Tristan's Book Recommendations

A common complaint I hear is, “There are too many books out there, and most of them aren’t worth my time!” Hey, I understand. It’s not easy to find new books to read. Fortunately, I took care of all the heavy lifting for you. 

Here’s a list of books that have the potential to have a long-term impact on your thoughts and actions to help you get started. Problem-solving, time management, communication, relationships, work-life rhythms, identity, and happiness are the key themes you’ll discover.

Happy Reading! 

- Tristan

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Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

Steve Martin

I just came across this book a week ago and I absolutely love it. Steve Martin does a great job with this book. I ended up loving him more at the end of it. He has some great lessons that we can all apply and the overall structure and execution of the book is top-notch. I’m surprised I hadn’t seen this before.

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Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most

Adam Alter

This book is really good. Simple in the outline of how to create breakthroughs and has an Adam Grant feel to it. Researched well and some great stories that inspire and teach.

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The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Rick Rubin

I love this book. I wasn’t sure about it, but it kept coming up in conversations so I dove in. It’s split up into small chapters and each chapter focuses on a part of being creative. The challenges we face and how to overcome them. Very very well written and a great book.

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The Way Is Within: A Spiritual Journey

Ron W Rathbun

I’ve had this book for years and I never took the time to read it. I finally jumped in this weekend. You can read this book from cover to cover of open it up at any page. Take time to ponder the words in its pages, the slower you go, the deeper the message will be.

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Real Estate Prospecting: Create a Million-Dollar Life Through Relationships, Online Leads, Technology, and Social Media

Tristan Ahumada

I’m in the middle of doing the audible version of this book so I have to read my own book. If you haven’t picked up my book yet, it’s got a great price right on Amazon. If you have picked it up and read it please leave a review.

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The 48 Laws of Power (Special Power Edition) (Joost Elffers Production)

Robert Greene

I’ve read this book before when it first came out, but now that I’m reading it a second time I feel like I've never read it before. This is a powerful book that I recommend to everyone. It’s a must read. I got this leather edition, but they have a paperback edition.

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The First Minute: How to Start Conversations That Get Results (Business Communication Skills Books)

Chris Fenning

I came across this book on improving communication at work. It's all about being clear and concise, and it seems pretty practical. The author, Chris Fenning, has worked with Fortune 50 companies. He breaks down how meetings should be outlined.

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The 38 Letters from J.D. Rockefeller to his son: Perspectives, Ideology, and Wisdom (English Version) Paperback 2nd Edition

G. Ng

These aren't just ordinary letters; they're a window into the mind of one of history's most influential figures. It's like stepping into their private world, witnessing firsthand the advice, wisdom, and values that built the Rockefeller legacy.

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Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

Donald Miller

If you haven’t read this one please make it part of your reading and studying list for 2024. It’s broken down into simple steps and even gives you a website to visit to help you build a better brand along the way. Read this and take notes. It will change your business.

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The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder

David Grann

If you’re looking to read a book that seems fictional, but is based on a true story here it is. "The Wager" will take you through some unbelievable yet true ups and downs on sea and on land. Trust me, it's a wild ride that feels like a movie!

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Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

Charles T. Munger

I’ve dived into "Poor Charlie's Almanack." It's packed with Munger’s wisdom and some of the mental models that shape his approach to life and decision-making. A treasure trove and very happy that they released it in a new updated version.

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Power Phone Scripts: 500 Word-for-Word Questions, Phrases, and Conversations to Open and Close More Sales

Mike Brooks

The full title is: “Power Phone Scripts: 500 Word-for-Word Questions, Phrases, and Conversations to Open and Close More Sales”. It’s like having a secret manual for sales wizards! Packed with phrases, questions, and conversational gems to level up your sales game. Call reluctance? Fear of closing the deal? Consider them things of the past!

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Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1)

Robin Hobb

I’ve always wanted to read this series by Robin Hobb and I’m finally reading it. I am about halfway through, and I love it. I understand why it’s a classic. If you’re into fantasy, you’ve got to pick up this trilogy.

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Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes

Morgan Housel

Currently diving deep in "Sam As Ever" by Morgan Housel. It's all about finding that steady ground in a constantly shifting world. Morgan’s got me rethinking—moving forward means not staring into a crystal ball but instead digging into the unchanging past. Mind-bending stuff!

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Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results

Shane Parrish

Speaking of transformations, 'Clear Thinking' by Shane Parrish is a book that's redefining the way I approach decisions. It’s a mind-bending journey to optimizing your thought process.

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Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

Adam Grant

This was a very good book. I took a lot of notes on this one and it has great research along with good stories. Adam Grant never disappoints.

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Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Héctor García

This was a pleasant read. It’s also a quick read. What does ikigai mean? Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your 'reason for being. ' 'Iki' in Japanese means 'life,' and 'gai' describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It's what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day. The book dives into living a long and purposeful life, through data collected from people who have lived well into 100+.

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Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Such a great book by Arnold Schwarzenneger where he gives 7 tools for succeeding in the world we are in. I’m actually making a video about this next week.

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Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon

Michael Lewis

This is a super interesting book. It’s not for everyone, but it does dive into the world of Sam Bankman-Fried, who was the overnight Bitcoin billionaire. It’s a thoughtful jump into the world and mind of Sam and how this empire was all built and then destroyed. Truly fascinating journey.

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Elon Musk

Walter Isaacson

This is a good read. It comes from all angles so it doesn’t paint a rosy picture of Elon, it gives you a diverse look to a complicated person. Walter Isaacson doesn’t disappoint.

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The Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith

I picked this book up earlier this year and I put it on pause, but I’m back at it and it baffles my mind how something so good was written over 200 years ago. In fact it was published in 1776, the same year the US declared independence.

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$100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No

Alex Hormozi

This book is short and it packs a punch. I just read it this weekend and I’m still going back to my notes to see what I’ll be implementing. If you’re looking to get some ideas for jump-starting your business this just might be the book for you.

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The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness

Ichiro Kishimi

Don’t order this one if you aren’t open to disagreeing with the book as you are reading it. The philosophy and the psychology behind the book is based on the famous psychologist Alfred Adler. The book is in a story format between a philosopher and a young student, it was executed well and I enjoyed the read a lot. It challenged my way of thinking and it also made me reflect on how I live my life.

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The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership

Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh

I just got this over the weekend and I’m excited to wrap this one up. I’ve heard a lot of great things about it and I’m just in the first section of the book called; An Environment Of Excellence. So far it’s GREAT!

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Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up

Patricia Ryan Madson

A professor at Stanford recommended this book to me and I’m finally getting to it and I love it. Patricia Madson distills thirty years of experience into thirteen simple strategies, including “Say Yes,” “Start Anywhere,” “Face the Facts,” and “Make Mistakes, Please,” helping readers to loosen up, think on their feet, and take on everything life has to offer with skill, chutzpah, and a sense of humor.

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The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)

Joseph Campbell

This is a classic and I’m finally reading it. I’ve heard so many amazing things about the book and so far I’m only a few pages in and I love it. I’m on a journey to become a better storyteller, and what if my friends recommended this book to me.

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10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less

Dan Sullivan

This one was recommended to me by my friend Dan Murray. I recommend it too, it has a great premise that you should probably go bigger a lot sooner with where you want to go with your business. It’s gaining steam too because I keep on seeing this book on social media.

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Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It

Chris Voss

I’m rereading this one for a book club and it’s so good! I’m glad I’m reading this one again, in fact I’ve got this one on audible and I’m listening to it and I’m reading it when I’m not exercising. If you’ve never read the book please read it and if you have read it I challenge you to reread it and take notes this time!

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Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates

Brittany Hodak

I got this book for free when I attended an event earlier this year and I finally picked it up to read it. It’s an easy read so far and a great reminder of what we need to do to create an amazing core group of people that use our services and buy our products. Great book.

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Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel

Sam Zell

Sam Zell died a few weeks ago and I never got to interview him, but his book on audible is the next best thing. Self-made billionaire Sam Zell consistently sees what others don’t. From finding a market for overpriced Playboy magazines among his junior high classmates, to buying real estate on the cheap after a market crash, to investing in often unglamorous industries with long-term value, Zell acts boldly on supply and demand trends to grab the first-mover advantage.

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Invention: A Life

James Dyson

I’m not finished reading this, but I’m about ⅓ of the way through and I really like this one. It’s about the creator of the Dyson vacuum and his life story. His challenges, his success, and how he has established Dyson as an amazing company that creates more great leaders. I’m surprised that the book doesn’t have more reviews, but this one is a gem.

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The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams

Seth Godin

Seth Godin sent me an early copy of his book and I am now having my whole leadership team read it. We are going to read it together and go over each main section together. The book is a manual for how we need to run our business to connect with people deeply and make them feel significant.

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This Is Marketing

Seth Godin

This book came out in 2019, but it’s more relevant than before. As we see AI take shape and companies lean more towards using automations that remove the human touch, we must look to see how we can connect with people deeper without tech as well. This book reminds you of how important it is to reach your audience by being authentic. Super Classic!

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Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within

David Goggins

This should be required reading for all entrepreneurs. It’s along the lines of the book "Winning" where it shows you what it takes to succeed in anything. It’s not easy, it’s not simple, and one thing is clear, you’re not doing enough.

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Winning: The Unforgiving Race to Greatness (Tim Grover Winning Series)

Tim S. Grover

This book is a wake up call. I read it over the weekend and couldn't put it down. It's definitely a book that will make you feel uncomfortable and some of you may not even finish it because it packs a punch and slaps you in the face. If you need reminder of why you got into business in the first place this one will do it.

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Real Estate Prospecting: Create a Million-Dollar Life Through Relationships, Online Leads, Technology, and Social Media

Tristan Ahumada

I’m reading through it to see what I can add for the next book and I’m also reading through it again to make sure we didn’t miss anything for the audible. If you haven’t picked it up please do it today.

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Socrates' Children Volume I: Ancient Philosophers

Peter Kreeft

I’ve been looking for a book like this since I got into reading philosophy. This one is very basic, but it’s still deep enough to challenge any person that doesn’t have a background in philosophy. If you like philosophy or you want to expand your knowledge about the topic then this is a good one to start with.

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Two Weeks Notice: Find the Courage to Quit Your Job, Make More Money, Work Where You Want, and Change the World

Amy Porterfield

This is not just for people looking to leave their 9-5 job it’s also for entrepreneurs that want to build a bigger business. If you’re looking to grow your business online and want to build your list so that you can grow your influence online then this one is for you.

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Heart to Heart: A Conversation on Love and Hope for Our Precious Planet

Dalai Lama & Patrick McDonnell

I was deeply moved and could relate to the focus on how to heal with each other.  I loved exploring the power of love and compassion as a means to bring hope and positive change to our planet.  It left me inspired to do my part in creating a more loving and compassionate world.  I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to bring more love and hope into their own lives and the world around them.

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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Walter Isaacson

The last book I read by Walter Isaacson was the biography of Steve Jobs and it’s one of my favorite books. I love reading about his losses and his wins and understanding what motivated him and what he had challenges with. If you're looking for a book that combines history and inspiration, then this is the one for you. I highly recommend giving it a read!

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Buy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire

Dan Martell

You're going to love this one. I just interviewed Dan Martell and not only is he super nice, but he's got a brilliant mind. The book serves as a manual to guide you better in managing your time and growing your businesses. If you have time to read this please pick it up.

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The Tao of Alibaba: Inside the Chinese Digital Giant That Is Changing the World

Brian A Wong

I just interviewed the author of this book and I am about 75% done with this book. It's very well written and teach us some great points about being fluid business, leading without leading, and ultimately how to structure your organization for success. Brian Wong was the first American hired at the Chinese company and helped it grow to where it is today.

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How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth

The Moth, Meg Bowles, Catherine Burns, Jenifer Hixson, Sarah Austin Jenness, Kate Tellers, Chenjerai Kumanyika, Padma Lakshmi

Over the last few weeks I've been gathering the right books to read so I can dive deeper into telling better stories. I want to be able to connect with my audience both on social media and in person. This book does a great job of breaking down the process of connecting with people at a human level through telling real stories.

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All Marketers are Liars

Seth Godin

This is a fast read and it should be mandatory reading for all salespeople. Marketers succeed when they tell us a story that fits our worldview, a story that we intuitively embrace and then share with our friends. Think of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, or Fiji water, or the iPod.

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Meditations: A New Translation

Marcus Aurelius

I've read this book about 4 times and I often go back to sections of the book because Marcus has simple, but deep insight on conquering life's challenges. This is a leather bound special edition and you can certainly order the less expensive one, I would recommend the Modern Library edition if you don't get this expensive one.

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How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life

Scott Adams

I wish I read this book earlier, but I'm glad I finally started this on. Adams hopes you can laugh at his failures while discovering some unique and helpful ideas on your own path to personal victory. As he writes: "This is a story of one person’s unlikely success within the context of scores of embarrassing failures. Was my eventual success primarily a result of talent, luck, hard work, or an accidental just-right balance of each? All I know for sure is that I pursued a conscious strategy of managing my opportunities in a way that would make it easier for luck to find me."

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Big Panda and Tiny Dragon

James Norbury

I found this book by accident as I was scrolling through books on Amazon last week. Inspired by Buddhist philosophy and spirituality, British author and artist James Norbury created the adventures of Big Panda and Tiny Dragon to share ideas that have helped him through difficult times. I'm reading it with my son and we love it.

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What's in It for Them?: 9 Genius Networking Principles to Get What You Want by Helping Others Get What They Want

Joe Polish

The book is finally out and if you missed my interview with Joe Polish last week please listen here. In the meantime pick up the book...There’s no shortage of networking and entrepreneurship advice in books and on social media in today’s world—but it’s harder than ever to know what’s authentic. To make matters worse, taking the wrong advice can result in superficial connections, transactional relationships, and unsatisfying interactions with others without any real rapport.

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Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Chopra

This is a short book but packs a punch. It will take you some time to get through it because it takes you through some reflective thoughts. This is a great book that will help you connect with your inner self and nature.

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And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

Jon Meacham

This is extremely well written and gives insight into Lincoln which I’ve never read about before. This book is great to read for our current social and political climate. You will dive into his character like never before, his decisions, his beliefs, his failures, and his personal triumphs. It’s a real masterpiece and I’m not even finished reading it yet. Pick this one up if you like History.

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Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots: The Movers and Shakers' Guide to Unstoppable Success

Srikumar S Rao

This is an easy and inspirational read. In Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots, unconventional and highly successful coach Dr. Srikumar Rao distills and condenses valuable life lessons, from ancient masters, sacred writings, and his own experience, into quick-to-read, easily digestible chapters.

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Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube's Chaotic Rise to World Domination

Mark Bergen

This book is intense and it’s not short. I never knew the whole history of Youtube and how it got started, but this writer lays it all out. They also have a strong bias as to where Youtube is heading now and the chaos it has created. I don’t agree with all the points it makes, but the book is full of facts and details that expand your knowledge on social media, marketing, and where the video world is headed.

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Buy On Amazon

The Way Back Home

Courtney Peppernell

Just picked this up from Target. Filled with heartfelt anecdotes and insightful messages, The Way Back Home is a tribute to rebuilding our lives after loss. Divided into sections that draw on themes of courage, resilience, purpose, and hope, the collection has Peppernell once again walking us through a redemptive journey of the heart, mind, and soul.

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Mindset: How You Can Fulfill Your Potential

Carol Dweck Carol S. Dweck

I think this is the book I quote the most. I am rereading it for the 3rd time. I picked up the newest edition in the airport this past week on my way to speak at Better Homes And Garden event. The event rocked and the book is awesome, just like I remember it.

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The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts

Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish

I wish I would have picked this up earlier to read. The premise of the book is that models are important for taking on the challenges that life throws our way. There are models that other high achievers have used in the past that we are able to call on to help us work through life’s challenges.

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The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment

Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter

I’m about ½ way done with this book and I got hooked on it when I first listened to Marshall Goldsmith on a podcast with Shane Parish. It’s a powerful book with a great message for anyone that is a self-aware leader.

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The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

First published in 1939, Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads—driven from their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Somehow I never read this book during any of my school years so I picked it up this weekend. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m excited to read an American classic. I’m only on page 40 so not much to tell you yet. Let me know if you have read this or any other classics you recommend.

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The YouTube Formula: How Anyone Can Unlock the Algorithm to Drive Views, Build an Audience, and Grow Revenue

Derral Eves

This book was gifted to me by the publishing company Wiley. They said I would enjoy it because I love social media so much. They were right! The book is written by Derral Eves, Mr. Beasts Mentor. The book breaks down Youtube to the core and identifies the strategies and tactics so anyone can succeed. It’s a powerful book that I will be referencing a lot.

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Measure What Matters: OKRs: The Simple Idea that Drives 10x Growth

John Doerr

This is my second time listening to this and what prompted me to read this again was when Billionaire and co-creator of Square (Jim McKelvey) told me that this was the only book he read in the span of one year while writing his own book, I wanted to make sure I dove deeper into it. Objectives and key results is a goal-setting framework used by individuals, teams, and organizations to define measurable goals and track their outcomes. The development of OKR is generally attributed to Andrew Grove who introduced the approach to Intel.

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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

Alice Schroeder

This was recommended to me by a friend and I absolutely love it. It's also 900 pages, so this one will be taking more than a week to finish, but so far it's powerful. I've already taken a ton of notes and have used a few examples from this book in 1 presentation and 1 newsletter. It's great!

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Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy

Patrick Bet-David

I’ve been delaying reading this because I kept on finding other great reads, but I finally pulled the trigger after getting a few people recommending it to me in 1 week. This one is really good. It reads well and it’s also read by the author on audible, so both the book and audio is a hit. He goes over his experiences and how to apply what he’s learned to your growth as a business owner. This book will give you clarity and insight. You should read this one.

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Renaissance Wisdom: How to Flourish in the Modern Day

Shane Sorensen

This one was written by my friend. It’s his first book and was self-published. He did a good job with his first book. This one is a mix of history with some wisdom bits from some of the greatest philosophers of the Renaissance period.

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Relational Intelligence; The Five Essential Skills You Need to Build Life-Changing Relationships

Adam C Bandelli PH D

I got to interview Adam a few weeks ago and his book is finally out. When your relationships are strong, they serve as the gateway to your personal and professional development. Our lives are changed by the people around us. With relational intelligence, you can be intentional about how you build connections with others. If you are purposeful about how you build relationships, your life will be transformed.

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Pocket Full of Do

Chris Do

Pocket Full of Do encapsulates over two decades of reflections and observations on entrepreneurship, creativity, philosophy, and more. You’ll get a retrospective glimpse into the life of a creative business owner, and the lessons learned along the way. I loved interviewing Chris, this is guy is authentic and a great man.

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Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed or Fail

Ray Dalio

I’m a little bit over half way done with this one and I’m taking it slow. I’ve been both reading this one and also listening to it on Audible. It’s a great book, but not for everyone. Ray Dalio breaks down some history for the reader and then correlates the downfall of some pretty amazing countries to that of the United States. It’s a pretty “Real” book.

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How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

Donald J. Robertson

A friend of mine just sent me this one and I’m loving it. How to Think Like a Roman Emperor takes readers on a transformative journey along with Marcus, following his progress from a young noble at the court of Hadrian—taken under the wing of some of the finest philosophers of his day—through to his reign as emperor of Rome at the height of its power. Robertson shows how Marcus used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure tremendous adversity and guides readers through applying the same methods to their own lives.

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How to Win Friends & Influence People

Dale Carnegie

I've read this one 2 times prior and every few years I pick this one up again and read it. This book is a classic and should be read by as many people as possible.

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Watering the Soul

Courtney Peppernell

I picked this one up at Target after I sifted through it. It's really different. Full of poems and short life advice. You can pick up the book and open it up to almost any page and you will feel inspired or have a deep thought reading through these pages. It's really a different type of book and I enjoyed it.

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Buy On Amazon

YouTube Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Following and Making Money as a Video Influencer

Sean Cannell

I just finished interviewing Sean Cannell for the second time in 2 months. His channel, Think Media, has over 2 million subscribers and his book was just updated and re-released last week! If you’re looking to dive into Youtube, then this book will outline how to do it successfully. I highly recommend this book. I finished this one in 3 days and it was great!

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Balance: Positioning Yourself to Do All Things Well

22 by Touré Roberts

I just interviewed Touré and our talk was FIRE!!!! The book was very well written and when I started the first chapter I thought that I had read enough about the "Balance", but I was wrong. This book has been one of my favorite books to read this year. It talks about what a blessing it is to be alone and how to find your soulfulness. It’s a great read!

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Buy On Amazon

Supercharge Your Brain: How to Maintain a Healthy Brain Throughout Your Life

Ph.D. James Goodwin

This book isn't for everyone, but I absolutely love it so far. I'm 3/4 of the way through and it's more like a manual, like a reference book that I have been going back to often. Here's the write-up on Amazon: The brain is our most vital and complex organ. It controls and coordinates our actions, thoughts, and interactions with the world around us. It is the source of personality, of our sense of self, and it shapes every aspect of our human experience.

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Make Way for Ducklings

Robert McCloskey

I just visited Boston and this book was in a lot of stores…so I bought one. I read it to my kids and they loved it. Seventy-five years ago, a family of ducks waddled off the page and into the hearts of readers everywhere. The brilliantly illustrated tale of mallards on the move received the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book of the year and has been a favorite of generations of readers.

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Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior

Chogyam Trungpa

I just started reading this one and it was recommended by my friend Traci. Here’s a short summary: There is a basic human wisdom that can help solve the world’s problems. It doesn’t belong to any one culture or region or religious tradition—though it can be found in many of them throughout history. It’s what Chögyam Trungpa called the sacred path of the warrior. The sacred warrior conquers the world not through violence or aggression, but through gentleness, courage, and self-knowledge. The warrior discovers the basic goodness of human life and radiates that goodness out into the world for the peace and sanity of others.

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Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies

Ranjay Gulati

I just read this book and I also interviewed this brilliant person. Not only did this guy attend the top universities in the US, but he also is able to explain difficult concepts in an easy manner. The book flows well and gives you a clear picture of just how important having a deep purpose is for any company of any size. This is a great book that will have you take a look at purpose in a new way.

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This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life

David Foster Wallace

This was recommended by Hugh Jackman the actor. It’s a small book, but it packs a punch and I highly recommend it as well. This one is a pretty powerful speech that was given to a graduating class and I loved reading it. You will probably finish the book in about 10-20 min, but you will definitely gift it to other people. Love this little book.

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The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time

Jim McKelvey

This rapidly became one of my favorite books. I read this over the weekend and then I just interviewed the author for Success Magazine. His name is Jim McKelvey and he co-created the little device called Square with his friend Jack Dorsey (The creator of Twitter). The story is super interesting and the book dives into a part of entrepreneurship that is rarely talked about. If you are looking to grow your business and get really creative this one will hit the spot.

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Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience

Brené Brown

In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.

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Too Nice For Sales: A Practical Guide to Ethical Lead Conversion

Barry Jenkins Jr.

This is one book that I'll be recommending the whole year round to real estate agents everywhere. This book is a deep dive into what Barry has learned during his real estate career and the core reason his business is a success today. Barry began his career at the age of 18 and has spanned almost two decades. He currently runs a team in Virginia Beach, VA & he's also The CMO of Better Homes and Gardens NAGR. His real estate teams sold just under 900 units last year and is ranked #9 on the Real Trends to 1,000 teams in America. He is also a full-time Executive at Ylopo with the title of "Head Realtor in Residence" where he trains their customers; assists with product development & platform evangelism for them as well! His passions are his faith: being an ordained minister himself; his wife; and his 3 children.

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It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be

Paul Arden

This is a fun little book that I read on the plane. It’s full of 1-2 page short stories that are inspiring and you can use to inspire yourself or others. It’s great to pick up and read on the go.

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Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Cal Newport

I wish I would have read this book earlier in my life. As I’m reading this book I’m seeing a lot of the things about focusing deeply on work I’ve had to discover on my own, this would have helped me find those techniques sooner. The book is very well written and focuses on giving the reader the steps to achieving deep focus. It has some great stories and great research too.

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Focus (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)

Daniel Goleman, Heidi Grant, Amy Jen Su, Rasmus Hougaard

This book is part of the Emotional Intelligence series and this book is compact but extremely awesome. In my mind learning to focus deeply is still the key to producing amazing results in your personal life and business. This is one that you should pick up and read.

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Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World

Brendan Kane

I'm re-reading this one again. I know that the 3-second rule for capturing people on social media is now down to 1.8 seconds, but this book is extremely relevant when it comes to creating solid content to stop the scroll on social media and video in general. If you haven't read this one please pick it up.

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Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey

My friend Candice Cullen got this book for me over the weekend and I’m about ⅓ finished and I really like it. I've heard nothing but great things about this one, so I can't wait to finish it up, who doesn't like Matthew McConaughey... Alright, Alright!

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The Road Less Stupid: Advice from the Chairman of the Board

Keith J. Cunningham

My friend Steve Pacinelli recommended this one to me and I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to read it. I’m almost done with it and it’s an amazing book. This is the real "secret": The chance of success goes up when you think, plan, consistently execute the right things, and worry about the possibility of loss.

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Leonardo's Notebooks: Writing and Art of the Great Master

Leonardo Da Vinci

I picked this up a little bit ago, but I’m finally diving into it. This book is a collection of da Vinci's intricately detailed artistic, and intellectual pursuits, and highlights the classic pieces of art he produced in connection with his writings.

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The 48 Laws of Power

Robert Greene

This book has over 34,000 reviews on Amazon and I really love the insight the book gives you on the idea of power. It uses a lot of examples of leaders in history and how they used power to their advantage. I’m rereading it now, and it’s a big book so I’m finding a few things that I didn’t catch the first time around.

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Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons From The World's Most Elegant Woman

Karen Karbo

A friend sent this to me and I’m surprisingly enjoying this book. I find Coco to be a brilliant woman and a visionary. The book is concise and is broken into chapters that you can read sporadically. Pick this one up.

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Pax

Sara Pennypacker

This amazing book has been about for a few years now and it has won awards and has been on multiple bestseller lists. I picked it up this weekend at Barnes and Nobles and my daughter and I are reading it together. It’s very very good! Highly recommend this one. This one has a lovable story with lessons along the way.

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Influence : The Psychology of Persuasion

Robert B. Cialdini

This book has made so many waves over the years. I read it a few years back and I'm re-reading it now because I was reading an article by Charlie Munger that brought this book up again. This is considered to be one of the greatest books ever written when it comes to sales and understanding the psychology of selling and buying. Read it!

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The Eye of the World: Book One of The Wheel of Time (Wheel of Time, 1)

Robert Jordan

I remember when I first picked up the book back in 1992 and I couldn’t stop reading it. I was in Highschool and I couldn’t put it down. I’m rereading it now as I watch the new show on Amazon just to spot the differences. It’s a big book so if you’re going to read it get ready to take your time with it.

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Immune: A Journey into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive

Philipp Dettmer

I just picked this book up at Costco and my kids were telling me about Philipp’s amazing Youtube Channel that has 17 Million followers. So far this book is an eye-opener. I recommend it, but only if you are into learning more about how the human body works.

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Will

Will Smith

This book has been everywhere. I've been seeing it on social media, TV, Podcasts, and everywhere else. I' only 1/5 of the way through and it's really engaging. Will Smith does a great job captivating the reader with stories and lessons from his personal life. So far I really have enjoyed reading the book.

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Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark

Jonathan Stutzman

I got this book for my son and he absolutely loves it! I think I've read it 20 times already and it's super fun and entertaining. He loves it and keeps on referencing parts of the book. If you have any small kids or someone you think would love this then this is the one you want to get!

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Clarity & Connection

Yung Pueblo

I'm only on the first chapter of this book, but one of my emotionally smart friends recommended this one to me so I had to pick it up. So far it starts off excellent. Here's a short description: In Clarity & Connection, Yung Pueblo describes how intense emotions accumulate in our subconscious and condition us to act and react in certain ways. In his characteristically spare, poetic style, he guides readers through the excavation and release of the past that is required for growth.

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The Way of Zen

Alan Watts

If you’ve never read any of Alan Watt's books you’re in for a surprise. This is my first one and I picked it because I read a quote on Instagram that was attributed to him. With a rare combination of freshness and lucidity, he delves into the origins and history of Zen to explain what it means for the world today with incredible clarity. Watts saw Zen as “one of the most precious gifts of Asia to the world,” and in The Way of Zen, he gives this gift to readers everywhere.

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The High 5 Habit

Mel Robbins

This is such a simple, but powerful book. It’s easy to read and it applies to changing your personal life. Mel Robbins is a world-renowned author and this book hits the mark as a great pick me up. The difference with this one is that it has research to back it up. Good book so far!

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Human-Centered Communication: A Business Case Against Digital Pollution

Ethan Beute and Stephen Pacinelli

Human Centered Communication. I just wrapped this one up which is written by my two friends and I highly recommend this one. We’re spending more time than ever in virtual environments. That will only increase, as will the amount of noise we encounter there. The seemingly endless series of unwelcome digital distractions range from frustrating to dangerous. As individuals and businesses, we not only spend time and energy managing this digital pollution, we often create it. At risk are relationships and revenue.

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How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Katy Milkman

How To Change. Award-winning Wharton Professor and Choiceology podcast host Katy Milkman has devoted her career to the study of behavior change. In this ground-breaking book, Milkman reveals a proven path that can take you from where you are to where you want to be, with a foreword from psychologist Angela Duckworth, the best-selling author of Grit.

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Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave

Ryan Holiday

Courage Is Calling. This is Ryan Holiday’s newest book. It came out last week and I started reading it over the weekend and it’s GOOD! In Courage Is Calling, Ryan Holiday breaks down the elements of fear, an expression of cowardice, the elements of courage, an expression of bravery, and lastly, the elements of heroism, an expression of valor.

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Buy On Amazon

To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird. I read this earlier in my life and I’m rereading it with my wife and daughter. If you haven’t read this one it might be a great time to pick up the book and read it. The story starts off soft and then packs a punch towards the end. It’s very relevant for the world we live in today.

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