Why I’m Sharing My Favorite Books (and Why I Hope You’ll Care)
I love to read. I’m biased, of course—but I really do believe that you should love to read too. If you asked my friends or family, they’d probably tell you that I’m constantly (and maybe annoyingly) trying to get them to fall in love with books. It’s true. And while I might not be able to plead my case in person, this is my lovingly persistent way of saying: You should absolutely, unapologetically be a reader. (This is a PSA to everyone.)
**Skip the “why” and take me to the goods (the list).
Why Books?
Books are one of the most powerful tools we have to shape our lives. They’ve changed mine—not once, but over and over again. Some books have shifted the way I think. Others have challenged me to change direction entirely. A few have become trusted companions I return to year after year.
Because we live in an age where attention is constantly fragmented—by screens, by endless notifications, by the pressure to consume more content in less time—reading a book is now a radical act of intentionality. But it’s one I believe is critical to growth—not just intellectually, but spiritually, emotionally, and even physically (more on that below).
A Note on Intentionality
Life is finite. Every minute counts. And because of that, I think it’s critical to live—and read—with ruthless intentionality.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the occasional “popcorn” book (what I call entertaining, low-substance reads). I do too. But if you exclusively read that kind of book, it’s not much better than binge-watching Netflix for hours. (Sorry, it’s true. And yes, I will write a parody article titled “Netflix Is Killing Your Braincells” one day.)
So be selective. Be curious. Be ruthless about your time. The books you read should stretch you, inspire you, provoke you. That doesn’t mean they all have to be serious. It just means they should matter.
How I Chose These Books
This list isn’t a “best books of all time” type of thing. These are the books that, at one point or another, genuinely altered how I live. When I say “life-changing,” I mean that literally. I came away from these books with a new perspective, a new habit, or sometimes a totally new direction.
I don’t often reread books, simply because there are so many worth exploring. So if I’ve read something more than once—or even more than three times—you better believe it’s left a serious mark.
For each book I list, I’ll include a quick summary, a few personal takeaways, and a key below to help you navigate the list.
One Quick Note About Spiritual Books
I’ve created a separate list for books that are overtly spiritual or faith-based—not because I see a divide between my “spiritual” life and my “everyday” life (I don’t), but because I want people to be able to browse without distraction. Faith touches everything I do, and many of my top books reflect that. But I’ve separated them for clarity, not compartmentalization. You can find that list here.
Reading Plans + Book Philosophy
If you’re wondering how I manage to read so much, or if you want to build a reading habit of your own, check out my personal strategy here. I truly believe anyone can develop a love for reading—and even ten minutes a day can change your brain, your mood, and eesh, may I say, your life?
If you want to learn how I apply what I read, you can dive into that here.
🔖 Key
#x — Estimated number of times I’ve read it
+1 — On my annual rotation
~ — Re-read semi-regularly
!! — Top of mind right now
&& — Books I regularly gift
Why: A quick note on how the book impacted me
Life Changers
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Steven Pressfield’s punchy manifesto on overcoming resistance and embracing creativity. It reframes procrastination as a spiritual battle and urges the reader to ‘turn pro.’
~4x, &&
Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield
A companion to The War of Art, this book deepens the call to reject amateur habits and embrace professional dedication to your craft or purpose.
~4x, &&
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss offers a blueprint for escaping the 9-to-5 grind by automating income, traveling the world, and designing a life on your own terms.
1x
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Hal Elrod outlines a simple, structured morning routine using six practices (S.A.V.E.R.S.) to boost personal development before the day begins.
1x
Steal Like an Artist & Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
Kleon encourages readers to embrace influence and remix creativity with confidence, showing that nothing is truly original. Show Your Work helps creatives share their process in authentic and generous ways.
~4x, &&
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
David Goggins’ powerful memoir of mental toughness and extreme endurance, showing how to push past pain and excuses. Best in audiobook format, where Goggins adds mini podcast-style commentary.
~4x, &&
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
A timeless exploration of life in Nazi concentration camps and the human drive for purpose through suffering. Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, founded logotherapy—anchored in meaning.
2x
The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Pollan investigates the food chain and how our choices about what we eat shape the environment, society, and our health. A deep dive into industrial food systems, local alternatives, and ethical eating.
1x
Runner’s Up
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander
The Zanders blend uplifting stories, personal anecdotes, and practical exercises to show how reframing our perspectives can unlock new possibilities in work and life. A mix of music-world metaphors and leadership insights, it’ll help you move from “surviving” to “thriving.”
1x
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Burkeman argues that effective time management isn’t about squeezing more tasks into your day, but embracing life’s finitude and choosing what matters most. Part manifesto, part philosophy, it’s a refreshing antidote to burnout culture.
1x
Tools of Titans & Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss
Ferriss compiles tactical tips, routines, and mindsets from high performers—athletes, entrepreneurs, artists—across hundreds of interviews. Use these bite-sized lessons to hack productivity, health, creativity, and more.
&&
12 Rules for Life & Beyond Order by Jordan B. Peterson
Peterson blends psychology, mythology, and personal anecdote to offer actionable “rules” for living a meaningful, disciplined life. These companion volumes tackle chaos and order as two sides of the same coin.
1x
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Drawing on Stoic philosophy and real-world examples, Holiday shows how adversity can be transformed into advantage. A concise, inspiring playbook for turning setbacks into strength.
1x
Courage Is Calling & Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
These companion essays distill the Stoic virtues of courage and discipline into bite-sized reflections and historical vignettes. They’ll prime your mindset for action when fear or inertia strike.
1x
The 2-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton
Dalton lays out a laser-focused, spreadsheet-driven approach to networking your way to interviews in just a few hours per week. Perfect for job-seekers who want results without endless applications.
2x, &&
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A timeless guide to better communication, empathy, and leadership—packed with real-world examples that show how small changes in attitude can yield big relationship payoffs.
~
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
Cialdini unpacks six universal “weapons of influence”—from reciprocity to social proof—and shows how to apply them ethically in business and personal life.
~
I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
A no-nonsense personal finance playbook for millennials and young professionals: automated saving and investing, conscious spending, and simple debt-crushing tactics.
1x
Highly Recommend
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
A neurosurgeon’s memoir about confronting terminal cancer, life’s fragility, and the meaning of mortality. Poignant, beautifully written, and profoundly moving.
1x
Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
Gawande shows how simple checklists can save lives, reduce errors, and improve performance in medicine, aviation, and beyond. A masterclass in practical process design.
1x
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
An exploration of end-of-life care, aging, and the medical profession’s failures to address dignity and quality of life. Compassionate, eye-opening, and essential.
1x
Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande
Gawande’s debut collection of surgical case studies and ethical dilemmas, illuminating the uncertainty and human drama at medicine’s front lines.
1x
Outlive by Peter Attia
A science-driven guide to maximizing lifespan and healthspan with nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management—tailored to your unique biology.
1x
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
The definitive biography of Apple’s co-founder: his visionary genius, mercurial temperament, and the cultural revolution he helped ignite.
1x
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
A portrait of Musk’s relentless drive—from PayPal to SpaceX to Tesla—and the triumphs and controversies that have shaped his quest to change the world.
1x
Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink
A field-manual-style manifesto on extreme personal accountability and self-discipline—delivered in punch-y, motivational bursts.
3x, !!
Never Finished by David Goggins
Goggins returns with fresh insights on mental toughness, self-mastery, and pushing beyond your limits—another unfiltered challenge to become your best self.
1x
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Walker dives into the science of sleep: why we need it, how it affects health and performance, and actionable tips for better rest.
1x
Non-Fiction That Shifted My Thinking
Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA by Tim Weiner
A meticulously researched, Pulitzer Prize–winning chronicle of the CIA’s successes, failures, and impact on global history. An eye-opening look at power, secrecy, and geopolitics.
1x
Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday
Holiday lifts the veil on the dark arts of modern online media—how sensationalism, clickbait, and misinformation manipulate audiences and markets.
1x
Non-Fiction — Incredible Stories
Endurance by Alfred Lansing
The harrowing true tale of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic expedition—an epic saga of leadership, survival, and unbreakable human spirit.
1x
Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose
Ambrose’s narrative of Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery blends exploration, diplomacy, and adventure on America’s uncharted frontier.
1x
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Bourdain’s raw, witty memoir pulls back the curtain on restaurant life—equal parts glamour and grime, with unforgettable characters and culinary insights.
1x
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
A provocative reappraisal of Genghis Khan’s legacy, arguing that his empire fostered unprecedented cultural exchange, trade, and legal innovation.
1x
Fiction Favorites
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
A sprawling, semi-autobiographical epic set in Bombay’s underworld—rich in adventure, philosophy, and raw humanity.
1x
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
A coming-of-age tale of an English boy in apartheid-era South Africa who discovers the power of self-belief and perseverance.
1x
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz
A sweeping historical romance set in Nero’s Rome—rich in drama, faith, and the clash between pagan decadence and early Christianity.
1x
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
A pop-culture-packed sci-fi adventure in a dystopian virtual reality, blending ’80s nostalgia with high-stakes treasure hunting.
1x
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
A visceral, Spartan-eyewitness retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae—both poetic and brutal in its depiction of honor and sacrifice.
1x
Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown
An epic sci-fi saga of revolution on a terraformed Mars—pulse-pounding action, political intrigue, and complex characters.
+1
The Terminal List by Jack Carr
A modern military thriller featuring a Navy SEAL protagonist out for justice after a deadly conspiracy—taut, action-packed, and unflinching.
1x
