Always Be Reading

Reading: Books I Recommend

Read to learn.  Read what is interesting to you.  Read, read, and then read some more.  

A non-fiction book has to be one of the best bargains there is in life.  For less than $20 per book (or free from the library), you can get a summary of the author's 100+ hours of research on a subject.  The 6-10 hours you spend reading the book will give you such a better return on your time that binging the next TV series.  It could fundamentally evolve the way you think about something.

Stoicism

I can't say enough good things about Ryan Holiday and his books on the Stoics (Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca).  Ryan brings in stories of people through history as examples of living by the Stoic principles.  This is an operating system for your daily life.  I can say with full certainty that the daily exposure to Stoic teachings has made a huge difference in who I am today.  

Books by Ryan Holiday on Stoicism are listed below.  You can buy all his books directly from his store at The Painted Porch.

• The Daily Stoic is a page per day with a quote from a Stoic and Ryan's writing on the same subject.  I start each day with this.  

• The Obstacle is the Way on using obstacles as your guide for accomplishing your goals.

• Ego is the Enemy on the risks of letting your ego rule your life and decisions.

• Stillness is the Key on the benefits of thinking.

• Courage is Calling on the Stoic virtue of courage.

• Discipline is Destiny on the Stoic virtue of temperance.  

• Right Thing, Right Now on the Stoic virtue of justice and doing the right thing.

• Wisdom Takes Work on the Stoic virtue of wisdom.

Self-Development

Once you become an adult, it is no one's responsibility to develop you more than you.  Be a student of yourself.  Read to learn and grow.  These are some of my favorite books on self-development.

• What to Make of a Life by Jim Collins

• The Wisdom of Andrew Carnegie by Napoleon Hill

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Hidden Potential by Adam Gran

• Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves

• Mindset by Carol Dweck

• Grit by Angela Duckworth

• Choke by Sian Beilock

• Quit by Annie Duke

• The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey

• Braving the Wilderness by Brene' Brown

• The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor

• Mastery by Robert Greene

• Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss

Teamwork & Getting Things Done

As much as self-development is foundational to working as part of a team, there are some excellent books more specifically focused on teamwork.

• Legacy by James Kerr

• It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Hansson

• The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

• Making Big Happen by Mark Moses

• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

Wealth & Happiness

We need money to live, but money doesn't necessarily bring happiness.  These books have helped me better understand how to develop a healthy relationship with money.

• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel (all his books are excellent)

• Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Naval Ravikant

• Money for Couples by Ramit Sethi

• Die with Zero by Bill Perkins

• The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway

Life

These are books that provide great advice on how to life your life.

• 30 Lessons for Living by Karl Pillner

• Transitions by William Bridges

• Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

• Same as Ever by Morgan Housel

• Excellent Advice for Living by Kevin Kelly