January 9, 2020 Nick Engvall

My Favorite Books

I have always loved reading but was never really good at it. I struggled to stay focused enough to get through many books until about 10 years ago when one book really captured my attention unlike any other has. But before I get to that book, I figured I would share my favorite books in no particular order.

 

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

When it comes to business, this is one of the most valuable books I’ve read. The E-Myth Revisited takes you through the reasons businesses are started, why many of them fail and understanding the purpose of the entrepreneur looking to start their own small business. Michael E. Gerber’s ability to tell a story, while offering guidance and tips on looking further into the organization, structure, and types of people, is something I am always referencing in my own life.

The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell

Malcom Gladwell is one of my favorite authors. You can’t go wrong with any of his books but The Tipping Point and David and Goliath, are the best ones to get you started. Gladwell defines a tipping point as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” There are plenty of real-world examples of his theories but the story of Hush Puppies was incredibly fascinating to me.

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

The way that Dan Brown is able to intertwine real places, historical moments, and his own storytelling, is done so well that every single one of his books has me digging through Wikipedia to see where the real-world aspects of his story end and his incredible creativity begins. I don’t read a lot of fictional books, but Dan Brown’s books are all must-reads.

Tupac Remembered by Molly Monjauze

This book about Tupac Shakur isn’t laid out in traditional fashion but to me, that’s what makes it even better. It includes stories about Tupac from all sorts of people, including E-40, Leila Steinberg, Jada Pinkett Smith, and countless other friends and family members. It’s filled with rare photos and some of Tupac’s poetry as well.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

The 4-Hour Workweek is the closest thing to the Bible for me. I’ve read this book at least a dozen times and last year I grabbed the audio version on Audible, just so I can revisit it on a regular basis. Tim Ferriss is funny but not over-the-top. He uses real-world examples and actionable items to really guide you towards chasing your dreams, whether it’s working as freelancer and traveling the world, freeing yourself from the 9-to-5 in order to open your own coffee shop, or just simply creating a business that you can do on the side to add some extra income to your pockets. Although some of the websites might be slightly dated now, the lessons in this book can be life-changing if you have the courage to apply them.

 

Descriptions coming soon for the following…

The One Thing by Gary Keller

Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

 

Be sure to check back, as I’ll be adding more of my favorite books as I finish them! Drop a comment with any suggestions for what I should read next, or tweet me.

1

Nick Engvall

Nick Engvall is a sneaker enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the footwear business. He has written for publications such as Complex, Sole Collector, and Sneaker News, helped companies like Eastbay, Finish Line, Foot Locker, StockX, and Stadium Goods better connect with their consumers, has an addiction to burritos and Sour Patch Kids, and owns way too many shoes for his own good.
%d bloggers like this: