The Five Best Books I Read in 2022
I’ll admit that I’m not the most consistent reader. I have read a decent amount of books over the past few years, but I’ve also gone 3-4 months at a time without finishing a single one on multiple occasions. I’m working on improving in 2023, in part because I’ve realized how much regular reading improves my mindset and productivity.
I read 25 new books in 2022, which is probably a few more than I read in 2021. Each book was excellent - I honestly can’t think of a single book that I wish I hadn’t read. However, some stand out more than others, and I can’t wait to tell you more about them. Here are the five best books that I read in 2022.
“Book Yourself Solid” by Michael Port
People have been recommending “Book Yourself Solid” to me for years, and I kept putting it off. I should have read it immediately. This book is changing my entire approach to marketing and sharing about my business. Port talks about how any service professional can grow their business and attract more clients than they can handle. He writes in depth about how you can define your ideal client and share about your services through building relationships and providing helpful content that adds value to people’s lives. This book is a must-read for anyone in the service industry.
“The Six Types of Working Genius” by Patrick Lencioni
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t read any of Lencioni’s books before 2022. I read three last year including “Working Genius,” and he’s now one of my favorite writers. I love his writing style and his practical applications. “Working Genius” is Lencioni’s newest work. He writes that each person has two “geniuses,” two “competencies,” and two “frustrations” when it comes to the work that we enjoy and that gives us energy. There’s also an assessment that you can take alongside the book that will clarify what your geniuses are. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
“Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins"
David Goggins set out on a mission to become the hardest person who ever lived. He’s faced a number of trials during his life, but as he’ll tell you in “Can’t Hurt Me," he welcomes the pain. His goal is to finish each task regardless of how he feels in the moment. There’s some NSFW language in this book that may not be appropriate or welcome for some readers, but I walked away inspired to push myself to new heights.
“Atlas of the Heart” by Brent Brown
I’ve been a fan of Brene Brown’s work for years, and “Atlas of the Heart” was as good as any of her books that I’ve read so far. I took several nuggets away from this work that I think about on a daily basis. In Atlas of the Heart, Brown breaks down many of the complex emotions that we feel. Her analysis instantly leads to better self-understanding and recognition. Anyone can benefit from reading this book regardless of profession or situation.
“5am Club” by Robin Sharma
I’m one of the weirdos who enjoys waking up extremely early every morning. It’s uncommon for me to stay in bed past 7am - even on the weekends. It’s easy to understand why I would love a book like “5am Club,” but the lessons in this book go far beyond the advantages of setting an early alarm every morning. You’ll learn about how to prepare your mind, body, and soul for the day ahead, and you’ll get a better picture of how to create a life of fulfillment and meaning. I probably highlighted every other sentence in this book, and I expect that I’ll re-read it at some point during 2023.
Honorable Mentions: “Peak Minds” by Amishi P. Jha, “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday, “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes” by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien
Soon I’ll write about some of the books that I’m planning to read in 2023. In the meantime, I want to hear from you. What did you read last year that you loved? What books are on your list for 2023? Let me know in the comments or on social. I’d love to expand my list.
