of Creative Management Consultants

05-16-2011 16:13

I'll see if I can buy it for my Kindle cheaply.Just looked, too expensive, I 'll read it when you are done.