🚀 TOP 36 Books
These books gave me the most practical knowledge...
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With shorter books included, I think I'm at close to 300 books read. 📚
I get asked a lot of times what reading I recommend for XY problem.
There is a saying:
"If they ask once answer them, if they ask several times make a study guide and teach them!"
So that's what I'm doing, showing you the 36 best books that have given me the most practical knowledge in my life so far. 🏆
It took 9 years to put this list together!
With a bit of exaggeration, I dare say that if you read these books, you will have almost as much theoretical knowledge as I do. After all, you will be developing from the same books! 🧠
But first...
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😱 The guys are preparing a surprise for the end of the year
I can't tell you what it is yet, but one thing's for sure, it's going to be huge! This might be the project that will take the most energy for the next 3 months! All our knowledge and experience will be put into this!
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I'd add that we have a big advantage in having an established brand - OM - and experience in producing short video content. Without these we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are!
🧪 The Beta testing team has expanded
We now have 8 new members to help us catch and fix as many bugs as possible before we release the App to the public. I feel that we were very behind in this area and it's totally my fault. 😔
Honestly, I didn't pay that much attention to it because I didn't think it was that important. But I was so wrong! It's one of the most important tasks I can focus my time on. After all, Beta testers help us to spot bugs, give us ideas for improvements and can even support us with marketing communications.
So, from here, I would like to thank the Beta testing team for their enthusiastic help! 🙏🏻
Okay, now we can start...
💭 Why am I writing this article?
Because nowadays we are flooded with information, but this also means that the quality of information has been diluted. So, it is incredibly difficult to find really credible sources. ⛲️
About credible sources, I have already written another Blog article, although it was mainly about websites.
I had to read nearly 300 books to be able to compile this list with confidence. The aim is to save you the guesswork and let you learn from the best!
🧐 How do you choose the right book?
First, look at where you are most stuck in your life and try to find a solution. 🔍
Now you're reading NOT for fun, but to grow! So, your goal is to solve a specific problem! It could be making a circle of friends, building a relationship or starting a business. ❌
I'll show you how I choose:
💡 Side note: Step 0 - You can listen to the summary in BookBase if you are upstairs! Usually, the ones I read are NOT up in BookBase, as we decide afterwards how useful it was and whether it can be included based on that. But if I were you, I would definitely start with this one!
I'd go to the bookstore.
I read the back of the book.
I read the table of contents.
I turn to the chapter that I think would give me the most.
I read the first page of that chapter.
If that helped, I buy it and read the chapters that help!
I very rarely read the whole book!
This is what Iman Gadzhi said in one of his recent videos, that most of the self-help books are just rice, you can summarize the point of a 300-page book in 15 pages, but a 15-page book would be hard to sell. So, you have to expand it with a dozen explanatory stories to get it into a sellable form. 🧐
💡 Side note: The best example of this - which didn't make my list, but gave me a lot - is "The 5-second rule". The whole point of the book is this: if there's something you don't want to do, count back from 5 and act on it, because it's a difficult task for your brain and as long as it counts down, it can't make excuses for why you shouldn't do it. Explained in 248 pages!
I used to fall into the mistake of devouring books and reassuring myself that I was now moving forward in life. Meanwhile, it was not true at all! I was falling into the trap of productive procrastination, feeling that I was making progress, but I was putting off the things that really mattered: putting knowledge into practice! 🤓
Since you are looking for a solution to a problem, you have to be very specific. You can't let anything else distract you just because it looks interesting. You can read interesting stuff, but do it in your spare time as entertainment and you'll get it anyway! Not as productive work, like I used to do. 🙃
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✅ TOP 36 Book
I'm not saying that these are the 36 best books in the world, simply that these 36 books have given me the most useful knowledge! ❌
And it doesn't mean that you should read all 36 of them to get anywhere in life! Look at them, choose, read and only then decide which books are worth buying in full!
💡Side note: Don't buy more than 2 books until you have read the previous ones. I did the same thing when I was young to make the best use of what little money I had. When you have more money, you can look at books differently. I'll show you how I do it these days: I buy a lot of books, but I only read a few, but I have almost all the authoritative sources sitting on my shelf and whenever I get stuck, I know where to turn. Maybe a book will only help me 3 years from now, but I know it will be right at hand! I'll take it like it's my Google, only physical and from pre-filtered sources!
Now let's have a look at these books, I've tried to break them down into topics to make it easier for you to choose. I've structured the readings, topic by topic, in a top-down fashion. 😉
Almost all can be found in BookBase except 1-2. 📕
Or I'll put a link to each one, which will take you to the full book if you want to purchase it. These are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through this link, I get a few % of your purchase. This is a good way if you want to support the blog! Thank you! 🙏🏻
🧱 Bases
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
This is really a basic work; it gives the entrepreneurial mindset itself. I know few entrepreneurs who didn't read this book when they were young!
My first mentor - Gábor Girán & Kristóf Szabó
I know, it's "really bad" to recommend someone's own work, but I'll take that "bad feeling", as I know how many young people he has helped. The book shows through the life of a 17-year-old boy the challenges he faces today, his career choice, his further education and his relationship with money. It is similar to Rich Dad, except that it is a bit more modern and based on a True Story!
Discipline equals freedom - Jocko Willink
The reason this book is not in the Mindset section is because I think it is important to get this concept right from the start. Jocko Willink was an elite US Navy Seal Commander and, in his book, he demonstrates why discipline is so important and what it can bring to your life.
Don't eat the marshmallow yet - Joachim de Posada
Absolutely basic work, teaches you to think long term! It helps us understand why we are better off if we choose delayed gratification and don't want to live our dream life immediately. For me, it helped me not to lease my dream car when I had just enough money to maintain it.
How to live - Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers has become one of my favorite writers. In this book he outlines 27 possible life paths and gives us the chance to choose. It's as if he lays out the cards and expects you to choose the one you like. It helped me a lot to understand my not so "crazy" outlook on life! It's a bit more advanced.
💭 Mindset
Handbook - Epictetus
You could call it the forerunner of Stoic philosophy. The whole is only 56 pages. You can flip through it in an afternoon and then spend long afternoons thinking about it! Epictetus was a simple slave with a very particular world view. I promise you, if you read it, you too will look at the world differently!
The obstacle is the way - Ryan Holiday
I dare say this book has given me the most in my life. Only because I read it at the right time. At a moment that was a powerful turning point in my life. Ryan Holiday shows us that obstacles are not to be escaped from, but to be faced, because each obstacle, is an opportunity to grow! Top Top Top Top read!
Letters - Seneca
This is my most read Stoic book. Lately, I always read it before bed. The beauty of it all is that any page you start on gives you a valuable thought. Seneca was a very wealthy and influential Roman nobleman - tutor to the emperor Nero in his later years. The Moral Letters, a collection of actual letters he wrote over many years to a younger friend, Lucilius. It is very interesting how he is constantly teaching and guiding Lucilius along the way.
Available as a Helicon pocket book from Libri.
Ego is the enemy - Ryan Holiday
We have also come to this masterpiece. My favorite book by Laci King (IFBB Pro Bodybuilder) - it's no coincidence that he's where he is - is by far the most educated elite athlete I've ever spoken to. The whole book is based on showing how many situations throughout history have caused problems with people's egos. He gives us a practical guide on how to keep our own egos in check.
Meditations - Marcus Aurelius
We can't leave out the diary of Marcus Aurelius from this list! He was one of Rome's most successful emperors and we are lucky enough to have his diary to read the thoughts of one of his emperors. I warn you in advance that this is a very difficult read! Since it was a diary and not a book, there is no coherent, random thoughts that follow one after the other. Here, it is more the recurring themes that are worth paying attention to.
It is also available as a Helicon pocket book from Libri.
The great mental models 1-3 - Rhiannon Beaubien
The whole point is that you can make much better decisions if you train your brain on pre-tested systems. Almost all of the ultra-successful people use - already proven - mental models!
🗣 Communication
How to make friends - Dale Carnegie
One of the wonders of verbal communication! This one book will make you more friends than all the others on this list combined! I specifically had the rules picked out of this book, printed out and read them every morning for six months. Every page is pure gold!
The definitive book of Body Language - Allan & Barbara Pease
This was the very first self-improvement book I ever read. I literally owe everything to it! If it wasn't for this book, this blog wouldn't exist. While the previous book is a marvel of verbal communication, this one is a masterpiece of non-verbal communication. The point is simply that 93% of communication is non-verbal. That is why it is so important to understand this book! Both books are useful separately, but together they can literally work wonders!
🧡 Getting Started
The way of the superior man - David Deida
I dare say this book made a man out of me! It tells you in detail how a real man behaves and what you need to look out for too slowly become one.
💡Side note: I highly recommend this to girls as well, as it gives you a guide to men. You won't stand there and overthink a situation, you'll know exactly what the man did and why he did it.
The Art of Seduction - Robert Greene
Robert Greene is one of the most thorough writers I know. It's no coincidence that his books are 2x as long as the average book and at least 5x as valuable. Here he shows you specifically what kinds of seduction there are, what to react to, how to react and what-why it is dangerous! One of my friend's toxic relationships was specifically described word for word! A "cheat code" for dating!
The 5 languages of love - Gary Chapman
If you are in a relationship, this is a must read! It shows you what love languages exist and how to make your relationship the best it can be! If you don't know the other person's love language, it's easy for you to say, you love them very much, but they don't feel it at all.
Men are from Mars; women are from Venus - Dr. John Gray
Perfectly explains the thoughts of Women and the actions of Men. It is somewhat similar to "The Art of Seduction" and "The Way of the Extraordinary Man", but it takes a much more general approach to the subject. A very good read if you are lost in the dating world.
💰 Finance
I also recommended these 4 books in my TedX presentation, if you're interested, I'll link to them here: (HUN)
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - T Harv Eker
This book shows you exactly what % you should set aside for. It can give you a perfect starting point for conscious money management.
Unshakable - Tony Robbins
Very similar to "Secrets of a Millionaire's Mind", only it uses much more mundane examples to illustrate the benefits of conscious money management. If we follow the rules, we really will be financially unsettled!
The psychology of money - Morgan Housel
Reveals your relationship with money and helps you make positive changes.
The intelligent investor - Benjamin Graham
The Encyclopedia of Investing, Warren Buffett had this to say about this book:
"This is the best book ever written on investing."
Starting a business
Find Your Why - Simon Sinek
It would be a shame to start anything until you know your real Why! Not to be confused with the book "Start with your Why", as it is for companies, this is for individual people. Practical exercises will help you find your true driving force!
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant - Eric Jorgenson
This was the best book that explained the basics of business thinking. Naval Ravikant is one of the most restrained and yet smartest businessmen alive today. He is a huge believer in mental models - mentioned above. He was quick to see good opportunities and invested early on in companies like Uber, Twitter and Notion.
The hard thing about hard things - Ben Horowitz
In black and white, he describes why entrepreneurship is so hard and how to navigate this choppy sea. It's a slightly more complex read, as he also writes about things like how to hire a CEO, how to sell your company, but it's still valuable for beginners.
The One Thing - Gary Keller
Again, a book whose point can be summarized briefly, but is exceptionally worth reading to get this mentality even more ingrained in your brain. The more things you do, the smaller you can make them, because you split your focus. Behind every "NO" is a much deeper "YES".
Lean Startup - Eric Ries
Explains the basics of how to test your idea with very little money.
$100 Million Offers - Alex Hormozi
Once you've validated your idea, Hormozi's book will help you make an offer you can't refuse. Very practical and very engaging!
$100 million leads - Alex Hormozi
Once you've got the offer, then Hormozi's 2nd book will help you get interested leads. People who could potentially buy your product or service. These 2 books are the most practical business books I have read in the last 9 years!
🎯 Time Management and Goals
Atomic Habits - James Clear
This is a must read in full format. This book set my brother on the right path! Gives you a system for your days and sets you on the path to success! Remember:
"You are the sum of your habits!"
10X - Grant Cardone
The basic book of thinking big! This could be said in a few sentences, but it's good to have it fixed in your mind thanks to the stories. Read it in full if you want to improve at this.
Essentialism - Greg Mckeown
The best productivity book I've read in years. It gives you practical exercises to see the point and only deal with the point!
Deep Work - Cal Newport
You can achieve much more, in less time, if you work with focus. To do this, you need to eliminate all distractions. Just like me right now:
No phone
I'm in a library
Just me and the computer + a water
No music, no nothing but silence and my thoughts
Flow - Mihály Csíkszentmihályi
The idea is that there are tasks that put you in a "Flow" state. When you don't even feel the time passing, you enjoy the task and can move brutally fast. For example, I am in such a "Flow" while writing this blog. That's when you could circle anyone! This book will help you get into that state more often!
🧠 Psychology
Evolutionary Psychology - David M Buss
The most expensive book I have ever bought! This is not even a self-improvement book; it is a textbook on Psychology. David M Buss is in the TOP 10 most cited psychologists in the world. The book is about 400 pages, written in ultra-small print and is full of resources and studies to prove that what he writes is really true! I honestly haven't read all the way through yet, because the audiobook is 25 hours, but this one alone gave me more than any other psychology book I've read.
💡 Side note: This was not put forward because it would be the easiest read, quite the opposite. It's one of the hardest, but, once you understand that, you won't have trouble with the rest! It gives you a perfect foundation!
Influence - Robert Cialdini
The seminal work in the psychology of influence and marketing. I dare say that this book has taught me more about marketing than the entire university combined. And that is really no exaggeration!!!
Alchemy - Rory Sutherland
Finally, a recent read, Rory Sutherland is now one of the marketers I really look up to. He applies psychology perfectly, right where it needs to be. If I could name one person I would love to learn about marketing from, it would definitely be him! It's important to note this is also quite an advanced book and can't help much in getting started, but it can be an interesting read.
I would have saved myself the time of reading about 250 books if someone had put a list like this in front of me. I didn't have that, but it's different for you!
Take your pick, listen to them in summary, buy the ones you like and start developing yourself, because at a young age THIS is the best investment you can make!
🔥 Biggest obstacle
The thing that annoys me the most right now is that Apple has been messing with us for 2 weeks now and won't let us release our new update, in which we fixed a lot of bugs. They keep saying "Waiting for Review". 😑
It just annoys me the most that I don't have any control over the speed of things. I told Edu to email them every day until it goes out!
It's the only way to speed up the process! 🥵
👷🏼♂️ Fix It Friday
In the downloaded audiobooks category, it wouldn't let me click on the book ✅
How to Make Friends Deep Dive did not go ✅
The counter was wrong in the Weekly Report Emails ✅
📖 What did I just read?
I'm still reading Crossing the Chasm, which took a bit of a back seat as this blog post took more time than I expected.
In the evenings, I've been turning the pages of Seneca's "Moral Letters" and Epictetus' "Handbook". I read 1-2 pages of them every bedtime, completely randomly where they open up! It is amazing the wisdom that lies in these readings. 🕊
🎧 What have I just listened to?
Gary Becka, biohacker, dropped by TikTok with one of his videos about cold water baths. He did a great job explaining the benefits. 🥶
I'll put the video here
And the other was Chris Williamson's podcast where he told me that Alex Hormozi visited every shoulder specialist in the states because he had shoulder pain. He spent 10's of millions of dollars on it and in the end it came out that the best thing he could do for shoulder pain was simply to hang from a pole! Very exciting, I'm going to try it myself, although luckily I don't have shoulder pain at the moment.
✍🏼 Top quote
"The more you read, the more you will know. The more you know, the more places you will go." ~ Dr. Seuss (from I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!)
🥳 Fun Fact: Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite storybook authors! I love his creativity!