I had an interesting conversation the other day with some friends of mine. One of them asked the question… “so have any books that you have read recently made a difference in your life?” I initially didn’t think much about the question until some of the people sitting around the table started to name off their own list of books. Then I started to actually think about it.
You see, I love to read. All the time. The stack of books beside my bed is growing because I keep finding books I want to read. And I keep wanting to re-read books that I love. And I am also the type of person who reads multiple books at the same time and I jump back and forth between them. I will have a fiction book sandwiched between non-fiction books, sitting on top of a stack of magazines and articles, which are underneath some books on leadership, or social media, or personal improvement, or something else. I find that it depends on the mood I am in as to what I want to read, so I have to keep my options open.
So what would my 5 books be? How could I possibly pick among all the books I have read in my life? My list would probably have been different 5 years ago, and 5 years from now as well. Heck, it might even be different 5 months from now. But anyway, here is my list… right now.
1. The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien – I can’t really remember when I read this book the first time, but I remember being young, like around 5th grade. And it wasn’t the subject matter of the story that puts this book on the list. This was the book that stirred inside of me the love for reading. I discovered how beautiful the printed page can be, and how a great story can keep you up late at night because you can’t put it down.
2. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit led me down the well-worn path to this book. This is my favorite book, as evidenced by the fact that I have read it through completely at least 5 times that I can remember since I was a child. The metaphors for life are so rich that they pop out onto your lap from between the pages of every chapter. Friendship. Family. Loyalty. Fear. Death. Honor. Duty. Patriotism. Love. You won’t find another story that contains them all. Do you remember the scene?… On the side of Mount Doom Sam lifts Frodo to his back because Frodo can’t go on, and Sam cries, “Come, Mr. Frodo, I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.” It shows what true sacrifice is… how to never give up… how to strive for something bigger than yourself. It should be required reading for every child.
3. The Book of Virtues, William J. Bennett – Probably one of the best gifts ever given to me. I can’t think of any book that contains so many of the greatest writings in history. From George Washington’s “Rules of Civility”, to Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream”, to stories from Aristotle, Plato, the Bible, Hans Christian Anderson, and on and on. They are all here. I have pulled from this book more than any other when looking for stories to tell in my work, in my writings, and in my personal life. Everyone needs a copy of this book in their house.
4. Trust Agents, Chris Brogan – This is one of the most recent books I have read, and it deserves to be on this list. I have been striving to make a difference in other’s lives in the work that I do. No other book has given me a road map to that end like Trust Agents. This book taught me to give more to others, to do more for others, to share more with others, if I hope to be someone who is trusted. This book may tell the story about how to make a difference in social media, but for me it told a much bigger story than that. I am inspired to be better than I am.
5. Founding Brothers, Joseph J. Ellis – To say I am a patriot is probably an understatement. I love this country more than myself. My dad was in the military for over 20 years, and I still get a lump in my throat when I see the flag and hear our national anthem. My favorite time period in history is the Revolutionary War, and this book tells that story unlike any other. This book tells the stories ‘in between’ the stories that you already know about the Revolution. I came away from this book with a profound sense of gratitude for the men who literally gave up their lives and their possessions to advance this great experiment called America. I think of what Washington did at Newburgh, NY, that literally saved this country. I think about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence who literally believed they were signing their death warrants. And on and on. If you want to know just how much they gave for you and me, read this book.
So there you have it. These books are never far beyond my reach. So what is your list?
