Nine books that resonated with me in 2021

I am a firm believer that if you want to learn more about a subject reading a book is one of the best places to start. Sure, I may not get the same knowledge from a book that hands-on experience or formal education can provide but I can at least get a basic understanding of a topic. That’s why I read everything, especially books that others recommend me. Reading is part of my daily routine, and when I’m unable to I will turn to audiobooks. In each book, I learn valuable lessons from others and how to avoid their mistakes. But most importantly, some books are just plain fun! With that, I’d like to share a few of my favorite books from my 2021 reading list (in no particular order).

I Moved Your Cheese by Deepak Malhotra (Business Motivation & Self-Improvement) – A fun and thought-provoking response to the timeless classic “Who Moved My Cheese,” this book gave me new perspectives and angles to view challenges. I really enjoyed some of the characterizations of the mice!

Hamilton by Ron Chernow (Historical Biography) – The breadth and scope of Alexander Hamilton’s contributions to the formation of the United States is nothing short of inspirational.?Often, it is difficult to understand the work of historical figures, but Chernow’s pages due a tremendous service in describing Hamilton’s influence and incorrigible work ethic. I would be amiss if I also didn't mention the fantastic hit Broadway show by Lin-Manuel Miranda was heavily based on this book.

Perform Under Pressure by Ceri Evans (Sports Psychology)– Pressure and stress happens to all of us, especially when we are working through multiple high priority requests and tight deadlines.?Dr. Evans illuminates the psychology around why we dysfunction under pressure. He also touches on the real steps we can make in our busy lives to alleviate such stress, as well as how to optimize performance under it.

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (Entrepreneurship)– In the modern world of social media and the rise of online personas, personal branding and ownership is important. Kleon’s book inspires one to add to the cacophony, not necessarily for personal gain, but more so for posterity; to memorialize the value one brings to their work and life. Show Your Work has changed my view on what it means to share content online and has inspired me to think about sharing content as an asset opposed to a liability.

Getting Things Done by David Allen (Time Management) – Every person has a lot to juggle. How can one organize the many elements of work projects, normal work responsibilities, family life, friends, interests, emails, requests, calendar invites, and everything else??Well, turns out there is a book for that, and Getting Things Done (GTD) is just one of many books about personal productivity systems.?GTD has been around for a long time and opened my eyes to how much more there is to learn about life and the pursuit of excellence and accomplishment.?The world is complex, and we as humans can accomplish much because of our organizational skills.?Highly recommend, not necessarily to take on all the suggestions in the book, but to assess how to process currently works, and how it can be done better.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (Romantic Comedy) – I randomly picked up this audiobook from the library.?I am so glad I did.?The Rosie Project is a heart-warming, often hilarious book on a socially awkward genetics professor who has decided to obtain a wife analytically and systematically. The most laugh-out-loud funny book I have read in a very long time.

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (Decision Making & Problem Solving) – I was first exposed to behavioral economics and finance in the first year of my MBA program. Kahneman is a pioneer in the field. It was referenced by much of my coursework, but I never directly read any of his work. Since my MBA program, Thinking Fast and Slow was always on my to-read list but I hadn’t had the time to get around to it until this year. Well, this was certainly worth the wait.?The clarity of voice and research conducted by Kahneman is tremendously impactful and thought provoking.?Of all the books I read this year, this one took the longest. Each chapter had such interesting concepts that I needed to stop and think through the ramifications and examples throughout my life and think about the implications on decision-making.?Popularizing the System 1 and System 2 of thinking, also referred to as fast and slow, Kahneman taught me more about myself than anyone else has. Very interesting book that I have been reflecting on since reading earlier in the year.

Dracula by Bram Stoker (Horror Fiction) – There is a reason why this is so ingrained in pop culture.?The way Stoker weaves together the stories of several characters, each with their own voice, is brilliant. The cohesive narrative told through many lenses and ensembled from the vampire lore popular in the era is engrossing and magical. A novel way before its time is an accurate statement.?

The E Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber (Small Business / Entrepreneurship) – This is another book that has been on my reading list for an incredibly long time. Gerber focuses on the difference between a business and an individual contributor. Most businesses start with a specialist in a field who would like to be their own boss to gain flexibility and control.?What most people find though, is that they are quickly unable to have that flexibility and financial freedom they wanted. They are at the mercy of their clients and their work, with a newfound pressure because the buck stops with them. They are working in their business, not on their business. They are an employee again. ?Although this is focused on individual business owners, there is a lot of characteristics of Gerber’s model that can be carried over and applied to any management position. Although a quick read, Gerber does a great job of being direct and to the point, presenting a clear vision of what a good business should be, and how you can get there. Highly recommend.

My Complete reading list from 2021:

1.??????A Book of Five Rings – Miyamato Musashi

2.??????The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy

3.??????Invested – Danielle Town

4.??????I Moved Your Cheese – Deepak Malhotra

5.??????Historic Haunts of Long Island by Kerriann Brosky

6.??????The Archer -Paulo Coelho

7.??????Hamilton – Ron Chernow

8.??????The Question – Jeff Lemire

9.??????The 12 Week Year – Brian Moran

10.??A Handbook for New Stoics – Massimo Pugliucci

11.??Irrational Exuberance – Robert Shiller

12.??The Screwtape Letters – CS Lewis

13.??Perform Under Pressure – Ceri Evans

14.??Leadership Strategy and Tactics – Jocko Willink

15.??Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Album

16.??Show Your Work – Austin Kleon

17.??The Great Hunt – Robert Jordan

18.??Grit – Angela Duckworth

19.??The Book on Tax Strategies – Amanda Han

20.??Less – Andrew Greer

21.??Getting Things Done – David Allen

22.??The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion

23.??10% Happier – Dan Harris

24.??Atomic Habits – James Clear

25.??Designing the Mind – Ryan Bush

26.??Originals – Adam Grant

27.??Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

28.??Quitter – Jon Acuff

29.??Brief Answers to Big Questions – Stephen Hawking

30.??How Successful People Think – John Maxwell

31.??The Space Barons – Christian Davenport

32.??Letters from a Stoic – Seneca

33.??Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – James Tynion IV

34.??Radical Candor – Kim Scott

35.??Talking to Strangers – Malcom Gladwell

36.??Smarter Faster Better – Charles Duhigg

37.??Dracula – Bram Stoker

38.??Jesus Calling – Sarah Young

39.??Outliers – Malcom Gladwell

40.??The E Myth Revisited – Michael Gerber