At the start of this year, one of the goals I set for myself was a book reading challenge.
It goes like this: Read at least two books per month
April Goal Revision: My revised 'elastic goal' is still 24 books but within 8 months now and so 36 books in 2015. As of July, I reached my original reading goal and so I am pressing on with my revised 'elastic goal' of 36 books before the year is out.
'Read' includes audio and includes the following sources:
- Traditional paper-based books - as available in bookshops or via Amazon for example
- Digital reader books - such as Kindle books and eBooks
- Audiobooks - such as those available via Audible and audiobooks.com
- Video streamed books - some classic self-improvement books are surprisingly available through YouTube
I will update this post each month with my progress, to share the material and also to hold myself to account 😉
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Why not share your reading challenges or recommendations in the comments section and then we can keep each other motivated...
My own book...The Property Investor Toolkit: A 7-Part Toolkit For Property Investment Success is now available in book format!
The book is also available NOW on Amazon
Current Read or Listen:
Your Simple Path: Find happiness in every step - Ian Tucker
The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness - Prof Steve Peters
July 2015 Update
![Total_Recall_My_unbelievably_true_life_story__Arnold_Schwarzenegger[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.thepropertyvoice.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Total_Recall_My_unbelievably_true_life_story__Arnold_Schwarzenegger1.jpg)
Total Recall: My unbelievably true life story - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Format: Audio
Key Idea:
Arnie's autobiography!
Richard's Insight:
What a monster of a book...20 odd hours of audio to wade through but it's well worth it. Like most things in Arnie's life, he doesn't things by halves!
Fabulous and frank autobio that reveals so much of the man's character, including some weaknesses. The last chapter is an absolute gem, as he shares with us his top tips for success and who can argue with a man who came from nowhere and yet mastered a foreign culture & language, various businesses, a dominant bodybuilder, movie star and politician?
Well worth adding to the reading list and sticking with it when you start.
I am not a massive fan of autobios but I love this one!
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph - Ryan Holiday
Format: Kindle
Key Idea:
Turning adversity, obstacles and challenges into advantages, lessons and victory. An insight into the Stoic philosophy at the same time.
Richard's Insight:
What an awesome read...I had not really heard about the Stoic philosophy as such, apart from real life phrases like grin and bear in, soldier on or my beloved Birmingham City's anthem Keep Right On! It sounds bloody miserable I know and perhaps I have not done it justice with these sound bites to be fair, but is it a really good book I can tell you. I was so taken by it that I have added several of the author's recommended reading list to my own wish list now...Marcus Aurelius, Robert Greene et al.
A book of philosophy but also of strategy, one of self-mastery and also one of wisdom.
Definitely on my top books of 2015 list.
Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely
Format: Audio
Key Idea:
We do stupid things, but it is utterly predictable that we will! A guide to behavioural economics...why we do the strange things that we do and how we can learn from this.
Richard's Insight:
Another cracking read, and what a personal story the author has to share as well! Predictably irrational helps to explain why people do strange things, such as saying they like beer laced with vinegar, or ordering food they don't really want, or cheat more when the odds of discovery are slim or less when reminded of the Ten Commandments first.
The book explains why economists get things wrong and why marketers sometimes do too, but how they also learn that we don't always do what is right and best...we do what society & psychology rules dictate. Therefore, it is a very practical insight in human behaviour and how the apparently unpredictable behaviour is in fact predictably irrational behaviour after all.
Anyone involved in sales, marketing or general persuasion should be aware of this book's lessons...as too market-makers, economists and politicians.
The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
Format: Kindle
Key Idea:
Don't dwell in the past and don't be anxious for the future...live in the now or the present moment instead.
Richard's Insight:
I picked up this book initially by accident as my daughter had ordered it on my Kindle account. She told me how great it was and yet after starting to read it, I very nearly put it down early on. I am glad that I persevered!
Initially, it all seemed a bit airy-fairy to be honest with you...living in the now...what is that supposed to mean? Well, after persevering with the book, I now know and appreciate exactly what it does mean...freedom!
It has been billed as a classic and has bags of 5-star ratings to back this up...and now that includes one from me too. I seem to be more grateful and focused as a result of dropping the baggage from the past and releasing the anxiety for the future and instead enjoying more of this very moment, which still seems kind of weird to be writing given that I am quite a long way from being any sort of hippie lol.
All About Buy to Let Finance And How To Get It - Peter Jones
Format: Kindle
Key Idea:
Er...it's all about buy-to-let finance 🙂
Richard's Insight:
A solid read from a man who clearly has a lot of patience! It's quite possibly a book I have considered writing myself, before I lost the will to live, due to the level of detail involved to do the topic justice. So, thankfully Peter Jones has saved me from such a fate and written the book himself. Some of the examples will change over time, but many of the principles will remain.
It is difficult to say that I didn't know much of the content before I read it (having been through the cycle many times now myself), but for anyone unsure about how to navigate BTL financing, I will be recommending they grab a copy of this little book and get up to speed in no time at all.