15 more Books I’ve listened to and would recommend
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions — by Dan Ariely
Simply one of the best books I’ve ever listened to.
This book is all about why we make illogical decisions. You will laugh to/at yourself when you nod your head along to so many case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate that we’re not alone with how we think.
If you have a business and are keen to understand customers even better, then this book will be even more enjoyable, however regardless, it’s a fascinating insight into human nature.
Have you ever wondered why most online platforms’ pricing has three options? Have a listen and find out more.
The Richest Man in Babylon — By George S Clason
One of my favourites!
I first read this book as a teenager and yet it still rings so true. It’s described as ‘one of the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth’.
It’s just a great story, that has meaning. It’s also super quick to listen to.
Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams — By Matthew Walker
Whilst listening to this book helped my behaviour, it certainly didn’t make me fall asleep.
This is the most detailed study that I’ve read and it’s also very simple to understand. Essentially, sleep is our powerhouse. If we continue to deny ourselves good patterns, it has some fairly serious consequences. Starting young. I recommend this book to absolutely anyone who is keen to learn and think a little deeper.
The 7 Day Startup: You Don’t Learn Until You Launch — By Dan Norris
A very quick listen, but it’s packed with great advice that helps us focus our general need to make things happen. Essentially, as we all know (or at least continue to hear) plans are nothing without action…this books hopes to steer us all away from procrastination and just get you underway.
It’s one of those reference books to listen to again, when you feel yourself moving away from your target.
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products — By Nir Eyal & Ryan Hoover
It’s always nice to have a book narrated by the Author. Nir Eyal takes us through his journey based on insights, actions, techniques and thoughts on how to not just ‘build it and they will come’, but keep them coming back.
I really enjoyed this book and you can use it like a manual. Have a listen.
Willpower Doesn’t Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success — By Benjamin Hardy
This book was enjoyable although not a favourite. It talks about how we need to shape our environment rather than let it shape us.
What is great is that it talks about incremental steps and being realistic. Focus on what can be achieved in the short term vs worrying too much about the end goal, which is something which I think is worth emulating in order to keep things under control.
Measure What Matters: OKRs: The Simple Idea That Drives 10x Growth — By John Doerr
One of my favourites of the year also.
Larry Page, a founder of Google provides the Foreward for this great book, with contributions from Bono and Bill Gates.
This book is all about metrics and ensuring that you are making progress, utilising the OKR system to measure how you’re tracking. A must listen for any business owner, manager or person that has a project of any description.
A Short History of Nearly Everything — By Bill Bryson
The title and author say it all! I learned so much from listening to this (rather long) book but it was so interesting and of course funny.
New Zealand, our pioneering spirit and many well-known names are mentioned in this, which only adds to the sense of just how much we have contributed to the world.
Although there is a religious bent to this book, which I was unaware of in terms of just how many references before downloading it, it has some fantastic life lessons to help focus our lives on what is actually important.
In particular, ensuring that we use our precious time better. I like to think of it as more spiritual than religious as such, but the connection between ancient stories and today, is very well done. You might surprise yourself and really enjoy this book.
Think and Grow Rich — By Napolean Hill
I didn’t realise that this book was first written in 1937, however it is very relevant to life today.
Over 20 years, Napolean Hill interviewed 504 people including household brandname founders like Ford, Wrigley, Eastman, Rockefeller, Edison, Woolworth, Morgan, Firestone as well as US presidents. It was inspired by Andrew Carnegie.
Enough said.
This isn’t the first book about Jeff Bezos and Amazon that I’ve listened to, however next to The Everything Store, it is one of the better ones.
Whether you love or can’t stand Amazon, the story and foundation behind the behemoth, is fascinating. The learnings can be utilised by any company of any size, with customers. Focus on providing what the customer really wants, although always maintain your values.
Wow! Bob Iger has achieved a lot in life and seen a lot. He admits that some of it has been luck, however also, he has been strategic and he has taken risks, even if it wasn’t with is own money!
This is a great story about Iger’s life and rise to the top of the largest entertainment group in the world and how he got them there.
I really enjoyed listening and took a lot of notes as I wandered along listening to it.
What I love about this book is that it uses real life examples of athletes, entrepreneurs and psychology, mixed with stories from ‘the trenches’. It’s teams based but as a solo business owner, I found it a really insightful book.
There is a lot of dialogue from an NFL coach and although it’s not a game that I know well, it just talks about getting the best from people.
This is a summary of a book that Jeff Bezos suggests that all of the Amazon staff read. Covid is one of those Black Swan ‘highly improbable, high impact events that you seemingly can’t plan for but should’ events that this books talks about.
Jon Snow: Making the News — By Jon Snow
Featuring famous interviews by Jon Snow, a reputable journalist, which includes coverage of 9/11, The Fall of the Berlin wall and interviews with notable people like Margaret Thatcher.
Short and sweet, but interesting.
Please also see my previous articles on the other books that I’ve listened to over recent times.