At the end of each year I share my favorite books from my reading list. This is my 19th year keeping a list. My system is pretty simple…I put every book I read in a document, if it’s a good book I bold the title and if it’s exceptional I highlight the title. This year of the 43 books I read (see picture for complete list) I highlighted 12. To make it into the exceptional category the book really had to make me think. Some of the good books had great chapters, but I’m looking for books with all killer and no filler.
43 Books (Missing Treasure Island)
Below you’ll find the books that fit that description for me. With the exception of the first book they aren’t rank ordered.
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. This was the second book I read this year and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Everyone should read this book because we all will be faced with difficult end of life medical choices that we haven’t been prepared to answer. One of the author’s points is that the medical community isn’t really equipped to answer the most important questions you’ll have either. The goal of medicine is to save lives or prolong it for however long is medically possible, but often keeping your organs functioning isn’t exactly what you envision for your end of days. I was shocked to read that in some cases those with terminal cancer lived 25% longer with hospice than with chemo and the quality of life was vastly better. What is your real goal? Is your goal to squeeze every extra second out of your body regardless of quality of life or is it to pass on peacefully at home surrounded by your loved ones? How do you define “quality of life?” Everyone of us will die, everyone of us will have a grandparent, parent, and possibly a spouse die before we do. We will more than likely be called on to answer difficult quality of life questions on the behalf of our loved ones. What if you could have those difficult conversations now? What if you helped your loved ones know your wishes and were able to keep them from unnecessary guilt about a choice they had to make while you were in surgery? If you only read one book this year, pick this one. It would make a great audio book. It’s written by a surgeon who has walked this path with many patients and with his father…who was also a surgeon.
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy. This book is a classic now in the personal finance genre, but I had never read it. (Little known fact one of the authors was a professor at the University of Albany right here in my back yard!) A fascinating point the authors make is the motivation which created wealth in one generation was the very thing that caused it to disappear in the second generation. The first generation wanted to provide their children with a different and easier life than they had growing up. Easier usually meant stuff and not having to sacrifice or do without…like they had to. The things they want to eliminate were the very things that created wealth for the first generation. How do you really set your kids up for success? Another big takeaway is that what makes someone financially wealthy isn’t how much they make, but how much they save. Worded slightly differently…Your net worth isn’t based on what you make, but on what you save. Lots of people can appear “rich” because they have nice things, but if you were to dig a little deeper their net worth is “poor” or more in line with someone who earns considerably less. It’s a balancing act to give your children a better life, but at the same time not to kill healthy ambition. It’s also a balancing act between making memories and saving for an unknown future. If you’re reading this blog there’s a good chance you are the very person who needs to read this book. You’ve worked hard to get to where you are so how do you make sure you’re helping your children and not hurting them or your grandchildren. Every message we receive in culture is spend, spend, spend. We never hear the message “save.” It’s one of the reasons I try to read a personal finance book every year to keep me focused on a future one day I’ll be living in. Choices are now results are later. If you need to get motivated again to save read this one.
Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs. Eggerichs’ work is a classic in the marriage enrichment genre, but alas I hadn’t read this one either. Good marriages don’t just happen especially when opposites often attract. Opposites naturally look at everything differently. In the beginning most people value those differences but over time we can begin to discount and resent those differences. Eggerichs’ looks at how each gender needs one main thing. Men need respect and women need love. Because we often try to meet needs the way we want our needs met we can create a crazy cycle in our marriage. I’m sure you have all kinds of questions about how it can be that simple or if it is even true…read the book. I wouldn’t say this is the best marriage book or my first recommendation, but it’s a good one to add to your tool kit. If you are ready to get off the crazy train of you and your spouse constantly hurting each other I highly recommend this one. What was the last thing you did to become a better spouse? Why not start here?
The Hiding Place. I visited Israel earlier this year and one of our stops was at the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. It was such a moving experience. Outside of the museum they have trees planted in memory of those who helped save lives. Corrie Ten Boom has a tree. I knew most of her story, but I wanted to be reminded of it. The book recounts how Corrie and her family hid Jews in their home, ran an underground network that helped save 1000’s of lives all throughout Holland, and how she survived a Nazi concentration camp. I didn’t know it until the end of the book, but I started reading it on Corrie’s birthday! The book starts off slow, but stick with it.
Four Views on Hell. Seriously? I know. I know. When I was in Israel this year we were by the Valley of Gehenna something that Jesus referred to. Is that all Hell was/is as some have said? You probably have some questions too! It’s one of the beliefs of historical Christianity that’s kind of embarrassing for Christians today. Yet, at the same time most people wouldn’t think Hitler belongs in Heaven either. Interestingly, none of the authors deny the existence of Hell the debate is over the function, purpose, and duration. I absolutely loved the format of this book. Each author presented their view and then the other authors responded. For me, two of the four viewpoints were shaky at best. One of the viewpoints I was shocked how much scriptural evidence was for it. It’s been a long time since a theological discussion actually made me choke up. At one point during this book I had to set it down because I was so moved and overcome with the love of God for me. It’s a quick read and well worth your time. (“Watch your life and your doctrine closely.” -1 Timothy 4:16)
Lead Like a Shepherd. Larry Osborne is one of the few authors that I read every book he writes. This one is another winner. In fact, this was one of the books we read together as a church staff this year. If you’re a pastor or church staff member it will encourage you.
Unplanned. Is the raw journey of someone who went from a volunteer to director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas. She was convinced she was doing the right thing until she experienced 2 things. I won’t tell you what those 2 things were, I’ll let you read it for yourself.
12 Rules for Life. I had never heard of Jordan Peterson until Andy Stanley recommended this book and said his dad had read it 3 times! I wished the book was about half the length it was. It seems to me that there is no middle ground on what people think about this author or book. I actually listened to this book on Audible and then I went back and read it. In the audio version, Peterson reads his book and in certain chapters he struggles through his tears to read…it was powerful. The chapter on his daughter’s suffering was heartbreaking as he read it. The chapter on parenting was spot on. I didn’t agree with everything he said or conclusion he came to in the book, but that’s part of what’s missing today…finding what you can agree on and listening to other’s thoughtful presentations. It was fascinating to read someone who uses the Bible to support their moral arguments who isn’t a Christian. If you consider yourself a well read person this will be on your list.
Predictable Success. Les McKeown writes a very accessible book about organizational life cycles. While it’s not written for a church audience it was helpful for me to see clearly the stage our church was in and how to get through it with clear and practical advice. Right after this book I read Traction by Gino Wickman and the two together were a powerful combination.
Radical Candor. If you have people who report to you, you should read this book. It will help you with the “emotional labor” side of being a boss. As the author points out you’ve been told your whole life if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. But what do you do when it’s your job to now say it? I hesitated to recommend this book because of the unnecessary use of profanity. It’s a disappointing trend in the publishing world to release more and more books with unprofessional language. But ironically, the insights will help you be more professional.
A Resilient Life. I turned 40 last year and a friend strongly encouraged me to read this book to mark the milestone and prepare me for the next season. I’m so glad I did! Before my friend’s recommendation I had never heard of this book. I think you would benefit from it no matter what decade you’re in. It was also helpful to understand what questions await me in future decades.
Empire of the Summer Moon. Was an absolutely fascinating history of the fierce and brutal Comanches. Gwynne has the ability to make you feel like you are right at the edge of the frontier. If you love history you won’t be disappointed.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff. My wife loves Chip and Joanna Gaines and after reading this book I do too! It’s a funny, feel good book! I appreciate their love for their town and each other. If you’ve ever started something you’ll appreciate their hard work and the ups and downs. Perfect beach book!
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. People are raving about this book. I learned lots of great negotiating tactics and more importantly learned to recognize them being used on me…especially price anchors. If you’re looking for a simple, clear path…I’m not sure this is it. It’s a lot to remember, but then again I don’t negotiate every day. The next time I do, I’ll certainly review this book beforehand.
Set a side some time to read a chapter a day. I think you’ll be surprised how many books you can read in a year! More importantly I think you’ll be surprised how you’ve grown and sharpened your mind for the journey ahead. You change your life by changing your habits.
