23 Great books to Read
Although 2020 was a year that took many precious things like our freedom and emotional stability, it gave us many other invaluable things. The one I believe has caused the biggest impact on us is that this pandemia has allowed us to get to know ourselves better. We have learned to fill the void that used to be satisfied by the social distractions that consumed our weekends.
For me, reading was the hobby that gave me multiple benefits during the quarantine. It kept me motivated, helped me reduce the stress caused by being unable to go out of my apartment, and allowed me to sleep better by putting my mind and body at ease before getting into bed.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss
This collage represents a compilation of the books that I read during the quarantine. Showing just the cover and the name of these books don’t explain the whole idea of what they are about. Therefore, there is a short description of them just in case any of them call your interest.
1. Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp
An excellent book that I would recommend to entrepreneurs and people searching for methodologies to test their ideas or solve problems without investing a huge amount of money and time. The book’s methodology will guide you on how to convert your idea into a prototype while answering critical business questions that could represent a problem in the future.
2. The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives by Peter Diamandis
I would recommend this book to anybody that wants to know the extraordinary technological advances that are happening nowadays in many different industries. I believe the advances described in this book might reverse the pessimistic view that nobody is doing anything to manage the catastrophic environmental disasters that we foresee in the future. The truth is, there is a big network of highly skilled professionals that are collaborating to make this world a better place to live.
3. Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life by Jim Kwik
I consider “Limitless” a motivational and easy-to-read book. The author, Jim Kwik, explains how the three M’s (Mindset, Motivation, and Method), when functioning in synergy, will make you be “Limitless” in whatever you propose to achieve. In each of the three pillars, the author shares a compilation of tools and habits which he has acquired during years of research and practice.
4. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
One of the best books that I read in 2020 during the quarantine since it guides and challenges you how to control the use of technology. This book introduces a philosophy for technology use based to support your goals and values rather than letting technology use you.
5. The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd by Allan Dib
This is another awesome book that I recommend to entrepreneurs. This book will guide you on how to create a marketing plan simple and fast. The Marketing Plan methodology is divided into 9 but straightforward steps that if implemented well, will propel your business growth.
6. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a book based on a true story about a Jewish man who is put to work as a tattooist at Auschwitz. There, he falls in love with a woman. This book shows how in terrible conditions, love can be your best weapon to keep your faith and hope, which in this case it helped them to survive, despite the horrors they were subjected to.
7. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Man’s Search of Meaning illustrates the extraordinary mental and physical strength of human beings under extreme conditions. Besides explaining the countless punishments and tortures people endured in the concentration camps, this book remarks how those who had a strong positive attitude toward this misery were able to survive the human atrocities that happened in World War II, which was thanks to having a meaning in life (and a lot of luck).
8. The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by Suzanne Stabile.
This book explains why Enneagrams have been proved to be a useful tool to understand not only our personality but also others’ personalities. While going through the different personalities, which are nine, you will unconsciously examine how you relate to yourself and others. This book has made me understand more of myself as well as my loved ones. Therefore, making me improve my relationships.
9. One Up On Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market by Peter Lynch
A book for how to invest wisely in the stock market. The book consists of three sections: first, an introduction to investing and development of an investor mind, second, step-by-step process to pick stocks, and third, long-term view to investing and portfolio.
10. The $100 Startup: Fire Your Boss, Do What You Love and Work Better To Live More by Chris Guillebeau
Another great book that I recommend for would-be entrepreneurs that want to succeed and escape office life and live on their terms. This book collects multiple crucial insights from ordinary people that started a business with a low money quantity. Throughout the book, the author discusses the challenges of starting and growing a small business and offers a guide to help overcome these challenges.
11. Lifespan: Why We Age — and Why We Don’t Have To David Sinclair
I would recommend this book for those who want to gain knowledge of the latest advances and findings related to expanding our lifespan that is taking place in the biotechnology industry. More importantly, for those who want to know how to obtain the benefits of these discoveries naturally and less expensively. These benefits will not only reduce the pace you normally age but also will increase the vitality you live your life.
12. Master Your Emotions: A Practical Guide to Overcome Negativity and Better Manage Your Feelings by Thibaut Meurisse.
This book became useful during the quarantine while I was struggling with a continuous stream of negative emotions. Therefore, I would recommend this book to anybody who would like to learn tools to live a happier and more fulfilling life while dealing with the unexpected ups and downs that life throws at us.
13. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
The enthralling story of the biggest corporate fraud since Enron, which took place in Silicon Valley. If I have to summarize this exciting book in few words, would be how a startup took the fake-it-until-you-make-it to a whole new level. This startup went to the extent of putting at risk the life of people.
14. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman.
The 5 Love Languages is a practical and insightful book that I would recommend to anybody who wants to improved interpersonal relationships, especially with their significant other.
This book explains why each language is important and how they express love in their own way. Therefore, learning your partner’s and your own primary love language will help create a stronger bond in your relationship.
15. The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
A great book that narrates through multiple stories why Babylon became the wealthiest city and one of the most important in the ancient world. Even though the stories are based centuries ago, the author explains the principles of how to become wealthy and achieve your biggest desires. Nevertheless, it also explains the importance of educating yourself and how to have self-respect while gradually preparing yourself to have a
16. Out of the Silence: After the Crash by Eduardo Strauch Urioste
The tragic story of the Andes plane crash and the Uruguayan rugby teammates who suffered seventy-two days among the dead in 1972. This story is an example of endurance and the intangible forces of hope and spiritual awakening that surge in the face of a life or deaths situations.
17, 18, 19 and 20. Harry Potter (Books 1, 2, 3 and 4) by J.K Rowling
I am far beyond impressed after reading the first four Harry Potter books.
Honestly, I thought that at my age (29 years) I was not going to be caught up by a book, which I have seen its movie multiple times. Still, the description and details about the scenery and each of the characters made this a more vivid experience than watching the movie.
I recommend starting reading these books if you haven’t done it yet. You are never too old to found yourself wanting to stay at home on a Saturday night while reading about a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
21. The Beginner Investor: A Beginner’s Guide to Stock Market Investing by Danial Jiwani.
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22. Stock Market Investing: Comprehensive Beginners Guide to learn Stock Market Investing Step by Step by Adam Jones
Short but practical books that I would recommend for people that have no previous knowledge about the stock market and how to invest on it. In these books you will learn some basic concepts such as:
- What stocks are and the different types in the market
- The risks in the market and mistakes to avoid when investing
- The benefits you enjoy by investing in stocks
- Questions to ask yourself before investing
- The strategies that will help you in choosing stocks
23. Starting a Successful Blog when you have NO CLUE! — 7 Steps to WordPress Bliss by Gundi Gabrielle
Very short but illustrative book that shows a 7 step formula to get you started with your new blog in easy-to-understand way.
