What's on my Bookshelf
Mmm...knowledge
I can't believe the sheer amount of books I've read and then given away. It must be at least fifty. Probably more. But over the past couple of months - for whatever reason - I've kept most of the stuff I've bought or that was given to me. And since I get a few e-mails per week asking what I recommend or what I'm currently reading, I figured now was a good time to share.
Here's what's on my bookshelf right now
Calvin and Hobbes Complete Collection by Bill Watterson
Vagabonding by Rolf Potts
Magnificent Mobility DVD by Eric Cressey and Mike Robertson (why the hell is there a DVD on here?)
Thailand travel guide by Frommers
The Red Queen by Matt Ridley
The Irresistible Offer by Mark Joyner
Words That Sell by Richard Bayan
The Body Fat Solution by Tom Venuto
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
Elements of Style by Strunk and White
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Details Men's Style Manual by the Editors of Details
The Ice Beneath You by Christian Bauman
The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
College Dictionary by Websters New World
Brewing up a Business by Sam Calagione
Egonomics by David Marcum and Steven Smith
Collapse by Jared Diamond
The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
Belize Travel Guide by Frommers
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Why Beautiful People Have More Daughters by Alan S. Miller
American Shaolin by Matthew Polly
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr
Love Signals by David Givens
What is the What by Dave Eggers
Muscle Chow by Gregg Avedeon
Training for Warriors by Martin Rooney
Muay Thai: A Living Legacy by Lesley D. Junlakan
The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Johnny Bowden
The Adonis Complex by Harrison Pope Jr.
The Associated Press Stylebook
Made to Stick by Dan and Chip Heath
The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Your turn
So what are you reading right now? Let me know in the comments!
Comments for This Entry
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I'm reading The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs right now. I just wrapped up a re-read Hot Water Music by Charles Bukowski.
I really loved High Fidelity. Made to Stick is a great read, too. -
Currently reading Athletic Body in Balance by Gray Cook. Don't know why it took me so long to pick this one up, but I'm glad I did. Excellent so far!
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Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins
...or anything by him. Still Life With Woodpecker is my fav.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker -
Muscle Chow stands in my kitchen, "All Quiet on the Western Front" is on my whishlist. If you like those kinds of books I suggest you give "As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me" or "Papillon" a try if you haven't read them. I liked both very much.
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I generally have close to five books going on at the same time. The most noteable book I'm reading right now is "Danger's Hour: The story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze who Crippled Her."
Long story short, my Grandfather was in the lookout tower when two kamikazes came through the clouds carrying 500 lb. bombs and smashed into the deck of the aircraft carrier. He witnessed hundreds of men die that day.
Figured it'd be a noble way of knowing the things my Grandfather saw through his days in the war. -
You have an AP Stylebook *and* the right dictionary? Nice work on the writing front.
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Wait...where's Built For Show? I know you have at least one copy laying around...
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Finished Dave Tate's "Raising the Bar". Started reading "The 48 Laws of Power" based off your recommendation. I've also started "The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs" by David Pryce-Jones.
I'd also recommend "The Gift of Fear", excellent book. -
The Wealth of Nations (Adam Smith)
Foundational economic theory, to be sure. But Lord Almighty how Smitty does go on.
In my life, up to this point, there's been only one book that I've been unable to finish that was L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics" - the most mindless and prolix piece of rubbish that I have ever had the misfortune to lay hands on.
The Wealth of Nations, while being very far from mindless, is a match for prolixity and last night, I toyed briefly with the idea of just stopping at page 300-something of 1500 or so pages and calling it a day.
But, once more, into the breach. -
Now that I think about it I'm reading too many books at once and should only stick with the one that tackles the issue:
The Power of Less by Leo Babauta
Then there's the others:
Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin
Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
Little Black Book of Training Secrets (re-read) by Christian Thibadeau
See what I mean.... -
Strong Enough, Mark Rippetoe
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So I just noticed that they came out with the Kindle DX...and Built for Show IS available for Kindle download...as are a lot of other books on my "to read" list.
Which got me thinking....Nate, you ever considered getting a Kindle?
By the way, "Brewing up a Business" was a great read...two of my favorite subjects...marketing and craft beer.
The "Details - Men's Style Manual" was good, too... -
What am I reading now?
Currently Reading
Under the Bar-Dave Tate
Raising the Bar-Dave Tate
The Omnivore's Dilema-Michael Pollan
Cooking to Hook Up-Michaels and Campbell
Planning to Read Again:
Akira book 4-Katsuhiro Otomo
Banksy: Wall and Pieces-Banksy
Neuromancer (for the 4th time in 2 months. I don't know why I keep reading this book)-William Gibson
Plainclothes Naked-Jerry Stahl
Need to Read/Finish Reading:
The Tipping Point-Malcolm Gladwell
Liberal Fascism-Jonah Goldberg
A Storm of Swords-George R.R. Martin -
Currently:
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (Reviewing for the CSCS)
Simpleology - Mark Joyner
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
Next in line:
Secrets of Peak Performers - Kennedy/Glazer/Milteer
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Fat Loss Troubleshoot (E-Book) - Leigh Peele
-Chase -
Hey Nate,
I've been following your site for a while, and I picked up your book a few months ago, and they're both awesome. I'm gonna start the BFS program next fall.
I'm currently reading "Into the Silent Land" by Paul Broks. Its a neuropsychology book that delves pretty deep into the mind/brain link and notion of self and soul as it pertains to the physical brain. Some pretty deep stuff.
Next up is "Phantoms in the Brain" by VS Ramachandran which is supposed to be about the phenomenom that many amputees experience about being able to feel their lost body parts, or phantom limb syndrome. They're both for a class, but they're actually really interesting [at least for a nerd]. Who knew you could enjoy something you were forced to read?
-Yash -
Deep Survival - Laurence Gonzales. He talks about some amazing survival stories and goes into detail about why some people survive, and what goes on psycholgically and physiologically. Very interesting ready. Finished it in a week.
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Thanks for the recommendations, guys!
@ Ryan - I've got about ten copies of Built for Show at my house, and maybe a dozen "first copy proofs". I don't usually keep them on my bookshelf, although I have played around with the idea of building a small fort. First, I'll need more books.
@Luka
The Power of Less is a great book. Nice find!
@JP
You know, I'm not sure if I'd get a Kindle. I like the idea of turning pages and having an actual paperback in my hand. Still, I may consider it. What do you think of yours?
@ Yash
Thanks for picking up BFS. I really appreciate it!
-Nate -
@Nate
Shiiiiitttt...only highly paid T-Nation contributors can afford shit like that. ;)
I honestly don't know if I'd like it either. But from a couple of guys I know, whose opinions I value, they have both told me they'd never go back. They both told me it's hard to describe, but once you've done it...it's awesome.
I'll wait for you to drop the coin and give us a review... -
Hey Nate..
Moment of truth...Which would you recommend more... Precision Nutrition or Cheat your Way to Thin? -
Reading: Girl from the Gulches, Story of Mary Ronan.
About her life as a young lady on the frontier during the gold rush days(1850-1875, From Utah to California to Montana. The hardships of travelling by covered wagon, wars with the indians, and enduring the hardships of a 'settler's wife'. This was during the time of CHIEF JOSEPH, the Nez Perce tribe, and their suffering and humliation by the whiteman.
Also reading WAY OUT WEST by H. G. Merriam The reminiscences of the men and women on the Great Plains range from tragic to humorous, from adventures with warring indians to the hardships of ranching and mining during the depression days of the thirties. Telling of the ministers of the gospel who had to prove themselves the physical equal of the rough miners and ranchers. -
Question for Nate: You said you given away about fifty books recently, I am constantly recommending new books to friends/clients but I like keeping books I have read because I always find myself referring back to them. As you read, do you take notes?
I just finished reading a few great books;
Guerrilla Marketing on the Internet by Jay Conrad Levinson and Mitch Meyersons
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
Never eat alone by Keith Ferrazzi
I'm currently reading "Functional Training for Sports" by Mike Boyle and
watching "The 2008 Indianapolis Performance Enhancement Seminar," by Mike Robertson - so far both are real good. -
@ Chad
Honestly, I'd recommend Precision Nutrition for an overall system. Cheat Your Way Thin is a great product, though.
@ Grandpa
I think you read more books than anyone I know!
@ Joe
I do take notes on fitness and non-fiction books like psychology and philosophy texts. Definitely not for fiction, though. :)
-Nate -
IWillTeachYouToBeRich - Ramit Sethi
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, 3rd Edition. - Oh so riveting. lol
Many more in the queue, but focusing on that damn text book for now. -
I just finished reading Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors, Volume 1 by Randy Roach.
It talks about the history of bodybuilding (with an emphasis on the nutrition) going back to the early 1900's, as well as the start of the fitness magazine industry.
There just might be an interview with Mr. Roach popping up soon on everybody's favorite bodybuilding site, too. ;)
(Shame? No, I have no shame.) -
Hey Nate, any chance you'll be traveling to Thailand soon to do some Muay Thai? Just wondering based on the books you listed and because I'm considering going there when i return from my deployment in December.
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Anything by Dr. Ken Leistner
I've get an interesting book sittin' here on my shelf I've yet to pick up. It's called "Mind Penetration" by Dr. HAHA LUNG
It's about the ancient art of mental mastery and looks like nothing I've ever seen before. FYI everyone. -
duuude- you MUST check out the 'go-giver- that small book is the SHIZZLE!
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very good blog
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This a great, well-rounded list.
I did a similar post on my top 5 reads...
http://ftbonnigan.livejournal.com/121289.html
Great blog, man. I'm working my way back through the archives. All the best.
COMMENT RULES: Critical posts are fine, but if you're rude I'll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your personal name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. But most of all, have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! (Thanks to Tim Ferriss for the inspiration.)
Jason Lengstorf 1:10pm May 8, 2009