Over the past 10 years, I reckon I've read over 500 self-development and business books. (That's why I instituted a three-month non-fiction ban in late 2021 and have since read over 100 new novels!)
99% of them weren't worth it. Some of them were. Read/listen/follow these 10 game-changers 👇
Book 1: Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
Most people misunderstand the ingredients of success and fulfilment. They try and do too much, all at once, for the wrong reasons. This book teaches you the disciplined pursuit of less.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Book 2: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Most people think they're more rational and objective than they actually are. This book teaches you how your brain works.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Book 3: Rebel Ideas, by Matthew Syed
We're trapped in boxes of our own making and blind to them. This book unlocks the benefits of getting out of the box.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Book 4: Necessary Endings, by Dr Henry Cloud
Most people stay in jobs, relationships, and situations that don't serve them for far too long. This book teaches you to give up what doesn't work and make space for what will.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Books 5 and 6: Fight Like A Girl, by Clementine Ford / Boys Will Be Boys, by Clementine Ford
A double whammy. Even the most well-intentioned people and committed feminists can be blind to the true insidiousness of sexism and misogyny in all corners of society. These books open your eyes. Gift copies to your daughters.
Buy e-books. Buy real books.
Book 7: Influence, by Robert B. Cialdini
This book turns all the weird, nebulous ideas we have about what makes us credible and likeable, and turns it into dense, straight-up science. I suspect some ideas haven't dated well from a social conscience perspective, but read it anyway.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Book 8: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Most time management advice teaches you how to overcome your constraints. Burkeman teaches us to embrace them.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Book 9: Drive, by Dan Pink
Most people think you need the right combination of incentives and punishments to motivate. That doesn't work anymore, but this book teaches you what does.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Book 10: Upstream by Dan and Chip Heath
Systems thinking to solve tricky problems made easy. This book should be required reading for all managers and leaders. Read anything by these guys. Decisive, Switch and Made to Stick are all phenomenal. The value per page will rock your socks off.
Buy e-book. Buy real book.
Please add your top-tier recommendations in the comment section to fill my overflowing TBR pile.
But understand that I can't reply because I'm now re-reading these books. Writing this list reminded me how great they are and all the important lessons I've forgotten...
- A
PS—Please don't try to get these books for free by doing some dodgy download. Free books should only come from libraries.
Support the authors and celebrate the astonishing value of your book-buying investment! For bonus points, buy from local booksellers.
PS—If you like books and you like me, you might like my books. You can buy them here.
Alicia McKay
