In 2015 I finished 100 books, here are my top 10

“Remember, young man, experience is not the best teacher. Other people’s experience is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of great people, you can unlock the secrets to what made them great.”

 
I can very proudly say that I was again able to accomplish the audacious goal of reading 100 books in a year, and I’ve published below the top 10 books I read this year. Usually I publish a top 40 or 50, but while I realized that I love lists; I actually hate long lists. So in keeping with my own personal preference, and desire to make my posts as useful to my readers as possible; I’ve listed the top 10 books I read this year, out of the 100 I finished.

 
If you’re interested in seeing my top 40 list in 2014, or my top 50 in 2013, I’ve included the links below.
https://tianyijoezhu.com/2014/12/top-40-books-ive-read-in-2014/
https://tianyijoezhu.com/2014/07/i-read-100-books-in-2013-and-it-changed-my-life-my-top-50-list/

2015 Top 10 List:

 

1. When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man
By: Jerry Weintraub

http://www.amazon.com/When-Stop-Talking-Youll-Know/dp/0446548162
This unequivocally has become my favorite book of all time, and is the only book I’ve ever read front to back without stopping. It is with great remorse that Jerry Weintraub passed this year, as I would have loved to find an opportunity to meet him, or hear him speak. Jerry’s stories in this book are so entertaining, that you don’t realize that such strong messages of success, happiness, and life are being taught to you. My favorite story of his is when he seized his big opportunity to take Elvis Presley on tour. After calling Elvis’ manager every day for a year, his manager finally called him on the 365th day and told him that if he could come up with one million dollars, and bring it to him the next day in Vegas, he could take Elvis on tour. It’s often in the face of impossible odds, that some refuse to even try, but it’s those that are willing to seize the opportunity, and believe that anything is possible; truly seize their moment.

2. Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story
By: Arnold Schwarzenegger

http://www.amazon.com/Total-Recall-Unbelievably-True-Story/dp/1451662440
Arnold is the man! It’s easy to marvel at a man that has accomplished so much in his life, and in so many different areas. From a body-builder, to an action movie star, and later as a politician, he tells his story. His ups, and his very lows as well, and it is not only an entertaining road through his life, but from his stories, you can truly learn a great deal of what it takes to be successful, as well as how one translated the principles of success to multiple facets of life.

3. The small Big: small changes that spark big influence
By: Steve Martin, Noah Goldstein, Robert Cialdini

http://www.amazon.com/The-small-BIG-changes-influence/dp/1455584258
I am a firm believer in the 80/20 principle, and while most people in business learn the general bottom 80%, it’s the top 20% that makes the greatest impact, and separates you from the pack. The small big not only reiterates the importance of that fact, but also provides so many scientifically backed examples of how to utilize small-big strategies in your own life.

 

4. Triggers: Creating Behaviors That Last – Becoming the Person You Want to Be
By: Marshall Goldsmith

http://www.amazon.com/Triggers-Creating-Behavior-Lasts-Becoming-Person/dp/0804141231
I’ve always believed that successful people have great habits, so it is critical for someone trying to achieve great things to orchestrate great habits into one’s life. That said, habits are hard to build, and if you’re reading this post, it’s likely you have so many built in habits in your life already, some good, but others very poor. Triggers is a fantastic book that outlines strategies, and provides great anecdotes on how to create an environment that will help facilitate successful self-improvement.
5. King Icahn: The Biography of a Renegade Capitalist
By: Mark Stevens

http://www.amazon.com/King-Icahn-Biography-Renegade-Capitalist/dp/1494348926
Carl Icahn is a name that often makes the papers as a titan of the financial industry, so I had to learn more about his story, and how Carl Icahn became who he is today. I’ve read many books on the art and trade of negotiating, but I think I learned more about the art of the deal from the stories of Carl Icahn that I have from any informative book on negotiation.

 

 

6. The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy on Leadership
By: Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh

http://www.amazon.com/The-Score-Takes-Care-Itself/dp/1591843472
Hearing the stories of Bill Walsh, and how he turned the San Francisco 49er’s losing football team, into a powerhouse dynasty was a thrill. His principles on leadership, as well as the personal stories were not only fascinating, but deeply memorable.
7. Losing the Signal: The Untold Story
By: Jacquie McNish, Sean Silcoff

http://www.amazon.com/Losing-Signal-Extraordinary-Spectacular-BlackBerry/dp/1250060176
Do you remember when everybody had a Blackberry? It’s amazing how technology moves at blistering speeds, and we often assume it’s inevitable for even great technologies to falter to the speed of innovation. That said, very often you don’t hear the inside accounts of mismanagement, and poor execution that ultimately lead to a once great company’s demise.
8. How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It
By: Mark Cuban

http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Sport-Business-Can-ebook/dp/B006AX6ONI
This was a very short, but fun read by one of the most entertaining business magnets and investors out there today. A man that plays by his own rules, this book was a quick pick up, but hard to put down.
9. Dealing with China: An Insider Unmasks the New Economic Superpower
By: Henry Paulson

http://www.amazon.com/Dealing-China-Insider-Economic-Superpower/dp/1455504211
It was fascinating to see China from the view of Henry Paulson, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, and later Treasury Secretary. This book is full of great stories, and is a very detailed account of China growing to be a world economic power from the eyes of a man that helped China do just that.

 

10. The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
By: Gary Chapman

http://www.amazon.com/The-Five-Love-Languages-Commitment/dp/1881273156
Ever get in a fight with a significant other where one person accuses the other of not being affectionate or loving, while the other spouse is offended and more importantly confused; because just the other day, they did this and that for their spouse. Often times we find ourselves at quarrels because we are on different wave lengths, and speaking different languages of love. The Five Love Languages is by far the bestselling book on relationships of all time, and upon reading it, it’s pretty easy to understand why. A simple read that outlines the five love languages, physical touch, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and quality time. Communication is the bedrock to successful relationships, and being able to speak the language of your significant other is critical to avoid quarrels, but more importantly, develop a more fruitful and loving relationship.

 

 

Honorable Mentions:
Hedge Fund Market Wizards: Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Rise and Fall of Microworkz,
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future,
Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work,
Moonwalking with Einstein,
Why Isn’t My Brain Working?