Whether you’re looking for a book for your holiday downtime, or ideas for your 2022 reading list, here are my favourite reads from the last year!
One of my favourite parts of the holiday season each year is the chance to share my best reading finds from the last year with you, and as always, the decision about what makes it on to the list is purely based on what I personally found most compelling, helpful, interesting or entertaining!
I came across a business concept this week which instantly captured my attention. I felt instant, visceral recognition of the concept being described, and the power of being able to sum it up so succinctly.
The term was ‘Organizational Debt’.
Today I’m turning the spotlight on one of the books I most often find myself recommending or gifting. I first read it back in 2014, when it appeared on my first ’Top 10 Reads’ list, and it remains one of my favourite reads of all time.
Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality
by Dr. Henry Cloud
Released 2009
How many voices have you let into your head in the last 24 hours? Most of us couldn’t even begin to count. The ‘voices’ driving the various pieces of stimulus we encounter in any given day are legion – think of every post; every headline; every caption, photo and podcast.
‘Solitude Deprivation’ is the brilliant phrase from Cal Newport to describe “A state in which you spend close to zero time alone with your own thoughts and free from input from other minds.”
When I read that, I asked myself – If I am constantly receiving stimulus, what chance am I giving my mind and heart to reflect meaningfully?
The idea that I may sacrifice my best thoughts on the altar of shallow stimuli is genuinely frightening.
When I surveyed readers of A Deliberate Life, one of the themes you said you most enjoyed was content was around ideas and reading, and my annual ‘Top 10 Reads’ posts are consistently among the most popular, so I thought I’d start featuring particular books I’m reading. I’d love to hear if there are particular books from former lists that you’d like to see featured!
I’m kicking off today with a book I just finished – the most recent release from leadership guru and prolific author, John Maxwell.
Leadershift: 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace
by John Maxwell
Released 2019
