This year I’ve gotten back into the habit of reading books. Everything thing I’ve read has been non-fiction (maybe next year I’ll get back into some fiction). I mostly enjoy reading books on business, real estate, finances, and personal development. However, this year I dove into some books regarding other topics dealing more with politics and some in the food world. Out of all of the books I’ve read this year the following are the 5 that have stood out the most to me in no particular order.
- GRIT by Angela Duckworth – In this book, Angela shows us through her many years of research that what really counts when striving to become successful is a mix of passion and perseverance that she calls “grit.” If you’re looking to really excel and take on your goals going into 2019 I would highly recommend reading this.
- NEVER EAT ALONE by Keith Ferrazzi – The final book of the year that I’ve been able to read. The book offers practical advice and step-by-step actions you can take in order to expand your network and build better relationships. Being able to connect with others in a positive manner is a crucial skill needed in today’s world. One of my goals for the New Year is to create better relationships with everyone around me, so I couldn’t have read this at a better time!
- KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL by Anthony Bourdain – With the passing of Anthony Bourdain this year, I was moved to learn more about the man and dive deeper into his culinary history. With his raw, uncensored, no bullshit attitude Anthony Bourdain takes you on a trip through his life and the true experiences he went through exposing the behind the scences world of the restuarant business. Both hysterical and authentic, I never wanted to put the book down while reading and I’m positive I will read it many times over in the future!
- UNFU*K YOURSELF by Gary John Bishop – I got into a bit of a rut in 2018. Combining the fact that I was sick for a month back in Spring and me just overall feeling like I wasn’t progressing very fast in any area of my life, I really needed this book. It’s a book with a no nonsense attitude that definitely gave me a swift kick in the ass. It’s not too often that an author can make me feel personally attacked, but he did and I absolutely needed it. The only reason I felt that way was because what he was saying was true and I knew I needed to get my butt in action and start taking control of my life. He throws the responsibility of your life right in your face, as it should be. Nobody is going to care about you and your success as much as you will!
- NOTHING TO ENVY by Barbara Demick – With the way world events have played out in 2018 and all the attention on North Korea I thought I’d learn a little more about the country. Nothing to Envy offers a glimpse into life in North Korea. You’re taken through the lives of six North Korean citizens, learning what life has really been like living under the repressive regime spanning from Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. Extremely well written and very moving, it brings to life the stories of people in a world that seems so far removed from our own.