“Can you recommend any books?”
My library September 2013. Austin, Texas.
After being asked this question a thousand times, I put together a private email list of book recommendations. Each month, I send one email with 5 to 10 amazing books that I read, reviewed and think you’ll like. The goal of the newsletter is to recommend books that stick with you long after you’ve put them down—or better yet, change your life. The email is simple and quick and that’s why its grown to become the sensation its become over the last five years. Each book has a one sentence review along with connections to similar or related books and a thought or two on why I felt the book is important. PLUS, when you sign up I’ll immediately send you five all-time favorite recommendations from the past five years, along with resources I’ve created to help you read to lead or even write your own book.
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Since 2009, I’ve recommended close to 2,000 books I’ve personally read (around 250 a year).
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The email comes from my personal email address and I respond to each and every email reply from you or fellow readers.
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At the end of each year I do a recap of the best books I’ve read that year.
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The email list has over 80,000 loyal subscribers.
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Readers include Big Six book editors, authors, students, entrepreneurs, NFL coaches, celebrities, book store owners, executives, and everyone in between.
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It’s the secret weapon for anyone looking to read to lead and improve themselves.
Because of what I do for a living (working with bestselling authors, marketing and advising a handful of high profile clients), I’m always stumbling on interesting books that I am in a unique position to share. This has meant everything from books 80 years out of print, review galley’s of future bestsellers, the Classics, and more. You can get a sense what’s to come on my list of Books to Base Your Life On. Enter your email address below to these unique recommendations every month via email.
Hi Ryan,
I’ve been reading your site for about 3 years now, and I always learn something from your posts, whether I agree or disagree. Your reading list has been very influential to me and I’d like to see what else you recommend. I would like to be added to the mailing list also.
Thanks,
-Li
Just wanted to say thanks for doing this.
This sounds interesting Ryan, sign me up.
I have been reading the meditations of Marcus for 6 months now and I always go back to it, its pretty much the man’s life reflected through his writing. I would love to discuss any one of the meditations if you are intrested. especially book II.
Thanks, great blog
Sure, email me
Hi there,
Impressed an intrigued by your techniques. Wondering if you could make any specific recommendations for someone wanting to apply for a Philosophy, Politics and Economics Degree at a high level? I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
Wonderful idea Ryan – pease send me your list.
Shantaram…. epic journey through the slums of India ( and more)
Couldn’t agree more. Shantaram may very well be the most inspiring book I’ve ever read.
Ryan,
Just found your book via Boing Boing, look forward to reading it. Speaking of interesting books, perhaps a little gratuitous self promotion but I would be remiss if I didn’t suggest you check out my quick and fun math book:
http://books.google.com/books/about/Fun_in_Mathematics.html?id=an2pJdV4H38C
Cheers,
Jeff
Hello Ryan,
Just finished ‘Trust Me… and I think I’m happy I did. Before I read your book I had a natural distrust for the media, and now I have no idea who to believe!
One of my favorite authors, and humans in general, was Christopher Hitchens. I also just read his last book, ‘Mortality’. It makes me sad that we’ll no longer have him around, because he made me think, and he made me uncomfortable, which most authors don’t do.
I like hearing what I believe to be the truth, and I believe, strangely enough, that I’m getting the truth from you, too.
MC
Wow Ryan. Just, wow.
Monthly newsletter with recommended book readings conveniently linking the books to amazon.
You provide value to others along with make money off of it, fairly.
I see what you did there. You are one smart motherfucker.
Touche.
Have a great rest of your week. I hope to learn more from you.
I just find out about you and start to read your blog.
It is my first time I am looking for PR and I do photography for living, now I want to just focus on headshot. I would like to get your idea how can I get right PR for my business.
Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mahvash
Your book Trust Me, I’m Lying was recommended to me by a young relative, which puts it in a rather short and exclusive list.
I noticed some time ago that most websites I read in the past are not either informative or thoughtful anymore, and stopped visiting them, but it is the first time I read clear explanation of why and how it happened.
Just finished Trust me I’m lying as part of a reading program on cyberculture in my communications and writing degree. Thanks a ton for the priceless insight and articulated commentary. Can’t say enough about great books like yours.
Looking forward to joining the reading list.
Just hopped on the list, a fellow Montrealer here! Looking forward to checking out what you’ve been reading as im an avid reader myself.
Cheers,
Dan
I just chanced upon this site. I’m extremely glad I did. I’ve been a prolific reader (of both fiction & non-fiction) since the age of 10-11, and happily enough, I’m still at it. Not at your phenomenal rate, Ryan, of apparently 20 books per month, but more like 6-7. I notice how you and I share a number of identical attitudes to books and reading; namely, I almost ALWAYS BUY my books, and rarely check them out of a library. But I enjoy libraries, too. I never skimp on my spending on books that interest me and I’m convinced that I want to own and read. Goes without saying, but I’ve always found ‘time’ to read a lot. I’m an Australian, and although there’s a lot of outstanding Australian literature/non-fiction I’ve read, admired and benefited from, I’ll admit that American authors/literature has been my reading mainstay, so far. At any rate, I’m keen to check out your regular reading recommendations. I’d appreciate that greatly.
Just downloaded “Trust Me, I’m Lying” from Audible. Just. Wow. Thank you for such critical reporting.
Hi Ryan,
Nice books, I read both. Thanks for the the interesting knowledge.
Could you please send me the bonus of the ebook ? (transcripts of interviews and the growth hacker TV access)
BTW I run a fashion startup in France called BonneGueule.fr (and its US counterpart KinoWear.com that we recently acquired, but which is hence much less developed).
We become slightly big in France, with a mix of style advice, ebooks and clothing lines. And we also use our own hacks, growing from 0 € to 1 million € of annual revenue, within two years, and without any bank or VC.
If, by any chance, you visit Paris some day, please let me know, as I would love to share a nice lunch with you.
Best,
Geoffrey
sounds interesting, please sign me up and thanks
Now let’s see a list of 24 great book, ancient and modern, by exclusively women authors! Then tell us what you’ve learned that was different from the masculinist view.
Or you could do that (no need to come back, either)
Ryan. It was a great pleasure going through your site and I think all the titles you have selected are wonderful.I would like to make a request. I cannot afford to buy these books and so I would like to know whether I can get a soft copy of these 24 books which you have reccomended.It would be very kind on your part to let me know as I am reluctant to read these books and also make my children read them.Thanks
Please sign me up. I think I was on the list once but am not now. Thanks
Hey man,
Listened to your podcast with Tim the other day and been learning all about stoicism for a while now. Agree with so much of it.
I just want to ask, what’s your strategy for reading? Like, how do you manage to read that many books? Or when do you read? and how do you balance fiction & non-fiction?
Super curious man.
Yours in optimisation,
Adam
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234024
Ryan,
I stopped watching TV in the 8th grade and read all the time like you do. I also worked six years on a novel called “The Butcher of Leningrad” about the Russian Mafia using homeless kids for organ transplants. I worked on it for six years.
Most recently, I have been reading the complete works of John D. MacDonald, especially his Travis McGee series. Quite amazing. Reading is just a sensational experience. I fully understand your addiction. I look forward to your recommendations.
I must ask, how much money do you make from writing books online?
I ask because I’m unfamiliar with the writing and publishing process. I imagine it’d be more worthwhile to have it published.
Thanks
Ryan, have you ever read any books by OSHO ?
Hi Ryan,
So good to see someone successfull as you recommanding people to read !
“I prefer the discipline of knowledge to the anarchy of ignorance” became one of my moto.
Many thanks !
Hi Ryan,
I hate to write on comment sections but here it goes. All I can say is that a man of books is a man of wisdom. man of knowledge and awareness. Thanks for trying to make others explore the deepest knowledge the world offers. Well done.
Cheers
Anand
fantastic put up, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector don’t realize this.
You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you
have a huge readers’ base already!
Hi, I have been subscribed for few months and the content is great. I’m just wondering, is there a way to get a backlog of this newsletter?
Wow man, 250 books a year? How fast do you read?? Love the reading collection, particularly on philosophy. I don’t know you’re a stoic! I’m currently devouring “Meditation” by Marcus Aurelius and of course your book: “Trust Me, I’m Lying”.
Cheers,
Ivan, Jakarta
Hi Ryan, I have heard “The Obstacle is the Way” many times and it gets better each time. I hear it as there have a situation to solve. It is very inspiring. Now I downloadet the audio “Growth Hacker Marketing”, lets see. Next is Meditations. Thanks man!
Ryan,
I’m supposed to suggest a book to my writer’s group that could have been great, if only…
Maybe it was a bad ending or poor dialogue. Do you have any good suggestions? ~nan