“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.”

// Ralph Waldo Emerson

Growing up, my dad taught me that “readers are leaders” and inspired a love of reading that I have maintained throughout my life. My goal throughout my life has been to read at least one book a month.

There are a lot of people who read a lot more and a lot of people who read a lot less. I think that’s not as important as what you learn – and apply – from what you are reading. There are a lot of people who read a lot of books, but their life never gets that much better. They are addicted to self-help, but never help themselves by actually applying what they learn.

I frequently have people ask me what my favorite books on certain topics are, or what books I’m currently reading. So, I went ahead and put this list together of my favorite books for anyone and everyone.

Currently, I just finished my second read of Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willinik and Leif Babin. That book is an all time great (although it isn’t in my top 10). But it is in my leader required reading.

My dad also taught me that when you read a person’s book, you are learning from the best part of them. You might think that you are not able to be mentored by a person, but you can be, because you can read their best thoughts on paper. I have learned – and continue to learn – from some of the best thinkers and leaders in history. I count Socrates, Epictetus, Jesus, Da Vinci, Einstein, Jim Rohn, and many others as my mentors even though they are long dead. Why? Because I can learn from their thinking that has been documented.

I encourage you to learn from real life mentors. I have those. But combine your living mentors with the wisdom of those who their thinking is built upon.