Top 10 Nonfiction Books I Read in 2023
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Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
"Influence" is a must-read for all marketers, but its insights are beneficial for everyone. This book has had a huge impact on my marketing efforts, leading to remarkable results by implementing the strategies Cialdini outlines.
" A well-known principle of human behavior says that when we ask someone to do us a favor we will be more successful if we provide a reason. People simply like to have reasons for what they do. " - Robert B. Cialdini, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Even if marketing isn't your forte, understanding how "influencers" shapes our daily lives is invaluable. The principles in this book offer a deeper understanding of human behavior and decision-making, which can be applied in various aspects of life.
I'm had such success with this book and by its impact in my life that I plan to revisit this book every year — it's just that good! Whether you're looking to enhance your marketing skills or simply want to understand the subtle forces that drive our choices, "Influence" is an essential read.
DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online with Sales Funnels
If there's one book you should read to succeed in digital marketing, it's "DotCom Secrets" by Russell Brunson. This isn't your average business book—it's a proven roadmap to success. From the moment I implemented its strategies, I witnessed remarkable results, almost instantly after launching. Many of the tactics I've applied on this website stem directly from the insights gained from this book.
" Ultimately, the business that can spend the most to acquire a customer wins. A business beats its competition by making the same prospect worth more to his business than to that of his competition. " - Russell Brunson, Dotcom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online with Sales Funnels
Brunson delivers a wealth of practical advice and actionable strategies for online businesses. While there were moments where I felt like I was being sold to, it doesn't detract from the overall value of the book. In fact, I understand why those parts were included and still find them worthwhile.
I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of the strategies outlined in "DotCom Secrets," and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to elevate their online business to the next level.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It
Never Split the Difference is an incredible book—I'm considering making it an annual re-read. As I delved into its pages, I applied its strategies in my everyday conversations. The results were nothing short of amazing! My interactions became more meaningful, and I felt a deeper connection with others. Even my wife noticed and remarked on the improved quality of our conversations.
" If you approach a negotiation thinking the other guy thinks like you, you are wrong. That’s not empathy, that’s a projection. " - Chris Voss, Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
Trevor Noah brilliantly wrote the stories in this book. With each turn of the page, I found myself laughing, on the edge of my seat, and shocked by the realities of apartheid. But most importantly, I had the chance to read about an incredible woman and mother. I have a new hero I look up to, his mom. I'm thankful for the recommendation that led me to this book. I believe everyone should give this book a chance.
" We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine, and, depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited. " - Trevor Noah, Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Reading "Shoe Dog" came at a pivotal moment in my life. Fresh from a job layoff, the corporate world felt uncertain and daunting. But diving into Phil Knight's memoir provided a sense of solace and connection as I navigated these uncharted waters.
" War is the most extreme of conditions. But business has its warlike parallels. Someone somewhere once said that business is war without bullets, and I tended to agree. " - Phil Knight, Shoe Dog
This book isn't just a memoir; it's a thrilling journey that kept me hooked from start to finish. Knight's story of building Nike from the ground up is filled with valuable lessons and insights into entrepreneurship. The timing of my reading might have made me more biased, but it only deepened my admiration for this captivating account.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Shoe Dog" to anyone looking for inspiration and insight into entrepreneurship. It's a powerful reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, perseverance and passion can lead to incredible success.
$100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No
"$100M Offers" is a solid book all around. It's filled with high-level concepts and practical tips scattered throughout. I think the people who will find it most valuable are entrepreneurs, marketers, or sales reps. Personally, I've found myself revisiting it to refresh my memory on concepts or get ideas for crafting compelling offer statements.
" You can either be right or you can be rich. This book is for getting rich. If that bothers you, just put this down and go back to arguing against human nature. Hint: You’re not gonna change it. " - Alex Hormozi, $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No
This book has proven to be incredibly useful, and I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be valuable to someone interested in these topics. It rightfully deserves 5 stars.
The Science of Storytelling
Storytelling has shaped humanity for generations, yet mastering the craft remains a challenge for many. In "The Science of Storytelling" by Will Storr, readers are treated to an informative and engaging exploration of this fundamental human art.
" Locked inside the black vault of our skulls, stuck forever in the solitude of our own hallucinated universe, story is a portal, a hallucination within the hallucination, the closest we’ll ever really come to escape. " - Will Storr, The Science of Storytelling
More than just a captivating read, Storr provides practical tools to enhance storytelling skills. Whether you're a writer, marketer, or simply fascinated by the power of narrative, this book offers valuable insights into the science behind storytelling and how to wield it effectively. It's a must-read for anyone looking to understand and improve their storytelling abilities.
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
Too often, we're swayed by our instincts, influenced by our upbringing, social circles, and the ever-evolving technology that caters to our desires. While technology can serve us well, providing what we want and desire, it also traps us into unquestioningly accepting everything we encounter. For professional marketers like me, it has served me well in my career to provide people with answers to their questions and getting my questions answered. However, it's also led us into a trap of unquestioningly accepting everything we encounter.
" We listen to views that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard. " - Adam M. Grant, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
That's why I believe Adam Grant's "Think Again" is essential reading for everyone. Grant delves into the pervasive phenomenon of instinctively believing what we feel, offering a compelling call to arms for us all to reassess our beliefs and cultivate the crucial skill of critical thinking.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
I picked up The Wager without knowing much about it, except for the meaning I gathered from the title. I assumed it to be a popular fictional pirate-themed book. To my surprise, this non-fiction book is just as captivating as any fantasy tale and a testament to the incredible resilience of human willpower.
If you're looking for a book that challenges your perception of determination or immerses you in real-life stories, this is the one for you.
" Presence of mind, and courage in distress, Are more than armies to procure success. " - David Grann, The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
"The Motivation Myth" single-handedly gave me the formula to conquer 75 hard, build this website, and prepare for a 90-mile bike-packing trip. However, I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone. I know many high achievers who thrive in their pursuits without struggling with motivation. But for us mere mortals who may need guidance in accomplishing significant goals, this book is a game-changer. It's one of the few books that had a profound impact on changing the trajectory of my life.
" The key is to set a goal, use it as a target that helps you create a plan for achieving it . . . and then do your best to forget all about that goal. " - Jeff Haden, The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
Honorable Mention
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
I'm always looking to enhance my productivity. Balancing work, family time, and self-care often feels like a juggling act with never enough hours in the day. This book serves as a powerful reminder that true productivity is about maximizing life, and many commonly held beliefs about productivity, especially in the workplace, miss the mark.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work is a must-read for anyone in a 9-5 job, managing teams, or running a business. It's a wake-up call to reevaluate our approach to work and remember that there's a better way to do things.
" Time-management hacks, life hacks, sleep hacks, work hacks. These all reflect an obsession with trying to squeeze more time out of the day, but rearranging your daily patterns to find more time for work isn’t the problem. Too much shit to do is the problem. " - Jason Fried, It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
Honorable Mention
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
"Keep Going" is a quick read, perfect for an afternoon, yet it's packed with powerful motivation and insightful tips on nurturing creativity. What I appreciate most is its accessibility—you can pick it up anytime and find valuable nuggets of wisdom in any chapter. That's why it's earned a permanent spot on my desk.
" Let go of the thing that you’re trying to be (the noun), and focus on the actual work you need to be doing (the verb). " - Austin Kleon, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
Honorable Mention
Oversubscribed: How to Get People Lining Up to Do Business with You
Before diving into this review, let me clear up a misconception I had when I first picked up this book. Initially, I thought "Oversubscribed" was about managing an overload of attention-grabbing businesses, like streaming services. However, it's actually about creating a business that defies conventional supply and demand dynamics, making your market desperate to do business with you.
" Taking a product to the market is very different to taking a product to your market. " - Daniel Priestley, Oversubscribed: How To Get People Lining Up To Do Business With You
What I discovered within its pages were some of the most practical strategies that I continue to apply in my everyday work. "Oversubscribed" has become a go-to resource for its invaluable advice, and I find myself returning to it time and time again. I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in driving demand for their business.