Top 5 Books of 2016
I like to read. I find it relaxing, I find it entertaining, and I find it informing. I like a wide range of books. Over the past year, I’ve read non-fiction books on leadership, on behavioral economics, on beekeeping, and on hiking the Appalachian Trail. I’ve read fictional works like Dune, The Old Man and the Sea, and One Year After.
Since I routinely post on social media the most recent book I’ve read (or listened to on audiobook), I’m frequently asked for recommendations. So I thought I’d post the top five books I read in 2016. Actually I’ve composed two lists, one I would consider professional development and the other I would classify as purely entertainment.
Books for Professional Development
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
- Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg
- EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
- E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Books for Entertainment
- 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi by Mitchell Zuckoff
- Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt by Michael Lewis
- Food by Jim Gaffigan
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
- Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt
There you have it, the top five (times 2) books I’ve read in the past year. Now, let me ask you. What are your favorite books? What books do you recommend that put on my reading list?
2 Responses
Joe, I’ve listened to The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch in audio format. Great read/listen! What did you think of E-Myth Revisited? I’ve got that on my Amazon Wishlist, but haven’t gotten around to buying it yet.
A few days ago I finished Scott Adams’ How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big (via Audible). Plan to write a book review soon. Was interesting and helped link a few other personal development concepts together in ways I hadn’t thought of before. I don’t agree completely with some of his ideas, but that’s okay. Does tend to use the BS word with some degree of regularity.
Now listening to Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini. Sometimes wishing I was reading instead of listening; this one would benefit from more focused attention.
Thanks, Mark! I haven’t read Scott Adams’ How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big yet, but I’m adding it to my list. Sounds good.
I’d agree with you on listening vs reading. Since I commute to Nashville 3-4 days per week to visit clients, I have a fair amount of windshield time. I use that to listen to books. That works great for some books, but others make me wish I’d spent dedicated quiet time with the paper version.
I liked the E-Myth revisited. Very good book for entrepreneurs and small business owners. I don’t agree with 100% off it, but a lot of it is spot on.
I’ve been meaning to do some book review blogs for the books listed here and on the resources page.