"Some books leave us free and some books make us free." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." -- Mortimer Adler
"A book lying idle on a shelf is wasted ammunition. Like money, books must be kept in constant circulation. Lend and borrow to the maximum -- of both books and money! But especially books, for books represent infinitely more than money. A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on you are enriched threefold." -- Henry Miller
It has been said that a person who does not read is no better than a person that can not read. Books have the power to enrich your mind, enhance your life, expand your thinking, and simply entertain. I much prefer reading a book to watching television; there are no commercials, I control the pace, and I get to create my own pictures to match the words. In the past I read mostly fiction, but over the last few years I have been reading about 90% non-fiction.
I always keep books close. I continually build my personal library so there will always be a book waiting for me. I buy audio books so I can learn while I drive. I typically have 2 books in progress at a time; one fiction and one non-fiction to provide balance.
Earlier this year, SUCCESS Magazine published a list of what they considered the top 25 success books of all time (http://tinyurl.com/5calvx). I made it a personal goal to read or listen to full versions of each of these books by the end of the year (I have 2 left!). Now, as I near completion of the top 25, here is a list of books that I will be reading in 2009 (no particular order):
- "Success Built to Last" -- Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery, Mark Thompson
- "Having It All" -- John Assaraf
- "The Success Principles" -- Jack Canfield
- "How To Read A Book" -- Mortimer Adler
- "The Millionaire Mind" -- Thomas Stanley
- "How To Stop Worrying & Start Living" -- Dale Carnegie
- "Uncommon Friends" -- James Newton
- "The Essential Laws of Fearless Living" -- Guy Finley
- "Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway" -- Susan Jeffers
- "Vagabonding" -- Rolf Potts
- "The Ultimate Gift" -- Jim Stovall
- "Og Mandino's University Of Success" -- Og Mandino
- "Lincoln On Leadership" -- Donald T. Phillips
- "The Last Lecture" -- Randy Pausch
- "Man's Search For Meaning" -- Viktor Frankl
I will balance that list with fiction by James Patterson, John Grisham, Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, and others. Also non-fiction books by Bill Bryson, Jon Katz, John Muir, Richard Bangs, and others about the environment, dogs, and adventure.
I am always looking for new books to add to my list and to my library. What books do you plan to read in the new year? What books have you read that have impacted your life? Please leave a comment with your suggestions and thoughts.
Make a resolution in 2009 to watch less television and read more books!!!
Scott
If you're not getting better, you're getting worse!Continuous learning and self-improvement are the keys to a long and prosperous life. Find out more at iLearningGlobal
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3 comments:
Max,
Thank you for the information about the Mortimer Adler videos regarding "How To Read A Book". I have ordered a copy of the DVD and look forward to viewing it.
I greatly appreciate your recommendation,
Scott
Dear Scott,
How nice to hear from you.
Thank you for the information about the Mortimer Adler videos regarding "How To Read A Book". I have ordered a copy of the DVD and look forward to viewing it.
Yes, I received your order and thank you kindly.
I greatly appreciate your recommendation,
My please, profit and enjoy!
Best regards,
Max Weismann
Great blog! Topics very relevant to me, so I'll be back, for sure.
As far as what I'm reading these days, I'm on a Search & Rescue and true-adventure reading binge. I figure that the more reading I do on these subjects, the better I'll become at what I do in SAR. My favorites so far (and I have lots of books to go) are "Mountain Rescue Doctor" and Coming Back Alive: The True Story of the Most Harrowing Rescue on Alaska's High Seas."
For a blantant personal plug (oh the shame!) I also wrote a book--a novel--while thru-hiking the A.T. several years ago, though it has nothing to do with hiking. If interested, you can read my article, "Hiking My Way to a Novel" and, from there, find out more about the book (and how to order).
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