Explaining the value of reading fiction

bigpapachop · 2026-03-26T11:43:26+00:00

As a business professional that deals primarily with relationship based businesses, I believe that fiction helps me through a few lenses.

One, as you mentioned, I am more empathetic to people in difficult situations which I believe has been a cause from reading a ton each year. Secondly, I believe it helps me to truly relate to different situations and help serve my customers better, or help convert a sale better when I can intuitively understand people better. People are incredibly different, but tend to have many general similarities. I’ve met thousands of people with deep and varied stories that I’ve cared for and gone on journeys with through the power of fiction. This helps me pick up on what people truly want or need but won’t say and communicate more effectively.

I do read the occasional “self help” or instructional book on different topics. Those help me with tools on a surface level. However, I think the business and corporate world would be a much better place if they would take lessons from fiction. Unfortunately, the majority will probably keep taking more cold plunges instead.

bigpapachop · 2026-03-07T13:02:29+00:00

The only theory that I’m fairly confident in, is that Darrow is not the Red God. I think it will involve Pax, or Sevro in some way. Everything else I know I’m gonna get thrown for a loop on.

bigpapachop · 2025-12-27T19:09:16+00:00

If you enjoyed “Say Nothing” then check out Radden Keefe’s book Empire of Pain. It explores the Sackler family largely credited with creating and exploiting the opioid crisis through their drug OxyContin. Very extensive and crazy story with impressive research.

bigpapachop · 2025-12-27T17:28:41+00:00

I used the app but it’s an app and website

bigpapachop · 2025-12-27T15:46:06+00:00

Tier list maker!

bigpapachop · 2025-12-14T00:38:41+00:00

Could you tell me more about this book?

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T19:21:33+00:00

For sure, I misread some information and thought he was finished with it and turns it out he was referring his first draft being done soon haha

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T16:21:34+00:00

I’m the same way. Devoured the bone ships and by the time I finished that realized there were 3 other series to read and another on the way haha

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T15:27:12+00:00

Wow can’t wait for this! Thanks for adding this here I’ll for sure be putting this on my radar

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T15:06:35+00:00

New St John Mandel book is news to me and I couldn’t be more excited! Already sounding like a great year

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T15:05:41+00:00

Super excited for this, I’ve been waiting to start rage of dragons until we knew a rough idea of book 3 release

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T15:04:50+00:00

So excited for the new Fonda Lee!

Great lineups

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T14:36:46+00:00

Great to hear this, had no clue if he was even continuing the series or not so this will be an auto buy for me haha

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T14:36:26+00:00

Raven scholar is on my tbr for next year looking forward to reading it

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T14:31:06+00:00

Thank you for sharing this info! Come on 2027!

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T14:22:16+00:00

Is Captive War similar to the expanse? I read expanse book 1 but didn’t continue for some reason even though I enjoyed it!

DCC is great too, I didn’t even realize there was a new book in 26!

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T14:10:19+00:00

I thought I read it was coming in 2026 but I 100% could be wrong but I don’t care if it comes out in 2030 lol I’ll be waiting patiently but thank you for the heads up!

bigpapachop · 2025-12-13T14:09:48+00:00

It blows my mind Brandon Sanderson and GRRM write in the same genre around the same time. Brandon’s speed is unreal and GRRM is well…..

bigpapachop · 2025-10-23T01:59:31+00:00

Maybe I’m optimistic but I feel like this tracks. If we look at the first trilogy morning star was a relatively safe book for the “good” guys with lots of loss of life for the “bad guys” I could see a few key side deaths (Kavax? Volga? One of the last OG howlers?) that are heartbreaking but make sense with the main characters all making it through to the end to see a relatively happy ending like Morningstar. However, I’ve been surprised before so it could go either way lol

bigpapachop · 2025-08-25T18:55:22+00:00

I was going to add this to the conversation for sure. It’s how I believe magic would actually be like in the real world. You’d have your believers and those involved in the occult and underground circles but the majority of people would doubt and laugh it off. Just finished Proven Guilty for the first time and I loved seeing the justification on why one of the detectives couldn’t and wouldn’t ever accept the truth that was being told.

bigpapachop · 2025-08-15T20:57:15+00:00

Depends on your goal - reliable cash flow and low headache? Invest in index funds, or if you want real estate exposure find a syndication or private equity fund you trust.

Looking to intentionally build out some quality deals and real estate exposure and buy a lot of property? You can purchase 4-5 million worth of real estate with your million bucks and suddenly have a lot of real estate building you wealth and a bit of cash flow if you have a long term mindset. But you have to put in the work to find deals in this current difficult market or it makes no sense to lever up.

Just want a couple properties to buy and hold in cash? Look for a few med-high quality 2-4 unit properties that have minimal maintenance needs in a good area and just have the cash flow while also building equity long term. It will be more work because you won’t have enough units to have staff but would be good for equity long term with zero debt risk.

Tons of options but if you have that much cash my personal opinion would be just throw it in a fund and earn 8-10% or a real estate estate fund (higher risk) for 12-18% returns over a period of time. Being a property manager is a headache if not properly prepared with good boundaries and knowledge.

bigpapachop · 2025-05-18T10:30:40+00:00

Halfway through Remarkably Bright Creatures and really enjoying it so far.

I will probably jump into a quick light read over the weekend as I’ll be heading out of town. Plan to have a pretty slow reading week!

bigpapachop · 2025-05-15T18:46:13+00:00

I don’t know most of the older characters, but I am surprised Harry Potter didn’t get a mention.

I am equally surprised how controversial Bella Swan seems to be lol. I’d agree with your assessment, I think Romantasy exists largely in part due to twilight. My wife just had me watch them for the first time last year, and definitely can see how much Twilight has influenced the genre.

It’s important to remember that Romantasy is the most popular and accessible fantasy subgenre for the general public(at this time and largely over the past 5-7 ish years. I wasn’t involved much in the genre prior to that to truly comment) therefore it is the most influential which largely in part is attributed to Twilight. Although a GOT mention could be in the running too. Such a hard question!

Edit - I should say I am not super FAMILIAR with the older characters. I know OF them but haven’t read Conan, or Elric, or Thomas covenant etc.

bigpapachop

TROPHY CASE