Tops Books of 2015: My top 10

Ok, so here it is, a little delayed but I got there. This is my 2015 top 10 book selection. Some of them are in my top 10 of all time.

Why is reading so important? Well for me its simple- I learn stuff. Sounds a little nerdy but the joy and excitement I get from learning is powerful in my life. I believe it would be powerful in anyone’s life.

It is a common behaviour among the successful as well, so it must have some credibility. Actually I heard a while back that reading a book every week is like doing a college degree every year. The rewards are huge.

For most of us we stop reading when we finish education and to be honest we only read in school because we had to. The choice of books we had weren’t great. Actually let me correct that; in my opinion they weren’t, they are likely well-written master pieces. I simply lacked interest. This is why following things you are passionate about is great because it will enhance your potential to learn, accelerate and grow.

Make it interesting, make it enjoyable and you will make it easier to do it and also the ability to retain the information stronger.

Apart from learning and improving yourself there are other benefits of reading. It increases your knowledge on a wider range of topics that is useful in social situations. It also assists you become in becoming a more confident and able speaker.

I also find that it can stimulate interest and curiosity. If you are unsure of what you calling is, your why, reading is a great tool to help you discover that. As you plunge through books you will pick up sparks of insight into who you are and what amazes you. This will lead you on a path to self discovery.

So why read? Because its bloody great. Now lets get to it. These are the top 10 books I enjoyed reading in 2015. I find them very insightful, very thought provoking, educational, greatly inspirational, and even entertaining.

Each one has given me something to take away and implement in my life. I truly believe it are books like these among all the others I have read that have helped me improve, to a point that without I otherwise wouldn’t have reached.

If you haven’t read them then I suggest picking up a copy, only if interest strikes you- they are life changing. If you are still unsure whether your interest exists or not- you can read all my full book reviews here @ thehiddenwhy.com

Quick note: If you could use the amazon link or audible link via my website here that would be awesome too. It doesn’t cost you a sent extra and we get a little kicker here that helps support the show.

Top 10 of 2015 (In ranking and not)

To save me repeating myself in each summary I wish to share a few insights as to why these made the list.

Firstly, they managed to communicate their messages with great purpose. They understood what the goal was and I believe they accomplished it. Secondly, their writing was simple and clear, this is always a good thing. Finally, and most importantly what I learnt was great and the benefits to me personally were life altering. They all allowed me to reflect deeply and gain incredible insight to me and life as I know it.

The is another important yet useful bit of detail. They all had me hooked from start to finish. Clever writing, interesting subject matter and purposeful approach are key.

1.    The Motivation Manifesto By Brendon Burchard

What is the main motivation of all humankind? It’s freedom. Essentially that’s what this book entails. How to live with more freedom. What does freedom look like to, how do you want it to feel. Freedom must become our top priority and for everything we do- it must be purposefully taking us closer towards freedom.

I loved this book so much and got so many great quotes and ideas from Brandon that really pumped me up and got me motivated to stay on purpose in my own authentic life.  I was absorbed and consumed by the introduction that I found myself circling back again and again. In the remaining chapters Brendon visits all 9 Declarations with depth and detail- declarations we should all aim to implement in our own lives.

Live your life with purpose and meaning and you will truly live life.

2.     A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (Oprah’s Book Club, Selection 61) by Eckart Tolle

I am a big fan of Eckart Tolle and connect so deeply with his writing and wisdom and perhaps why two of his books are in my top 10. This one continues on from his book The Power of Now but explores the subject of the conscious and unconscious mind more deeply in particular to why it is beneficial for us to abandon our attachment to our ego state.

Rich, insightful and sometimes so hard to come to grips with that you find yourself stuck on a page for a long while. Once I was able to absorb his messages I felt some level or relief and enlightenment. Sounds hardcore and it is. What he shares in critical self reflection and through creating strong awareness of your reality that can lead you to higher levels of happiness in life. This will be on my re-reading schedule for sure.

3.     The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey

This book is by far the best productivity book I have come across. Saturated with high levels of content that you can easily adopt and implement into your own life. With so much to do everyday its easy to be swept away in overwhelm. This is why I continually try improve my practices so that I can come more effective in life in general.

Each habit is so powerful, I am certain it will assist you in great ways. I have incorporated much of what he teaches yet still need to do more. It is only by implementation and practice that we can truly improve. The habits he shares in this book are gold.

4.     The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckart Tolle

Life is a spiritual journey and it is in my belief that many of us, including myself, loose sight or indeed never gain sight of what our spiritual journey is. Eckart again, in this master piece, explores the power of enlightenment and the mind. It is through insight and awareness to one’s own mind can we truly visit and create our reality.

He illustrates why we are the creator of all pain in our lives and all happiness. A true tormentor and enemy to us all is the act of resistance. If we can practice to accept and become fully present living in the present, the now, can we truly live a free life. This book will liberate you and allow you to gain deeper insight into your Being.

5.    Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels by Loretta Breuning

These chemicals are seriously useful in understand how and why we behave in the way we do. By creating and understanding, appreciation and awareness for them we can better direct our own behaviours and life. Our motivation for how we wish to exist are driven by these chemicals.

As a professor in psychology, Loretta avoids the temptation of writing in a complex format this allowed the message to be easily absorbed while also being entertaining. I found it useful in understanding why I behave and am motivated as I am, and also why others in my life are. You can listen to and interview I did with her, episode 021.

6.     The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz

Four very important agreements that we can all benefit from introducing into our own life. Be impeccable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. This principles and practices that Don Ruiz shares really can move you’re towards inner freedom.

Inner freedom will allow you to transform your world and how you perceive it giving you great meaning, happiness and purpose. Each principle is simple enough to understand and retain for times when you need reminding. This Toltec wisdom left me with much deeper understanding or where I exist with them and a greater appreciation for the simplicity of life in general.

7.     Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

I really enjoyed this book and as I reflect as to why- two things come to mind. Firstly, it was just enjoyable to read, smooth flowing, entertaining, humorous and informative. Kept me held in all the way through. Secondly as a fond writer wanting to improve, what better way to do so by learning from someone who as been and written a great deal of books and publication.

The take out that I would like to share about writing is to just write. The tittle itself comes from her father giving instruction to her brother about how to begin to write a essay on birds. His advice was simply, “Write it, bird by bird.” Brilliant analogy on writing but also in life in total.

8.    Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You at Business School by Richard Branson

We all know who this guy is right? How could you miss him? Probably one of the most successful businessman and leaders around today. What a better way to learn skills and practices that Richard has used himself in starting an ultra-successful business from scratch and having become a highly revered leader.

Richard shares what he believes helped him achieve his success. These are practices and tricks we can all adopt without too much effort and certainly go against what we are taught to know as good business practice. It is outside the box thinking, innovative and truly inspirational. A great read!

9.     The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday

Is been a while since I have read this one and likely time to read again. I understand he has a new book being released soon that explores more on the topic of ego. In this book Ryan visits the thought that often in our life obstacles can be rich in assisting us to discover the true path or alternatively so debilitating us- putting end to one’s hopes and desires for living a life true to oneself.

Much like Eckhart’s work this is a spiritual path and a journey to achieve more in life that you so desire. It has lots of practical application and take always also that are certainly useful in helping you to continue taking action towards your goals rather than being continually trumped by road blocks and challenges. It is the obstacle that actually becomes the way forward.

10. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition by Robert Cialdini

Cialdini in this book shares with us fascinating insight into the psychological principles in what makes us say ‘yes’. The principles that he discusses are: reciprocation, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. Cialdini provides insight into each of these including how they work and by using examples and research to illustrate this.

Whether you wish to influence others, hopefully for good reason, or simply want to better understand how you are influenced so that in awareness you can better defend yourself against marketing and highly persuasive people- this is a worthwhile read. I listened to the audio copy which was easy enough to follow however perhaps the hard copy would allow more to sink in.

There you have it- my top 10. I encourage you to pick up a copy and have a read. If they don’t sound appealing, read something. Anything is better than nothing. Until next time, peace, passion and purpose.

Please leave your thoughts, comments & questions below.

Books by these authors