The first thing I do coming out of bed every morning at 5 AM is reading one chapter of a book I am working on, then only I move to emails or checking messages on my cell phone.

Read about Tim Ferriss idea about why you shouldn’t start your day by reading emails!

I had mentioned before, 2017 I am dedicating my life to reading books. Reading and traveling make you learn more than anything else. Reading is, of course, the cheaper option. 2016 was a bit rough for me; I made more bad decisions in 2016 than ever, so the more I learn, the better it helps me with motivation, do things right the first time and staying positive.

My current reading rate is a book per week, but I try to spice it up. Who told men cannot multi-task? 🙂 I am reading four books every day; my challenge is to train my brain to resume where I left when I move from one book to another. It’s fun, a few years ago I would not be able to do that. With proper exercise and a planned day, I am improving on this day by day.

Not all the books I read are great, but the list of books I want to recommend to everyone goes below. It doesn’t matter where in life you are, but these books are super helpful.

1. Road Ahead by Bill Gates (Founder Microsoft Corporation and the Richest man on Earth)

I use few Microsoft products in my life as I am an open source lover. But my life around computers started after reading this book when my brother in law gave it to me when I was still in 6th grade. This book made me start to love the computer/ the internet, and why I ditched a career in electronics and focused on computer software. You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/J1FVk4

2. Simply fly by Captain Gopinath (Founder Deccan Airways)

It takes a lot of courage for a military person/farmer to dream big and start his successful airliner in India. The story has a twist when Kingfisher buys out Deccan and goes bankrupt. You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/PjcJQk

3. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective people by Stephen R. Covey

Published in 1989, it has sold more than 25million copies and one of the best books that exist today. The book is too good that, even after a few decades, it’s still relevant to the life of millennials. You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/xty55P

4. Giants of Enterprise by Richard S. Tedlow

One of the best books I have read till date focused on seven innovators who built their big business in the United States. From Andrew Carnegie to Henry Ford to Thomas Watson, the book is a masterpiece. You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/HhCucT

5. Good to great by Jim Collins

There is a difference between a Good business and a Great business. This book covers in detail, why some enterprises become great while some stay just good!!! A must read if you are an entrepreneur or planning to create a startup.
You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/yAeTlm

6. Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

If you want a reference guide for a better life, health, career or business, this is the ultimate book. Just reading one small chapter a day coming out of bed will make you charged up to work harder and smarter that day. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/ZyXtRG

7. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

None can write a biography better than Walter Isaacson. To understand the life of legendary genius Steve Jobs, this is the best book.
You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/PEyOg6

8. Lead, sell or get out of the way by Ron Karr

If you are a sales person, this is a must read. It’s a no-nonsense kind of book.
You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/7ekNRf

9. Conversational Capacity by Weber

If you are looking for building better communication tools within your team during good and bad times, look no further.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/nRvisd

10. Brand Harmony by Steve Yastrow

You or your business is a brand of its own. This book covers everything you need to learn about building or improving a brand.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/hwCFxv

11. Accidental Billionaires – The founding of Facebook by Ben

The book is a lot better than the motion picture itself, read it if you get a chance.
You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/dEuukN

12. Get a financial life by Beth Kobliner

A must read for everyone unless you have masters in finance and have a good grip on your personal finances. Whether you have credit card debt or have a million dollars, this is a must read.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/Ul0Nuu

13. The Startup Playbook by David S. Kidder

All I can say is, a must read if you are an entrepreneur or wanting to become one.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/Fn07eL

14. Traction by Gino Wickman

Managing and running a growing business is never easy. The best practices in this book using EOS will help you run your business a lot smarter.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/6RG6zu

15. Managing Oneself by Peter F. Drucker

This book is a Harvard business review classic. You are the Hero of your movie called Life. If you want a great one, read this one and try to implement those best practices to work for you.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/qfVDEs

16. Evolutionary Psychology by David Buss

This book is a classic by the foremost researcher in this field. Learning psychology is helpful with anything you do in life.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/7GYCl7

17. Einstein his life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

This book is like a science bible, life of the genius. A must read by every human on the planet.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/Yb6qH6

18. My Vision Challenges in the Race for Excellence by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,  Ruler of Dubai

Dubai is one of the must visit places in the World. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and it was not built in a day. Dubai has this urge to be #1 in everything, and it is amazing how they stay on top of cutting-edge technology. I picked up this book on a trip to Dubai, and it’s an excellent read. UAE, a country that doesn’t have a lot of help from the mother nature (except oil), it ‘s incredible what they built.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/7eM1kL

19. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Peter Theil needs no introduction. Zero to One presents at once an optimistic view of the future of progress in America and a new way of thinking about innovation: it starts by learning to ask the questions that lead you to find value in unexpected places.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/ziAC60

20. Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance

I call him the most visionary genius in this era. The most optimistic, risk-taking entrepreneur? His story has lots of ups and downs. But he is among the few who thinks outside the box. America innovated more in the 1800s, and this legend is bringing some real innovation in this era.

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/MiRXrv

21. Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson

I admire Richard Branson for a lot of reasons. First of all, he is smart and hard working, but he has this charm to do everything right! An excellent read to understand how the Virgin brand became significant. I love his blog at https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson

You can get the book from here https://goo.gl/QEZPJD

Anoop Menon

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