Zen College Life

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I never enjoyed reading as a child.  I wasn’t interested in books.  I thought that nobody wrote anything that I would be interested in reading.  It wasn’t till about a year ago, at the age of 22, that I really dove into books and found that magical world that words can create.  Since then my life has changed vastly.  I’ve gotten on track academically, my financial situation has stabilized (without any large increase in income), my relationships have improved, and I feel like my mind is clearer, allowing me to think more logically and make more conscious decisions.  If I had to choose the 5 most influential books that helped me along the way, these would be the ones (along with links to get them cheap on amazon).  Enjoy!

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, As told to Alex Haley.  This is the book that started it all.  I wanted to start reading with something of value, and knowing a little bit about Malcolm X already, I thought this would be a good start.  The book shows the growth of a human being, the build up from a hustler on the streets to an influencial African American Muslim man preaching to his people, trying to lift them out of the shackles of poverty, ignorance, and a lack of spirituality.  I don’t mean to get deep on you, but this is definitely a book that changed my life direction (as well as make me hate the white devil… j/k).

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. Technically, this is four books, but I had to mention them all anyways.  Here’s why.  I have no interest in vampires.  In fact, I could say that I dislike the whole vampire idea.  It never really appealed to me.  But the magic of Anne Rice is that it doesn’t matter that they are vampires.  They could just as well be werewolves or space creatures.  Anne Rice could make you see another universe, exactly how it exists, without ever showing you a picture.  I saw every scene of these books with vivid detail.  It was a fantastic experience, to see the streets of Paris in my mind’s eye, to feel the pain of each immortal character, to understand what it means to never die, never age, to experience decades and even centuries of life, watching everyone around you leave (die).

I bought these books for full retail, but with the link attached above, you can pick up all of the books for around 20 bucks.  If you enjoy fiction, or even if you thought you don’t, pick this one up.  It will open your eyes to a whole new world.

Lincoln on Leadership By Donald T. Phillips.  If you don’t like Abraham Lincoln, you don’t know Abraham Lincoln.  Whether or not you believe he intended to end slavery, Lincoln’s leadership technique and skills are the envy of leaders around the world.  His life is studied like a textbook my many, and his face is known by all.  If there was ever a man who’s leadership values were worth emulating, it’s ole Honest Abe.  I first heard of Lincoln’s techniques from Dale Carnegie’s How to win friends and influence people (which I will talk about later), and I was so impressed that I had to find more to read about him, to benefit from his experience.  I found this book, and I’m glad I did.  It is a fantastic resource for Lincoln buffs and leaders alike.  If you are interested in personal growth and developing strong leadership skills, this book is a great tool for your arsenal.

Rich Dad Poor Dad By Robert Kiyosaki.  This book helped me take control of my finances.  I wondered for months how I always made enough money to pay my bills, yet often was unable to pay them all.  I was lacking the mentality of fiscal responsibility.  I was unaware of the science that is personal finances.  Rich Dad Poor Dad helped me develop the mindset of working hard, saving, and managing money properly.  It will change the way you look at every purchase from today forth.  Whether you are having financial difficulty, or you just want to know more about how personal finances should work, this is a great book.  It will change the way you spend your money, and it’s all uphill from there.

How to Win Friends and Influence People”By Dale Carnegie.  Aside from religious text, this is probably the greatest book I’ve ever read.  If you don’t know about this book, don’t let the title fool you.  This isn’t some lame self-help books for losers who can’t make friends or greasy salesman who want to influence you.  This book explores topics that if exercised regularly will change your life indefinitely.  Everyone with a pulse should read this at least once, and anyone who deals with people regularly should read this book over and over again.  I just can’t get enough of it.  Here are some of the core values of the book.

• “Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.”
• “Give honest and sincere appreciation.”
• “Arouse in the other person an eager want.”
• “Become genuinely interested in other people.”
• “Smile.”
• “Remember that a man’s name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
• “Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.”
• “Talk in the terms of the other man’s interest.”
• “Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.
• and so much more!

So there you have it, my top 5 books list.  There are so many great books I’ve read in the last year, it was hard to choose.  I can’t finish without mentioning a few others, so here is the Honorable Mentions list.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Dover Thrift Editions)

The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The Art Of War

There are plenty of others, I just chose a few that really had an influence on me.  What books are your favorite? Have a great one that isn’t on the list?  Leave a comment and share with the class, I’m always looking for my next great read, and I’m sure you are too!

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