Had a few of you asking what I'm reading right now and suggesting new reading material. Figured more of you might be curious, so here's my current list. Who knows, maybe if enough people care I'll actually keep this up to date…
I usually have a few books going at a time, one or two loaded in my phone (audiobook for walking/jogging/commute, ebook for downtime) and a physical one for when I'm home. I read for both pleasure & personal development so you'll see a mix of both here.
Full disclosure – this article contains Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a little bit of money if you buy using that link. Why do I use them? Because Amazon makes it easy for you to see additional reviews, download to your kindle or phone, and makes me a few bucks to cover the cost of running this website. Might as well get paid if I'm going to write the article, right?
I use the Nulaxy Wireless In-Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter Radio Adapter Car Kit with 1.44 Inch Display and USB Car Charger for playing books and hands-free calling on my phone in my car. I highly recommend it, just plug it in and go. One button to click to pause and start your book which makes it really easy to continue where you left off. Very handy gadget if you enjoy listening to audiobooks.
I've read more or less constantly for more than 35 years, reading thousands if not tens of thousands of books. If you're interested in a book recommendation subscribe and I'll send a recap of the articles I have written each week, a recommended book to challenge and grow you each month, and a list of the top 20 books that have had the biggest impact on my life.
My Current Reading Queue
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius – reading
- Stronger (Boston Bombing Survivor) by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter – listening to
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
- Mastery by Robert Greene
- Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice The Work in Half The Time by Jeff Sutherland
- The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin
- #Success – Mastering the basics to a happy, healthy, and wealthy life — Carla Schesser
- Mindset — Carol Dweck
- The practicing mind by Thomas Sterner
- The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones
- Rhinoceros Success: The Secret to Charging Full Speed Toward Every Opportunity
- Tools for Titans
- Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders
- Radical by David Platt
- The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley
- Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell
- So Once Was I by K. M. Peyton
Recently Read
- Rich20Something: Ditch Your Average Job, Start an Epic Business, and Score the Life You Want by Daniel DiPiazza – good book if you are considering starting an online business
- Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend – reread this one, awesome book on creating healthy boundaries
- Your Money Counts by Howard Dayton – excellent financial book for Christian men
- Point Man by Steve Farrar – excellent book for Christian men, especially fathers and leaders
- Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke – decent but had a little trouble getting into it
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – didn't complete it. The ideas presented are actually pretty good if you haven't read this type of stuff or experienced it, but a little Machiavellian for my taste, sure it was intentionally written that way for effect.
- Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman – excellent book, worthwhile read
- The Top 1% by Dan Strutzel – Nice take on the top 1%, worthwhile if you haven't already read a lot of these types of books.
- Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change by Joseph Grenny Corporate Consultant (Author), Kerry Patterson Corporate Consultant (Author), David Maxfield (Author), Ron McMillan Corporate Consultant (Author), Al Switzler Corporate Consultant (Author) – Excellent, brought this out as the book of the month
- Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke – Good sci-fi
- Talk like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds — St. Martin's Griffin – excellent analysis of what makes a speaker great, highly recommend this
- The Width of the World (Vega Jane Book #3) — David Baldacci – excellent series, highly recommend if you like fantasy like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Terry Brooks.
- The Keeper (Vega Jane Book #2) — David Baldacci – excellent fantasy book, if you like things like Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, or Terry Brooks you'll enjoy this series.
- You are the Message by Roger Ailes – a must for anyone doing public speaking, quick and to the point
- Goals — Brian Tracy – excellent book on setting goals
- The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges – decent, not one of my favorites but a worthwhile read for Christian leaders
- The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, John Scalzi – excellent Science Fiction novel, highly recommend if you are looking for a diversion.
- Visioneering by Andy Stanley – excellent book, really makes you think through where you want to go in life.
- Dancing with Myself – Billy Idol – ok, but was a bit drawn out for my taste. First 3/4 of the book can be summed up by sex, drugs, & rock & roll.
- The 10x Rule — Grant Cardone – very good motivational book
- Be A People Person by John Maxwell – solid book on relating to others.
- The 4 hour work week — Tim Ferriss – some good ideas for saving time or if you are interested in venturing out on your own.
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch – interesting and quick read, some good life lessons
- Retire young retire rich — Robert Kiyosaki – one of his best books I've read so far, unique take on investing
- The Geography of Genius: Lessons from the World's Most Creative Places – interesting look into the nurture part of genius
- Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster – excellent study on Christian discipleship
- Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself – great inspirational story
- How to win friends & influence people — Dale Carnegie (reread) – great as always, should be considered required reading
- The last stand of Fox Company: a true story of U.S. marines in combat – interesting, slow though
- Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson – excellent, highly recommended!
- Awaken the Giant Within — Anthony Robbins – a little over the top but worthwhile read
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – great story about finding your treasure, highly recommend!
- The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John Maxwell – reread, top pick
- What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey – It's Oprah…of course it's good
- It's a Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson – love it, this guy knows how to tell a story! Good insights.
- Me by Ricky Martin – 5 stars
- Flyboys: A True Story of Courage – a must read, but you won't ever think of war the same again… Not the movie. Warning, this contains many very graphic scenes, not for kids or the faint of heart.
- It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy. Excellent
Recommendations are welcome, comment away!