The 14 Books that shaped my year (including one you haven’t read yet!)
I wasn’t always a big reader, but mentors in my life showed me the truth in Harry S. Truman’s statement: “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Because of that, I’ve had some catching up to do—diving into books that many people may already know and love. This year, I read 14 incredible titles that taught me lessons, strengthened my faith, and inspired growth.
Here’s what I read this year:
• Your City is Sick by Jeff Siegler
• Glue by Anh Dao Pham
• Choose Your Enemies Wisely by Patrick Bet-David
• The Art of War by Sun Tzu
• Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) by Ian V. Rowe
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest
• When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
• Bridges Out of Poverty by Philip DeVol
• The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
• Leadership NOT by the Book by David Green
• Me and Poverty by Yours Truly
Which one is my top choice for the year? That’s tough. Your City is Sick taught me that if the people in their town aren’t proud of where they live and care enough to take care of it, then why should any potential new people care to move there? Choose Your Enemies Wisely teaches the importance of emotional intelligence and strategically picking your adversaries so they fuel your growth. Ian Rowe’s book Agency teaches us that if you are born into poverty but follow a particular success sequence, you have a 96% chance of escaping poverty! I have to say it was undoubtedly my #1 for the year…until I read Leadership NOT by the Book. The owner of Hobby Lobby, which just so happens to be my wife’s favorite place on earth, shares his life experiences in such a way that challenges most of what I learned while obtaining my MBA. I gained a lot of respect not only for Mr. Green but also for his organization. Some of my biggest takeaways from his book are as follows:
“We should earn more to give more.”
“Look at least 150 years down the road.”
“Be obedient to God.”
“Be humble.”
“Find your one calling and ask God to anoint it.”
“Chase it with all your might.”
“Stay in the weeds - for the sake of yourself and the business.”
The philosophy of “Close Counts”.
Lastly, yes, I am a little biased. His perspective on the story of Joseph in the bible.
This year wasn’t just about reading great books—it was also about writing one. Me and Poverty has been a labor of love, and I can’t wait for it to hit shelves this coming year. It’s a roadmap to escaping poverty, filled with stories from my own journey and the people who invested in me along the way. If you’re planning your 2025 reading list, I hope you’ll save a spot for it!
What books shaped your year? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for more inspiration!
Onward Together,