Year End Book List: 6 Books You Should Read Before January 1st
There are 7 weeks left in 2022.
I know, right?
I’m mildly behind on my reading goal for this year, with 11 more books to go before January 1st to hit my target of 60 books. It shouldn’t be a problem. I have a stack of partially read books on my desk. It will be a matter of getting through them.
A reading habit is something every person should establish, especially if you’re in a leadership. Even more so if you aspire to leadership.
Of the 49 books I’ve read this year, here are six I commend to you.
If you haven’t read them already, read these six books before year end.
It shouldn’t be tough with these particular options. Several are very short.
Two are graphic nonfiction (i.e., a comic book that’s not about superheroes).
You got this.
4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
Author: Oliver Burkeman
I love it when a book about productivity book is suspect of itself. This was an early 2022 read for me and has definitely shaped my year. I did some FeetNotes for this one back in March, if you want a refresher. We have 4000 weeks, give or take. Recognizing this limitation is not bondage. It’s freedom. If I were to tattoo something to my body, it would be the words: Memento mori.
4000 weeks is a great way to start a new year.
It could be an excellent way to end one.
Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now
Author: Walter Brueggemann
This gives theological underpinnings to Burkeman, which this student of theology finds appealing. The systems of the world are image-bearers of the corruption it carries. I found Brueggemann’s theology of Sabbath, along with his underlying theology of restoration, to be a glass of cold water. The world says hustle, hustle, and don’t stop the hustle. God says resist. Rest. The way of capitalism is not necessarily the way of God.
Nothing to See Here
Author: Kevin Wilson
This is not my typical fiction genre. But the premise of the book caught my attention: An old school friend calls for help to take care of her two stepchildren, who have the capacity for spontaneous combust. This quirky story is set in my old hometown of Franklin, TN, a fact which also drew me into the story. This story is hysterical, poignant, and a little weird. Which is why I loved it. I give it an R rating for language, if that is an issue for you.
Billionaires: The Lives of the Rich and Powerful
Author (and Illustrator): Darryl Cunningham
Quick and easy, and a little disturbing. This is a graphic nonfiction book that documents how Rupert Murdoch, Jeff Bezos, and the Koch brothers rose to wealth and power. Spoiler alert: none of them followed the popular narrative of self-made, hard-working, pull-up-by-the-bootstraps rich people. The author does a good job telling the story without a lot of extra commentary. In the end, it affirms my stance: billionaires should not exist.
Steal Like an Artist (10 Anniversary Edition)
Author: Austin Kleon
Not gonna lie. I’m an Austin Kleon fanboy. Like Cunningham, he is also a writer/Illustrator. Steal Like an Artist is the first of three books in a series on creativity. I’ve read all of them multiple times. I purchased a hard copy of the 10th Anniversary edition. It’s ten times a better experience than the digital version. My plan is to grab the 10th Anniversary Editions of Show Your Work and Keep Going, as well. I wrote a FeetNote on Steal Like an Artist back in March, as well.
Discipline is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control
Author: Ryan Holiday
I just finished this one this weekend — and commend it to you for a year-end read. Holiday is a philosopher at heart. This is the second book in an ongoing series on the four Stoic virtues (courage, wisdom, justice, and discipline). This is a quick read, but dense in value. There are good stories and anecdotes. It’s clear that Holiday is a collector of such things. The chapters are short and full of one-liner nuggets. The Stoic stuff may be heavy-handed for some — but I see a lot of Stoic philosophy naturally connected to my own Christian faith. A reminder of the importance of discipline is a fantastic way to finish out a year.
What’s on your reading list for the rest of the year?
You’re doing better than you think.
You have more potential than you know.
A good reading list is a solid start. But if you want to up your leadership game this year, you need a person in your life who will challenge your thinking and hold you accountable. A coach can make a significant difference. Look into hiring a Growability® Coach for 2023. I have several coaching slots available. Let me know if you’re interested.
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