Happy Friday y’all!
I received about a billion book recommendations yesterday! And after a lot of cutting and pasting and linking, here they all are in one big list! (It’s more like ~50, not a billion 😊)
These links are all Amazon links, but if you are interested in reading any books I definitely recommend buying second-hand, or getting them FREE from the library if you can!
OK, here are all the books, and cheers to a kickass 2022, learning new things!!
👇👇👇
Sam M.: Book recs: “I keep trying to catch his eye” by Ivan Maisel. Ivan is a very close family friend who worked for ESPN for 20 years as a writer and his son committed suicide about 5 years ago. He wrote this book about grief. It’s very sad and dark, but extremely intriguing and a window into an individual’s grief journey.
“The British are coming” by Rick Atkinson. Super dense, incredibly detailed account of the first 2 years of the American Revolution. As an American I think I know the details of our independence, but there’s soo much detail around George Washington, the individuals involved, and lessons learned on both sides. It look me 7 months to read, but really good!
*****
Kev S.: I’m reading The Practice of Groundedness by Brad Stulberg. It’s an amazing book about taking the practical things we do in real life and just simplifying them to be more grounded in our day to day lives.
Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter was great too.. It tells a story of embracing discomfort to reclaim your wild, happy self. (Took that from its title).
*****
Sam S: I highly recommend “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. This book has given me a recipe for a happy life and achieving my dreams. It is a must read.
*****
From Cari: Smart Couples Finish Rich : 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner — by David Bach. 2002 Edition ordered this summer from Amazon gently used for $5.06 + 3.99 shipping. Pretty common-sense stuff but would be a GREAT gift to give at weddings!!
**Note from Joel… This is one of my FAV finance books and it really helped me and wifey get on the same team about our money. Love the workbooks inside it!!**
*****
From HS: I just finished reading Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari and would highly recommend it! I started with his book Sapiens last year and I would recommend others start with that as well. His writing is incredibly thought provoking and both of his books have helped me put my own life into perspective, while helping to understand really complex concepts about our world and species. I can’t wait to read his third! Cheers, HS
*****
Nathan H: I just finished a virtual book club with my church on the book Caste [The Origins of Discontent] by Isabel Wilkerson. It continued to open my eyes to the system of oppression here in the U.S. I would definitely recommend it.
*****
Quick pause here… There are actually 2 friends on this email list that have written their own books!!!
- My friend Jason Brown wrote: IT IS POSSIBLE! — written to help people avoid student loan debt.
- My buddy Jillian Johnsrud wrote: FIRE the Haters – about creating content online and charting unknown waters!
*****
Martin U: The Bitcoin Standard. I guess you could say it’s the Bible for Bitcoin. Thanks for your daily emails!
*****
Colin W: Hi Joel. I read quite widely. I’ve been reading a number of biographies of US Presidents. I’m not sure why. For something completely different I’m now reading Earth Game, The Evolution of Consciousness by Christian Thagard. The premise is that we are part of a designed “game”. Lots of quantum physics stuff and I’m not really interested in that generally but am keeping an open mind. Very well written. I’m not sure if you’ll get the reference or not but I fear I may be a person who would take the blue pill and this may appeal to readers who would take the red pill.
*****
Charlie C: I don’t think you are a parent, but for parents out there, the best book I read this year was Simple Habits for Effective Parenting by Randall Schroeder, PH.D. This is the best “instruction manual” on parenting I have ever read. Two phrases it teaches is to say, “Either / or / you decide” and “When you / Then you”. I use these daily with great results.
*****
Susan T: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. His premise is that you absolutely cannot do everything in the limited time you have available in your one life, so it’s important to choose what you want to do just as much as to choose not to do the things that are less important. It’s a really good exploration into how we define what is important to us which in turn defines our lives.
*****
Baldomero F: Last few books I read arl really good.
- Man’s Search for Meaning -Victor E. Frankl- Must Read
- You’re Not Listening – Kate Murphy – also really important reading
- Entangle Life:How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures – Merlin Sheldrake – Fascinating!!!
- Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness Edward Abbey – I love the outdoors and Utah especially, Abbey is like the Thoreau of the Southwest.
*****
Joel L: I just finished reading The Deep Places by Ross Douthat. I definitely recommend it. It’s about his struggle with Lyme disease. I’ve been fortunate and have never suffered through a major or chronic illness.
This book was beautifully written & shed light on what a struggle like that entails from a physical, emotional, & relational perspective. I felt like I got to walk a mile in Ross Douthat’s Crocs (haha).
*****
Adam E: So many good books this year. A couple great ones stand out. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (audio version on 2X speed really helps here) Very important concepts, most beautifully written book I’ve ever read.
And 12 rules for life by Jordan Peterson
*****
Beau W: Takedown, The fall of the last Mafia empire. It’s a true story about a NYC Cop who goes undercover too expose the mobs control of the garbage industries in NYC. True Crime at its best. Your friend from AZ, Beau Womack.
*****
Mr. Davidson: Elon Musk bio by Ashlee Vance. I’ve read it before but I read it again a few months ago and it’s cool to peek inside his mind. The guy is wired differently than most.
*****
Jim C: “Barbarian Days” William Finnegan. This is a life story told through the lens of surfing. Well written and often gripping. Great book.
**note from Joel: I’ve read this and it’s a great book!**
*****
Matt W: I love the idea of sharing books. I’m currently reading “A Republic if you can Keep It” by Neil Gorsuch. Pretty interesting and goes through some of his experiences on the Supreme Court. I would also highly recommend Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Great writing and interesting story. Thanks for all your wonderful emails!
*****
Cullen A: Sebastian Jungers book “Tribe” , I highly recommend. It’s an easy read.
*****
Kylee S: I recently read and enjoyed “The Immortalists” by Chloe Benjamin. A story of four siblings who have a chance encounter with a traveling psychic, and they each find out the exact day they’re going to die. An interesting tale that dives a bit into the philosophy of “ignorance is bliss”.
*****
Shawnell: I am reading Frank Herbert’s Dune series. It is incredible and gets so much better. I think Heretics of Dune (book 5) is my favorite book so far of the series, but that is just because that is the one I am reading right now.
In addition, I am currently reading The End of Mental Illness: How Neuroscience is Transforming by Dr. Daniel Amen, but I am listening to that one on audiobook for my workouts and cleaning projects around the house.
I’m also reading The Huckle & Goose Cookbook: 152 Recipes and Habits to Cook More, Stress Less, and Bring the Outside In by Anca Toderic and Chrstine Lucaciu. I’ve been making delicious drinks and homemade meals!
*****
Sherrie: I read mostly fiction of the John Grisham and David Baldachi type but if you want a daily injection of something thought provoking and uplifting (such as yourself) subscribe to Sean of the South [it’s a blog]. He has several great books too. I also love The Frugalwoods and the Frugal Girl. [blogs also]
*****
Grateful Kae: Probably my favorite non-fiction reads this year were finally reading Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism and Deep Work. They both contain lots of great advice on how to live a more focused, deeper, intentional life! I love his podcast, too.
*****
From Rosie: My favorite book of all times is “Gifts from The Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh – yes, that Lindbergh family. I read this book the beginning of every year. Every time I read it I get different insights. I feel that it is more geared towards women but..? I’m still hunting for a first edition copy. Found a second edition one years ago so I’m getting close!!
I also very much enjoy Daniel Silva’s books. All of them. Helps if you read them in order. Not necessary but threads are woven from one book to the next.
*****
Derick: I recently read The 4 Agreements. It’s a great, quick read that has helped me quite a bit. Give it a read if you haven’t already.
*****
Olaf: Here is my recommendation: Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality. It presents the rise and meaning of quantum physics, but through a story like and engaging tale. Quite fascinating and digestible, even for those without science or math majors.
My other suggestion is: The Book by Alan Watts
*****
Karlis: This is one I did enjoy and would not come up often. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
*****
Dish T: I read a book called: Personality isn’t Permanent by Benjamin Hardy PHD. It is about connecting with your future self and building your life around the goals that really matter to you. It is about the future self driving your actions for today instead of dealing with the small fires we seem to be always putting out in the moment.
My favorite quote from the book is: “Commitment is a statement of what ‘is.” You can know what you’re committed to by your results, not by what you say your commitments are. We are all committed. We are all producing results. The result is the proof of a commitment.” – page 93
He also has no cost future self course online. I did it earlier this year and I have had some amazing things continue to manifest.
*****
Jennifer H: My all time favorite book (read it a long time ago, but re-read as well); Freakonomics. It’s a new angle on everything. If you have not read…just trust me. 🙂
*****
John M: Not new this year but Bad Blood by John Carreyrou is a really good read. It’s about the Theranos fraud – the trial is taking place now. The Dropout is a great podcast about it too.
*****
Mira says: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel… if you haven’t read it already. Also, anything by Ruskin Bond, I am currently reading The Night Train at Deoli. Short fiction.
*****
Jesse (from Best Interest): one that I’d add on there is Influence by Robert Cialdini!
*****
Thank you to everyone who sent in responses!
Happy Friday! Have a great weekend, y’all!
Love, Joel
Cooper says happy holidays!