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10 Great Books That Everybody Should Read At Least Once |
Although the internet has become a replacement for so many things these days, reading something online does not come near having the same feel and enjoyment as reading a physical hard-cover book.
The first library I stepped into when I was a mere 6 years old had a large slogan above the door:
“Read to Succeed”
There are so many books out there with so much great knowledge and wisdom, that you are cutting yourself very short if you do not read at least one new book every month. Finding excellent books can be a bit of effort, so I have decided to save you a lot of trouble and give you 10 of the best books I have read in my life.
They are all related to self improvement and personal development, but since you are reading this article on Upgrade Reality (a blog about self improvement), these topics should be very welcome for you.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is among the best books I have ever read! I got it because Will Smith recommended it as his favorite book. It has sold millions of copies and is translated into many different languages.
It is not a book that preaches or commands. Instead, it is a wonderful story about a boy who goes through an incredible journey to seek a gigantic treasure and following where his heart leads him, only to find that the treasure was right in front of him all along. The story is so beautifully and cleverly written and contains many truths and wisdoms about life!
Linchpin – Seth Godin
Linchpin is the first Seth Godin book that I have read and I absolutely loved it. In fact, it was the catalyst for me to buy more of Seth’s books like Tribes and Purple Cow.
I have mentioned ‘Linchpin’ before in my post, ‘Don’t Sabotage Your Own Dreams’. It is a book that reveals the truth about working for a boss, fitting in and following the rules. The only way to create a good life for yourself is to become indispensable, become an artist. Stand out and don’t fit in. Linchpin is really worth reading!
Tribes – Seth Godin
Tribes is another fantastic book by Seth Godin. I’m sure you have already read my recent post about it, but in case you haven’t, let me give you a super-quick review.
Tribes is a book about becoming a leader and building your own tribe of loyal followers. It explains how anyone can build up huge and powerful tribes with the use of the internet, which has opened a new world of possibilities for just a single person to reach millions. A very useful book in my opinion!
Psycho Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz
Psycho Cybernetics is also among the best books I have ever read. It reveals so many secrets and principles about the human psyche, about fear and about why some people are always positive and successful and why others are not.
Written by a plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience who observed the effects of plastic surgery on his patients,this book will really give you something to think about if not change your life.
Buy Now on Amazon
The 4 Hour Work Week – Timothy Ferriss
The 4 hour work week is a book about designing your lifestyle and business to automate things as much as possible while actually increasing your income.
It is written by Timothy Ferris who was able to create a business online that eventually made him $80 0000 a month with as little as a few hours of work due to all his automation and streamlining. The advice and principles he reveals are priceless and they are easy to understand and apply to your own life right away. Definitely worth reading!
The Power Of Now – Eckhart Tolle
The Power of Now is another one of those books that causes a complete mind-shift. Most people (myself included) spend most of their time either reminiscing about the past or worrying or dreaming about the future, while letting the present moment pass them by.
The only time that we actually live in, make decisions in and can feel emotions in is right now, the present moment. Those moments where you feel totally alive, those are all in the present moment.
The secrets and principles of this book can actually cause you to enjoy your life a whole lot more.
Fooled By Randomness – Nassim Taleb
Fooled by Randomness is a very intriguing book. For me at least it was, because I enjoy mathematical theories and statistics about life.
Is success directly related to skill and hard work or is there something more to it. Why do some people succeed beyond belief and others never get anywhere? These are among the things that this book addresses and while it may not necessarily teach you anything, it will definitely cause you to do some thinking.
I found it very enjoyable.
The Way Of The Superior Man – David Deida
The Way of The Superior Man is the best book I have read relating to confidence, inner-strength and having trust in myself. While it is aimed at men, it contains many principles that women would benefit from and enjoy reading.
This book addresses many issues about relationships, your life purpose and how to be a man filled with integrity and passion. A must read book for 95% of the male population that struggle with women and with confidence or lack of purpose.
The Art Of War – Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese military general with a strong relationship to Taoism. He was always very successful at battle and had a huge influence over Chinese history and culture.
He was believed to be responsible to authoring the book The Art of War, which contain many of his strategies and ways of thinking. Not only this, but how they can apply to your own life or business, specifically to business and marketing.
A very very interesting book to read!
The Book of Awesome – Neil Pasricha
Neil Paricha is the author of a website called 1000awesomethings.com. His site became so big and popular that he decided to write a full-size hard-cover book called ‘The Book of Awesome’.
Neil was kind enough to send me a preview copy in the mail, and I really enjoyed reading it. It consists of many short 1-3 page chapters, each chapter being about something awesome in life. It will really make you laugh a lot and brighten your day! (P.s. It officially goes on sale TODAY!)
Cloud Living – Glen Allsopp
Cloud Living is an ebook written by popular blogger and internet marketer Glen Allsopp. I know that this is number 11 on the list, but it is so good that I felt I had to include it.
He describes his methods step-by-step how he makes a 5 figure income online every month in a way that even the most clueless person can use it to start a blog or website and profit from it. (Glen built a 4000 subscriber blog in just one year. UpgradeReality has taken over a year to get 1300!)
By far the best no-nonsense make money guide on the net.
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Hey Diggy,
Nice list – and a bunch of my favorites on there as well
Tribes and 4HWW are a couple of books that have really influenced me these past couple years – perhaps more than any other books that have come out during that time frame.
I also really like Linchpin, but I understand that has some mixed reviews
.-= Sid Savara´s last blog ..The Definitive Guide to Organize Your Life And Get Rid of Clutter =-.
Hey Sid!!
I agree with you, those books have made a big difference on my thinking too! I don’t know why there are people who do not like Linchpin, I thought it was an excellent book that spoke the truth. Maybe it is so rebellious that it goes against people’s beliefs and they would rather protect their (false) beliefs about the 9-5 than accept a new idea as the truth?
Thanks for stopping by!
Awesome list man – I must admit I have read only half of these.
But here is a few more picks from me:
1 How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Treat others the way you want them to treat you.
2 Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
Use your head.
3 The Richest Man in Babylon – George Samuel Clason
Save 10% of your income.
4 Screw it lets do it – Sir Richard Branson
Busines, Life,Success lessons from Sir Branson.
5 Influence (or Yes!) – Robert Cialdini
The 4 laws of influence.
6 The 50th Law – Robert Greene and 50 Cent
Sun Tzu meets Gheto Hustlers meets Multi mi,llion dollar rapper 50 cent.
7 The E-Myth – Michael Gerber
Systematize everything in your busines so you can delegate etc.
8 The Pomodoro Technique
Work in focused burst of 25-40 minutes
9 Outliers – Michael Gladwell
Success takes hard work and time. 10k+ hrs to be exact.
10 Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway – Susan Jeffers
Fear is based on evolution and on once viable life thretening dangers. Nowadays it is just an after-reaction.
Y.
.-= Yavor´s last blog ..Full Contact Twist For Samurai Abs Of Steel =-.
Hey Yavor!
Totally cool comment man, I appreciate all the additions! The first 2 on your list I have heard of so many times but still need to get hold of.
I’m feeling a couple hundred dollar book shopping spree coming on!
I actually have a list of a few books right now, but thanks to you it just got bigger
Have an awesome weekend!!
I will have to add to these great books myself.
Here are just a few for those of you entrepreneurs:
1. Rework Jason Fried and David Heineimeir Hanson
2. Purple Cow Seth Godin
3. Never Eat Alone Keith Ferrazzi
4. Good to Great Jim Collins
5. Crush it! Gary Vaynerchuk
If you haven’t read these Do it promise they are great books.
Hi Diggy!
I finished The Way of the Superior Man recently and really enjoyed it. I think one thing definitely worth mentioning about it is the writing style. I became utterly captivated by it. It’s so much more poetic and beautiful than any other (sort of) self-improvement book I’ve read.
Here’s my own list of top ten books I read in 2009 (in no particular order):
Lierre Keith // The Vegetarian Myth
Tim Ferriss // The 4-hour Workweek
Robert Cialdini // Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson // Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)
Neil Strauss // The Game
Michael E. Gerber // The E-myth Revisited
Robert M. Pirsig // Lila
Broeck Vanden // Less Is More
Derren Brown // Tricks of the Mind
Ricardo Semler // The Seven-Day Weekend
If you want to know more about these books and why I value them, here are the details: http://www.samipaju.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2009.html No affiliate links or anything
And a bonus: If you’re going to read one book about nutrition in your whole life, make sure it is ‘Good Calories, Bad Calories’ by Gary Taubes
//sami
.-= Sami Paju´s last blog ..Thoughts, ideas, and freeing your mind =-.
Hey Sami!
I agree with you, I just started to read The Superior Man again for the second time. Really an awesome book!
Thanks for your suggestions, I’ll expand this post sometime in the future and include some of yours once I have read them!
Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!
Hey, nice list there. 4HWW was one of the first books in the Self Improvement field that I read, and it’s lead me onto this whole community of like-minded individuals and great blogs. I’m currently reading the ‘Power of Now’ and getting a lot from it. ‘Psycho Cybernetics’ looks very interesting and I’ll check it out.
Hey Tom!
It’s funny how a book is almost always the catalyst for people to get into self improvement. I also got into this whole journey by reading a book, but it is one that I didn’t include on this list.
Psycho Cybernetics is definitely very interesting, get hold of it asap
Great list! I’m an avid reader, but I’ve only read two of these. I need to get with the program and check out the others. They sound great!
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..it’s a beautiful world: 5 ways to go outside and enjoy it =-.
Hey Dani!
Wow, only 2? You have some catching up to do! If I had to guess those two that you read would be The Alchemist and The Power of Now?
Have an awesome day!!
Diggy, I’ve been curious about Seth Godin for a while now. I haven’t the time right now but might pick up one of his books for my road trip soon.
Just might be Tribes
P.S. The 4 Hour Work Week is awesome. It makes you realize all you can be.
.-= Moon Hussain´s last blog ..Fun Friday Round-Up: Delicious Blog Chowder! =-.
Hey Moon!
How are ya?
Tribes is very inspiring, so just get out to your bookstore and buy it! Once you have it then you will want to read it
Yeah I love the 4HWW although I do not agree with every single one of his methods and pricnicples.
Have a great day!
Great to get some new recommendations Diggy. I’ve read about half of these and loved. I will add the other half to my ‘to read list.’
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Taking the Leap to Reach My Dreams =-.
Heya Jen!
Cool, I’m pretty sure that these books will give you some new perspectives on many things!
Cheers
Hi Diggy,
I’ve only been reading your blog for a couple of weeks, and i am liking what i am reading so far.
I’ve only read a couple of these books, and only started the 4HWW yesterday. I’m looking forwards to checking out the rest on the list.
Cheers!
John
.-= Geordie John´s last blog ..I Finally Built My Shelves; a Lesson in Prioritization =-.
Hey Geordie!
Thank you for leaving a comment and for the awesoem compliment! I am happy to hear that you are enjoying my articles so far!
Ooh, you’ll enjoy 4HWW but all of the others on this list are very cool too!
Cheers!
Atlas Shrugged.
I don’t quite get that?
Hi Diggy,
I’ve read some of them and there are a few more that seems interesting. I’m gonna add them into my to-read list. Thanks for list! It is hard to find out great books from the tons of selection we have. This list make it much easier.
Cheers,
Vincent
.-= Vincent´s last blog ..You Just Don’t Get It – Hard Work Is All That You Need =-.
Hey Vincent!
You’re welcome, I hope you learn a bunch from these books!
Have a great weekend!
Wow, there are a few on this list that I haven’t read. Will fix it soon
.-= Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..How to Get in Great Shape In Just 10 Minutes Per Day =-.
Hey Oscar!
Cool, I know you read a lot so it’s nice to hear that I can inspire you with some more great books!
Cheers!
Good titles Diggy! From now Linchpin is already on my list! I only read The Alchemist (I read it in less then two hours, it is the best fiction book about what means to have and to follow a dream) and the wonderful book The Power of Now.
I find interesting The Way Of The Superior Man because you usually do nice posts about relationships & dating.
I think the best books I read are the ones that have changed my thought, even all the fiction books can bring a lot of inspiration.
Kisses
Hey Tania!
How are you doing miss?
Yeah I agree, those two books are really amazing! Linchpin will change the way you think, it certainly did for me!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Wassup Diggy, great list! Lots of my favorite and some that I will need to have a look.
Hey Mat!
Sweet, thanks for stopping by!
Interesting!
I’ve read The art of war and The alchemist, and it has changed my life.
I’m sure the other books you’ve listed are great too… but nowadays i’m focusing on emotional intelligence books, it helps too
thanks
.-= David´s last blog ..Blogging Heroes p.3 =-.
Hey David!
Yeah, those are two awesome books! Emotional intelligence books? Feel free to give me an example or two
Awesome list! i am so psyched to pick of some of these especially the art of war – one i’ve heard for years is amazing – look out Amazon.com here i come!
Hey Maren!
The art of war is really really good, especially since you are into marketing. There are so many principles from the book that you can use. I actually need to re-read it!
Cheers!
I have enjoyed some of the books in your list and in the comments, but I could not put down Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, Anthem and, above all, Atlas Shrugged.
March last year I devoured them back to back. My first fiction in almost 15 years. If you have entrepreneur DNA and sense of entrecommunity, Atlas Shrugged will make you laugh, cry and mad.
Hey J!
Thanks for the suggestions, I have not heard of those books yet. Going to add them to my ‘list’.
Cheers!
What a great list of books to read. Only read Fooled By Randomness so far.
.-= Tony´s last blog ..10 WordPress Tips to Take You to the Next Level =-.
Hey Tony!
They are indeed great books! I hope that next time you are in a bookstore that you will remember this post and pick up a book or two from the list!
Thanks for the great selection! I am definitely adding these books to my summer reading list.
Hey Su!
You are welcome, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
I will definitely have to get some of books off this list. One of the main ones is the alchemist. Ever since watching the will wisdom video its been stuck in my head. Also the art of war is amazing from the little bits that i have read. But i definitely need to get it.
Great post.
Dude
Great list – particularly Psycho Cybernetics, the first personal development book I read and still amongst the most impactful.
Old Maltz really smashed it with that one. The idea of “self image” was a paradigm-changer for me.
Power of Now massively transformative; Alchemist hugely inspirational; 4HWW changed my working habits and mindset…
All in all, great choices. Haven’t read any Godin yet (somehow), you’ve reminded me to prioritise that.
PS – Just read “Mastery” by George Leonard. Beautiful in its simplicity – highly recommended, you’d like it I reckon.
Ah, a fellow Seth fan.
The Way of the Superior Man sounds like fun. I never heard of it, but it sounds intriguing.
I have to definitely agree with you that “The Power of Now” and “The Way of the Superior Man” are MUST READS. The two books changed my life in more ways than I could begin to describe here. They were both responsible for tremendous shifts I’ve experienced.
[...] Great Books To Read [...]
Hi Diggy,
I thought it was funny that the books that I have read are all on the bottom of your image. I haven’t even heard of the top half so I’m intriged. I’m an avid reader so I thought I would have come across those books, but I haven’t. They’re getting added to my wishlist and I’ll check them out.
A couple of other books to add:
The Power of Focus
The Success Principles
Both are fantastic reads with practical information.
Karen
Hey Karen!
I’m happy to hear that I could give you a few suggestions for awesome books you have not read yet!
Thanks for your own suggestions, I haven’t heard of them yet so will add them to my list
Thanks for this list, Im definitely going to get Psycho-Cybernetics and Fooled by Randomness
Heya!
You are totally welcome. I’m pretty sure you will really enjoy both those books!
Great list thanks for sharing it, have read a few of them but not all, Sally
Hey Diggy, how’s it going? Long time without coming over the blog, I’ve been a bit busy.
I like your list, it seems that we are very like-minded because I’ve already read 5 of those books and 2 more are in my to read list.
I would also add fiction books like Don Quixote, Old Man And The Sea or Bukowski’s Women (I know, this one is not really fiction).
P.S. I’m back into blogging, so you’ll be hearing about me. I’m subscribing
Those all look like great reads–esp the Alchemist. Have heard great things about that author in particular.
Hey Sadako!
Thanks! Yeah The Alchemist is a totally awesome book! I love it to bits!
Thank you for your recommendations! Allow me to add a few of my favs as well:
- Real Magic, by Wayne Dyer. By far his best book, really inspiring, with a great collection of beautiful thoughts of other writers/philosophers.
- Emotional Intelligence, by Daniel Goleman.
- A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. I loved it more than The Power of Now.
- The Power is Within You, by Louise Hay.
Greetings to all!
Tony Robbins didn’t make the list? As far as self-improvement goes, I’d consider him the guru’s guru.
Great lists and follow-up additions. Here are two more: Deliverying Happiness/Tony Hsieh & Behind the Cloud/Benioff.
This website is now on my favorites.
Hey Doug!
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate that!
I will strive to keep Upgrade Reality awesome!: )
hi Diggy,
nice post..
frankly speaking hv read The Alchemist and How to win friends and influence people
and it has really helped me in coming up in my life..
Now wanted to knw which books will really help me in my career so that i can set my goals.. At present iam in to computer sale and technical support.
Thanks in advance
Amazing recommendations. Will look into it. another great book is Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields.