Books are life giving.
Sometimes that life comes in the form of mental reprieve. Sometimes in the form of pure entertainment. And sometimes in the form of insights and ideas.
I’ll take all of it.
My reading has slowed down a lot in the past year or two, intentionally so. It used to be a competition. Read a book per week or else I’m not growing. How silly.
That’s not to say I’m reading less. I’m just reading more deeply. These days I’d rather read one great book a few times than read a few decent books. Or read a 1,200 page book that requires patience and investment rather than a quick read that’s easily forgettable.
Below are my favorites from the past year.
I’ve tried to include something for everyone, whether you’re looking for that mental reprieve, entertainment, or insights.
I hope books will enrich your 2024 as much as I’m looking forward to them enriching mine.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning And End Of Your Suffering
Who is it for? Anyone wanting to escape the chaos and pain of their internal dialogue.
Why I love it? I’ve read a lot on consciousness and the mind, and this book is beautiful in its simplicity. I found myself having a number of ah-ha moments that seemed to be the missing link in the understanding of my own thoughts.
Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up
Who is it for? Anyone leading a team will likely get the most value from the book, but the principles are broadly applicable to everyone.
Why I love it? Relationships are built on trust and communication. The author is one of the most prominent executive coaches in the world, and he doesn’t transform teams through structured programs or systems. Instead he gets to the heart of dysfunctional relationships - honesty, transparency, communication, and the willingness to take our proper seats as adults.
Who is it for? History fans, people that love to indulge in lengthy reads, and anyone wanting to understand the history of slavery and the lands that played a central role.
Why I love it? James Michener is one of my favorite authors. He takes a specific geography and uses historical fictional to tell the long arc of that area’s history from beginning to end, as best as we know. You’ll learn about the roots and reality of slavery, and the history of a part of the world that was forever altered by colonialism.
The Last Ride of the Pony Express: My 2,000 Mile Horseback Journey into the Old West
Who is it for? Anyone looking for a relatively quick and entertaining read about the West, and one of the most ambitious projects to expand it.
Why I love it? Did you know that one of the most prominent symbols of western expansion only lasted for 18 months?! This is a fun journey that connects the modern west to the old west, a landscape that was transformed more than any other in the U.S., and touches on what we’ve lost and gained in that process.
The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
Who is it for? Anyone wanting to use the power of the mind to perform at a high level in whatever you do. And no, you don’t have to play or appreciate tennis to appreciate this book.
Why I love it? This is a topic that’s been written about thousands of times by thousands of people. But this book cuts through the noise better than any I’ve read. Using tennis as a proxy, you’ll understand the games that our minds play and how win those games.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Who is it for? As the subtitle explains, it’s for anyone wanting to take control of their habits in the most practical way possible.
Why I love it? I avoided this book at all costs for a long time. I had spent so many years studying habits that the last thing I wanted to read was the book on habits that was being read by seemingly everyone. I was wrong. If you want to build better habits, there is no better person on the planet to learn from than James Clear.
✌️ and ❤️,
Adam Griffin