Twenty three books this year, not including the children’s books I’ve gotten to read to my son.

My view of reading has changed over the years. Early after college I was more likely to mow through books, trying and failing to get to the elusive 52 book total. These days I’m more likely to take my time and read for enjoyment & understanding. As Bruce Lee said, “I don’t fear the man who knows 10,000 kicks, I fear the man who’s practiced one kick 10,000 times.” This applies to reading too. Revisiting a book deepens your understanding of it.

Below you will find:

1. My top 3 books from this year.
2. A full reading list from this year.
3. Links to my favorite books dating back to 2018.

Top 3 Books From 2022 📚

1. Benjamin Franklin, An American Life by Walter Isaacson was my favorite book this year. I’ve listened to Franklin’s autobiography several times since 2014 and have always enjoyed learning about him. Two of my favorite lessons from this book is how Franklin improved his writing skills, and the framework for his career (businessman turned scientist turned statesman).
2. The Essentialist by Greg McKowen is a great book which I can sum up for you in one sentence: Do Less, Do Better, Know Why. The cycle of the essentialist is to expand (try new things), contract/curate (remove things). If you are the type of person who tries to do too much, this will be a good book for you. Truth is, I didn’t actually finish this book, I got the idea about halfway through, BUT it has been one of the books I have thought about the most afterwards which is why it is on this list. The idea is powerful.
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a fictional story of a father & son trying to make it to the coast in a post-nuclear wasteland. I was reading this when I found out my wife and I were expecting our son, so it was particularly impactful for me. The writing is beautiful, the story is haunting, and it reminded me of how quick things can change and to cherish the little things.

Complete Reading List. For a short thought on each book check out my Q1/Q2/Q3/Q4 posts.

1. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Greatest Salesman in the World by OG Mandino
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
4. The 5 Languages of Appreciation In The Workplace by Gary Chapman
5. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
6. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
7. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
8. Presuasion: Robert Cialdini
9. The Old Man and The Sea by Hemingway 
10. How To Talk to Anyone by Leil Lownders
11. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert
12. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
13. The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
14. First Time Dad by Steven Bell
15. How to Stay Motivated: Zig Ziglar
16. The Essentialist by Greg McKeown
17. Dune: God Emperor by Frank Herbert
18. The Expectant Father by Armon Brott
19. Einstein: His Life & Universe by Walter Isaacson
20. Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
21. Snow Leopard by Category Pirates
22. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
23. The Road to Character by David Brooks

The Best Books I Read In:

• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• Running list of my favorites

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