Reading list
This section is dedicated to books I’ve read and enjoyed. If you like any of the books and would like to purchases them I’ve added links to where you can buy. I make no profits off the purchase of these books only the satisfaction that I can share them with others.
Where The Crawdads Sing
I’ve not always been the biggest advocate of fiction, but this book absolutely sucked me in. The writing is very descriptive and you feel like you’re right there next to Kya on her adventures through the swamp in North Carolina. this is a well written first novel by Delia Owens.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
A great read for anyone into anthropology or just a better understanding of humankind. This book breaks down so many aspects of the human race in a very digestible way. I love these information dense reads that bring light to our world.
The Ocean at The End of the Lane
This Neil Gaiman book is definitely not a normal read for me. But I took a chance and was pleasantly surprised by this fantasy laden story. The book isn’t full of maxims for life, but it’s just a fun and interesting read. This is a book that really made me feel like a kid again.
The Power of now: A guide to Spiritual enlightenment
I love this book, it’s been golden for me. I remember reading it the first time and I highlighted and dog-eared so many pages by the time I was done there were more pages with notations than without! The focus of this book is on the present and the simply way Tolle explains it is beautiful! I must read in my opinion, regardless of religious affiliation.
The Monk who sold his ferrari
The key thoughts in this book are well-grounded and are applicable to many. The story feels contrived but I’ve found that in many of these self-improvement books that seems to be the case. Quick and easy read with good points though.
The life-changing magic of tidying up
Marie Kondo has gotten a lot of notoriety recently with her Netflix show, but this is the book that put her on the map. I’m not dogmatic about everything in this book, but in general this book gives clarity to what you need to keep and what you should purge materialistically. I read it, and it changed the way I looked at the things I own and their value in my life.
Meditations
another book that I’ve marked up and taken extensive notes on. So many important principles from Marcus Aurelius. Amazing how relevant the thoughts of a man who died in 180 AD are at present.
american nations: A history of the eleven rival regional cultures of North America
Not sure there’s a more informative book on the history of our country’s political leanings than this book. Woodard explains in detail why each region believes the way they do from point of origin. I learned so much from this book. A must read for anyone who loves history or wants perspective on politics in our country.
wild: From lost to found on the Pacific crest trail
For the troubled or lost, as well as the adventurer this book is wonderful. Cheryl Strayed takes you on a journey of self-realization that takes place on the PCT. Well written and the descriptions make you feel like you’re on the trail with her. By the end of this book I felt like putting on a pack and pining for the growth Cheryl experienced.
The Song of The Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinction
I read this book many years ago. It opened up my world to the variety of animals specific to various parts of the world. Flightless birds with legs the size of an elephant and the amazingly different species that exist on islands less than 50 miles apart.
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate
An incredible book that will make you and your knowledge of the natural world feel very small. This book goes into depth about research done on the interconnectedness of forests, as well as the intercommunication of multiple species. We still have so much to learn from nature.
The secret diary of hendrik groen, 83 1/4 Years Old
I greatly enjoyed the way this book introduces you to the subculture of living in a retirement facility. This book is a page turner. Not only is Hendrik witty and funny, but he’s unbelievably relatable. The window it gives you into the world of the elderly is eye-opening.
The Tao of Pooh
An awesome book on the parallels between Tao and that famous bear Pooh. In the most basic of stories Benjamin Hoff shares an eastern religion in a very digestible way. Each character in Hundred Acre Woods is used to describe a different personality type. I love the simplicity of this book.
Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
This book is my food bible now. A book by Michael Pollan the writer ofThe Omnivore’s Dilemma gives you the basics on the do’s and don’ts of eating and how to navigate your local super market. The illustrations by Maria Kalman are simple, vibrant and beautiful. This is a quick read that you’ll want to keep close for future reference.
Scar Tissue
A great biography on Anthony Kiedis, the lead singer of red hot chili peppers. I’ve always enjoyed the Chili Pepper’s music, but hearing Kiedis story of growing up too fast, drug addiction, and fame enhanced my appreciation.
The Greatest thing in the world
Short, sweet and an important message. This book is religious in nature, references to the Bible, and many of its characters are mentioned throughout. This book resonated because of its message of love, which has always resonated with me.
The world's most powerful leadership principles: how to become a servant leader
From the moment I starting reading this book it made sense to me. The book frames leadership in a way that makes it accessible to everyone not just the alpha. For those of you that want to have a “why” to your leadership this book give it.
The wild trees
A book by Richard Preston that takes you to the world of Coastal Redwood Trees. I love the passion of the people studying these amazing trees. We must keep learning about our environment and the wonders of nature.
The daily stoic
I read passages everyday for two years from this book. The wisdom of the stoic philosophers is timeless and the layout of this book makes it extremely digestible. Each daily thought is roughly one page long, so you have plenty of time to drink your coffee and reflect every morning.
rules for a knight
This book is written in the form of a letter and shares a lot of life lessons. Each lesson is short and is from the perspective of knight who’s sharing his wisdom prior to going into a battle that could very well take his life. A good read with lessons for young and old.
Death of a salesman
A classic for a reason. This story is just as applicable today as it was when it was written in 1949. Everyone knows a Willy Loman. Read it.