My reading list: Inspiring books for growth

“The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can’t.” ~Mark Twain.

As the years go by, I enjoy reading more and more. I endeavor to read at least 20 pages daily, but lately, I’ve been reading a book a week. Elizabeth is a more voracious reader than I, and people often ask what we’re reading. Here’s a rundown of some of the books I’ve read this year, my all-time classics and another group of books I try to re-read every year. Plus, a list of the books I’ll be reading before that ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2022.

Obviously, the Bible is the leading book we read — and we both read it daily. As well as various devotionals. I’m currently reading from The Ransomed Heart devotion book by John Eldredge.

By the way, did you know that if you read 20 pages a day, you’ll read about 20 books a year? Ten pages = 10 books, 30 pages = 30 books and so on.

• Rhinoceros Success. by Scott Alexander. It’s a short, fun, inspirational read. Get it today. Read it tomorrow.
• Outwitting the Devil. by Napoleon Hill and Sharon Lechter. Set aside some time for this one. You may have to re-read sections from time to time, but it’s an important book published many years after Hill’s death. The book includes a “strange interview with the devil” that is intriguing and pertinent today, even though it was written on a manual typewriter in 1936.
• Three Feet from Gold. by Shannon Lechter and Dr. Greg Reid.
• Night. by Elie Wiesel. It’s a challenging read, but it is considered one of the masterpieces of the Holocaust. Challenging in that Wiesel marvelously paints a unique picture of his experiences in the concentration camps of World War II. Night is part of the trilogy Night • Dawn • Day.
• Leading in Tough Times. by John Maxwell. You’re leading someone, whether it’s family, friends, colleagues or yourself. Leading in tough times requires tenacity and courage. Maxwell provides some practical steps and diminishes the stress in the journey. Valuable, short read.
• Winning the War in Your Mind. by Craig Groeschel. “If you think you’re trapped, if you believe there’s a lock on the door, you’ve bought into a lie. And, it is the lie, nothing else, that is holding you back.” This book helps you reset your mindset. Here’s more of a deep dive into our book review.
• The Screwtape Letters. by C.S. Lewis. Another timeless classic includes a series of letters from one devil to his nephew. From the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, these letters are one of the all-time favorites and are poignantly applicable to today’s culture.
• The Go-Getter. Peter B. Kyne. It’s a timeless classic with a foreword by Dave Ramsey. It’s a simple story of determination and resourcefulness that has inspired generations over 90 years. You can follow William Peck through a series of challenges that will leave you inspired and hopeful.
• As a Man Thinketh. James Allen. The thought-provoking classic drives home the fact that everything starts with a thought. If you want to change your words or actions, change your thoughts.
• The One Thing. Gary Keller. Nuggets and practical steps throughout. In a crazy busy world, Keller helps you peel back the onion to find the one thing you should be working on. An excellent read for you personally, professionally and in business.

• The E-Myth Revisited (re-read).
• Mere Christianity. C.S. Lewis.
• Coach Your Champions. Eric Foley.
• Change Your World. John Maxwell.
• Think and Grow Rich. Napoleon Hill (re-read).
• How to Avoid Trouble with the IRS. Kristine Stevenson.
• The Bait of Satan. John Bevere.

• The Dream Giver. Bruce Wilkinson.
• The Tale of Three Kings. Gene Edwards.
• An Enemy Called Average. John Mason.
• Who Moved my Cheese?
• The Greatest Salesman in the World. Og Mandino.

1. Intentional Living. John Maxwell. My hands are on this book at least once every day. Insights are galore.
2. An Enemy Called Average. John Mason.
3. Atomic Habits. James Clear.
4. The Dream Giver. Bruce Wilkinson.
5. The Go-Giver. Bob Burg and John David Mann.
6. Wild at Heart. John Eldredge.
7. Think and Grow Rich. Napoleon Hill.
8. The Greatest Salesman in the World. Og Mandino.
9. Chase the Lion. Mark Batterson.
10. Who Moved My Cheese? Dr. Spencer Johnson.

Best read of 2021: Intentional LIving (John Maxwell), hands down.
Best read of 2020: The Coaching Habit (Michael Bungay Stanier), hands down.
Best read of 2019: The One Thing (Gary Keller). Re-read it earlier this year.
Best read of 2018: Born to Win. Zig Ziglar.
Best read of 2017: The Greatest Salesman in the World. Og Mandino. Read it once every year, without fail.

What are you reading that I should read? Consider these too: Here are the top 50 selling books on Amazon in Christian Business & Professional Growth.