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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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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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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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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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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Buy On Amazon

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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Buy On Amazon

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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Buy On Amazon

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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Buy On Amazon

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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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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Power, for All: How It Really Works and Why It's Everyone's Business

Julie Battilana

Power For All. I just interviewed one of the two authors of this book yesterday and wow I was super surprised at how good this book has been so far. I never thought of why any of us should dig deeper into what POWER is and why we should understand it better, but this book puts it in perfect view for all of its readers. This one is good everyone, pick this one up.

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Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't

Jim Collins

Good To Great. A recent classic that many of you have read or at least have heard of. Although this book came out after “Built To Last” Jim Collins says it’s more like a prequel to “Built To Last”. The book centers around going from a good company to a great company, by identifying the key principles necessary to do that. I’m rereading it now for the second time and it’s just as good!

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Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Oliver Burkeman

Four Thousand Weeks, Time Management For Mortals. This book takes a different approach to time management and without ruining the book for you it’s a worthwhile approach. I’m just about done with this book because I interview the author today and I have a whole bunch of questions for him. His interview will be out in the next few weeks on the podcast. Get the book, it just came out.

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Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

Jim Collins

Built To Last. If you haven’t read this classic yet it’s time to pick it up. With the world changing faster than ever before I picked up this book to reread it because this book lays out a solid foundation for anyone who wants to build a stronger company that will outlive you. If you’re looking for an amazing book that has a lot of research then this is the one!

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Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill

Matthieu Ricard

Happiness. This book is about 15 years old and I just came across it through a book club I belong to. So far I really like it a lot! Here’s the gist: Drawing from works of fiction and poetry, Western philosophy, Buddhist beliefs, scientific research, and personal experience, Ricard weaves an inspirational and forward-looking account of how we can begin to rethink our realities in a fast-moving modern world. With its revelatory lessons and exercises, Happiness is an eloquent and stimulating guide to a happier life.

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When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

Daniel H. Pink

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. This one was a great surprise because I had no idea what to expect. I found this one at Barnes and Nobles and I like the concept of the book based on the cover and I think Daniel Pink rocks. The book expanded on the idea that WHEN things are done or WHEN they happen are even more important than we think. Very interesting book and I just wrapped this one up today.

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The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)

Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills

The Four Agreements. I’m actually reading this one with the family. My 10-year-old son is reading this one out loud and he’s having fun doing it. I’m going to read the Fifth Agreement next. The books are short, easy to read, and are an amazing reminder that the quality of life we live depends on what words we use and our perception of it. Read this one!

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Wellbeing at Work

Jim Clifton

Wellbeing At Work. I am about to wrap up this book. It came out a few weeks ago and it’s very well researched. The ideas behind this book can really help out companies that are attempting to grow right now, the ideas that are focused on in this book will make a difference in any organization if applied to the organization. I took a lot of notes on this one.

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The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle Is The Way. I recently started re-reading this because I was given the leather-bound version of it. If you haven’t picked this book up I highly recommend it. It’s a very quick read that is full of ancient advice from some of the greatest stoic philosophers in time that you can apply to your life now.

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It's the Manager: Gallup finds the quality of managers and team leaders is the single biggest factor in your organization's long-term success

Jim Clifton

It’s The Manager. I got to interview Jim Harter last week and he left an amazing impression on me. This guy is an absolute machine when it comes to data and research. I’m almost finished with this book and it’s really explaining why it’s so important for the manager and the leader to be in constant communication with the people they lead. A really, really good book, and his new book is absolutely great too, but it applies more towards bigger companies that are building up.

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The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months

Brian P. Moran

The 12 Week Year. This was recommended to me by a few people in a Facebook group I belong to and I'm halfway done with this one. This book helps you rethink your goals and helps you break them down into smaller actionable steps. It uses some of what I'll be talking about today in the Life and Business Management Masterclass I'm teaching.

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Buy On Amazon

The 80/20 Principle, Third Edition: The Secret to Achieving More with Less

Richard Koch

The 80/20 Principle. This is an older book, but a classic. The 80/20 Principle shows how we can achieve much more with much less effort, time, and resources, simply by identifying and focusing our efforts on the 20 percent that really counts. Although the 80/20 principle has long influenced today's business world, author Richard Koch reveals how the principle works and shows how we can use it in a systematic and practical way to vastly increase our effectiveness, and improve our careers and our companies.

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How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain

Lisa Feldman Barrett

How Emotions Are Made. The science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose research overturns the long-standing belief that emotions are automatic, universal, and hardwired in different brain regions. Instead, Barrett shows, we construct each instance of emotion through a unique interplay of brain, body, and culture.

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SELL LIKE CRAZY: How to Get As Many Clients, Customers and Sales As You Can Possibly Handle

Sabri Suby

Sell Like Crazy. I came across this one by accident and so far I have to say that I’m impressed by the book. I’m not done yet, but it has substance. Some items that it includes: 1. How to write Google or Facebook ads that practically FORCE your prospects to click them and buy! 2. His breakthrough approach to generating itchy-to-buy leads in droves that create an avalanche of sales. It's like nothing you've ever seen before, and instantly positions you as a trusted authority 3. Where to find large new “starving crowds” of prospects who spend like sailors on leave (even when the economy is hurting and you’re far more expensive than the competition).

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High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way

Brendon Burchard

High Performance Habits. I’ve been reading this book again and wow, I forgot how awesome the book is. Brendan outlines the habits we need to work on to live a more fulfilled life at home and at work. It’s a powerful book and I’ve already taken a ton of notes on this one. Read it!

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A Year of Positive Thinking for Teens: Daily Motivation to Beat Stress, Inspire Happiness, and Achieve Your Goals (A Year of Daily Reflections)

Katie Hurley LCSW

A Year of Positive Thinking for Teens. I got this for my 14-year-old daughter. I want her to read a short excerpt every morning along with the rest of her checklist to get started in the right direction. She’s had it for 2 weeks now and she is enjoying it.

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Charlotte's Web

E. B. White

Charlotte's Web. Reading this one with my 10 year old son and I forgot how great the story is. He is enjoying it and has a lot of questions. Very great book and I still recommend it. I watched the cartoon when I was younger, but I was really young when I first read the book so it was great reading it again with my son.

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Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon

Colin Bryar

Working Backwards. I’m really impressed with this book so far. One of the authors worked directly with Jeff Bezos and they were really close and the other author was a crucial player in the core growth of Amazon. The book dissects how Amazon grew during its massive growth stage and how it set the groundwork for greatness. This is a must-read...

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Buy On Amazon

The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships

Susan McPherson

The Lost Art Of Connecting. I’m interviewing this author and amazing connector on Thursday for “Brilliant Thoughts” a Success Podcast. I just started this book and I’m very impressed. This is the core outline of the book. As a “serial connector” and communications expert, Susan McPherson has a lifetime of experience building genuine connections in and out of work. Her methodology is broken down into three simple steps: Gather: Instead of waiting for the perfect networking opportunity to come to you, think outside the box and create your own opportunity. Host your own dinner party, join a local meet-up group or volunteer at your neighborhood food pantry. Ask: Instead of leading with our own rehearsed elevator pitches asking for help, ask to help, opening the door to share resources, experience, contacts, and perspectives that add diversity to your own vision. Do: Turn new connections into meaningful relationships by taking these newly formed relationships deeper. Follow through on the promises you made and keep in touch.

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Apollo's Arrow: The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live

Nicholas A. Christakis

Apollo’s Arrow. I just picked this up over the weekend and I started reading it yesterday. So far I’m intrigued and I like it. The beginning of the book is setting a good tone for the rest of the book. Some great facts and some great research. The book focuses on times of plague and how our society will change and has changed because of the CoronaVirus.

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