My most recent blog post explained how I rediscovered a voracious appetite for reading. “How do I know what to read?” you might ask. This was my question, too, once I had unleashed a new super power.
Around that time, my wife (my infinite source of abundant inspiration) sent me a screenshot of two different book lists. I was excited to find that A.) I had already read and enjoyed several of the books on the list and B.) There were others on the list that I owned though I never got around to reading them.
Without much further bluster, here are those lists, which, to my knowledge, were first presented by Library Mindset on Twitter. It might be worth noting that some of these books are written by people with whom I disagree ideologically. Will I still read their books? That’s my goal. Will I put them off until last? Probably so. But the point is that consuming divergent beliefs every now and then can be a healthy thing. It keeps you from being stuck in an echo chamber with everyone who agrees with you.
When you find a book description below that intrigues you, consider the shortcuts that can help you consume it with fewer barriers. If you’re financially strapped, have your library find the book for you through interlibrary loan. If you want to start reading as soon as possible, click on the book’s hyperlink and order it from Amazon.
Additionally, if you find the prospect of reading 77 books to be daunting, consider the snowball method made popular by Dave Ramsey as it pertains to debt reduction. Start with the lowest page count first (Who Moved My Cheese?) and work your way up to the longest (Behave). In this manner, your momentum of having completed more books more quickly might urge you on before giving up. I’ve included each book’s page count for your convenience.
52 Books That Will Change Your Life in 365 Days
Talk Like Ted, by Carmine Gallo
(288 pages)
This book promises to boost your public speaking abilities, and it includes data from hundreds of successful TEDTalks to unlock what most captivates an audience.
Hyperfocus, by Chris Bailey
(256 pages)
This one is at the top of my list, as it deals with increasing productivity in the midst of surrounding distractions. Sounds both timely and perfectly suited for my ADHD.
The 5 a.m. Revolution, by Dan Luca
(192 pages)
I’m intrigued by this book, too, as it correlates high achievers’ early rise with the achievement itself. I’ve found this to be personally true this summer, as my most productive creativity has been coming in the morning before everybody else wakes up. The trick will be in incorporating this habit into the school year: Could I realistically wake up at 3:30 or 4 every morning to both be productive and still make it to work on time? I hope this book has a good answer.
The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy
(208 pages)
This book is targeted toward superachievers who seek to achieve extraordinary success.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, by Eric Jorgenson
(242 pages)
This collection of thoughts written by Ravikant (entrepreneur, philosopher and investor) promises to pursue both happiness and wealth in tandem.
101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think, by Brianna Wiest
(448 pages)
The collection of Wiest’s essays address why you should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way you see your life.
Your Next Five Moves, by Patrick Bet-David
(320 pages)
This book looks at business like a game of chess, promising to teach clarity, strategy, growth tactics, skills and insight as they pertain to growing a successful business.
How to Own Your Mind, by Napoleon Hill
(248 pages)
The famed author of Think and Grow Rich teaches the reader how to organize your thinking to attain success.
Mind Full to Mindful, by Om Swami
(192 pages)
Swami’s book promises to bring about a calmer, more beneficial mind, turning everyday activities into meditative practices.
Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
(512 pages)
Kahneman has won a Nobel Prize in Economics, and in this book he explains the two systems in our minds that drive our thinking. (System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional while System 2 is slower, more deliberative and more logical.)
The Courage To Be Disliked, by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
(288 pages)
One reviewer called this book “Marie Kondo, but for your brain.” In it, a philosopher and his student have five conversations about how each of us is able to determine the direction of our own life, free from the shackles of past traumas and the expectations of others.
Mindset, by Carol S. Dweck
(320 pages)
I’m reading this book now, and I can see why so many people use the “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset” jargon. Dweck puts forth a compelling case for adopting the growth mindset, and she uses a ton of well-researched, real-life examples of those who embody either mindset. Well worth learning how to take on a growth mindset.
How to Get Rich, by Felix Dennis
(300 pages)
Dennis was a billionaire magazine magnate and hippie. He shares the secrets of accumulating his wealth in this book.
On the Shortness of Life, by Seneca
(105 pages)
It’s been awhile since I’ve read this one, and it’s relatively short, so I’ll likely circle back around and read it again. Timothy Ferriss (mentioned later in this list) and Ryan Holiday (of The Daily Stoic podcast fame) bring up this work often.
The Hero Code, by William H. McRaven
(176 pages)
This book provides lessons in virtues that can become the foundations of our character as we build a life worthy of honor and respect.
Your Brain is Playing Tricks on You, by Albert Moukheber
(192 pages)
I’m really interested in reading this book, because it addresses the phenomenon of our brains working against our best interests or objective understandings in the name of survival–even if this drive for survival may be outdated and incongruent with our modern conditions.
Lifespan, by David A. Sinclair
(432 pages)
In this book, Sinclair claims that “aging is a disease, and that disease is treatable.” He is a leading world authority on genetics and longevity, so he’s said to offer bold and profound insights in this book.
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell
(464 pages)
I really like Malcolm Gladwell’s writing style, and there’s something really soothing about listening to him narrate his own words on audiobook. Well-researched, fascinating and bold. This book is my favorite of his.
Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
(656 pages)
This painstakingly-researched biography of the late tech giant offers insight into his life, his methodologies and his lasting legacy.
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
(320 pages)
I’ve read this one, and it leaves you with some memorable actionable steps to add beneficial habits to your routine on purpose.
30 Days, by Marc Reklau
(204 pages)
This book is designed to assist you in discovering how to take control and full responsibility of your life, starting with a few small daily steps.
Building a Second Brain, by Tiago Forte
(272 pages)
Forte’s book intrigues me, as it promises to offer a proven method for organizing endless information available through technology for the ultimate goal of unlocking creative potential.
How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
(320 pages)
I just finished this book, after having owned a thrift-store copy for years. I found it to be far more timeless and invigorating than one would expect for something written in the 1930s. I plan on typing up Carnegie’s bullet points and working to commit them to memory this year. They’re that good.
The First Minute, by Chris Fanning
(126 pages)
This award-winning book teaches how to improve one’s conversation skills, using practical, step-by-step methods. I made the mistake of listening to it on audiobook, though it’s far more dense and theoretical for a visual learner like me to get much out of that way. I plan on re-reading it, old-school analog style, once I’m done with the list.
The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg
(400 pages)
Duhigg looks at why we do the things we do and how to modify them for lasting change.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, by Julie Smith
(368 pages)
Smith, a therapist, reveals how to fortify and maintain mental health, even in the most trying of times.
Reasons to Stay Alive, by Matt Haig
(272 pages)
Haig shares his personal battles with mental illness, discussing the dangers and difficulties, uncovering the stigma around it, and identifying how to recover.
The Big Questions of Life, by Om Swami
(270 pages)
This book was written on the premise that pain is inevitable, though suffering is optional, further expounding on those ideas.
Behave, by Robert Sapolsky
(800 pages)
Sapolsky, a neurobiologist and primatologist, explores the biological reasons that we do the things we do.
Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari
(468 pages)
This book from a renowned historian explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”
What Happened to You?, by Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey
(304 pages)
Media mogul Winfrey and brain and trauma expert Perry provide scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns that are sometimes difficult to understand.
The Overthinking Cure, by Nick Trenton
(188 pages)
Trenton, who claims that a distracted and non-present mind is the biggest cause of happiness, walks you through obstacles with detailed and proven techniques to help you rewire your brain, control your thoughts and change your mental habits. I’ve started reading this book, and I find it very interesting so far.
The Power of Self-Discipline, by Peter Hollins & Russell Newton
(250 pages)
This book promises to teach the reader how to make willpower automatic, second nature and habitual.
Good Vibes, Good Life, by Vex King
(304 pages)
King claims that self-love is the key to unlocking one’s greatness, and that when you change the way you think, feel, speak and act, you begin to change the world.
Make Your Bed, by William H. McRaven
(144 pages)
In this brief-though-powerful book, McRaven discusses the little things that can change your life and, perhaps, even the world. I just finished reading it, and I really liked the way he paired each valuable life lesson with a dynamic story from his time in the Navy Seals.
Tiny Habits, by B.J. Fogg
(577 pages)
Fogg teaches you how to build habits quickly and easily, increase productivity by tapping into positive emotions, and create a happier and healthier life.
Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson
(96 pages)
My mother-in-law had this book by her toilet for years and, over time, I got it read. It’s relatively brief, simple and easy to read, though its impact resonates.
Surrounded by Idiots, by Thomas Erickson
(304 pages)
This book is said to help you understand yourself better, hone communication and social skills, handle conflict with confidence, improve dynamics with your boss and team, and get the best out of the people you deal with and manage.
The $100 Startup, by Chris Guillebeau
(304 pages)
Guillebeau looks into the business practices of people with no special skills who discovered aspects of their personal passions that could be monetized, allowing them to restructure their lives in ways that gave them greater freedom and fulfillment.
Emotional Intelligence, by Daniel Goleman
(352 pages)
Goleman introduces the concept of emotional intelligence as a supplement to one’s I.Q., addressing how the rational and the emotional can, together, shape our destiny.
Win Your Inner Battles, by Darius Foroux
(159 pages)
This book seeks to help you defeat the enemy within and live with purpose.
Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood
(320 pages)
Wood writes about how we form habits and what we can do with this knowledge to make positive change.
The Psychology of Money, by Morgan Housel
(256 pages)
Housel shares 19 short stories that explore the strange ways people think about money, teaching you how to make better sense of one of life’s most important topics.
Originals, by Adam Grant
(336 pages)
This book posits that nonconformists are the ones who move civilization forward.
The Miracle of Mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh
(160 pages)
Zen master Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness–being awake and fully aware.
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, by Amy Morin
(272 pages)
I’ve owned this book for years. In fact, it has been sitting within arm’s length of my bed for at least a year or more. Because mental strength is key in finding success, I’m bumping it up to the top of my reading list.
12 Rules for Life, by Jordan B. Peterson
(409 pages)
Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world’s wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life.
The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, by Vishen Lakhiani
(288 pages)
This book provides ten unconventional laws to redefine your life and succeed on your own terms.
Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker
(368 pages)
Walker breaks down the most cutting-edge recent findings on the science of sleep, diving into the power and purpose of slumber.
25 Business Books That Will Teach You More Than a 4-Year Degree
The next set of books appeals to folks like me who ran, kicking and screaming, from anything that sounded like “business talk.” Eventually, it dawned on me that achieving my creative dreams involved earning money to supplement that dream, effectively maintaining that money and getting my creative projects in front of a target audience. In essence, by running away from business, I was deferring my dream.
Wanna make up for lost time? Here are the books Library Mindset recommends:
The Personal MBA, by Josh Kaufman
(416 pages)
The goal of this book is to give you what you’d need to learn if you were pursuing a business degree. It’s a best seller, promising tons of valuable education for the aspiring business leader.
Creativity, Inc., by Ed Catmull
(368 pages)
Catmull uses his experiences as co-founder and former president of Pixar to share what works well at Pixar and how that can affect your business decisions.
What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School, by Mark H. McCormack
(288 pages)
Like The Personal MBA, this book promises to give you the quality education you’d expect from a top-of-the-line business school while filling in the blanks where traditional schools leave off. I just found this at Goodwill, and I can’t wait to dive in.
Your Next Five Moves, by Patrick Bet-David
(320 pages)
Bet-David, creator of the top YouTube Channel for entrepreneurs, offers tools to master the art of business strategy.
Zero to One, by Peter Thiel
(224 pages)
Thiel, who’s built multiple businesses from the ground up, shares his formula for doing the same.
Business Adventures, by John Brooks
(400 pages)
This book shares 12 different stories of successful businesses, highlighting the moments that made all the difference in their success.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things, by Ben Horowitz
(304 pages)
This book offers Horowitz’s experience as an entrepreneur, providing advice on how to build and run a startup.
The Ride of a Lifetime, by Robert Iger
(272 pages)
In this book, Iger shares his experiences as CEO of Disney, showcasing some keys to leadership and success.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith
(300 pages)
This books seeks to help the reader reach the next level of success, whatever that may be.
The 1-Page Marketing Plan, by Allan Dib
(240 pages)
This book promises to provide a reliable market plan designed for rapid business growth.
The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding, by Al Ries & Laura Ries
(192 pages)
The book has been described as “the definitive text on branding.”
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
(400 pages)
This book looks at successful companies and why some of them make the leap to greatness while others fail.
Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight
(399 pages)
This book serves as a memoir from the founder of Nike. His story is the foundation for the new Ben Affleck movie, Air.
Hooked, by Nir Eyal
(256 pages)
This book is described as a guide to building products people use because they want to, not because they have to.
Rework, by Jason Fried & David Heinemeir Hansson
(288 pages)
Rework is on the top of my list of books to read. It promises to provide ways for readers to leverage the latest technologies and innovations to start their own businesses without breaking the bank.
The $100 Startup, by Chris Guillebeau
(304 pages)
This book also intrigues me. The author tours the world and turns ideas into income, even though he’s never earned a regular paycheck.
The E Myth Revisited, by Michael E. Gerber
(300 pages)
Gerber’s book explains why most small businesses don’t work and what to do about it.
Good Profit, by Charles G. Koch
(288 pages)
In this book, Koch promises to tell how creating value for others built one of the world’s most successful companies.
Start With Why, by Simon Sinek
(256 pages)
Sinek, a frequent subject of viral videos for entrepreneurs, describes how great leaders inspire everyone to take action.
The 4-Hour Work Week, by Timothy Ferriss
(448 pages)
I, like so many others, swear by this book. It changed the way I see work, the way I approach goals and the adventurousness with which I hope to face life.
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, by Al Ries & Laura Ries
(272 pages)
This book promises to provide just that: essential laws that, when followed, result in successful marketing campaigns.
Side Hustle, by Chris Guillebeau
(272 pages)
The book promises to teach how to launch a profitable side hustle in just 27 days.
The Minimalist Entrepreneur, by Sahil Lavingia
(256 pages)
I recently got this book delivered to my mailbox as the idea of living simply appeals to me. Its target audience is “a new generation of founders who would rather build great companies than big ones.”
The Goal, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
(362 pages)
This business-based novel is considered a classic. Apparently, there’s a graphic novel version, too, which intrigues my inner comics geek.
Invent & Wander, by Jeff Bezos
(288 pages)
This book collects various writings by Bezos, providing the core principles and philosophies that have guided him throughout the creation, building and leading of Amazon.
What do you recommend?
Which of these books have you read? Which are you most eager to read? What books are missing from this list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
(Note: This post includes affiliate links. This means that, for every purchase you make following some of my links, I get a cut from the product provider. This doesn’t cost you any extra money, but it certainly can help me pay the bills!)
