Books have tremendous power to transform your life. But, like any tool, their effectiveness is only unleashed when they are used. I read quite a few book. But when I read, it’s not for pleasure but to improve my life.

Below you will find a few of the books I’ve read which have had an impact on my life. They each have a place in my personal library. I recommend them to you for your consideration.

Brave Companions: Portraits in History by David McCullough

Synopsis: This best-selling author offers up a collection of biographical profiles focusing on stories of bravery from the past. These stories bring the reader up close to lesser known adventures from history.

Read this book if you need to be inspired to make a difference in your world.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Brave Companions: Portraits In History

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Gary McKeown

Synopsis: The author convincingly teaches the reader that it is far better to focus on what is really important while eliminating the non-essential. By zeroing in on what matters most we will become more productive.

Read this book if you are overwhelmed by life and weary of wheel-spinning.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Falling Upward: A Spirituality For The Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr

Synopsis: Too often we view life as climbing a mountain: the first part of the journey we go up and the second part we go down. As we age, the temptation is to focus on the downward part of life. But the author wants the reader to understand that the second half of the journey is filled with opportunities to experiences new richness in life.

Read this book if you are afraid of getting older.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Giving Blood: A Fresh Paradigm for Preachers by Leonard Sweet

Synopsis: The author recognizes that in our current culture images and metaphors communicate more powerfully than using only words. The follows a logical path using the imagery of blood and writes modeling the method he is teaching.

Read this book if you have been a preacher for a while and you dread listening to your own predictable sermons.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Giving Blood: A Fresh Paradigm for Preaching

Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy

Synopsis: The authors show the reader a step-by-step guide how to develop and obtain a meaningful life. The book is filled with hands on application instead of meaningless theory.

Read this book if you want to become proactive about finding purpose and direction in your life.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want

The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz

Synopsis: This classic has challenged millions of people to stretch themselves by embracing big goals. This is another how-to book which delivers.

Read this book if you need to break out of a rut and desire more for your life.

Check out this title out on Amazon: The Magic of Thinking Big

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

Synopsis: This book helps you drill down and focus a laser on the thing which, if you did it, could revolutionize your life. Imagine one small domino which, when pushed over, knocks down successive dominoes which are each larger than the previous.

Read this book if you want to find the key to unlock your best possible future.

Check out this title out on Amazon: The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Synopsis: The author shares scientific data which unlocks why habits exist and how to change habits. This is critically important since habits drive behavior.

Read this book if you are serious about changing your life.

Check out this title out on Amazon: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who are Poking the Box by Seth Godin

Synopsis: Author Seth Godin, in this short book, shares stories of people who stuck their neck out and are making a difference in their world.

Read this book if you need convinced you can make a difference in your world.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference

Tom’s List: 50 Commandments to Transform Your Life by Randall Hartman

Synopsis: Tom lost his battle with cancer but left behind a sheet of paper with 50 commandments to live by. These were based on his habit of reading one book a week for three decades.

Read this book if you want to transform your life but not interested in reading 3,000 books to do it.

Check out this title out on Amazon: Tom’s List: 50 Commandments to Transform Your Life

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Synopsis: “Resistance” is the enemy of those who dream of success. The author helps you break through procrastination, regardless of your field, into productivity.

Read this book if you never get around to doing the good ideas which could change your life.

Check out this title out on Amazon: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

The Will-Power Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal

Synopsis: The author helps the reader to understand willpower. Read the subtitle again and you will know the contents of the book.

Read this book if you feel you cannot control the direction of your life.

Check out this title out on Amazon: The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It