“A leader’s reading is the outward expression of his inner aspirations.” Sanders
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Truman
The principle is that leaders read. Reading serves as a catalyst for creativity, helps redefine life goals, promotes learning, and can be a form of relaxation.
Over the last few years, I have been trying to become a more consistent and diverse reader. Below are a few books that I have recently read. I have included a rating, brief summary of the book, and a few quotes. My hope is that if you are looking for a book to read that this might be of some help to you.
If you are interested in reading more book reviews, check out these posts: Book Reviews 1, Book Reviews 2, Book Reviews 3, and Book Reviews 4.
The scale will be 1 to 5 (5=must read and in my top 10 of all time, 4=excellent read and above my expectations, 3=good read and met my expectations, 2=decent read but slightly below my expectations, 1=poor read and I don’t recommend).
Who am I?
Rating: 4
Summary
Jerry Bridges is one of my favorite Christian authors. He has a gift of simplifying the complex. In this short book, Bridges reminds Christians of the glorious identity we have in Christ. This identity should create a humble confidence that allows us to draw near to the throne of grace and live out our unique calling. Bridges ends each chapter with a concise identity statement, which I would recommend printing out and posting on a bathroom mirror, bedroom wall, or office bulletin board. (I actually typed up all of the identity statements and put them into one document to do this myself. Contact me here if you would like me to send this document to you.) This book is a great read for Christians of any age and spiritual maturity.
Key Quotes
- I am a creature, created in the image of God, fully dependent on Him and fully accountable to Him.
- I am justified, I am righteous before God, because God has charged my sin to Christ and credited to me His perfect righteousness.
- I am an adopted son of God. I’m a child of the King. I have the privilege in this life of an intimate father-child relationship with Him.
- I am a new creation, with a new heart, a new spirit, and a new identity before God.
- I am a saint: I do not belong to myself, but to God. I have been purchased and declared holy by God, and set apart for God.
I am a new creation with a new heart, a new spirit, and a new identity before God.
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Creating Your Personal Life Plan by Michael Hyatt
Rating: 3
Summary
I’ve become a fan of Michael Hyatt over the last few years. His books, blogs, and podcasts are authentic, challenging, and practical. This book follows the same course. Hyatt shares how a trip to the emergency room changed his outlook on his personal life. He realized that he had a business plan, but not a life plan. Through using principles that he personally puts into practices, Hyatt gives a step by step approach on how anyone can create a life plan to live with purpose. This is a good read for those who feel like their life lacks direction and purpose, or for those who consistently are not failing at living out their priorities.
Key Quotes
- If we would only give the same amount of reflection to what we want out of life that we give to the question of what to do with two weeks’ vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days.
- When things get chaotic, my life plan serves as a map. It tells me where I am and how I can get back
on the path to my intended destination. - Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- A man’s got to know his limitations.
- A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.
4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Rating: 3
Summary
Tim Ferriss shares his personal testimony of how an overworked, stressed out guy gained the freedom (and finances) to live out his wildest dreams by traveling all around the world. Now most of us won’t have Ferriss’s success story and I personally think only working 4 hours is a little ambitious. But the principles he shares about how to gain back our time through sound productivity principles and automation processes will give you the tools to become a more effective employee (and person). Ferriss doesn’t pull any punches in this book. He comes across forceful, arrogant, and a bit rash with some of his points. However, he is also passionate and has personally become very successful using these methods. This book is beneficial for anyone wanting to improve their time management skills, become a more productive person, and/or have a desire to start their own business.
Key Quotes:
- Focus on being productive instead of busy
- The most important actions are never comfortable
- Lack of time is actually lack of priorities
- Only those who are asleep make no mistakes
- Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music. Before the song is over.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music. Before the song is over.
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Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Rating: 5
Summary
This book easily has made its way into my top 10 favorite reads of all time. This true story is about a sports columnists gets the opportunity to spend 14 Tuesdays with his former professor who is dying due to ALS. What proceeds is a set of lessons that he (and we) should never forget. This book is funny, thought-provoking, and tear-jerking. It reminds us that success is not measured by how much money you make but by how well you love. If you love well, you will well. I think this is a must read for everyone.
Key Quotes
- My days were full, yet I remained, much of the time, unsatisfied.
- The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.
- Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.
- A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.
What books have you read lately?
Tweetable Lesson: “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”