I feel that this generation has failed to grasp just how important reading is. I know that it is much easier to watch YouTube videos or scroll social media all the time (I am certainly guilty of doing this) but doing these things won’t provide you with anything in the long run. Reading does.
If you are looking for great books that are jam packed with valuable information, here are ten pieces of writing that have been very influential on my life:
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Using the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, Holiday writes about how obstacles in life are nothing but a path towards success. In this book, Holiday tells the story of countless recognizable people that have been able to turn their failures into success and weaknesses into strengths. Reading this book changed my perspective on life. And if you read it, I am sure that it will have a similar impact
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
I don’t think that I have ever read a book that is as inspirational as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me. Can’t Hurt Me is a story about how Goggins managed to overcome countless obstacles en route to a successful life. He had a horrible upbringing, dealt with racism, and had no future. Goggins endured all that life threw at him and kept moving. If you think that you have limits, read this book and you will find out that truly anything is possible.
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Too many people today are addicted to social media without even realizing it. And as you will learn in Digital Minimalism, it is not your fault. The algorithms that social media companies use are meant to keep you on a certain app for as long as possible. In Digital Minimalism, you will learn that these companies want one thing from you: Attention. Read this book and figure out how to take control of your digital consumption.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
If you want to learn about the Stoic philosophy, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is required reading. Meditations is essentially Marcus’ journal, where he writes about what he is grateful for, his struggles, and how he wants to live life.
To get a quick preview of some of the key lessons from this book, read this post: Five of the Most Powerful Lessons from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations
Letters From a Stoic by Seneca
Letters From a Stoic is as close as we will get to receiving direct advice from a Stoic philosopher. In Letters From a Stoic, Seneca writes over 100 letters to his friend Lucilius. He writes on how to use Stoicism to become a good person and how to overcome life’s problems.
There are countless bits of wisdom in Seneca’s Letters From a Stoic. To learn about some of the key lessons, you can read this: Five of the Most Powerful Lessons From Seneca’s Letters From A Stoic – Grant Matheny
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power is so influential that it is banned in a handful of prisons. Power is something that a lot of people don’t really understand all that well. What is it? How is it obtained? Why is it important? Greene answers all of these questions in The 48 Laws of Power.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Malcolm X
Learning about Malcolm Little’s transformation to Malcolm X was very inspiring. In 1946, Little was arrested on burglary charges and he was sentenced to ten years in prison. Malcom could have wished away these ten years. Instead, he got to work. He devoured books and exited prison a much better person than the one who entered. I think that this is a very fascinating piece of writing on one of the most influential civil rights leaders of all time.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Building productive habits and breaking destructive ones is something that a lot of people have trouble with because they start too big. Instead of starting small and focusing on each day, people tend to set big, unachievable goals. And once you fail to reach these goals, you quit. In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains how small habits can create big results. If you are looking to become a more productive person, this book will be extremely valuable.
Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell
Strangers are not easy. Strangers are complicated and they don’t always act rationally. It is necessary to communicate with strangers, but in general, we are terrible at doing it. Reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers will help you better understand people that you don’t know. You will learn what makes strangers hard to deal with and strategies to combat issues that often arise.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
If you have a desire to create anything in life, this is the book for you. In the War of Art, Steven Pressfield writes about resistance and how we must overcome this evil force in order to create something worthwhile. This is an extremely digestible book that I still draw inspiration from on an almost daily basis. Reading this book will help you better understand how to get work done and beat resistance.
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