I’m picky with what books to read. I’m even pickier with what books to re-read. A book has to be so good that it should be consulted often as a reference, like the Bible.
Moreover, re-reading builds different perspectives. I was listening to the Investor’s Podcast.
They also read books by billionaires and discuss what they learned.
Their opinion and perspective on books is sometimes completely different from my own. For one of their reviews on a Richard Branson book, there was a a lot more focus on Branson being a super risk-taker and endangering his own life even though he had a family.
They seemed to express distaste at Branson’s risk-taking stunts, like going outside during a hurricane.
I think Branson’s DNA definitely makes him more of a risk-taker by nature, like many men.
A lot of the things he does that are out there is because he really wants to appreciate life, something I can understand.
I think Branson does it because he really embodies the philosophy of living a full life.
Although some of his stunts are out there, I don’t think he would do stuff on a consistent basis that horrendously endangers his life unless it was early on in his career to market his new business. Sure, he’s made a few mistakes, but I found him surprisingly practical and safe when starting a company.
I was focused more on the business lessons on leadership.
Reading a non-fiction book again, just like with fiction, can give you a new interpretation, mindset, or idea that you may have missed the first time. Or it can just refresh you on some principle that you missed or forgot about. Book notes only get you so far; sometimes, you forget something.
That said, here are the top books I find myself re-reading and why.
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Contents
How to Win Friends and Influence People
This book has sold millions of copies, and it’s still the gold standard for effective communication and social skills. Enough said.
I forget things from the book from time to time, so I re-read it to flesh out my book notes and memory. I don’t agree with every bit t of advice, but there’s a reason why people cite it so often. Most of the stuff works. Their advice is focused on human nature which doesn’t change.
Think and Grow Rich
This book has also sold millions. There has been some controversy recently about whether the author is credible, but many people credit the book with making them millionaires.
Again, I have a skeptical nature when reading parts of the book, but that doesn’t mean there are parts I can’t take away from. Not only does it refresh my memory to re-read the book, it helps me identify points I missed and things I still failed to act on.
The Essays of Warren Buffett
This one’s a personal favorite for improving my business acumen. Warren Buffett is the wisest person I know on business economics. He makes most complex principles understandable in his writing, and this book is a compilation of some of his best points from his shareholder letters. I love reading these and listening to all his shareholder meetings. He has dozens of meetings you can go through on YouTube.
What Women Want by Dr. Miller and Tucker Max
This book by Geoffrey Miller dives into the comprehensive elements of female-male attraction based on the largest compilation of empirical evidence and scientific research. I use it as a reference on occasion and draw from their cited sources and recommendations to discover other books and studies.
No More Mr. Nice Guy by Robert Glover
Many guys end up being push overs, entitled, upset, and bitter with their relationships. This book is your bible for understanding the toxic expectations and beliefs that block us from healthy relationships. For example, do you ever behave in a way where you get angry because you expect something from someone because you did something for them even though this expectation wasn’t ever discussed and agreed upon? The book comes with many action steps throughout, which is useful.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Another business book classic. I may recommend this book over any other if someone asks me what one business book you should read. The author, Jim Collins, applied science to business and thoroughly studied successful and unsuccessful companies in specific industries and their differences across their lifetime. His insights are astounding.
Never Eat Alone
This book is a light one that on rare occasion, I’ll go through quickly. The title speaks volumes, and the power of networking and knowing the right people isn’t lost on me. I’m an introvert and not the most socially skilled, but I can improve and have improved in this area. I’ve learned from many people with successful careers that knowing the right people is just as important as having the skills for some jobs.
The Dictionary of Body Language by Joe Navarro
Joe Navarro is a guru of body language. As a retired FBI agent, he’s cut his teeth over decadeslearning how to understand someone’s inner psychology off a twitch or flicker of the foot or hand. This tiny book on body language is a quick reference for me whenever I need it after I’ve read and understood his principles from his other books. Whenever I’m confused about a certain hand gesture or twitch of the foot, I can look it up in this book, which functions as a mini-glossary. The knowledge has skyrocketed my accuracy to gauge how others feel. It’s a skill, so I still have a long way to improve.
Made in America by Sam Walton
Sam Walton has maybe the most humble, inspiring, educational journey to business success in the history of business. His book is a pleasure to read. It’s well-written, easy to understand, relatable (despite it being old), and filled with business lessons. He has a unique approach of interspersing chapters with accounts of moments from his executives and family. It’s well worth hearing the story of how one man turned one store into an empire that still rakes in billions, Walmart.
Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson
Most of what we do — donate, make money, skydive, or play video games — is ultimately because we want to be happier. Therefore, at least one book on the science of happiness should be on this list. Positive psychology has come a long way, and it’s discovered a lot. There are a lot of books I could recommend that are equally valuable, but I decided to choose this one, just because I have to choose one.
