In various ways, these 30 books convey some of the philosophy of how Angel and I live our lives. I honestly credit a fraction of who I am today to each title. Thus, they have indirectly influenced much of what I write about on this site. A medley of both fiction and nonfiction, these great reads challenged my internal status quo, opening my mind to new ideas and opportunities, and together they gave me a basic framework for living, loving, learning and working successfully.
If you haven’t read these books yet, I highly recommend doing so. They will enrich your library and your life.
- Stumbling on Happiness
by Daniel Gilbert – Gilbert, a Harvard professor of psychology has studied happiness for decades, and he shares scientific findings that just might change the way you look at the world. His primary goal is to persuade you into accepting the fact that happiness is not really what or where you imagined it would be. This is my favorite book on happiness by a long shot. - The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck – Pretty much the granddaddy of all self-improvement books, it’s easily one of the best nonfiction works I’ve ever read. By melding love, science and spirituality into a primer for personal growth, Peck guides the reader through lessons on delaying gratification, accepting responsibility for decisions, dedicating oneself to truth and reality, and creating a balanced lifestyle.
- Getting Things Done by David Allen – The ultimate ‘organize your life’ book. Allen’s ideas and processes are for all those people who are overwhelmed with too many things to do, too little time to do them, and a general sense of unease that something important is being missed. The primary goal of this book is to teach you how to effectively get your ‘to-do inbox’ to empty.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey – Covey presents a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems by delivering a step-by-step guide for living with integrity and honesty and adapting to the inevitable change life brings us everyday. It’s a must-read.
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – This novel is an explanation of what has been and always will be at the core of America’s prosperity: freedom and capitalism. It should be required reading for every American. All 1,069 pages are worthwhile. Hands down, Atlas Shrugged is one of the best, most influential books I’ve ever read.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – More parable than novel, ‘The Alchemist’ uses the story of young shepherd Santiago’s search for his personal legend as an allegory for everyman’s struggle to break from the comfortable confines of conformity and pursue his life dreams. Along the way, of course, our young everyman is beset by numerous setbacks, testing his resolve and forcing him to become attuned to the Soul of the World in order to survive. By paying attention to the details in the world around him, which serve as omens guiding him towards his goal, young Santiago becomes an alchemist in his own right, spinning unfavorable circumstances into riches. I’ve read this tale a few times now and it always provides priceless inspiration.
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau – Thoreau spent two years, two months and two days writing this book in a secluded cabin near the banks of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. This is a story about being truly free from the pressures of society. The book can speak for itself: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
- The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz – Schwartz gives the reader useful, proactive steps for achieving success. He presents a clear-cut program for getting the most out of your job, marriage, family life and other relationships. In doing so, he proves that you don’t need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain great success and satisfaction in life.
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely – Looks at the reasons so many of us continuously make irrational decisions on a daily basis. It’s a scientific but easily readable and unquestionably insightful look at why we do what we do on a daily basis, and why we never change our ways even though we often ‘know better.’
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss – Ferris challenges us to evaluate our perspective on the cost and availability of our dreams, and he teaches us that hard work isn’t very hard when you love what you’re doing. Although there’s certainly some pages of self promotion within, Ferris provides invaluable tips to help us remain aligned with our goals, set expectations on our terms, and eliminate unnecessary time-sinks while increasing our overall effectiveness.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – Easily one of the best and most popular books on people-skills ever written. Carnegie uses his adept storytelling skills to illustrate how to be successful by making the most of human relations.
- Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – A short, powerful novel about the importance of life experiences as they relate to approaching an understanding of self, happiness and attaining enlightenment.
- 1984 by George Orwell – 1984 still holds chief significance nearly 60 years after it was written in 1949. It’s widely acclaimed for its haunting vision of an all-knowing government which uses pervasive, 24/7 surveillance tactics to manipulate all citizens of the populace. In today’s world of continuous online connectivity, Orwell’s visions hit pretty close to home.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Set in the Jazz Age of the roaring 20’s, this book unravels a cautionary tale of the American dream. Specifically, the reader learns that a few good friends are far more important that a zillion acquaintances, and the drive created from the desire to have something is more valuable than actually having it.
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck’s deeply touching tale about the survival of displaced families desperately searching for work in a nation stuck by depression will never cease to be relevant.
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason – The best book on money management ever written. Although only 145 pages, this book is packed to the brim with powerful, life changing information. I’ve read it three times and I still pull new pearls of wisdom out of it. Babylon should be mandatory reading beginning at the grade school level, then again in college, and should be given as a gift right along with a college diploma.
- Quitter by Jon Acuff – If you’re looking for an honest account of what it’s like to make the transition from your day job to your dream job, this book is for you. The author doesn’t sugarcoat the journey or convince you that it’s worth making stupid decisions now that you’ll pay for later. He stays grounded in reality while inspiring you to truly connect with the things you’re passionate about, and he gives you hope and a plan for getting yourself there.
- The Success Principles by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer – The creator of the ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ series reveals secrets to success with sixty-four timeless principles packed into this one book. Sixty-four principles may seem like a lot, but each receives a concise, easy-to-digest chapter that challenges readers to risk creating their lives exactly as they want them. This is easily one of the most practical books I’ve ever read on achieving your dreams.
- The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz – Faced with too many options or decisions in your life? We feel worse when we have too many options. This book will make you feel better and change the way you look at them. Schwartz discusses people making difficult decisions about jobs, families, where to live, whether to have children, how to spend recreational time, choosing colleges, etc. He talks about why making these decisions today is much harder than it was thirty years ago, and he offers many practical suggestions for how to address decision-making so that it creates less stress and more happiness.
- The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman – Unfortunately, the title may limit the market to business people, but the truth is we are all in the business of managing and selling ourselves no matter what our occupation. What makes this book warrant such a strong statement is the fact that it’s a comprehensive synthesis of all of the concepts you need to know to understand business inside and out. There are no complex models to learn or outdated theories to memorize just to get marks or pass exams. What you get is a clear, comprehensive set of ‘rules of thumb’ for any possible scenario you might encounter in running a business (or just your life in general).
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu – One of the oldest books on military strategy in the world. It’s easily the most successful written work on the mechanics of general strategy and business tactics.
- The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowieckiv – Great examples of how groups of diverse people acting independently are smarter than any one person in the group. This is one of the most entertaining and intellectually engaging books I’ve come across in a long while. The author has a gift for making complex ideas accessible, and he has a wonderful eye for the telling anecdote. The material within has huge implications for management, markets, decision-making and more.
- The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz – The authors worked with the best athletes and executives for years and found that the best ones knew how to push themselves, then recuperate, push, recuperate, and so forth. Take this same approach to your emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual life, and it’s a powerful metaphor. Think of sprints, not marathons. Be fully in whatever you’re in, then give time to recuperate. But push further each time, past your comfort zone, like a good exercise plan.
- Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath – An easy to read psychology book about real ways to make change last – both personal and organizational. So many powerful insights, based on fact not theory. Inspiring counterintuitive stories of huge organizational change against all odds. Highly recommended for people in all walks of life.
- The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz – I have read so many books promising joy in my life, yet I have read none as simple and practical as that of ‘The Four Agreements.’ This book is a beautiful instruction guide to achieve a life of freedom and happiness. The author teaches four lifestyle commitments which can transform life into the realization of your own personal dream. Simply put, this small book has made profound positive changes in my life.
- Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt – The chapters are short, the prose is easy to follow and the logic is compelling. I’ve never seriously studied economics in my life, yet I had no trouble following the reasoning in this book. This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand basic economics and the keys to widespread prosperity in the long run.
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – It is unfortunate that in America, arguably the greatest nation in the free world, few people including those with high incomes understand the value of investing and the proper use of money strategies. You can live off your income, but you can’t get wealthy off your income. True wealth is the result of using principles described in this book. This is a classic, must read for everyone.
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – This novel is hilarious and depicts some pretty insightful observations about life, people, and the world in general. Under it all, it’s an enjoyable read that will leave you yearning for more. If you don’t like science fiction, it doesn’t matter; read this book just for the laughs. The most amazing thing about Adams’ humor is the fact that everyone seems to get it.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – The themes within primarily involve racial injustice and the destruction of human innocence. The author also addresses issues of class, courage, compassion, and gender roles in the American Deep South. It’s simply a classic piece of our American history that depicts racism and prejudice, childhood innocence, and the perseverance of a man who risked it all to stand up for what he believed in.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey – The plot follows a sane man that, due to a brush with the law, opts for being committed in a mental asylum rather than be incarcerated with hard labor. Upon his entry into the secluded world of the asylum, he strips all the barriers formed and starts laying his own rules, in his own way. This leads to problems with the head honcho of the place. The rollercoaster that the protagonist takes the inmates through finally leads them to realize the ultimate goal. That man, no matter the situation, can always hold his destiny in his hands.
by Daniel Gilbert – Gilbert, a Harvard professor of psychology has studied happiness for decades, and he shares scientific findings that just might change the way you look at the world. His primary goal is to persuade you into accepting the fact that happiness is not really what or where you imagined it would be. This is my favorite book on happiness by a long shot.
by M. Scott Peck – Pretty much the granddaddy of all self-improvement books, it’s easily one of the best nonfiction works I’ve ever read. By melding love, science and spirituality into a primer for personal growth, Peck guides the reader through lessons on delaying gratification, accepting responsibility for decisions, dedicating oneself to truth and reality, and creating a balanced lifestyle.
by David Allen – The ultimate ‘organize your life’ book. Allen’s ideas and processes are for all those people who are overwhelmed with too many things to do, too little time to do them, and a general sense of unease that something important is being missed. The primary goal of this book is to teach you how to effectively get your ‘to-do inbox’ to empty.
by Stephen Covey – Covey presents a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems by delivering a step-by-step guide for living with integrity and honesty and adapting to the inevitable change life brings us everyday. It’s a must-read.
by Ayn Rand – This novel is an explanation of what has been and always will be at the core of America’s prosperity: freedom and capitalism. It should be required reading for every American. All 1,069 pages are worthwhile. Hands down, Atlas Shrugged is one of the best, most influential books I’ve ever read.
by Paulo Coelho – More parable than novel, ‘The Alchemist’ uses the story of young shepherd Santiago’s search for his personal legend as an allegory for everyman’s struggle to break from the comfortable confines of conformity and pursue his life dreams. Along the way, of course, our young everyman is beset by numerous setbacks, testing his resolve and forcing him to become attuned to the Soul of the World in order to survive. By paying attention to the details in the world around him, which serve as omens guiding him towards his goal, young Santiago becomes an alchemist in his own right, spinning unfavorable circumstances into riches. I’ve read this tale a few times now and it always provides priceless inspiration.
by Henry David Thoreau – Thoreau spent two years, two months and two days writing this book in a secluded cabin near the banks of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. This is a story about being truly free from the pressures of society. The book can speak for itself: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
by David Schwartz – Schwartz gives the reader useful, proactive steps for achieving success. He presents a clear-cut program for getting the most out of your job, marriage, family life and other relationships. In doing so, he proves that you don’t need to be an intellectual or have innate talent to attain great success and satisfaction in life.
by Dan Ariely – Looks at the reasons so many of us continuously make irrational decisions on a daily basis. It’s a scientific but easily readable and unquestionably insightful look at why we do what we do on a daily basis, and why we never change our ways even though we often ‘know better.’
by Tim Ferriss – Ferris challenges us to evaluate our perspective on the cost and availability of our dreams, and he teaches us that hard work isn’t very hard when you love what you’re doing. Although there’s certainly some pages of self promotion within, Ferris provides invaluable tips to help us remain aligned with our goals, set expectations on our terms, and eliminate unnecessary time-sinks while increasing our overall effectiveness.
by Dale Carnegie – Easily one of the best and most popular books on people-skills ever written. Carnegie uses his adept storytelling skills to illustrate how to be successful by making the most of human relations.
by George S. Clason – The best book on money management ever written. Although only 145 pages, this book is packed to the brim with powerful, life changing information. I’ve read it three times and I still pull new pearls of wisdom out of it. Babylon should be mandatory reading beginning at the grade school level, then again in college, and should be given as a gift right along with a college diploma.
by Jon Acuff – If you’re looking for an honest account of what it’s like to make the transition from your day job to your dream job, this book is for you. The author doesn’t sugarcoat the journey or convince you that it’s worth making stupid decisions now that you’ll pay for later. He stays grounded in reality while inspiring you to truly connect with the things you’re passionate about, and he gives you hope and a plan for getting yourself there.
by Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer – The creator of the ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ series reveals secrets to success with sixty-four timeless principles packed into this one book. Sixty-four principles may seem like a lot, but each receives a concise, easy-to-digest chapter that challenges readers to risk creating their lives exactly as they want them. This is easily one of the most practical books I’ve ever read on achieving your dreams.
by Barry Schwartz – Faced with too many options or decisions in your life? We feel worse when we have too many options. This book will make you feel better and change the way you look at them. Schwartz discusses people making difficult decisions about jobs, families, where to live, whether to have children, how to spend recreational time, choosing colleges, etc. He talks about why making these decisions today is much harder than it was thirty years ago, and he offers many practical suggestions for how to address decision-making so that it creates less stress and more happiness.
by Josh Kaufman – Unfortunately, the title may limit the market to business people, but the truth is we are all in the business of managing and selling ourselves no matter what our occupation. What makes this book warrant such a strong statement is the fact that it’s a comprehensive synthesis of all of the concepts you need to know to understand business inside and out. There are no complex models to learn or outdated theories to memorize just to get marks or pass exams. What you get is a clear, comprehensive set of ‘rules of thumb’ for any possible scenario you might encounter in running a business (or just your life in general).
by James Surowieckiv – Great examples of how groups of diverse people acting independently are smarter than any one person in the group. This is one of the most entertaining and intellectually engaging books I’ve come across in a long while. The author has a gift for making complex ideas accessible, and he has a wonderful eye for the telling anecdote. The material within has huge implications for management, markets, decision-making and more.
by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz – The authors worked with the best athletes and executives for years and found that the best ones knew how to push themselves, then recuperate, push, recuperate, and so forth. Take this same approach to your emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual life, and it’s a powerful metaphor. Think of sprints, not marathons. Be fully in whatever you’re in, then give time to recuperate. But push further each time, past your comfort zone, like a good exercise plan.
by Chip and Dan Heath – An easy to read psychology book about real ways to make change last – both personal and organizational. So many powerful insights, based on fact not theory. Inspiring counterintuitive stories of huge organizational change against all odds. Highly recommended for people in all walks of life.
by Miguel Ruiz – I have read so many books promising joy in my life, yet I have read none as simple and practical as that of ‘The Four Agreements.’ This book is a beautiful instruction guide to achieve a life of freedom and happiness. The author teaches four lifestyle commitments which can transform life into the realization of your own personal dream. Simply put, this small book has made profound positive changes in my life.
by Henry Hazlitt – The chapters are short, the prose is easy to follow and the logic is compelling. I’ve never seriously studied economics in my life, yet I had no trouble following the reasoning in this book. This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand basic economics and the keys to widespread prosperity in the long run.
by Robert Kiyosaki – It is unfortunate that in America, arguably the greatest nation in the free world, few people including those with high incomes understand the value of investing and the proper use of money strategies. You can live off your income, but you can’t get wealthy off your income. True wealth is the result of using principles described in this book. This is a classic, must read for everyone.
by Douglas Adams – This novel is hilarious and depicts some pretty insightful observations about life, people, and the world in general. Under it all, it’s an enjoyable read that will leave you yearning for more. If you don’t like science fiction, it doesn’t matter; read this book just for the laughs. The most amazing thing about Adams’ humor is the fact that everyone seems to get it.
by Harper Lee – The themes within primarily involve racial injustice and the destruction of human innocence. The author also addresses issues of class, courage, compassion, and gender roles in the American Deep South. It’s simply a classic piece of our American history that depicts racism and prejudice, childhood innocence, and the perseverance of a man who risked it all to stand up for what he believed in.
by Ken Kesey – The plot follows a sane man that, due to a brush with the law, opts for being committed in a mental asylum rather than be incarcerated with hard labor. Upon his entry into the secluded world of the asylum, he strips all the barriers formed and starts laying his own rules, in his own way. This leads to problems with the head honcho of the place. The rollercoaster that the protagonist takes the inmates through finally leads them to realize the ultimate goal. That man, no matter the situation, can always hold his destiny in his hands.What are your favorite books? How did they change your life? Leave us a comment below and let us know.
Photo by: Katie Harris
Richard West says
Reading over other comments, I’d also support “Think and Grow Rich” being added. A great book and in tune with several of the others in this series.
michael says
I really liked – Think & Grow Rich or See You At The Top.
Dee (dee aka nonna) says
You have assemblied a great list of books. I do believe I have read them all….some after I turned 30. Each one of these books gave me the message that I needed as I read it, but the book that had the greatest impace, at the time, was A Road Less Traveled. It changed me in ways that is very hard to describe.
Myrko says
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Would be my #1 right before Stephen Covey.
Simon says
The Power of One is an incredibly powerful novel that warrants mention as well. Excellent list!
michael3ov says
The only book I would remove is the book by the irrational lunatic posing as a legitimate philosopher, Ayn Rand. That woman had so many screws lose it is ridiculous. Objectivism redefines terms in a ridiculous ways, such as altruism. It is one of the most ridiculous and thoroughly refuted “philosophies” in the world of academia. Other than that, great list.
Beau says
I would add to How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie. It is often sold with How to Win Friends and Influence People but not always and it is a very, very good read.
Zara says
A great list-I have read 4 of them and I am aged 23 :D.. We currently write a positivity blog ourselves and it is these type of books which further entrench our thought process and will enable us to delve further into the realm of happiness 😀 ..Thanks!! Zara Xx
Thermal Rolls says
Fantastic list, I have read 3 of them and just turned 23. Gonna get stuck in to some more asap!!
absmith says
The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This book changed my perspective on life.
Steve says
Ah The Art of War! I have been wanting to read this forever, and forgot about it. This list reminded me of it. Thanks!
Vedette says
Rich dad poor dad is the book which inspired me the most amongst some of these books.
Deacon says
Conversations With God (all of them) By: Neal Donald Walsh
Paula says
I give many of these books as graduation presents for our college students. Thanks for other suggestions. My addition would be “Dreams of Love and Fateful Encounters”, the Power of Romantic Passion by Ethel S. Person, M.D. A very insightful book and great analysis about the longing for perfect love. About that powerful, creative force in all of us…beautifully written. I read it before my second marriage, which well could have been my first marriage had I found this book and matured a little with its insights.
Andrew says
How about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? In my opinion it is one of the best contemporary American philosophy books. Plus it’s a fun, interesting, and above all, easy read.
Joshua Smith says
I have read a few of these books and they have helped me become a better person. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is a must read.
Micahela says
A book that I think really influenced my thinking is “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell. It shows how little everyday occurances can greatly influence not only your life, but the whole world!
Robert Rogers says
Back to the library for me. This is a great list. I know that the more that I have read book like these, the better that I am able to improve and succeed. Thanks for sharing!
Joshua Keith says
There are so many books here I’ve never even thought of reading! I’ve only read a few of them, such as The Grapes of Wrath and To Kill a Mockingbird, and haven’t heard of many others on your list.
If there were any books on your list I’d buy today, they’d definitely be The Art of War and The 4-Hour Workweek. Those two stood out to me most out of all the others. Thank you!
Adetunji says
All great books but maybe i failed to see this book if anyone has mentioned it. ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Bryne
Steve Bailey says
Thank you for your top 30 list. Enjoyed reading the other recommendations also.
My top non-fiction/metaphysical/selfhelp:
-Nature of Personal Reality – Jane Roberts
-Resurrection and Power of Awareness, both by Neville
-3 Magic Words – U.S. Andersen
-Message of a Master by John McDonald
– Power of Now by Tolle
-War of Art by Stephen Pressfield (this is the common denominator type of self help – a book that everyone one the planet should read)
Fiction:
———–
The Dark Tower series by Stephen King
Talisman by S. King
bill says
All great reads! I would add:
Isaac Asimov’s I, ROBOT. If you are an aspiring writer and a student of life, be sure to read,
“Starting from Scratch” by Rita Mae Brown.
Thanks for all your marvelous suggestions.
I could recommend many more but, you’ll find
them as you go. One suggestion. Always carry two books with you. One to read and one to write notes.
…Robert Louis Stevenson.
Greg Marcus says
Great list. The biggest impact on my life came from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I read it as a teenager, and the alienation it described really reached me at the time.
Caroline says
Great list! I would add the hunger games by Suzanne Collins to it. I love them! I read them almost every few months!
Neha says
Great List.
Looking forward to read Atlas Shrugged.
The FountainHead is a great read too.
This along with Shantaram are really close to my heart.
Changed the way I used perceive things.
Kudos!
Happy reading to all!
Ronnie says
WOW! I really enjoyed this blog and all of the comments and book recommendations. Thank you!
Lisa says
The Shack by Wm. Paul Young is inspirational !!!!
Harry says
Harry Potter
jessica says
heres a list
1.the clay marble by minfong ho
2. anne rice the diary of a young girl
3. night by elie weisel
4. acheron by sherrilyn kenyon
my favorite books!
bobbie says
“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert Pirsig
anup says
Greatest salesman in the world and 7 habits of highly effective people
Michael says
Thanks Marc, great list! There is about 10 on the list I have read (or have on my shelf to read), and while there are many great books out there the theme of self improvement pops up in your list, So I would agree with a few others that books to consider reading would include:
– Think & grow Rich
– Acres of Diamonds
– As A Man Thinkith
– The Common Denominator of Success
– Anything by Eckart Tolle
Aaron Cleghorn says
The alchemist was the best book i have ever read. Funny enough the second best book i have ever read is : Horten Hears a Who by Dr.Suess. Teaches kindness, compassion and that nobody is to big for life.
Vp Ahmed says
It is very interesting to go through the wonderful list of great books. I am proud to have read most of them. There are many more others similar to these listed ones, and books really fabricate us.
Lauren says
One of the best books I have read was Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.
Yes, that’s a very long title. As a psychology major this book intrigued me. Seligman says that each person has a range of happiness and the book teaches you to live in the higher part of that range. It is a fairly easy read and very interesting. It really made me start thinking. I would recommend this for anyone, especially pessimists.
atreece says
Kurt Vonnegut’s ‘Breakfast of Champions’ was life changing for me. (well really, anything he wrote is amazing.) “Breakfast of Champions” is a satirical look on American life with illustrations. (Who doesn’t love illustrations?) If you don’t laugh, or feel a deep connection to Vonnegut as a writer or his many interesting characters, after reading this book – I worry for you.
nhs76 says
I strongly recommend a small self-help book called “Targets: How to Set Goals for Yourself and Reach Them” by Leon Tec, M.D. — especially if you are the sort of person subject to procrastination and drift.
alice says
“Stumbling on happiness” was one of my favorite books as well.
“Why men dont listen and women cant read maps” changed my way of living in terms of relationships with the opposite gender.
Tom says
Great post. I love and have read about half of your favorites as well.
TERRENCE says
Wow, amazing list indeed. “Think and grow rich’ by Napoleon Hill is on my list.
Daniel Kim says
Fun list. I’m glad you have a mix of fiction and non-fiction. Though, in my case, for every book I’m glad that I read before 30, there’s one that I *wish* I had read as well! What about you?
Ngaire Stirling says
AWESOME list. I would also add Richard Branson- like a virgin – but you have named about 10 of my favorites 🙂
Ian [EagerExistence] says
Some of my all-time favorite books in this list, and many more I haven’t read. I’ll have to bookmark this page for the next time I’m passing my local library.
Erti says
Great list! I would definitely add “Awaken the Giant Within” by Anthony Robbins. My opinion is that Robbins writes really good stuff, and if you are into self-growth, then you should check Robbins work out.
Derek says
I’ll add: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
Dwayne says
A good list of books and a great read 🙂 I’ve read only 5 books on the list,
– The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,
– The 4-Hour Workweek,
– How to Win Friends and Influence People,
– The Art of War, The Power of Full Engagement,
– and Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
Plused watched, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” not shore is that counts. Will be reading a few more.
Levik says
For men: “The Way of the Superior Man”.
For women: “It’s A Guy Thing”.
Both by David Deida.
Couples should read both.
Two phenomenal books on true masculinity and femininity in a chaotic and confused world.
mlmfinances says
I have to agree with Stephen Covey’s book. I read it twice and plan on reading it again.
Surprisingly, Russell Simmons has came out with something called “Super Rich” which I am finding to be very interesting.
Teri says
Recently read “The Dalai Lama’s Cat” by David Michie and found it to be a beautiful and inspiring introduction to the Buddhist way of thinking.
Sceko says
My favorite book ever: The Alchemist