Book notes: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

The Well of Ascension, Mistborn book 2 by Brandon Sanderson book summary review and key ideas.

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The Well of Ascension: Mistborn, Book 2 by Brandon Sanderson

Synopsis:

“From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical martial-arts action.

The impossible has been accomplished. The Lord Ruler – the man who claimed to be god incarnate and brutally ruled the world for a thousand years – has been vanquished. But Kelsier, the hero who masterminded that triumph, is dead too, and now the awesome task of building a new world has been left to his young protégé, Vin, the former street urchin who is now the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and to the idealistic young nobleman she loves.

As Kelsier’s protégé and slayer of the Lord Ruler she is now venerated by a budding new religion, a distinction that makes her intensely uncomfortable. Even more worrying, the mists have begun behaving strangely since the Lord Ruler died, and seem to harbor a strange vaporous entity that haunts her.

Stopping assassins may keep Vin’s Mistborn skills sharp, but it’s the least of her problems.

Luthadel, the largest city of the former empire, doesn’t run itself, and Vin and the other members of Kelsier’s crew, who lead the revolution, must learn a whole new set of practical and political skills to help. It certainly won’t get easier with three armies – one of them composed of ferocious giants – now vying to conquer the city, and no sign of the Lord Ruler’s hidden cache of atium, the rarest and most powerful allomantic metal.

As the siege of Luthadel tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.” -Amazon


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OTG Podcast #26: Embracing the Journey: Insights from Travis on Passion, Purpose, and Personal Growth

Full Episode Page (show notes, links, transcript): #26: Travis Trinh – 7% Body Fat, Bowling a 300, and Being Your Own Anime Protagonist

Introduction

In this engaging episode of One Thousand Gurus, Travis joins J.R. for a conversation filled with laughter, nostalgia, and shared experiences. Travis, a guest many have been anticipating, kicks off the discussion with tales of their shared history in the K-pop scene and how they met through mutual interests in fitness and cosplay. J.R. introduces Travis with warm familiarity, setting the stage for an insightful peek into Travis’s unique life story.

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Book notes: Hell Divers III by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Hell Divers 3 by Nicholas Sansbury Smith book summary review and key ideas.

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Hell Divers III: Deliverance by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Synopsis:

They will dive, but will humanity survive?

Left for dead on the nightmarish surface of the planet, Commander Michael Everhart and his team of Hell Divers barely escape with their lives aboard a new airship called Deliverance. After learning that Xavier “X” Rodriguez may still be alive, they mount a rescue mission for the long-lost hero.

In the skies, the Hive is falling apart, but Captain Jordan is more determined than ever to keep humanity in their outdated lifeboat. He will do whatever it takes to keep the ship in the air – even murder. But when he learns the Hell Divers he exiled have found Deliverance, he changes course for a new mission – find the divers, kill them, and make their new ship his own.

In the third installment of the Hell Divers series, Michael and his fellow divers fight across the mutated landscape in search of X. But what they find will change everything.” -Audible


~If you enjoy my summary, please consider buying me a coffee via my Ko-Fi link (click the button below) or support this blog in one of several ways! 📖 🎓

I appreciate every donation as it goes directly to the maintenance costs of my blog and creation of new content. 😊

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OTG Podcast #25: From Dance Floors to Conversations: A Deep Dive with Alex Cristal

Full Episode Page (show notes, links, transcript): #25: Alex Cristal – The Power of Solitude, Chasing Side-Quests, and “Soulmates”

Introduction

In an engaging and heartfelt conversation, podcast host J.R. welcomes Alex Cristal into the spotlight for an open dialogue about life’s journeys, aspirations, and challenges. This blog post encapsulates the highlights of their discussion, offering readers insights into topics ranging from the power of community to personal growth through solitude.

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Money Mastery: 10+ Years of Personal Finance Wisdom Distilled From 3 Essential Books

Money Mastery: 10+ Years of Personal Finance Wisdom from 3 Essential Books

Companion article to One Thousand Gurus Podcast Special Episode #60


The Books That Changed How I Think About Money

Over the past decade, I’ve read dozens of personal finance books. Some were helpful, many were repetitive, and a few were downright misleading. But three books stood out as absolute game-changers—books that I wish someone had handed me when I first started my financial journey.

Today, I’m going to share the most powerful insights from these three books and show you how they work together to create a complete personal finance system:

By the end of this article, you’ll have a complete roadmap for building wealth—not just tactics, but the psychology and philosophy to back them up.


Why These Three Books?

Here’s what makes this combination so powerful: Most financial advice focuses on only one dimension. You’ll get books that are all tactics (“open this account, buy that fund”) or all philosophy (“money is energy, abundance mindset”).

But real financial success requires three things working together:

  1. The mechanics – You need a system that actually works
  2. The mindset – You need to understand why you make the money decisions you do
  3. The strategy – You need a long-term plan that compounds over decades

These three books, when read together, give you all three dimensions. Let me show you how.

Continue reading “Money Mastery: 10+ Years of Personal Finance Wisdom Distilled From 3 Essential Books”

OTG Podcast #24: The Journey of Passion and Persistence: A Conversation with Jessi

Full Episode Page (show notes, links, transcript): #24: Jessica Kwong – Journey to Team USA Karate, Self-Talk, and Choosing Your Environment Wisely

Welcome to the Show

In our latest episode of the podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Jessi, an incredible individual who represents resilience, skill, and passion. Jessi shared her journey from being a karate enthusiast to a significant member of Team USA. The conversation unfolded with J.R. expressing his excitement about finally getting Jessi on the show, and it’s clear that both share a mutual respect and fascination with each other’s experiences and achievements.

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OTG Podcast #23: From Law School to Billboards: The Journey of Ali Razavi

Full Episode Page (show notes, links, transcript): #23: Ali Razavi – The Mastermind Behind “Who Hurt You?”, Investing in Yourself, and Giving Back

Introduction

In this engaging podcast episode, host J.R. welcomes Ali Razavi, a successful personal injury attorney and billboard icon, to discuss his career path, the challenges he’s overcome, and his commitment to philanthropy. Ali’s journey from humble beginnings to professional success is filled with valuable insights and inspiring stories.

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OTG Podcast #22: Insights into the World of Game and Entertainment Design with Ray Lee

Full Episode Page (show notes, links, transcript): #22: Ray Lee – How AI Affects Art, Studying Internationally, and the Complexities of Concept Art

Introduction

In a recent episode of One Thousand Gurus, we introduced Ray Lee, a talented concept artist in the game and entertainment industry. From a spontaneous invitation to discuss his journey, Ray’s insights reveal the intricate balancing act of creativity and professionalism required to thrive in this field. His conversation with J.R. provided a deep dive into his formative years, and his evolution from a curious child into a concept artist with an international perspective.

Continue reading “OTG Podcast #22: Insights into the World of Game and Entertainment Design with Ray Lee”