The Best Books of 2019: The five books you need to read right now
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\nIt\u2019s the end of 2019 \u2013 which means it\u2019s time to look back on the five best books I read this year.
\nJoin me as I share the non-fiction reads that I applied, shared, learnt from and recommended the most over the last twelve months.
\nDid these books make it onto your best reads list for the year?\xa0 Which of them are going into your future reading list?
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\n\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nA book all about how effort, and sticking with something, counts much more than any innate talent.\xa0 This book made me realise how \u2018un-gritty\u2019 I am and (most importantly) what to do about it.
\nI loved the case studies and the fact that the key lesson isn\u2019t about just working longer hours / \u2018knuckling down\u2019, but being smart with how you practice your skills and how to decide what to maintain and what to quit (yes, you can, and should, quit things sometimes).
\nHear more on episode 46 \u2013 Grit by Angela Duckworth: How to dig in and get more done
\nGood to Great by Jim Collins
\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nThe title is a bit of a misnomer because a fundamental principle of this book is that good and great are not two points on the same spectrum, but instead two totally different approaches and mindsets.
\nIt pairs nicely with Grit because to be \u2018great\u2019 you need to stay in your lane and focus on the core thing \u2018you could be the best in the world at\u2019 (your \u2018hedgehog\u2019).
\nWhilst a few of the \u2018great\u2019 companies included in the research haven\u2019t stood the test of time (some of them proved themselves to be rather \u2018bad\u2019 around 2008), the concepts remain relevant.
\nWhether you run a business, or have a leadership role in one, if you find yourself distracted by \u2018shiny objects\u2019, this book will help you re-think your success factors and narrow down what you should be keeping your eyes on.
\nI\u2019ll be sharing more about this book in a future podcast episode.
\nI Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi
\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nThis is hands-down the book I have taken and applied the most lessons from.\xa0 Ever. Despite its click-bait sounding title, this is a book packed with solid strategies and mindsets for getting your personal finances in order.
\nI personally put several methods in place immediately whilst reading the book; from splitting my savings accounts up from two accounts to nine, moving more money into my investing account, cancelling unnecessary subscriptions and looking at where I spend money to realign priorities.
\nI love that this isn\u2019t another \u2018DON\u2019T BUY LATTES/AVOCADO ON TOAST\u2019 book, and it talks about the fact that there\u2019s no upper-limit on your potential earnings, but there is a lower limit on how much you can cut from spending.\xa0 A great re-frame and forces a different focus on upping your income rather than cutting more and more expenses.
\nHear more about this on episode 27 \u2013 I Will Teach You to Be Rich: Terrible title, great book
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\nQuiet by Susan Cain
\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nWhether you are an introvert who wants to understand yourself better, and why the Western-world is so anti-introvert, or an extrovert who wants to better understand and value your introverted family members/friends/colleagues, this book is a must-read.
\nMy mind was blown at how introverts and extroverts are physically wired differently and their brains respond differently to different stimulants.\xa0 It gave me a huge level of appreciation and empathy for those around me who seem to wilt at the very idea of talking to a crowd / going for a group dinner / facilitating an all day workshop.
\nThe book does a great job at presenting the science and giving practical tips to introverts and extroverts alike about the values and benefits of having different styles, and how to better work together to get the most from everyone.
\nFind out the three big ideas from the book here on episode 40 \u2013 Quiet by Susan Cain: Why introverts should actually rule the world
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\nWhen by Daniel Pink
\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nWhilst this might sound like \u2018yet another\u2019 productivity book, it\u2019s a different take on the usual prioritise this / time block that / use this tool / meditate / don\u2019t touch Instagram in the morning jazz.
\nDaniel takes you through the fascinating science of WHEN you will operate best for different tasks depending on your chronotype (your biological preference of when you are at your best according to your circadian rhythms).
\nCue scary stories of afternoon earnings calls resulting in more arguments and stock misquotations, \u2018killing season\u2019 in hospitals when a new intake of student doctors start and the alcohol-like effect on our brain if we\u2019re doing the wrong tasks at the wrong time.
\nHe also shares the recipe for a perfect nap, listen to episode 45 \u2013 When by Daniel H. Pink: How You\u2019re Not Spending Your Day the Best Way to plan your own nappucino.
\nBONUS!
\nTwo wild-cards that ALMOST made it into the top five (and I will include because it\u2019s my podcast and I am in charge).
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\nTiger Woods Biography
\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nWhat happens when you push a child into a sport and isolate them from the rest of the world.\xa0 (Spoiler alert: it\u2019s impressive but it\u2019s not pretty).
\nListen to more on this book here: 34 \u2013 Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict & Armen Keteyian: The Cost of Being a Master
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\n\nClick here to buy on The Book Depository
\nHow Pixar became the powerhouse of industry-changing creativity it is, and the very intentional decisions made early on to develop and foster this culture.
\nI\u2019ll talk about this one in a future episode.
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\nMusic By:\xa0\xa0Anthem of a Quirky Hipster Song by Rex Banner
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