These books will change your life

The late Zig Ziglar often encouraged people to develop an attitude of gratitude.

That is excellent advice, especially as we head into Thanksgiving Day. Gratitude is just one of many virtues Ziglar extolled. I know this because I have listened to many of his audiobooks over the years. Throughout my life I have always been a voracious reader, but since 2008 I have become an even more voracious audiobook “reader.” Most of that has to do with lengthy commutes to work that I’ve had, and now it’s habit. Even my daily Bible reading has shifted to the audio format.

Whatever format you consume books (paper, digital, audio), there are some that I’ve come across that I cannot recommend enough. I’m incredibly grateful to the authors for producing such well-written, life-changing prose. I think you will be too if you read any of these.

 

Weight loss

If you are interested in losing weight or healthy eating, the book you absolutely must read is “Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?” by Dr. Mark Hyman. He is a proponent of what he calls the pegan diet, which is a cross of the paleo and vegan diets. It relies heavily on organic, non-starchy vegetables and grass-fed, organic meats. He sums it up simply as, “If God made it, eat it; if man made it, leave it.”

 

Personal finance

I highly recommend any book by Dave Ramsey, but particularly “Financial Peace” and “The Total Money Makeover.” The principles are the same in all of his books. Live on less than you make. Pay off all debt from the smallest amount to the largest. Save money, invest, and give generously. A lot of churches and other organizations often host his Financial Peace University program. It’s eye-opening and life-changing.

 

Society today

Written around the time of the 2016 election, Tom Nichols’ “Death of Expertise” gives a meaty, insightful look at why so many people are rejecting facts and knowledge and accepting opinion and falsehoods in their place. Although Nichols touches on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, most of his research and information predate the election. I’m eagerly awaiting the chance to read his next book, which is already out, called “Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from Within on Modern Democracy.”

 

Leadership

There are so many great books out there that I cannot begin to list but a fraction of them. My favorite leadership books include “EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey, “The Wisdom and Teachings of Steven R. Covey” (and any book by Covey), “Extreme Ownership: How the U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink, and “Zig Ziglar’s Leadership and Success Series.”

 

Character and personal development

Once again, the list of books and authors in this category could fill pages. For me, however, it begins and ends with Ziglar. Among his many books on selling, motivation, and leadership are “Better than Good,” “Born to Win,” “Goals,” “How to Get What You Want,” “How to Stay Motivated,” and “Over the Top.”  Other authors I recommend are Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, and Tony Robbins.

 

Novel series

When it comes to non-fiction, my preferences tend to be action thrillers. I’m currently going through the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. I also love the Scot Harvath books by Brad Thor. Ever since I was a teenager I have been reading the Dirk Pitt books by the late Clive Cussler, along with all the other series he has done with co-authors. My friend Brad Meltzer has put out many non-fiction thrillers, most as one-offs, but including the Culper Ring trilogy and now “The Lightning Rod,” his second in a new series based on his characters Zig and Nola.

I keep telling the Brads that they need to collaborate on a book featuring Meltzer’s Nola Brown and the ladies from Thor’s “Athena Project.” So far they haven’t taken me seriously.

One other book series that I thoroughly enjoy is the Harry Potter series. Forget the movies, read the books by J.K. Rowling.

 

The end

I would love to go on talking about favorite books and authors, but I’m out of time and space. I bring them up now because it is a way for me to continue to share valuable knowledge and insight after I am gone. You see, by the time you read this I will have reluctantly left the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post and returned to my home in the Houston area.

I absolutely hate to leave and don’t want to go, but God has other plans for me. After 10 months (and searching much longer than that), my wife has been unable to secure employment in her field up here. After the last door closed, we asked God to show us where he wants us. Shortly after that, I was contacted by a paper in the Houston area to see if I was interested in being their editor. One door closes and another door opens. The message was clear.

I am incredibly grateful to my publisher, Ken Esten Cooke, and all of the staff here at the Standard for their hard work, friendship, support, and encouragement. I am thankful for all I have learned here and am hopeful that I leave the paper in better shape than I found it. I’m also grateful to you, the readers of this paper, and all the people of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County for being so welcoming and friendly. Y’all have been great and I will miss you. Hopefully our paths will cross again.