September was my most productive reading month to date by knocking out 5 books in my September book list.
I flew quite a bit, which made it much easier to hit my goal of 3 books per month.
The September book list primarily focused on Amazon’s Business & Money category.
I’ve found that this category consistently peaks my interest because there are actionable items that you can implement as soon as you finish reading a book.
The Everything Store
I use Amazon frequently so naturally I was intrigued by this book. The Everything Store completely blew me away not only by learning how Amazon started but also by how it operates today.
I came away with a love/hate relationship with the company.
On the one hand, they are revolutionizing e-commerce and always putting the customer first.
On the other hand, many of Amazon’s business practices will make you shake your head.
Recommend: Yes
Delivering Happiness
The way Tony thinks about customer service gave me a new appreciation for Zappos. He seems like a great guy and someone who I’d love to work for.
Zappos operates with one goal in mind and that is to make the customer happy.
There are so many helpful takeaways on how to treat customers that I’ll be able to use when I work with customers.
Recommend: Yes
Sam Walton: Made In America
Walmart is not a company I have much interaction with anymore now that Amazon, Instacart, Whole Foods, and Trader Joes have resolved many of the issues that I had with Walmart.
What is undeniable after reading this book is how innovative and hard-working Sam Walton was. He was way ahead of his time and always focused on how to sell items at the lowest price.
Recommend: Yes
Rework
Tim Ferriss interviewed both Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson on his podcast and I found both guys interesting.
What I didn’t know until after listening to the podcasts was how deeply both of them thought about how to work.
Rework lines up with how I think companies should operate – focus on attracting top talent that fits in with your team’s culture, no matter where that person lives.
It’s an easy read that will change the way you think about work.
Recommend: Yes
Living with a SEAL
A friend of mine recommended this book and I kept putting it off for whatever reason.
After finishing this book, I’m so mad at myself for not reading it sooner because it’s that good!
Nearly all of the insights in this book are identical to what Jocko Willink preaches in his podcasts and books. I now have the feeling that the SEAL is watching me when I’m not working as hard as I can.
Recommend: Yes
What’s In My Cart?
I started off the first half of the year in a funk with books that I read but the past two months have been different.
Nearly every book I read in August and September have been incredible so I’m hopeful that momentum will continue into October.
I am currently eyeing the following books, some of which I plan to read this month:
- Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
- Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
- Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
- Red Notice by Bill Browder
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
- Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- Remote: Office Not Required by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Conclusion
Reading is a skill I’ve continued to work on by focusing on books that peak my interest at the time.
Hopefully my September book list includes ones that you’ll enjoy too.
If you have book recommendations that you’d like to share, please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email pointswithq@gmail.com.
