6 Timeless Books You Should Read Every Year.
No matter how thoughtful I am in my planning, the difference between my expectations and what actually happens each year always changes, but the lessons, strategies, and tactics in these books never do.
These books contain the fundamentals that work no matter what, which is why you and I should read them every year.
Even though it shouldn’t matter and we really should start doing anything we want to do as soon as we can, going from one year to the next feels like a significant moment in time. Enough to make us reflect on what worked and what didn’t and plan ahead for what we want to do less of and, of course, what we want to do more of.
So, reminding ourselves of these timeless strategies and frameworks as we head into a new year helps make sure we don’t get caught making the same mistakes or chasing the latest trends only to be left with nothing to show for it by this same time next year.
With that, here are the six books you should read to be more productive, make and manage your money, be interesting, and build better relationships this year.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Atomic Habits is the foundational book for anything you’ll ever do and is the first book I reread every year.
Rather than focus on tactics for getting things done, Atomic Habits gives us the tools to shift our mindset and get out of our own way. The point I always remember is, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
Meaning whatever we want to do, it’s not about how ambitious the goals we set are. Instead, it’s about creating the right environment and showing up every day. It’s about consistently being 1% better instead of trying to force something to happen in short bursts of extraordinary effort.
2. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.
Like Atomic Habits, The Psychology of Money isn’t about how to make more money today.
Instead, it, too, is about how to manage and make better decisions with your money for life. It explores the ways we are irrational with money and outlines how simple strategies are better for the majority of people more often than not.
The reason to read this book each year is to remind yourself of the easy-to-make mistakes that will cost you if you’re not careful to avoid them.
3. Just Keep Buying by Nick Maggiulli.
The third book on the list and the second book about money to read every year is Just Keep Buying.
While the title somewhat gives away the strategy, the psychology and historical data used to prove it are well worth reviewing to reconfirm you’re doing the right thing no matter what’s happening day-to-day.
And, because there’s a little overlap with The Psychology of Money, you’ll know you have a fundamental money strategy that stands the test of time.
Also, while you don’t have to read it every year, if you’re just getting started on your money journey or don’t know where to start, I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi has everything you need to know. Start there, then read these two books, and you’ll know more than almost anyone.
4. Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks.
No one likes to tell a story and have it fall flat, realize no one is listening to you, and get frustrated wondering why no one takes you seriously.
Well, that was me until I read Storyworthy.
So, instead of thinking you’re not interesting or no one cares about you. Realize storytelling is how we communicate, and the best storytellers are the ones who get the most opportunities.
What Storyworthy taught me was that storytelling isn’t hard. Instead, it’s quite simple, and there are tactics and easy-to-remember strategies to use that can make anything, or anyone, interesting.
5. Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss.
If Storyworthy is about getting people to like you, Never Split The Difference is about how to have tough conversations with people who might not (yet).
Never Split The Difference taught me everything is a negotiation, which doesn’t mean one person gets what they want and the other doesn’t. Instead, it’s about both people getting what they want and finding the path to make that possible.
And, really, it comes down to asking the right questions. Written by a former FBI international hostage negotiator, Never Split The Difference not only tells you but also shows you what, how, when, and why these strategies work.
6. Influence by Robert Cialdini.
A lot of what we’ve read so far is about how we should think or what we need to do.
Now, Influence is about how others think and how we can use that to our advantage to get them to do what we want them to.
Having read a number of other psychology, persuasion, and copywriting books, the one thing I noticed in all of them was they all made references back to Influence. So, rather than get bits and pieces from other books, you’re getting it right from the source with this.
Why Six?
At first, I thought I should pick 12 books to reread every year.
With 12, I wouldn’t have to decide what to read ever again. But I had trouble coming up with 12 as some I thought about including were too relevant for today to be considered timeless.
And then I realized six is perfect.
Six books give you and me half a year’s worth of foundational lessons, strategies, and tactics to stay grounded, and the other half to explore something new.
This way, we’re always looking ahead while also being sure of who we are and knowing we’re making the right decisions.
Happy New Year!
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