Maryanne Wolf’s Proust and the Squid: Book Overview

A drawing of a woman with dark hair and an orange sweater reading a book and sitting on the floor

What happens in our brains when we read? How did humans develop the ability to transform marks on a page into meaning and understanding? Maryanne Wolf’s Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain explores the evolution of reading from ancient civilizations to our digital present. Wolf reveals how the brain adapts to this invented skill, reshaping pathways as we learn to connect symbols with sounds and meanings. Continue reading for an overview of this book that will make you look at a basic skill with new eyes.

3 Characteristics of Insight Explained (and 3 Myths Debunked)

A spectacled man with a lightbulb over his head illustrates the characteristics of insight

What exactly makes insight different from ordinary learning? How can understanding these differences help us experience more breakthrough moments in our thinking? In his book Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein identifies three key characteristics of insight and debunks three common myths. Understanding what insight is helps us recognize when we’re experiencing genuine breakthroughs and creates conditions where insights are more likely to occur. Keep reading to learn what insight is and what it isn’t.

The Reading Brain: How Neuroplasticity Makes Reading Possible

A cartoon drawing of a brain reading a book illustrates the reading brain

What happens in our brains when we learn to read? How do different writing systems shape our neural pathways? In her book Proust and the Squid, Maryanne Wolf explains how the reading brain is made possible through neuroplasticity. Despite having no dedicated reading center, our brains rewire themselves in three profound ways. Read on to explore how this remarkable adaptation changed human history and continues to shape our minds today.

Gary Klein’s Seeing What Others Don’t: Book Overview

A smiling woman with gray hair and an orange sweater reading a book while sitting in a chair in front of a bookshelf

What makes breakthroughs happen more often for some people than others? How can we better understand the process of insight and use it to our advantage? Gary Klein’s Seeing What Others Don’t: The Remarkable Ways We Gain Insights lays out the mechanics of insight, revealing that breakthrough ideas arrive through three distinct paths. Klein’s research shows that most people and organizations inadvertently create conditions that suppress insights. Keep reading to discover practical strategies that can help you become more receptive to breakthrough moments and learn how to capitalize on them when they arrive.

The Origin of Written Language: From Symbols to the Alphabet

Hieroglyphs illustrate the origin of written language

How did the earliest humans begin to record their thoughts and transactions? What impact did the Greek alphabet have on literacy and the spread of knowledge? The origin of written language dates back thousands of years. In her book Proust and the Squid, Maryanne Wolf traces this remarkable journey from primitive counting symbols to the revolutionary Greek alphabet that changed the course of human communication. Keep reading to discover how our ancestors transformed symbols into the powerful writing systems we use today.

How Do Children Learn to Read? Maryanne Wolf Explains

A child reading a book illustrates the question, "How do children learn to read?"

How do children learn to read? Why does the journey to becoming a fluent reader take years? Cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf explores how children learn to read by tracing development from infancy through adolescence. From recognizing speech sounds as babies to mastering complex metaphors as teenagers, children build reading skills through distinct phases. Read more to explore the fascinating science behind how a child transforms from a babbling toddler into a capable reader.

Why Good Ideas Fail: 2 Reasons We Resist or Reject Insights

Smoke rising from an extinguished candle illustrates why good ideas fail

Why do some revolutionary ideas take years or even decades to gain traction in society? Why do some good ideas fail? What forces stand between a brilliant insight and its widespread acceptance? New ideas often face significant barriers to implementation and adoption. In his book, Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein explains why good ideas fail by identifying two critical challenges: the difficulty of taking action on insights and the resistance we encounter when sharing them with others. Keep reading to explore how these barriers operate and what we can learn from historical examples that illustrate idea failures.

Creative Desperation: Lessons From Venus Flytraps & Apollo 13

A Venus flytrap plant illustrates creative desperation

Is your life missing those “aha!” moments of brilliant insight? What hidden force might unlock your most creative breakthroughs? In his book Seeing What Others Don’t, Gary Klein explores how our most innovative solutions often emerge through creative desperation—when impossible situations force us to abandon conventional thinking. Breakthrough thinking frequently happens when we’re backed into a corner. Read on to explore this fascinating path to innovation, from human problem-solving to the surprising evolutionary journey of a plant.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling With Data (Book Overview)

A sketch of a man in a business suit sitting in a chair and reading a book by a window and fig tree

What’s the difference between simply displaying data and creating a compelling data narrative? How can you transform raw numbers into a story that resonates with your audience and drives meaningful action? Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling With Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals reveals that effective data communication isn’t about creating complex visuals. It’s about presenting information as a narrative that connects with your audience and makes your insights accessible and actionable. Keep reading to discover Knaflic’s practical framework for interpreting data effectively, crafting engaging narratives, and using thoughtful design to enhance understanding.

Maryanne Wolf: Dyslexia Calls for Varied Solutions

Maryanne Wolf's dyslexia research is illustrated by a picture of the cognitive neuroscientist in 2020

What if reading struggles aren’t just weaknesses but signs of a differently organized brain? How can understanding the true nature of dyslexia help children develop effective reading skills? Maryanne Wolf’s dyslexia research reveals that reading difficulties exist on a spectrum. This calls for tailored interventions that can reshape neural pathways while recognizing the unique strengths that often accompany these challenges. Read on to get Maryanne Wolf’s perspective on dyslexia from her book Proust and the Squid.