We have all done this.
Delayed our book reading plans.
“Oh! Maybe next year!”
On a lot of occasions, the new year starts with a book which is piously completed with innate dedication and then the mind gets into binge-watching the latest blockbuster shows.
In 2019, I took a pledge to complete 12 books and I also managed to complete it.
It was an immense achievement for my personal self.
What motivated me to complete it? A quarterly public update on LinkedIn.
Here is the final post that gave me the ‘true north’ sense of achievement.
Allow me to dissect 5 books to kickstart your reading for 2020.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** – Mark Manson, a popular turned author puts the nail on the coffin with this book. The book uses vivid examples and real-life incidents to tell you a simple narrative – life is short and you only have a limited number of F**** to give. If you keep wasting it around, you will not be able to live a fulfilling life. The first chapter starts with a Metallica reference so this book has to be on the top of my list.
- Rich Dad Poor Dad – This book should be made compulsory in schools and every human being ought to learn the wisdom provided in this book. Personal Finance 101 at its best. Lack of understanding of basic concepts of finance i.e. Assets, Liabilities, Cash Flow, Income, and expenses leads to high credit card debt, leveraged lifestyle, and other financial issues in a person’s life. Instead, he could easily be retiring early and let money work for him instead of the other way around. A must-read book.
- Coffee Can Investing – To read a detailed review of this book I wrote a while back, please click here. Coffee Can Investing is a low-risk route to making stupendous wealth in India. While it is rare to find books around investing specifically related to the Indian context, this book smashes the ball out of the park with its punchy content around getting everything clarified in a very easy to understand language. Coffee Can Investing is a must-read book for Indian investors.
- The Unusual Billionaires – Most of our lives as investors we keep trying to find the next Google or the next Facebook to make a ton of wealth for ourselves. However, the real world operates a little differently. Another book from one of my favorite Indian authors, this book dissects stories of 12–13 huge corporate houses who have made it big in India. As a bonus, the author includes checklists to fraud, exemplary leadership show by the management teams, and much more.
- Zero to One – Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal separates the wheat from the chaff in this book. The author argues that the startup community today is engaging in a lot of me-too models and creating businesses that are not really revolutionary. Most of the entrepreneurs are interested in going from 1–2. Real innovation occurs when people strive to go from 0 to 1 – i.e. create something truly remarkable. That is where the magic happens.
If you wish to add more to the list, do let me know in the comments section.
If you’ve read / completed reading any of the above 5, give me one key learning.
Subscribe to my newsletter here.
Access the upcoming Webinars here.
Get the latest post alerts directly on your WhatsApp and Telegram. Click on your preferred app name.
If you wish to get me ☕ or a 🍺 you can click here.
Debosmita
My personal finance journey began with Rich Dad Poor Dad. It helped me come out of the all the usual safe modes of saving and get into investing. I wish I had read it when I was a teenager. Would have been even more beneficial.
Saket Mehrotra
The book has quite a myriad range of reviews – there are haters who feel they’ve extracted nothing from the book while there are people who see the book as a great source of learning. I personally believe, this book should form a part of elementary education. Our schools never taught us how to cook and how to earn – two key skills that are essential to life and livelihood.
DR VENKATESHAN
I would prefer to reread Atomic Habits BY James Clear , Deep work by carl Newport , Martin Seligman on positive psychology , THE INNOVATOR DILEMMA by Clayton M Christensen and Taleb book The black swan ,
Saket Mehrotra
Thank you for the recommendations!
Dustin Woodward
Recently finished The Third Door, by Alex Banayan.
Terrific read.
https://www.liveenamored.com/post/the-third-door
Saket Mehrotra
Will have a look, thanks for recommending.
Ankit
Really thought out list. One book that I want to add is Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. Its the story of Nike. Brilliantly written.
Saket Mehrotra
Thanks Ankit, will surely add in the next e-mail.