Why I’m Sharing my Reading List
This post contains affiliate links that we might get a scant smidgen of benefit from if you purchase anything off our list. We’ll use that money wisely, to buy more books…or something fun.
I’ve shared a few reading lists previously, so it should come as no surprise that I am usually reading 2-4 different books at the same time. Here was my Summer 2021 Reading List and here was my Winter 2021 Reading Guide. I also recently wrote a short review/recommendation of Permanent Record by Edward Snowden which I really enjoyed. My reading habit was something I have indulged most of my life, but once Amazon released the first Kindle E-Reader it hit overdrive. I’m currently sporting a 2022 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and cannot recommend it more, you can read my review here. Reading is something that I do for fun, to learn, to escape, and to expand my mind. I range from business books, oil and gas industry books, science fiction, autobiographies, historical books, and occasionally some of their classics. I think two of the books on the list below are on Kindle Unlimited, which is something that I’ve had to get creative with to find value, but it genuinely does work if you are willing to do some digging.
Until a few years ago I laughed at people who said they’d “read a book” and then admitted that they had actually listened to the audiobook. My scorn for audiobook lovers changed when LandmanWife downloaded some audio books for our annual summer drive up to Crested Butte. Then I realized the true potential for audiobooks when I listened to Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey, voiced by…alright alright alright. It was fun, and actually put a smile on my face a few times while I was driving around South Texas, even if some parts seem…a bit hard to believe. If you don’t have an Audible subscription yet and do more than a half hour of driving a day, go ahead and sign up below.
The Reading List
- Atomic Habits by James Clear (Amazon Link)
- Chasing the Light by Oliver Stone (Amazon Link)
- Two Spies in Caracas by Moises Naim (Amazon Link)
- Someday is Today by Matthew Dicks (Audible Link)
Atomic Habits
This book has been on my radar forever. It’s on almost every reading list I have seen. Recommended for business, self help, productivity, and all kinds of other applications. I don’t know why I resisted reading it for so long. The second you get into this book, you’re going to find something of value. Just knowing more about the idea of habits is something that can pay dividends for the rest of your life. Creating new habits, breaking old ones, and everything in between. The most important aspect of the entire process is that making small changes to your systems will yield huge results…over time. Things aren’t going to be sunshine and rainbows immediately, but you’ll suddenly see a shift that demonstrates all of the 1% improvements you’ve made leading up to it.
Chasing the Light
Honestly, I didn’t know much about Oliver Stone except that he’s directed some films I have seen (Platoon, duh). Reading his story about the life that led up to his success was interesting. I think most people add some drama to their autobiographies, and that’s going to be the same case here. The time he served in the Army in Vietnam was obviously a formative experience for him, and that part is very interesting. This book is one that I found on Kindle Unlimited and figured “why the hell not?” If you want to know more about where he comes from and his journey to Hollywood success, give it a look.
Two Spies In Caracas
Another Kindle Unlimited pick, and I honestly thought this was a “somewhat” true story, but it turns out it’s a historical fiction. Regardless, I’ve been entertained so far (have not gotten to far into it yet, full disclosure). Venezuela is an interesting situation. They have tremendous resources but such amazing corruption…it’s sad to see the country suffer because of terrible leadership. The general premise involving Hugo Chavez and the Cuban intelligence agency with the CIA involved is something that speaks to me. I grew up reading Tom Clancy books, this is much less technical but still politically motivated enough to add some realism.
Someday Is Today
I picked this book up on Audible because I had credits expiring. The early parts were hard to get into, but it started flowing after that and I’ve picked up some interesting ideas from it. Matthew Dicks doesn’t sound like the type of person I’d have over for a BBQ, but I’d still love to have a beer with the guy…if only to find out how actual crazy he is. Timing himself unloading the dishwasher different ways sounds psychotic to me, until he says that he’s going to save 4 days of time over 20 years (I don’t remember the exact numbers, but it was staggering) of unloading the dishwasher. Looking at life in such detail is something I haven’t really ever wanted to do, but there is some benefit to be gained from it.
If you have any suggestions for me about things to put on my reading list (or my Kindle), let me know in the comments!
