2022 Book Reviews
Between my newfound interest in Louis L’Amour and rereading all five Jack Carr books, this year I read less business books than ever before.
I compare this year’s book review to cleaning out the garage, but in this case, a three-car garage where all the junk gets thrown. I didn’t do a great job of capturing much along the way, and I know for sure there are a handful of reads that happened but didn’t make the list.
My intent here isn’t to show my volume, but rather to share some recommendations. Many people come to me and say, “What should I read? I’m looking for a good business book.” I feel like I have to start with my top 10 and say, “Have you read these?” So below, I have bolded my top books that I will recommend you read if you haven’t yet.
Making BIG Happen by Mark Moses: Great introduction to a new business operating system.
Getting to Yes by Roger Fischer and William Ury: This was a Menlo team read and, in my opinion, one of the top 5 negotiation books of all time.
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom: My 14-year-old daughter said I had to read it. It’s a really sad and inspiring story about WWII.
No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover: Recommended by a friend and was definitely thought-provoking.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: A top 10 of all time for sure.
How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins: Everything Collins writes is top shelf for leadership principles.
Deep Work by Cal Newport: I wanted a refresher since I was trying his deep work journal. Really great principals, just hard for me to follow.
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: Didn't find a ton of value for my stage of business.
Rocky Mountain Saint by B.N. Rundell (14 book series): Bought the entire series on my Kindle and got sucked in. These Western Fiction books are entertaining, but not riveting.
Hanging Woman Creek by Louis L'Amour
The Motive by Patrick Lencioni: Really great leadership read. I have not read anything from Lencioni that I didn't love.
The Cherokee Trail by Louis L’Amour
Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour
The Quick and the Dead by Louis L’Amour: Have really enjoyed all his books so far.
Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy: He is one of my favorite writers. So relatable.
Winning by Tim S. Grover: A motivator for sure.
Range by David Epstein: Thought-provoking for sure.
American Assassin by Vince Flynn: Started weaving in more fiction, and it has been enjoyable.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson: So good!
Effortless by Greg McKeown: It gets better over time.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown: Maybe a top 5 all time.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
Finding My Virginity by Richard Branson
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: Really great principles for anyone doing a startup of any industry type.
The Master Coach by Gregg Thompson
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines: Super entertaining.
The Firm by Duff McDonald
Playing to Win by Michael Lewis
The Third Door by Alex Banayan: Very engaging story.
Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath: Really good stuff.
Red Notice by Bill Browder: Not a business book but really interesting about the Russian business corruption.
The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy: So great! I read it twice, individually and then as Menlo team read. I also actually got my wife to read this one, and it changed her paradigm.
Atomic Habits by James Clear: This was a Menlo team read and is maybe a top 10 of all time.
Zion Earth Zen Sky by Charles Shiro Inouye: A friend sent it to me, and I really enjoyed it. Non-business book.
The Promise to the One by Jason Hewlett: Quick read and really enjoyed it.
The Warrior’s Meditation by Richard L. Haight
I also read all four Jack Carr books again!
2022 was another great year of reading. To check out my past book reviews, click here.