I luurrves me a good book…if you do too, then you’re in the right place.
Welcome to my bookcase, a catalogue of what I’ve been recently reading.
My choices consist mostly of business and personal development, with the odd piece of fiction thrown in for good measure.
There are many more to come, some are due for a re-read to refresh my memory & some are ‘brand newies’ begging to be picked up.
New additions will always appear at the top of the list to save you trawling to find new material.
At the side of the page you will also find, all my top 5 ticks from the complete list below, a free downloads section, & links to blog posts of individual book reviews.
Now on with the show…hope you find something that tickles your fancy.
Branding Basics – Maria Ross
CATEGORY: Advertising, Small Business & Entrepreneurship PAGES: 138
This is a very clear and easy to read book that will give you a good overview of how to create your brand. Taking you through the explanation of branding, through how and why you need to build you brand and finally applying what you’ve learned. There are many examples throughout the book to illustrate and reinforce principles.
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Do More Great Work – Michael Bungay-Stanier
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation, Motivational Self Help PAGES: 200
Forget about rah-rah and platitudes. If you want action based, this one’s for you. With exercises and examples galore for you to work through, there is so much packed between the covers of this little Dynamo, there is no way you won’t make progress. It will wake you up and get you focussed on your journey.
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Engagement From Scratch – Danny Iny
CATEGORY: Marketing, Entrepreneurship PAGES: 241
Danny Iny brings us his first book, with a title that clearly defines the contents within. Many talk about engagement, but few master the nuances of this skill. Danny brings us a a compilation of stories, reflections, advice and strategy from those who walk the talk when engaging with their audience. Check it out and download it for free (not sure how long that will last) check the link in the download free section at right.
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Do The Work – Steven Pressfield
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation/Creativity PAGES: 112
Pressfield gives us his manifesto to revealing both your enemies and allies when it comes to getting things done. It examines resistance in all its guises. Fear, doubt, procrastination and more all take a turn under the microscope as Pressfield coaches us through our projects to successful completion. Short and easy to digest, it has been drawn on as inspiration for many.
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The Flinch – Julien Smith
CATEGORY: Self Help, Business Management PAGES: n/a
Julien Smith brings us his usual punch in the face style perspective on what holds us back. The Flinch will help you to recognize the moments where you face choice. Choice to stretch yourself beyond your current boundaries, or remain exactly where you are. I would recommend you grab this while it is freely available for download in Kindle format.
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Business Model Generation – Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur
CATEGORY: Small Business, Entrepreneurship PAGES: 274
If you’re looking for a great reference book on business models this is one for your library. Filled with examples, illustrations & maps it will help you to clarify and improve your own design. It’s a book that you can dip in and out of and take what you need.
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Instant Wealth Wake Up Rich – Christopher Howard
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurship, Motivational Management PAGES: 241
Chris shares a good cross section of his personal experiences to illustrate the lessons he wants to impart. There are some good questions and exercises to stretch your thinking, and its peppered with biographical information & anecdotes from successful entrepreneurs to reinforce the philosophies. It’s a good introduction to Chris Howard’s training methodologies.
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Zag – Marty Neumeier
CATEGORY: Marketing, Business Management PAGES: 157
Following on from Brand Gap, Neumeier expands on strategy and the innovation required to position your brand ahead of the market. It outlines the shift from USP (unique selling proposition) to UBT (unique buying tribe) With emotional relevance winning out over features and benefits, organizations who are able to tap into these triggers will become the leaders in their market segment.
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Excuses Begone – Dr Wayne W Dyer
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 254
Examining the excuses that have become mind viruses in our lives, many times without even knowing we possess them. In this book Dyer walks you through the common excuses we adopt that develop habitual thinking and looks at the underlying payoffs. There are examples and questions throughout to allow you to firstly understand, then begin to dismantle behaviors and dissolve the ego.
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The Referral Engine – John Jantsch
CATEGORY: Marketing, Small Business PAGES: 233
This is a really solid book on marketing your business and making the most of the opportunities to create referral networks for your business. Introducing the concepts of the 4 ‘C’s’ of marketing and how the referral process works, to providing clear actionable strategies and frequent examples, allows you to not only “get it” but provides action steps to implement it into your business.
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11.22.63 – Stephen King
CATEGORY: Fiction PAGES: 740
Jake Epping, a teacher, finds himself flung into a world of time travel, courtesty of his friend Al, who runs the local diner. Al, being in ill health wants Jake to carry the mantle. To travel back to alter history. Specifically the assassination of John F Kennedy. There’s lots of in depth character exploration & history in this one. Good if you like that type of thing, but not one of my favorite King novels.
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The Big Leap – Gay Hendricks
CATEGORY: Mindset PAGES: 216
We all brush up against boundaries and barriers on a daily basis. This book will help you to uncover the upper limit problems that hold you back and how you can dissolve these existing conditions and take your life to the next level. Walk through the the questions and suggested actions in this book to find out what’s standing in the way of your success.
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Evil Plans – Hugh MacLeod
CATEGORY: Motivational Management/Leadership PAGES: 179
Everybody needs an evil plan. A plan to break free of the boring and mundane work, to escape the rat race and do more meaningful work. This book will expand your view to what is possible. Super smart, insightful and funny. It’s full of great business advice on finding the marriage between what you do for a living, and doing what you absolutely love.
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Strengths Finder – Tom Rath
CATEGORY: Psychology/Business Leadership PAGES: 174
This book is about aligning yourself with your strengths. Doing the work that you are inherently most suited to. The first part of the book provides an overview of why, but it’s once you have taken the test (free access code is provided for the online test within the book) that you can begin to dig into your strengths by following the ideas for action provided within the book.
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Art of Non-Conformity – Chris Guillebeau
CATEGORY: Career Guidance/Personal Transformation PAGES: 239
A guide to living life on your own terms, questioning social norms. This is a book that will light you up with the excitement of possibility. There are tips and suggestions throughout the book to get the juices flowing, as Chris shares both his own, and others experiences of making the shift from mere existence to living fully, creating meaning & leaving a legacy.
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Rework – Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
CATEGORY: Business Management/Entrepreneurship PAGES: 273
If your looking for conventional wisdom in a business book, this one is not for you. If on the other hand you want to challenge the norms and create your own rules, you should grab this one with both hands. Different in its approach, it consists of 88 bite sized chapters, which will challenge you to rework your thinking in your approach to business. One of my favorite books ever.
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Most Successful Business In The World – Michael Gerber
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurship PAGES: 162
Gerber provides us with the 10 principles of having the most successful business in the world. While I wouldn’t argue with the principles, there were few nuggets within unfortunately. I found the book somewhat repetitive, and believe it could have been condensed to about half its size. I didn’t quite feel the groove with this one. Disappointing effort from the man who brought us the E-Myth.
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The Leader Who Had No Title – Robin Sharma
CATEGORY: Business Leadership/Motivational PAGES: 196
A far cry from the stuffy business type books on leadership, this book is a great read. Robin presents the topic of leadership through the telling of a captivating story. Through the characters he explores influence, opportunity, innovation, relationships, & mindset. A great many lessons are subtly weaved throughout the pages. Very Enjoyable.
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War of Art – Steven Pressfield
CATEGORY: Psychology/Personal Transformation PAGES: 165
Takes us on a journey to expose resistance. The divide between the life we live and the unlived life within us. If you have ever struggled with unfulfilled dreams, feeling like success is constantly at arms length then you are battling with resistance. This is one of those classic books that you will flag, dog ear and keep returning to, time and time again as resistance raises its ugly head. Brilliant!
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Passion Test – Janet Bray-Attwood & Chris Attwood
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 291
The passion test is a compilation of stories from people who have made significant changes in their lives, along with exercises to assist you to uncover your passion. The work in itself is solid, with the exercises useful and providing insight. But as with any book in this genre, the work does not do itself. I found this one a little wordy for my liking.
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Tuesdays With Morrie – Mitch Albom
CATEGORY: Fiction/Biographical PAGES: 197
This is a touching true story of a man on his deathbed, full of life and love of humanity, his connection to a former student and how their lives were intertwined. It reminds us of whats important, and how attitude can be the difference that makes the difference in this world. If you haven’t read this one then do, its a lovely break from the business side of things.
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Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
CATEGORY: Psychology PAGES: 294
In this book Gladwell explores what or why an idea suddenly tips to be socially adopted as mainstream. If you are interested in human behavior, I think you will find this book a fascinating read. There are a number of case studies within to help you understand the mechanisms of what can lead to a tipping point & understand the types of people that cause ideas to spread.
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Wink – Roger Hamilton
CATEGORY: Fiction/Success Principles PAGES: 123
This is a collection of principles for success wound around a story of a boy sent on an errand. His journey sees him meet a number of people as he travels each with a lesson to share. If you’re up for a light read with a “moral of the story” type ending…then you may enjoy this one. Personally I would borrow it, rather than buy it for your collection.
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Brand Gap – Marty Neumeier
CATEGORY: Marketing PAGES: 194
If you’re trying to get a clearer understanding of branding and what its all about, then this book is going to give you a clear and concise explanation through a mix of illustration and text. This book will help you to understand what is needed to move from strategy to execution. A really easy non technical, no fluff book that should be part of your library.
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Science of Getting Rich – Wallace D Wattles
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 197
Written before Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. In a similar vein this book asserts that we all have the ability to obtain enough wealth to live as we desire. It harkins back to the principles of the law of attraction but with a good deal of godliness thrown in for good measure, which obviously relates to the time of its writing. Its an excellent book, well worth your time
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Linchpin – Seth Godin
CATEGORY: Psychology/Motivational Management PAGES: 236
Linchpins are the essential building blocks of great organizations. Linchpins make things happen. This book explores the how we have been indoctrinated, how mediocrity has become acceptable, why change is difficult and exploring the resistance…how it shows up to keep us in place. Seth produces exceptional work and this is a must have in your library.
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Harmonic Wealth – James Arthur Ray
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 316
Ray divides your life into pillars, representative of key areas of significance to most people. Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical and Spiritual and through questions and story prompts you to explore your values and beliefs to make improvements in your life. If self exploration is on your agenda this is worth a look.
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Power Of Awareness – Neville Goddard
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 98
Written originally in 1952 this book focuses on faith, prayer and awareness. Given the era when this was first published the writing is formal, with significant religious overtones quoting numerous passages from the bible. The philosophies of the book will resonate, though the writing sometimes hinders understanding. Classic forerunner in many law of attraction publications.
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On Writing – Stephen King
CATEGORY: Writing Reference/Biographical PAGES: 234
In this blog prolific world, we are all publishers…are we not ? King is one of my favorite writers. I bought this book long before I ever put pen to paper, simply because I was a fan and was interested in his story, but ended up getting a whole lot more out of it. This book will give you advice and tips that will help you to hone your skills, and it is through the exploration of King’s life you get insight into the art of writing.
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Trust Agents – Chris Brogan & Julien Smith
CATEGORY: Marketing/Social Media PAGES: 260
This book looks at how transparency, influence, reputation & relationships have become the currency of business moving into the 21st century. Chris and Julien dissect the impact of social and provide explanations of how & why you need to become a trust agent for your market. Worth the read if your looking for more on human behavior within the social sphere.
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The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
CATEGORY: Fiction PAGES: 167
This is a very popular book that has spoken to or touched a great many people. It tells the story of Santiago’s journey from Spain to Egypt in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. It is a beautiful story of discovery and living your personal legend, there is wisdom and some quite profound moments to be found amongst the pages should you wish to do a little self-analysis along the way.
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The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
CATEGORY: Philosophy/Personal Transformation PAGES: 138
The four agreements offers the reader a code of conduct to apply to their lives to enable them to overcome self limiting beliefs, to achieve success, enlightenment and freedom. The agreements are very simple statements, and throughout the book Ruiz offers his advice and explanations as to why these statements are such a powerful way to make changes.
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The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 184
Through its marketing and collection of celebrity, The Secret introduced the world to the law of attraction. But there’s nothing new in the book that hasn’t been covered in earlier works on the subject by numerous authors in much more detail. If you like celebrity stories then pick this one up and have a read.
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Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
CATEGORY: Personal Transformation PAGES: 281
Often referred to as the bible on success principals and the mindset of the wealthy. Hill interviewed and studied some of the most successful people of the early 20th century and compiled his findings in this classic book. I would consider this a must have for those entrepreneurial spirits who have much to achieve.
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Screw It Lets Do It – Richard Branson
CATEGORY: Motivational Management/Biographical PAGES: 106
A short book which outlines some of the principles on which Richard Branson bases his decision making. How he lives his life and runs his business. Its entertaining and insightful revealing some of the stories from Branson’s past in a more abbreviated version than his formal biography. Upbeat and motivating I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Crush It – Gary Vaynerchuk
CATEGORY: Motivational Management/Entrepreneurship PAGES: 142
Gary is full of Passion, he’s one of those guys that believes that anybody can build a business by following their heart and doing what they love. But he’s the first to admit that you don’t get there by wishing on a star. It takes work…or hustle and Gary has bucketloads in reserve. Dynamic, entertaining and no BS, you’re either going to love the guy or hate him.
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