After focusing on the topic of negotiation, I switched gears in April. In this best books to read while traveling list, the categories ranged from psychology to self-improvement to history.
I set a goal to read 3.5 books per month at the start of the year. While I fell short of that goal in April, I found a couple of interesting reads that I will dive into more detail below.
On the whole, April was a productive reading month. 2 of the 3 books are ones that I can recommend and will hope that you will enjoy as well.
Top 3 Best books to Read While Traveling
Influence
Influence was the second to last book that I read within the negotiation category. Robert Cialdini’s book received a high number of reviews and is highly rated on Amazon, however, the book didn’t meet my expectations.
The book focuses on how to persuade someone to say “yes”. Cialdini shows you how to convince others through the use of principles. The principles he uses are reciprocation, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity.
Influence didn’t do it for me. I found the narrative uninteresting and the examples hard to get behind. The book lacks takeaways that you can use in your next negotiation. Influence is a book that I should have put down after the first 50 pages.
Recommend: No
Give and Take
Give and Take is a book that I’ve been eyeing for quite a while. It’s been recommended in the different podcasts, blog posts, and books that I read. I was excited when this book fit a category that I wanted to learn more about.
Adam Grant, Wharton’s highest-rated professor, makes the case of why we need others to succeed. He uses examples of well-known and under-the-radar people who are successful, and how they leaned on others to get to the top of their field.
Give and Take is a well-researched and interesting read that I didn’t want to put it down. This is one of those books that could have been longer. Grant gives you the tools that you can use today to succeed.
Recommend: Yes
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killer of the Floor Moon was a deviation from negotiation books. After finishing my last negotiation book, Give and Take, I needed a break and went for a book that’s been on my list for a while.
David Grann takes you back to the Osage Nation in Oklahoma in the 1920s. At the time, these Native Americans were the richest people per capita in the world as a result of oil. The story uncovers how the FBI was created to find who was responsible for killing the Osage in record numbers.
Killer of the Floor Moon was a fascinating read. The only downside is that the story could have ended about 50 pages shorter than it did. The backend of the book was not as page-gripping as the first two thirds of the book.
Recommend: Yes
What Books are in my Shopping Cart?
My goal in this year’s best book to read while traveling list is to dive deep into 4 subjects that I want to learn more about. In the first quarter, I learned about negotiation. For the second quarter, I am jumping into the topic of personal finance and investing. Below are the books that I’ll be tackling next.
Personal Finance and Investing Books to Read while Traveling
- The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
- The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
- Unshakeable by Tony Robbins
- The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Second Edition by Ramit Sethi
If you’re in the market for non-finance books, below are the books I’ll consider after finishing the finance category.
Miscellaneous Books to Read while Traveling
- Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
- 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
- Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
- Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
- Upstairs at the White House by J.B. West
- Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Tribe by Sebastian Junger
- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi, Tahl Raz
- The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
The Best Credit Cards to Use to Purchase Books
All of the books from this best books to read while traveling list ares ones I purchased on Amazon. As a result, I use credit cards that earn at least 1.5X points. Amazon is not considered a bonus category with American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, or Marriott, so you’re capped at earning no more than 2X points from your spend.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited or the World of Hyatt are the personal credit cards I use for Amazon purchases. You’ll earn 3X points per transaction in your first cardmember year with the Unlimited. Cash back earned from the Unlimited can be converted into Chase points when you pair the card with the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Prefered.
My favorite business credit card for Amazon purchases is the Amex Blue Business Plus (Learn More Here). The reason is because it earns 2X points. Pairing the Freedom Unlimited with the Chase Ink Business Preferred is another option. You’ll be able to convert you Unlimited cash back into Chase points if you have the Ink Business Preferred.
Conclusion on the Best Books to Read while Traveling:
Reading is a skill that I’ve continued to work on by focusing on books that peak my interest at the time. Hopefully my best books to read while traveling list includes books that you’ll find interesting and enjoy too.
What books did you read while traveling this month? Do you have any book recommendations? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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