The 23 Best Books in 2015
2015 was a banner year for me for expanding my horizons with the books that I read. Not coincidentally, 2015 was also the year I got my very own library card. (More on the benefits on getting your library card here.) I am a big fan of biographies, autobiographies, and business-related books so you will notice a lot of those types of books on this list.
What you will also note on this list is all the different ways in which to consume the content of a book. From hardcover to paperback and from audiobook to e-book, there are many ways to digest the knowledge within the pages of a book.
As we start wrapping up 2015, I present to you my list of the 23 best books I read this year. By no means were any of these bad books. Some books are just better than others. And some books have been in circulation for over 50 years. The lessons these books share, whether new or old, are all well worth your read. Without further ado, here is my list of the 23 best books I read in 2015:
1.
Title: Start With Why
Author: Simon Sinek
Format: Audiobook
Review: This book should be number one on your list of books to read, especially if you are looking to start your company or go off on a new idea. This book examines the most important question we should ask ourselves before we do anything: why. “People don’t by what you do, they buy why you do it.”
Author: Simon Sinek
Format: Audiobook
Review: This book should be number one on your list of books to read, especially if you are looking to start your company or go off on a new idea. This book examines the most important question we should ask ourselves before we do anything: why. “People don’t by what you do, they buy why you do it.”
2.
Title: How to Win Friends and Influence People
Author: Dale Carniege
Format: Audiobook
Review: Originally published over 50 years ago, this fantastic book gives great insights into dealing with people from all walks of life and all view points. Master the points laid out in this book – much like Warren Buffett did – and you are sure to go far in life.
Author: Dale Carniege
Format: Audiobook
Review: Originally published over 50 years ago, this fantastic book gives great insights into dealing with people from all walks of life and all view points. Master the points laid out in this book – much like Warren Buffett did – and you are sure to go far in life.
3.
Title: Moneyball
Author: Michael Lewis
Format: Audiobook
Review: When you combine three of my favorite things – sports, money, and statistics – it is hard not to come away with a winning formula. The great modern writer Michael Lewis masterfully writes the book that is now re-shaping the way professional sports team and business operate. (Don’t want to read the book? Just watch the movie!)
Author: Michael Lewis
Format: Audiobook
Review: When you combine three of my favorite things – sports, money, and statistics – it is hard not to come away with a winning formula. The great modern writer Michael Lewis masterfully writes the book that is now re-shaping the way professional sports team and business operate. (Don’t want to read the book? Just watch the movie!)
4.
Title: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Author: Sheryl Sandberg
Format: Audiobook
Review: What I appreciate most about this book, from a male point of view, is that this book not only shares how women can empower themselves in their business and professional lives but it also showcases how men can (and should) help with this empowerment.
Author: Sheryl Sandberg
Format: Audiobook
Review: What I appreciate most about this book, from a male point of view, is that this book not only shares how women can empower themselves in their business and professional lives but it also showcases how men can (and should) help with this empowerment.
5.
Title: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t
Author: Jim Collins
Format: Audiobook
Review: Although this book was published almost 20 years ago using data even older than that, the principles that remain in this book are as true then as they are today. In this book, Collins examines how companies – specifically large companies – can scale their business to make them last and enduring enterprises.
Author: Jim Collins
Format: Audiobook
Review: Although this book was published almost 20 years ago using data even older than that, the principles that remain in this book are as true then as they are today. In this book, Collins examines how companies – specifically large companies – can scale their business to make them last and enduring enterprises.
6.
Title: Born Standing Up
Author: Steve Martin
Format: Paperback
Review: Easily one of the best biographies of celebrities in the 20th century, this book not only shares the life story of the rise of Steve Martin as a performer and a comedian but it also sheds some light on the lessons and takeaways about what to expect once you’ve made it to the top.
Author: Steve Martin
Format: Paperback
Review: Easily one of the best biographies of celebrities in the 20th century, this book not only shares the life story of the rise of Steve Martin as a performer and a comedian but it also sheds some light on the lessons and takeaways about what to expect once you’ve made it to the top.
7.
Title: Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces that Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
Author: Ed Catmull
Format: Hardcover
Review: Pixar might be one of if not the best technology and entertainment companies in the world. This book shares the tale of how the company got to hold that distinguished position not only through advances in technology the company sought to push but by also developing and nurturing a unique culture of creativity.
Author: Ed Catmull
Format: Hardcover
Review: Pixar might be one of if not the best technology and entertainment companies in the world. This book shares the tale of how the company got to hold that distinguished position not only through advances in technology the company sought to push but by also developing and nurturing a unique culture of creativity.
8.
Title: The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
Author: Alice Schroeder
Format: Audiobook
Review: Take a deeper look into the life and times of one of the wealthiest men in American history and one of the greatest investors of stocks and business. There are fantastic lessons to glean from the example Buffett sets forth in his business.
Author: Alice Schroeder
Format: Audiobook
Review: Take a deeper look into the life and times of one of the wealthiest men in American history and one of the greatest investors of stocks and business. There are fantastic lessons to glean from the example Buffett sets forth in his business.
9.
Title: The Five Dysfunctions of a Teams
Author: Patrick Lencioni
Format: Audiobook
Review: Examining the work of actual group of people within an organization, Lencioni breaks down how to and how not to act and react within the setting of a team.
Author: Patrick Lencioni
Format: Audiobook
Review: Examining the work of actual group of people within an organization, Lencioni breaks down how to and how not to act and react within the setting of a team.
10.
Title: Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds
Author: Carmine Gallo
Format: Audiobook
Review: If you ever want to get on the TED stage, this is a must read book. Or, even more humbly, if you ever find yourself in the need to give a presentation, the notes presented in this book showcase how to give an effective and meaningful presentation.
Author: Carmine Gallo
Format: Audiobook
Review: If you ever want to get on the TED stage, this is a must read book. Or, even more humbly, if you ever find yourself in the need to give a presentation, the notes presented in this book showcase how to give an effective and meaningful presentation.
11.
Title: The New Rules of Real Estate
Author: Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humpries
Format: Paperback
Review: The CEO and Head Economist of the Internet marketing company Zillow released their insights into the world of residential real estate. In a Mythbusters style montage, the duo go over some common misconceptions about your home and the real estate market. A great read for real estate professionals and homeowners alike.
Author: Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humpries
Format: Paperback
Review: The CEO and Head Economist of the Internet marketing company Zillow released their insights into the world of residential real estate. In a Mythbusters style montage, the duo go over some common misconceptions about your home and the real estate market. A great read for real estate professionals and homeowners alike.
12.
Title: Tiger, Meet My Sister and Other Things I Probably Shouldn’t Have Said
Author: Rick Reilly
Format: Hardcover
Review: My favorite former Sports Illustrated writer released his collection of best essays and articles he published while writing for ESPN: The Magazine. Reilly is one of the best sports writers in making his audience – myself include – laugh, cry, groan, and cheer all within the same story.
Author: Rick Reilly
Format: Hardcover
Review: My favorite former Sports Illustrated writer released his collection of best essays and articles he published while writing for ESPN: The Magazine. Reilly is one of the best sports writers in making his audience – myself include – laugh, cry, groan, and cheer all within the same story.
13.
Title: Think Like a Freak
Author: Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Format: ebook
Review: The writing and economist duo teams again for another follow up to their popular Freakonomics book from nearly 10 years ago. The best way to read this book is with an open mind, and interestingly, this is exactly what the authors are trying teach.
Author: Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Format: ebook
Review: The writing and economist duo teams again for another follow up to their popular Freakonomics book from nearly 10 years ago. The best way to read this book is with an open mind, and interestingly, this is exactly what the authors are trying teach.
14.
Title: Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt
Author: Michael Lewis
Format: Audiobook
Review: Michael Lewis make is second appearance on this list, as he quickly became one of my new favorite authors. While Flash Boys didn’t read as interestingly as Moneyball, the story contained within this book is now re-shaping the way consumers and regulators view Wall Street.
Author: Michael Lewis
Format: Audiobook
Review: Michael Lewis make is second appearance on this list, as he quickly became one of my new favorite authors. While Flash Boys didn’t read as interestingly as Moneyball, the story contained within this book is now re-shaping the way consumers and regulators view Wall Street.
15.
Title: StrengthsFinder 2.0
Author: Tom Rath
Format: Hardcover
Review: To often we focus on what is wrong with us or within our business. In this book, Rath says we are looking at the issue in the wrong direction. Instead, we should be focusing on what makes us and our business great – our strengths. Read the book and take the test to determine what are your top 5 strengths.
Author: Tom Rath
Format: Hardcover
Review: To often we focus on what is wrong with us or within our business. In this book, Rath says we are looking at the issue in the wrong direction. Instead, we should be focusing on what makes us and our business great – our strengths. Read the book and take the test to determine what are your top 5 strengths.
16.
Title: Linchpin: Are You Indispensable
Author: Seth Godin
Format: Audiobook
Review: Godin is one of the great minds of today when it comes to branding and marketing yourself and your company. In this book, he underscores the importance of making your way into this world and making yourself irreplaceable in the minds of your boss and/or clients.
Author: Seth Godin
Format: Audiobook
Review: Godin is one of the great minds of today when it comes to branding and marketing yourself and your company. In this book, he underscores the importance of making your way into this world and making yourself irreplaceable in the minds of your boss and/or clients.
17.
Title: People Over Profit: Break the System. Live with Purpose. Be More Successful.
Author: Dale Partridge
Format: Hardcover
Review: In this brief read, Partridge lays out the rules of the new business class: those that care for their employees and the environment for the right reasons are the ones who will rule the business world of the future.
Author: Dale Partridge
Format: Hardcover
Review: In this brief read, Partridge lays out the rules of the new business class: those that care for their employees and the environment for the right reasons are the ones who will rule the business world of the future.
18.
Title: Zero to One: Notes on Startups, Or How to Build the Future
Author: Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
Format: Paperback
Review: For a complete review of this book, check out my other blog article here.
Author: Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
Format: Paperback
Review: For a complete review of this book, check out my other blog article here.
19.
Title: How Google Works
Author: Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
Format: Audiobook
Review: Get a behind the scenes look into what makes Google great and what are the methods behind the madness of the company.
Author: Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
Format: Audiobook
Review: Get a behind the scenes look into what makes Google great and what are the methods behind the madness of the company.
20.
Title: The E Myth Revisted: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Author: Michael E. Gerber
Format: Audiobook
Review: A quick and easy read with some useful and some not-so useful points, this book is worth reading if you’re wondering why your business isn’t working right.
Author: Michael E. Gerber
Format: Audiobook
Review: A quick and easy read with some useful and some not-so useful points, this book is worth reading if you’re wondering why your business isn’t working right.
21.
Title: Zig Ziglar’s Leadership & Success Series
Author: Zig Ziglar
Format: Audiobook
Review: More audio than book, this collection of presentation by Zig Ziglar is chock full of quotes, inspiration, and motivation for any sales and business professional.
Author: Zig Ziglar
Format: Audiobook
Review: More audio than book, this collection of presentation by Zig Ziglar is chock full of quotes, inspiration, and motivation for any sales and business professional.
22.
Title: 7 Levels of Communication: Go From Relationships to Referrals
Author: Michael J. Maher
Format: ebook
Review: This book can be summed up in one simple phrase: be nice and truly care about other people and they will do nice things and care about you and your business in return.
Author: Michael J. Maher
Format: ebook
Review: This book can be summed up in one simple phrase: be nice and truly care about other people and they will do nice things and care about you and your business in return.
23.
Title: The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Author: Timothy Ferriss
Format: Audiobook
Review: While I don’t advocate doing the things in this book exactly as portrayed by the author, I do like some of the methodology for streamlining and organizing your most precious resource: your time.
Author: Timothy Ferriss
Format: Audiobook
Review: While I don’t advocate doing the things in this book exactly as portrayed by the author, I do like some of the methodology for streamlining and organizing your most precious resource: your time.
