An Appetite for: Books - Boss Life

How can this non-fiction book about a year in a small business's life, written by its owner, be so exciting? 

Paul Downs wrote a blog for The New York Times about life as a boss.  In his book, he takes us through his experiences and financial ups and downs in his wood shop over the course of a year.  I didn't want it to end and found it truly suspenseful. Each chapter (month) starts out with an open look at his revenue, cash, and profits—and sometimes it was touch-and-go if the business would last. Paul Downs would be the first to admit he is not a perfect boss. Though he shows growth and an admirable level of self-awareness throughout the year, there were still times when I wanted to grab him by the shoulders and tell him what to do. He was aware of certain issues with his staff, but would sometimes just complain (in the book) without taking any action. This only made me like him more! When was the last time you read a book where the narrator was truly open to sharing his flaws and they weren't all overcome at the end? Dreaming of a sequel, please.

I could relate to this book, having been a boss and having had many bosses in my career. I've learned from the best of them and the worst of them, but my favorite bosses were always the one who told me stories from their own career, especially their mistakes and how they lived through them. I've had a few bosses who never shared a story from their own lives or careers, no matter how much I tried to draw them out. When I've been a boss, whether to one direct report or to many, I've tried to emulate the good ones by sharing stories and showing vulnerability. I wonder how this trait is perceived by others—is it the positive trait I so admire? I think sharing stories builds connections (and after all, we spend most of our days at work, so why not build relationships?).