Three quarters of the way to fifty-two books. Last year, I set out to do 52 books in 52 weeks, but I fell short reading 38 books. Now, I’ve hit 39. These last thirteen books I read were all recommendations from others and they were awesome (so thank you!).
Check out the first thirteen and second thirteen as well, they include some must-reads.
Ratings out of 10:
10: These are books that I think everyone should read. I take the 10/10 rating seriously. These books transformed some aspect of my life. I will tell you to read these books regardless of whether you ask for a suggestion or not.
7-9: These are books I will recommend when asked. I enjoyed them and think they are worthwhile. I will bring these books up in conversation, refer to them, but they did not have the impact of those with a 10/10 rating.
4-6: These books provided some value, but I wouldn’t recommend them. Either I did not like the presentation of the book or I didn’t think the content was new or different.
Under 4: I finished these only because I started them.
- Chop Wood, Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf
Rating: 10/10
Category: books that motivate, books for when you’re stuck
Review: This is a must-read no matter who you are. I don’t even know what to say about the book except that you should read it. It is a parable and while sometimes juvenile in story, it packs so much insight. The book is short, but I took more pages of notes than there were pages in the book. Part of the book’s title states How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great, and it definitely delivers.
FYI: You can get it on audible for under 5$.
- Do Over by Jon Acuff
Rating: 9/10
Category: books that motivate, books for when you’re stuck
Review: I reviewed one of Jon Acuff’s other books, Start, in my first post and Do Over was equally as good. The book is definitely for anyone thinking about changing careers, but also has quite a bit of information that can make you reinvest in your current career. Just like his other book, Acuff mixes in solid content with sarcasm and enjoyable comparisons.
Rating: 7/10
Category: books that motivate, books for when you’re stuck
Review: Disclaimer: I don’t like when pictures of the author is on the cover of the book so that may have biased this review. I felt like some of the book served no function, but to make him look good. That being said, he did have an interesting and impressive story. He adds a lot of content and presents it in an interesting and thought-provoking manner.
- The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone
Rating: 8/10
Category: books for when you’re stuck, books that motivate
Review: Grant Cardone was a lot to take in and some of his advice was too much in my opinion, but he was authentic throughout. While I didn’t agree with everything, he supported his claims with stories and examples. If you are stuck and need a push this book can do that for you. I liked this book’s premise and found the portion on goals to be most useful.
- Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson
Rating: 9/10
Category: books for information
Review: This book is a 9/10, but if you are looking to sell a product or a service it is a 10/10. There is a ton of information packed into the book and he really walks you through so many different ideas. He uses stories that are easy to remember and serve to clarify his points. The book has a lot of useful and applicable information.
FYI: You can get this book from his website and just pay shipping
- One Minute Mentoring by Ken Blanchard
Rating: 8/10
Category: books for information, books that make you think
Review: An easy, but useful read. If you are looking for a mentor, have a mentor, or are considering becoming a mentor then you should read this book. While some of it was review, there were new ways of looking at the relationship that have proved helpful. It gives a framework for how to create a positive and effective mentor relationship. This is not a book that I would buy, but rather grab a coffee and read at Barnes and Noble.
- Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
Rating: 9/10
Category: books that motivate, books for when you’re stuck
Review: I loved this read. It was a mix between Mindset, Grit, and The Power of Full Engagement so while a lot of the thoughts are not novel, the presentation is. The synthesis of these similar, but different concepts allowed me to make new connections. It also offered actionable steps for each concept presented. If you haven’t read any of the three books above and only want to read one book, choose Peak Performance. If you have read the three books, don’t be surprised to get a lot of the same content.
- Wired to Eat by Robb Wolf
Rating: 8/10
Category: books for information
Review: This is another book about low carb diets, but it offers another level I haven’t read before. The research is engaging and it does a good job of supporting its stance. I liked it more than previous nutrition books because it aims to individualize the diet within the low-carb scope. A reset followed by experimenting with a glucometer can help determine which carbs are right for each individual.
- DotCom Secrets by Russell Brunson
Rating: 9/10
Category: books for information
Review: If you are trying to market anything online then this book is a must-read. Much like Expert Secrets, Brunson offers entertaining stories to make his points. He gives a lot of useful information and it is obvious why he is so successful.
FYI: You can get this book from his website and just pay shipping
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
Rating: 8/10
Category: books that motivate, books that make you think
Review: At the first chapter, this book seemed like it would be tough to get through, but the rest of it was really good. The harsh beginning was followed up with legitimate arguments and a lot of strong observations. It is not about how to stop caring, but instead how to prioritize what you should care about. It gave a new perspective to some existing beliefs I held.
- Rework by Jason Fried
Rating: 8/10
Category: books that motivate
Review: The book was by the creators of Basecamp and they used a lot of examples from what they did. By the end of the book, I found myself liking their company. They say that the book is good for all business owners no matter beginner or established, but I would say it is more for the beginner. There were a lot of tips and thought-provoking points, but they didn’t seem like they’d be revolutionary for established owners (but I’m not one so who knows).
- Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland
Rating: 9/10
Category: books that motivate
Review: This book surprised me. I expected it to be another book about how to be more productive and while it was, it had so many novel concepts. It challenged me in a lot of ways. Some of what I thought I was doing the right way could actually be done differently. I have implemented some what I learned and I have been very impressed with the difference it has made.
- Legacy by James Kerr
Rating: 9/10
Category: books that motivate
Review: Legacy wove wisdom into a great story. It is well-written and highly engaging. James Kerr did an awesome job of telling the story while teaching so many lessons. I’ve seen many quotes from this book come up on instagram, twitter and facebook since reading. For those that are unsure about reading nonfiction, this is a book to ease the transition.
Looking forward to finishing out the 52 books and continuing. If you have any to add, please share!
Currently Reading: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, The Lean Startup, The Sports Gene
On Deck: The Captain’s Class, Sum, The Third Wave, Be Obsessed or Be Average, Happiness Equation, Presence,