What Inspires Me: The 200 Books I Read a Year
Like many, I've had wonderful mentors in my life who have changed the way I think and move in my professional career.
And I've also had books.
Reading has been my favorite pastime since my earliest memory, and in my adult years books have become some of my greatest inspirations. I read more than 200 books a year, and most of these books are non-fiction. Business, inspiration, and leadership top the charts in terms of what I spend most of my time reading, and I the reason I put so much of my energy into reading these particular categories is because books in this genre, again and again, have changed the way I think.
Here are three of my absolute favorites over the years, guaranteed to provide tangible inspiration to anyone.
No single book has reshaped the way I think about productivity more than this work. In reality, the word productivity is too limited to describe what this book explores -- as it is really a tome on energy management, and how learning to manage your days well is critical to true success at work and home. If you like meaty, dense, tactical learnings, get this now. And then read it, annually.
Slowing Down to the Speed of Life
This book remains one of the best books I've ever read about the importance of living in the moment -- as opposed to living in the regrets of the past and in the worries of tomorrow -- and I only wish it were more widely read. I've read it half a dozen times over the years, and it was a key inspiration for me in life hacking my morning routine to better set myself up for days that keep me in the present (get a free ebook on my morning routine here).
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
This recent bestseller by Susan Cain is not only the best book I read in 2012, but the definitive book on what it means to be an introvert. It does an excellent job of sharing both the highs and lows of a tendency that more than a third of the population shares. More than just an exploration of what introversion is and how it manifests itself, the book provides critical tactical ideas on how to best lead and win professionally and personally when you are card-carrying introvert. Importantly, it's not just for introverts, but also for those who love them. (Hence why I made my mother and husband read it to better understand me.)
Although there are many books over the years that have inspired, these three remain several of the best stand outs.
Are there key books on your list that you count as some of your greatest life inspirations? What are they?
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For more from Claire, download her free ebook, read her blog, follow her on LinkedIn, or find her on the Twitters via @claire.
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Photo: Mariana Pacho López / Empalagarmedemar via Getty Images
Database and Reporting Analyst at Tensar International Corporation
11 å¹´"I spent three days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library, and it's better than college. People should educate themselves - you can get a complete education for no money. At the end of 10 years, I had read every book in the library and I'd written a thousand stories" - Ray Bradbury
Faculty, Consultant, Professor
11 å¹´Fabulous achievement to read 200 books.
Editor with 8+ years of experience | Freelance Writer and Book Reviewer
11 å¹´I think it's fantastic that you read that many books a year. I'm impressed! People are often critical about reading as a possibility-- I go to University of Chicago, and people often ask me how I possibly have time to read for pleasure. The answer is that you have to be willing to make time to read-- I often get too little sleep because I stay up late to read, and I also read as I walk to and from class, as study breaks, during meals, and on public transportation. I tend to be more of a fiction reader, and when I do read non-fiction, I tend to focus more on historical reads, such as Let Us Now Praise Famous Men and Eichmann in Jerusalem, two of my favorite non-fiction reads from this year.
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11 å¹´Wonderful achievement.to read 200 books in a year,great mind,an inspiration,however what are your top 10, in that list
Product Marketing @ Coinbase
11 å¹´I find it strange that several commenters are highly critical and skeptical of her ability to be productive as a result of her reading, when she is clearly a highly accomplished individual...to each her/his own. For my part, I'm impressed!