Library
I love reading and get through more books than I can remember.
These are the books that have impacted my worldview and entertained me the most.
Consider it an extensive but not exhaustive syllabus to improve your life, I hope you enjoy the learning journey as much as I did and have no doubts that it will be time well spent.
Without further ado, let's dive in.
Want to Read More?
Kindle
Buying a Kindle is One of the best purchases I've ever made. If you want to read more, you need to get one.
Books on Kindle are usually 20% up to 80% cheaper than the print versions, they're delivered instantly rather than waiting for postage, you can carry your entire library in your pocket, and you can read a free sample of every book before purchasing. If you lose or upgrade your Kindle, you can immediately load all your purchases onto a new device from the Amazon Cloud.
The basic Kindle will suffice for most, and you'll make your money back on cheaper books within about 6 months, but the Paperwhite and Oasis are worth it too if you have some extra cash to spare.
You can support the platform at no extra cost to you by shopping on Amazon through the links below:
Audible
The most valuable membership I have. For A$16.45/month you get 1 free credit you can use on any Audiobook. Even if the book costs $50 it only costs 1 credit.
The easiest way to consume books is on the go, Audible syncs across all your devices and has an amazing mobile app.
You can get a copy of any book on this list by joining Audible for free. Cancel anytime within 30 days and you'll pay nothing, plus you'll get to keep the book.
Join Audible For Free by signing up through Amazon here.
Must Reads
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant - Eric Jorgenson
This is one of those books you wish you read 10 years earlier. Separated into two parts: Wealth and Happiness. This book is a culmination of insight from interviews, blog posts, articles and other social media posts from one of the world’s most innovative thinkers.
Naval explains that generating wealth and being happy are skills we can all learn. Lessons on the creator economy, productising yourself, generating wealth, marketing, investing, psychology, philosophy and the meaning of life are all covered in depth from Naval’s perspective.
If I read this 10 years ago, I would be in a different position today. A must-read if you are working towards freedom of time and money. Easily one of my most highlighted books.
I recommend Kindle or Paperback version, you'll want to immerse yourself in the insights and highlight as you go.
Stolen Focus - Johann Hari
One of the most informative books I've read on the power of manipulation. University students now only focus on each task for 65 seconds, whilst the average office worker manages only 3 minutes. Wait, what???
Over a multi-year journey of self-experimentation and research, Johann uncovers 12 deep causes of the modern-day attention crisis. From technology that can track and manipulate you, deteriorating diets and a surge in ADHD; Johann interviews experts in each domain and uncovers startling facts.
This book has opened my eyes to the drivers of big tech, big food and big pharma, and I am now more informed to make better decisions for myself and my family.
A must-read if you understand the value of your attention and focus.
The Happiest Man on Earth - Eddie Jaku
How is it possible that a Holocaust survivor who faced unimaginable horrors can turn out to be "The Happiest Man on Earth"?
According to Eddie, happiness is a choice we can all make, and life is beautiful if you make it beautiful.
A heart-wrenching personal account of Eddie Jaku's experience as a Holocaust Survivor and a clear demonstration of the power of gratitude and forgiveness.
Easy to read, this short book should be read by everyone on this planet.
Eddie also has an excellent Tedx talk; you can find it on YouTube here.
Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla is Shaping our Future - Ashlee Vance
An inspiring story which delves into the upbringing and early life of arguably the worlds most influential entrepreneurs. What amazes me about Elon Musk which I learned from this book is his amazing ability to build and sell. He understands the technicalities of the industries he operates in well enough to provide valuable insight and criticism, and he can simultaneously sell the vision to billions of people.
Hated by many, loved by more, I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in understanding how one of the world’s most forward-thinking entrepreneurs got to where he is today.
12 Rules for Life - Jordan Peterson
One of the greatest thinkers of our modern age. I first came across Jordan via his lectures on YouTube, which led me to this book. Dr Peterson has a deep desire to help young adults who received little to no guidance compile a plan for their lives and put strategies in place to work towards them. In this book, he does this by laying out 12 rules for Life you can use as a guide to get started. It is by no means an easy read, but it is worth the intellectual challenge and will no doubt be hugely beneficial. I listened to the audiobook version but would recommend reading this one, the lessons he explains are very detailed and require deep thought from you.
Way of the Superior Man - David Deida
David Deida provides an excellent view into the polarities of masculine and feminine energy from a spiritual perspective. Primarily written for heterosexual men, it offers invaluable lessons and a deeper understanding of masculine growth and development.
Call it a spiritual personal development guide if you like. I am far more informed and confident in the decisions I make and better equipped to communicate my intentions, goals and aspirations after reading this. You don't have to be in a relationship to read this, but many of the points made in this book led to amazing conversations between my girlfriend and me.
Show your Work - Austin Kleon
A must-read if you are in two minds about starting or sharing a creative pursuit of your own. Austin explains what the creative world is actually like in reality and casts aside many of the stereotypes. As someone who hates the idea of self-promotion, this book resonated with me because it provides an alternative to self-promotion and a new way of operating through community and collaboration amongst the "ecology of talent".
You may not feel like an expert, but the mere fact you have done that thing and experienced it means you can share your learning that may be helpful to other people. Simple concepts written in an easy-to-read format, I often go back to this book as a reference every time I need some guidance or assistance.
Dark Horse – Todd Rose and Ogi Ogas
A multitude of stories about people who, by following their passions, said no to the mainstream lifestyle of school -> tertiary education -> job. If you are contemplating options and need some inspiration to step out of the crowd and follow an alternative path for your life, Dark Horse might be the little push you need.
This is Marketing – Seth Godin
I am actively looking for ways to improve the effectiveness of communication, and one of the ways I am doing this is by learning marketing. Seth is an amazing communicator and one of the most successful marketers, authors and bloggers of our time. He believes that each of us is a marketer, regardless of our job, and each of us can bring meaningful change in the world. Drawing from experience and observation, This is Marketing teaches you how to effectively communicate in a way that resonates with the listener, inviting them on a journey where change might happen to solve their problem. I learnt simple, effective strategies that I could immediately implement into my work.
It teaches you the essential questions you should ask when launching a project, such as: Who’s it for? What’s it for? And What change are you seeking to make? I highly recommend it to improve your ability to communicate, problem solve and become an all-around better marketer.
Other books from Seth:
Linchpin - https://amzn.to/3tJdQhP
The Practice - Buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/3s3kMGb
The Song of Significance - Buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/3tMldVP
The 4-Hour Workweek - Tim Ferris
Undoubtedly, it is one of the most influential books I have read. This was my first introduction into (learning about) entrepreneurship, the power of outsourcing, automated passive income streams and business in general. Tim isn't selling dreams in this book, he is essentially telling his own story, and in doing so shows you that through intentional planning and strategy, it is very possible to design and create the life you want to live.
Much of my inspiration for this blog came from this book; if you are like me and are always thinking about creating more time and financial freedom for yourself and your family, The Four-Hour Workweek is a great place to start. Don’t get it on Audible; you’ll get more value from reading this one.
The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
The War of Art is a book that introduces the invisible force of Resistance. Resistance prevents you from doing your work, also known as self-sabotage. Any act that rejects immediate gratification in favour of long-term growth, health or integrity. In other words, any act that derives from our higher nature instead of our lower elicits resistance. Steven teaches you how to identify your resistance, and outlines strategies to overcome it. This book has been incredibly helpful in getting my own projects up and running, a must read if you are struggling to get started on a project of your own.
Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
A gruelling story about pushing the human body to its absolute physical and mental limits. Through David Goggins’ stories, I learned so much about the power of the mind and how we can do so much more than we might be led to believe. David demonstrates how your mind will try to give up long before your physical body will, so if you overcome the limiting beliefs in your mind, you can push yourself significantly further.
It also provides an interesting insight into the world of ultra-endurance sports, another dimension of physical activity that is less mainstream and has so much to offer in the form of learning from people with the utmost dedication and passion for what they do.
The audiobook version includes podcast-style discussions at the end of each chapter, a bonus you won’t get in the other formats.
The Undisputed Truth (Mike Tyson)
Another inspiring autobiography on one of the world’s most successful heavyweight boxers. By reading Mike Tyson’s story, I have a whole new understanding of the motivational power that can result from adversity. This book is an excellent demonstration of what it takes to be the best at what you do, and the importance of having people who have your best interests at heart around you. There is no shortcut to success, and no substitute for hard work.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
This is a story about a boy who travels from Spain to Egypt in search of a treasure. On his journey, he has several experiences and encounters many challenges you will relate to from your life, and he receives guidance from mentors he meets along the way that you can instantly apply to your life. From making sacrifices, decision-making, finding love, trusting your gut, and staying true to your North Star, this story has it all. You will interpret this book differently depending on your stage of life, consider it a spiritual guide to accompany you on your journey. The audiobook or Kindle version will do, as it’s a relatively easy read. I read a few pages before bed each night, which was a great way to end the day!