Do you ever read an amazing book only to place it on the shelf and a few weeks later forget why you thought it was great?
I appreciate the irony of writing a “best of 2019” post when we’re not even half-way through the year, but the fact is if I wait much longer, I will forget.
Yes, my memory really is that bad!
So, by starting this now I get to refresh what I have learnt and keeps a record on here.
The end of the day, I can easily update this post as and when I read more books that deserve a mention.
I start my best books of 2019 list with just four so far that I would recommend, there will be more as I aim to read 1-2 per month. Intrigued to know what the first one is?
My Recommended Books Of 2019
Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex
Aubrey Marcus is the founder of Onnit supplements, a company I much admire in the nutritional hacking space.
In fact, I regularly consume Onnit supplements on a daily basis. I am taking their Gut Health and Krill Oil supplement at the moment.
I have also tried and reviewed their super green supplements on this site, check out my Onnit Earth Grown Nutrients review here (now discontinued).
Without a doubt, this book is one of the most pivotal books for self-improvement I have read.
Aubrey dispenses with the usual bollocks seen in this genre and gets straight to the facts.
- Delay taking your morning coffee to first hydrate (doing this I really feel the effects of the coffee – amazing!)
- Taking daily greens as often not enough in our diet, even with good intentions (this is why I have been researching the best greens supplements on the market)
- Practising mindfulness when doing “boring” and often repetitive tasks (stuck in traffic or commuting)
Own Your Day covers pretty much all areas of your life, and so even if you’re not interested in all of it, it’s still worthwhile taking a read as you’ll likely pick up something new.
Aubrey Marcus also writes a great blog that features podcast information, book reviews, and articles on most aspects of modern life.
Easy to read and packed full of actionable content, I thoroughly recommended grabbing a copy of “Own Your Day”.
The Art of the Click: How to Harness the Power of Direct-Response Copywriting and Make More Sales
I know that my writing style is not great and can make massive improvements, and so a book that aims to improve this always grabs my interest. Even more so recently, as I am on the verge of releasing my own nutritional supplement and am keen to write great copy that grabs potential customers' interest.
The Art of the Click is a no-nonsense guide to writing better copy with one aim, that is to get conversions, whether these are product sales, contact details for lead generation, or subscribers to your email list.
Making clear comparisons to the effectiveness of direct sales marketing versus indirect marketing aka Mad Men and tabloid advertising, Glenn provides examples of this at work.
So, what’s different about Glenn’s direct marketing copybook?
Firstly, it’s so damn easy to read. Even with my low attention span, I could get 50% of the book completed in a few hours!
Secondly, each page provides valuable information that is immediately actionable in your business. I know I have started to apply the techniques to my business too!
Thirdly, he dissects a copywriting piece he wrote, revealing the tips and tricks used effectively to persuade his audience to purchase his copywriting course.
If you’re looking for help with improving sales copy, then this is the book for you!
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
I read the original book simply named “The E-Myth” a number of years ago when struggling to transition from a freelancer/contractor to business owner.
It’s THE book that EVERY self-employed person should read. Pretty much the “must-have” book of starting and running a business correctly from the outset.
The author, Michael E. Gerber, easily explains how the end goal of starting a business is to be able to step away and for it to run independently of you. Meaning you have processes in place with trained staff to run the day-to-day business without you overseeing every step.
He uses the franchise business model to illustrate how to move from working in your business wearing multiple hats to working on your business. By showing this crucial distinction, he shows you how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business whether or not it is a franchise.
This book is incredibly useful for anyone going through the change from freelancer to business owner was significant and struggled with the change, like I did and sometimes still do.
Unstoppable: A 90-Day Plan to Biohack Your Mind and Body for Success
I first came across this book from a Facebook Ad by the author Ben Angel. I was aware of Ben and found the subject matter of the book very interesting considering the aim of my blog, self-improvement.
Motivated by a downward spell of un-productivity and depression, Ben went on the search for ways to break free and to crush your goals, and be who you're striving to be.
I must admit at first I was a little dubious about Unstoppable. Mostly because I sensed this could be simply another marketing ploy with a back story of, successful guy who then struggles and is back to his game.
Even still there is some very worthwhile content in here that’s worth checking out.
Unstoppable highlights the flaw in most productivity and self-help books, in that they tend to ignore the influence of nutrition and biochemistry on performance.
In fact, his story of doctors telling him nothing serious was wrong and he just needed to get over it, closely resembled my experience when battling with chronic fatigue after being a competitive athlete.
I found it insightful that Ben highlights that even following the strategies of peak performers you may not get the same results. So, early morning routines and cold baths may not deliver the results of those teaching such strategies!
This approach is somewhat novel in the self-help field and refreshing. Ben offers insight into how he recovered during a rediscovery period of 90-days, which he documented.
* We're of course just 4 months into the year and so more books will be added here as I get to finish more.
Let me know your thoughts on the books above if you have read them, would be great to get your feedback. If you haven't read them yet I do suggest giving them a read.