Recently, I’ve been reading a lot because it’s too cold to do anything. That’s kind of my routine every year around winter time. I’ve decided to release my top 5 list of books I love to read and re-read.

#1) Outlier : the story of success by Malcom Gladwell

This is an excellent book about success and how outliers are made. The outliers are the rich successful people you read about or see on TV. An example is Bill Gates, how did he become the brilliant Bill Gates? Read this book and it’s very eye opening. Outlier is a collection of great stories of people growing differently but becoming just as successful as the last guy.

#2) E-myth revised : Why most small businesses don’t work and what to do about it by Michael E. Gerber

If you want to start a company you must read this book. Michael takes you though a true story about years of watching a small business basically run into the ground. Through this experience he realized the problems with small business and what needs to be done to not fail. This is eye opening and a great motivator.

#3) Blankets : an illustrated novel by Craig Thompson

I know what you’re thinking, “It’s a comic book, you can’t be serious!”. Don’t judge this book based on the illustrations and the fact that it’s a graphic novel. This book is a touching story about two people in love and the fun, pain, hurt, needs, and wants of a couple in love. It’s a movie in a book and I can read this every year. Blankets is a excellent book and the illustrations are beautiful.

#4) Once You’re Lucky, Twice You’re Good : The rebirth of Silicon Valley and the rise of web 2.0 by Sarah Lacy

If you’re a geek like me, this book is for you. It doesn’t teach you code or techniques, but it tells the story of your favorite geeks of the west coast. If you’re in the Kevin Rose fan club, you will love this book. There are some photos but don’t get too excited. It’s interesting how connected the silicon people are to each other. It’s a very interesting read and enjoy dreaming of geeky fame and fortune.

#5) Crush It! : Why now is the time to cash in on your passion by Gary Vaynerchuk

This book is a 200 page power house of motivation to get up off your butt and do something you want. After reading the book I thought that it must be very exhausting to live with Gary. This guy is all about branding and building your name though the web. He is a self-taught pro in the world of Social Media and Social Marketing, and has the audience to prove it. The book is fun and will eventually teach you some techniques about building your brand.

Send me your favorites! If you’re in the Bloomington, IN area let me know and we can meet to discuss books. Maybe start a book club?