Book Pantheon

I may as well go on-record about my "pantheon" of favorite books. So that I don't drive myself crazy with this, I'll limit myself to three categories of three books in each category. Those categories are: (1) Self-Help / Leadership, (2) Fiction, and (3) *Wildcard*.

Self-Help / Leadership

By-and-large, I don't love self-help / leadership-type books because they are a poor substitute for a genuine education.

Nevertheless, I do read them, and some of them I like. Here are my favorites:

  1. Principles by Ray Dalio - I liked this book so much that I wrote my own "Principles", just like Ray dared his readers to.
  2. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss - a former FBI hostage negotiator teaches you all the skills he used to be one of the best in the world at his job; they have everyday application.
  3. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson - my favorite Twitter follow's guide to wealth and happiness.

Fiction

There are lots of great fiction books. To pick a Top 3 from this category is foolish.

Nevertheless, here you go:

  1. The Brothers Karamozov by Fyodor Dostoevsky - the greatest fiction book ever written, in my opinion.
  2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - a great epic that reveals just what pure-hearted hobbits can accomplish.
  3. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig - reminds readers that "the real cycle you're working on is a cycle called yourself."

*Wildcard*

Some books don't fall neatly into categories. This section is my catch-all.

  1. Only the Lover Sings by Josef Pieper - helps me better understand art, contemplation, work, and love. You learn something new every time you read it.
  2. Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton - teaches true humility, as in: "angels can fly because they take themselves lighly."
  3. The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey - the best coaching book there is, and maybe the only coaching book there is.

Now that you've read my book pantheon, you're likely critiquing it. That's ok - I'd likely critique your book pantheon, too!

Though if you would be willing to send me your book pantheon, I would love to read it - and its books!