I have no issue with people reading eleventy hundred books in a year. I’ve tried in the past … and failed, if you must know. I think anyone who takes up the reading habit in any form is on to something.
I remember when my kids were young, if they did one thing in life, they would be readers and learners (yes, technically that's two! 😉). They both are. Job done!
This year I’m reading … seven books … over and over!
I’ve read so many books in the past and have learned a lot from most of them. I know the learnings are there, in my mind … somewhere … but they are not benefiting me.
In life, we don’t forget anything, we simply fail to remember.
- Bill Wallace
This year I’m going to:
slow down
reflect
take notes
learn to my benefit
I want the information from these books to be ingrained. The books below are the ones I’ve decided are for 2023. This doesn’t mean there won’t be other books thrown into the mix but these are the seven priority reads for the year.
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Atomic Habits (James Clear) — I’ve read this book a couple of times and the process is worth keeping top of mind. I want to be able to quickly flick into good habits when things get out of sorts, as they inevitably will in life. We have one life, building constructive habits is essential.
Smart Talk (Lou Tice) — before neuroscience became popular, there was Lou and The Pacific Institute (there were others, of course). Lou talks through how our self talk can improve using science, timeless truths and tactics. We are so ingrained with the thoughts and beliefs of others we took on as we grew up that do not serve our well. There are ways to take control and enjoy time in our minds. Lou gives us step by step guidance.
The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle) — It took me years to buy this after knowing about it. I had no idea what it was really. Finally bit the bullet and got it after a manager recommended it to me. Read it once, then again and then again. Took notes, looking forward to a couple more reads this year.
The Art of Possibility (Rosamund and Ben Zander) — the best personal development book I have ever read (and I have read many). This was my give away book a few years ago. Bought ten copies, gave them away to friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, I lent my original copy full of personal notes and ideas to someone who then lost it. Lesson learnt!
Guide to the Good Life (William B Irvine) — As this was first published in 2009, it was the OG Stoic book to Ryan Holiday’s series. Have read it once and taken notes and highlights. Will read again and do the same. One thing I noticed in the first read was that even though we choose whatever lifestyle we want (i.e. Stoicism in this case), others won’t always support our choices. We need to work through that.
The Coaching Habit (Michael Bungay Stanier) — I think it was Seth Godin who called this “the best coaching book ever written”. Whoever it was, it was high praise. Eminently practical where coaching or influencing others at work and in relationship (helpfully, not manipulatively) this will be a great “workbook” for me this year.
On the Shortness of Life (Seneca) — this was my “bathroom book”. Short reads on a daily basis but there is a passage starting on page 74 that had quite the impact. Will take it out of the bathroom this year and make it a deeper study.
Let me know what books you are reading this year … and for what purpose if you like.
I’d be keen to know!
I love this idea! Seven books are plenty, as long as you're thoughtful about each one. I remember frantically cramming to hit my arbitrary annual book goal a few years back on New Years Eve. It felt good to accomplish it, but I haven't had the same feeling since. A more modest learning objective (that could take 1 book or 50 to achieve) is a much better way to look at it. Thanks for sharing!