Here are my top 5 books of 2018.
Before we start, you must know I haven’t read that many books this year. Keep in mind that these are not books that have been published this year.
If you get a chance, you must check out these books at some point.
This post is going to contain affiliate links.
Some of the books I listened to on Audible.
While I cancelled many subscriptions this year. Netflix and Prime being chief among them. I kept on my Audible. Audible’s an excellent service, especially for someone like me who doesn’t listen to the radio or watch TV.
Understand this, these books are in no particular order. They’re all high quality, and again I recommend that you check them out.
Here’s the thing, I may go more in-depth into these books at a later date. For now here’s a brief overview.
Top 5 Books of 2018
Cashvertising – Drew Eric Whitman
I’m always trying to improve my writing, and several sources all recommended this book. This book is the holy grail for copywriters. One thing that you have to keep in mind about copy is this.
Good copywriting is good writing.
Some of the greats aren’t that much different from top-level copywriters. Hemmingway and Steinbeck spring to mind. Good copywriters are able to captivate the reader and take them on an emotional journey. The only difference is that in the end, the copywriter wants to make a sale. The writer wants you to buy their next book.
In many ways, they’re both salesmen.
Get this book. Not only will it make you a better writer. It will make you a more discerning reader.
What is the Bible? By Rob Bell
I’m not religious, but I discovered this one on Blinklist. It intrigued me. I listened to this one on Audible. The author reads the book. His enthusiasm is commendable. His constant happiness can grate on an old cynic like myself.
The book doesn’t cover the entire Bible. What it does do is take certain sections and delves into them further. The authour gives an analysis of the text. He also looks into the surrounding history of their writing.
It’s easy for us living in times of peace. You look at the Bible and write it off as a book of superstition from a more primitive time.
This book points out that there are many aspects in which the Bible is ahead of its time.
I might give this book a more in-depth review at some point.
Don’t think the Bible is a work of art? Don’t think it applies to us now? In that case, I urge you to pick this up at some point.
That’s coming from a heathen husk like myself.
Rational Male – Rollo Tomasi
This one was an eye-opener. I loved this book. Read it more than once as there is so much information to be absorbed. I still think I’ll need to read it a few more times.
As I’ve aged, there have been several books that have shaped my thinking when it comes to relationships.
First, there was The Game by Neil Strauss.
I read that in my early twenties.
It opened me up to the world of pick up artists. The book was a gateway to self-improvement. It helped me become more confident talking to girls. It helped me realise the hard truth that girls don’t want to know how many rare Pog slammers I had.
A few years after The Game I read Is There Anything Good About Men? By Roy Baumeister. I was in mid-twenties.
Baumeister looked at societal attitudes towards men and women. He explores how the views change as both sexes age.
I read this at a fortuitous time. Baumeister talks about the shift in attitude towards men entering their thirties.
Before I read this, I had noticed that I was attractive to women. As in it felt like a switch had been flipped. I couldn’t make sense of the phenomena. This book made it clear.
The Rationale male feels like a conclusion to this trilogy of books. It’s a book that is more aimed at men, but women can benefit from this too.
If you’re going to read this best to have an open mind. I can say that I read it at the right time in my life. Had I read this before the other two books mentioned then I would have rejected it outright. I’m at a point now where I have noticed patterns that Tomasi points out, names and gave reasons why they occur.
There is wisdom in this book. Certain phrases stuck with me. Phrases like “men are romantics posing as pragmatists, women are pragmatists posing as romantics”. The Rational Male is full of these succinct points. I’m going to leave it a while before getting a physical copy. Once I’ve done that I’ll do further analysis.
If you want to understand male/female relationships better. Even if you’re going to understand yourself better, then this book is a must.
Dune – Frank Herbert
When you enjoy something, you’ll seek it out in various guises. I avoided Dune for a long time. It was an intimidating book. Dune is considered one of the top sci-fi books. The book is frequently cited as a favourite among successful people. In Tim Ferris’ Tools for Titans. I was going to have to read it sooner or later.
I eased myself into Dune. Like a hot bath.
First I watched a couple of youtube breakdowns. After that, I listened to Audible before finally wanting to read it for myself.
Dune is a book on contradictions. Part of the appeal could be due to those contradictions. The book focuses on a charismatic leader but warns of the dangers of a charismatic leader. It deals with the feminine and masculine subconscious.
The plot is standard, but it is the world building where the book shines. Let’s be honest Paul Atredies is a Mary Sue character. The characters in the book aren’t great. I recommend this book because of the underlying themes. There’s a theme of free will and destiny that runs throughout.
If you engage with the broader themes in Dune, it’s a rewarding read.
Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
I love books that deal with how human nature works and how it will react in specific scenarios. This book does that.
Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator. The book tells of how you can negotiate your way through human interactions.
I love these kinds of books because it gives you practical advice on how to be a better communicator.
Are you a bit like me and dread social interactions with people? Do you get tense when you have to ask for something knowing that there is a chance that you will get rejected?
If so this book is for you.
This book has a whole section devoted to why hearing “No” is not the end to interactions. Contrary, no is a signal to a beginning of a negotiation. You must get the person to say no sooner because it gives them the illusion of control.
Voss also points out that to get people to open up more ask questions that start with a how. You should also tell customer service reps your first name. I work in customer service. Let me tell you that people who personalise an interaction get treated better.
There are many nuggets of wisdom like that in this book that have all been field tested.
I hope that at some point you consider giving any of these books a read.
