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

Don’t let the subtitle fool you. Your Genius Mind is a passionate and unapologetic appeal that serves as a clarion call for increasing the percentage of people in the U.S. and around the world, with a 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. In this book readers will learn why everyone has a genius to share with the world; how a quality college education can help them to find it; and what anyone can do to grow their genius through higher education no matter what school they attend. 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

198 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2014

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaways Program. I really liked how the concept of this book was to improve critical thinking skills, and in doing so, elevating and showing one's genius. This is a great book for anyone, including those who have college degrees. As a Star Wars fan, I enjoyed the several connections to the films. The book is an easy read. I would suggest it as a book any high school graduate or incoming college student should read.

[Pam Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book this one is, its about using your mind to find your genius with resources and links. The curse of adulthood is that for most of the time your not happy with your life, this book inspires you to chart a path to success whether its through school, university or college and that you need college thinking skills.

[Dawn Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 PhD

198 Pages
Publisher: Caroline Street Publishing LLC, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members’ Titles
Release Date: August 8, 2014

Nonfiction (Adult), Self-Help, Motivational, Self-Development, Intellectual, Empowerment

The book is divided into the following chapters. She discusses the importance of the five “C”s.

Chapter 1: Your Genius Journey
Chapter 2: Your Genius Backpack
Chapter 3: Defining Genius
Chapter 4: The Genius Curiosity
Chapter 5: Building Genius Communities
Chapter 6: The Currency of Genius Communication
Chapter 7: Taking Control of Your Genius
Chapter 8: Choosing Genius
Chapter 9: From a Nation of Thinkers to Global Genius
Postcards and Pit Stops (Resources for the Genius Journey)

The author begins by telling a story about going to Dubai but her friend not being there to get her from the airport. She discusses the lives and careers of motivational speakers like Brendon Burchard and Tony Robbins. This is an uplifting book that brings smiles and positive thinking.

[Aqomal Haq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanna read more

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lady author tells us that more people should take degrees, to open their minds to the new age and grow their potential. She explains that at one time, the more years someone had spent in education, the more likely they were to be wealthy and stay out of jail. Now, the changes in society mean that bankers and pyramid scheme sellers are jailed, dropouts open billion-dollar net firms and postgrads serve fast food. People with good thinking skills however will always be valuable to society and have the best chance of success.

I'm fine with all the above. I saw no reason however why we should have to wade through a chapter devoted to retelling the story of all the Star Wars films, then return to the characters in later pages. As a science fiction reader and writer who does not watch the space fantasy series I have no idea who these characters are and why the author thinks it important that they find out if they are heroes. I would prefer my SF to contain astrophysics, ecology and economics; while I would prefer my books on getting an education to contain actual inspirational people. People like Ghandi, perhaps, or Anna Sewell, Rose Wilder Lane, modern sports stars, activists such as those found in 'Breaking Free' by Abby Sher. We do get a tale of Neil deGrasse Tyson later.

I also was disquieted to find that we 'should aim to read one book a month' and a successful businessman who reads a book a week is exceptional. Not among my friends, I'm afraid. If people stopped watching rubbish television, reading rubbish magazines and following celebrities they would have all that time to watch TED talks, read 'The Urban Birder' by David Lindo and find out what kind of fiction can help them learn.

The author emphasises that we should aim to be with people who are growing rather than destructive, and it's never too late to learn, even by going to a museum; becoming creative and better skilled will help us to be of service to family and community. This is encouraging and can help set people on the path back to part-time education, even if they had to start work early. She then says that although some college students leave something to be desired, people with just vocational degrees are rarely going to be able to solve life's challenges. So, next time she has a plumbing emergency, or a car crash, I guess she's going to call one of her law students.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for my honest review.



PROS:

"Why this book is the K. Candis Best" - Using the authors name for wordplay aside, this book has some inspiring anecdotes, serious situations to make you think, and humor rolled into one great book. As she makes ABUNDANTLY CLEAR in her book (and so shall I), the title does not mean you do not need a college level education. In fact, this book is entirely about why you SHOULD go to college, and even more-so, why it is important to choose ambiguous classes to broaden your career options upon graduating. Essentially, you shouldn't place all of your eggs in one basket in case that basket has a hole in it. Read the book, she explains better than I ever could.

"May the Star Wars References Be With You" - Typically, when people hint to Star Wars in any sort of book, be it fiction or non-fiction, it tends to leave a foul taste in my mouth from lack of creativity. But I put this in the PROS section for one very important reason... it makes younger generations able to relate through the Star Wars nerdisms. Not only that, she makes it make sense. She explains through use of Star Wars scenes and quotes, the importance of becoming independent, using your genius mind, and being creative to overcome obstacles. The most important one? "Do, or do not, there is no try."

"Make sure your GPS is functioning" - K. Candis Best uses "GPS" in a very clever way. It is your "Genius Positioning System" and you should pay close attention to it. Why? READ THE BOOK AND FIND OUT! I'm not here to rewrite it so you get a freebie!

CONS:

"Wait, where was I?" - There are several times in the book where the author tends to claim she is going to explain something, then goes on about something else, and explains what she intended to clear up several chapters later. Though I did LOVE this book, and recommend it to anyone and everyone as a must read. Ending almost every chapter with something akin to "I'll get to that later," is more of a nuisance than a cliffhanger.


Yes, only a single CON, and it isn't even a big one. Go read this book now... yes now. DO IT!

[Ant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book Your Genius Mind: Why You Don't Need To Be A College Graduate But You Do Need To Think Like Onein a Goodreads Giveaway. I am something of a sucker for self-improvement books, but often feel a little disappointed by their blandness. This book provided a lively, thoughtful and provocative read throughout, and whilst stating matters clearly, did not fall into the trap of over-simplification which sometimes bedevils similar books.

There are some sound guidelines for taking the ideas forward, and it is divided intelligently to allow for profitable browsing as well as quick access to different areas.

I also appreciated a real effort to put into place some of the theoretical concepts proposed - the assistive communities, for example, which exist online and link to the book.

It only lost a star for me by the use of some jargon towards the end of the book (such as an inclusion of a discussion - albeit brief - of versions of Maslow's hierarchy) - it could have been made a leaner work by leaving some of that out.

In all - well worth a look: challenging, even provocative in parts, and with a number of practical suggestions which seem to have the mark of having being 'road-tested' a bit.

[Rane · Rating 3 out of 5]

With college becoming more and more expensive, and college graduates finding it more and more difficult to land decent jobs, many people are looking for ways to be successful without investing in college. Unfortunately, this is not the book to tell you how to do that. At its core, this book is about improving your critical thinking skills, which is certainly an important thing to do. However, despite the title, this book is not about doing that without going to college. What this book does is lay out the important qualities that a person with good critical thinking skills has, and then repeatedly tells you to go to college to obtain those skills and qualities. There's nothing wrong with the book, and the book isn't wrong about the importance of thinking or the value of college; it's just not the tool that the title seems to imply.

Disclaimer: I received this book free through the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Lyle Appleyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway contest.

Who doesn't want to be a genius? Or at least think better. The author has laid out a plan, chapter by chapter for you to become a better thinker. The book follows a logical progression of the different areas that you should work on or develop to become a better thinker. Each chapter has a link to a webpage to help you along.

This book was not difficult to read and follow. I felt that anyone reading it would be able to understand it. The areas of study made sense to me as I agreed with the areas that the author recommended working to become a better speaker.

If there was one thing about this was that it was almost too simplistic. It was less than 200 pages. Is it that easy to become a genius?

I would recommend this book.

[Melek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think there's much to tell about this book. It has some good information about learning how to use your brain like a college graduate (so it says) without actually going to college.

I won't say this is utterly useless or anything that bad, but I can't seem to find one thing to give it something better or worse than three stars out of five. While it gives acceptable information about what I explained above, it doesn't say anything new. This is nothing groundbreaking or exciting. Even the starting sentences ("Let me begin with a question. When you look at your life, are you happy with what you see?") are used a hundred thousand times before this book. I'm not impressed is all I'm saying.

[Seth Abshire]

This book was won for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

So excited to have won this book! Updated review will be posted once book is received.