Books You Should Read

Hi kids! Today’s post is going to be a little something different. This is a post that will be routinely updated as time goes on, so come back and check it out again every once in a while to see what’s new.

I’m only listing books that I have read and enjoyed, otherwise I wouldn’t be sending you off to read them! I also enthusiastically welcome any recommendations in the comment section, and as I get through them I may or may not add them to the list.

I should note that I have no affiliation with any of these authors, sellers, or anything else associated.

Non-Fiction

Startin’ with the boring stuff. Except that it’s not.

The Unbanking of America by Lisa Servon This book goes over the reasons so many people in lower-income urban areas tend to shy away from banks for less traditional money management methods. Ms. Servon even works as a teller at a check-casher and a payday lender, among other things, for her research.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Habits control our brains for a massive amount of our day, much more than we might realize. Mr. Duhigg explains how habits shape our lives, how they come to be, and, most importantly, how to use them to our advantage.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell Our decision-making process, for most of the major decisions in our lives, happens within an instant. Our biases, insecurities, and unconscious tendencies have a huge impact on the choices we make, and it happens so fast we usually don’t even realize it. Mr. Gladwell, as he does with all of his books, goes into incredible detail, and his storytelling is mesmerizing.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson This both hilarious and insightful story is about the author and a friend hiking the Appalachian Trail. I won’t go into much detail here, but if you are into adventure stories or just stories in general, this is a fantastic read. Mr. Bryson’s voice is one of the best, and the insight he garners is beautiful.

Fiction

For the less serious moments in your life.

The Essential Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Yep, I’m starting the fiction segment with a comic book. And I’m not sorry at all about that. Calvin and Hobbes were some of the most formative and influential characters in my young life, and the incredible insights to be gained from reading Mr. Watterson’s books is nothing to be trifled with. Also his artwork is amazing.

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole Probably one of the funniest and most cleverly-written books available, this is the story of some hapless characters stumbling their way through life in Louisiana. Mr. O’Toole expertly weaves his character’s lives in and out of each other’s reach, and the ensuing chaos is utterly phenomenal. Highly recommended!

The Odyssey by Homer (translated by R. Fitzgerald) I went through a phase a couple of years ago of trying to read the classics. Most of them should probably stay buried in the past, but this is an amazing adventurous tale told in incredible prose. If you can get your brain into the language and cadence, it can really be a page-turner!

That’s where we’re at for now, but there will definitely be more to come! If you have any books that you think should be on this list, throw them in the comment section or hit me up on Twitter @DiyCaptain and I’ll check them out!

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