Best Books of 2023
This morning, I stumbled across this quote:
“If you aren't embarrassed about what you were doing a year ago, you aren't moving forward fast enough.”
I guess it is some famous quip. But I don’t buy most of it. Do we really need to be embarrassed about much of anything? And must we be moving fast all the time? I’ve been told to slow down a bit.
What I do like about the quote is it points out our need to keep progressing—every year. I like to think that we can get better, not just older.
That is one reason I set yearly goals for reading a certain number of books all the way through. I also set a goal to read a quantity of books from the Blinkist and “Thinkr” apps. I completed the “books” goal a while back, But I’m not sure the Blinkist goal will be met.
How did you do with your reading in 2023?
I did finish writing a new book this year. “Expecting the Unexpected: What to Anticipate as a Leader” should be released (it is held captive?) In early 2024. If you would like to be part of the “Launch Team” for the book, just let me know. I will most likely keep pestering you until you agree.
Anyway, what is the best book you read this year?
HERE ARE MY TOP BOOKS OF 2023:
1. “The EOS Life: How to Live Your Ideal Entrepreneurial Life” by Gina Wickman.
Wickman walks us through his Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS) It boils down to doing what we love; with the people we love; making a big impact, getting compensated appropriately; with time for other endeavors. I like the book so much I have participated in three cohorts walking through the materials. If you’d like to join the next EOS cohort, let me know (JDPearring@gmail.com) must admit I don’t read much fiction, and honestly, I didn’t read this entire book either. But John is my brother, I owe him a ton, so his is my number one book of the year.
2. “The Self-Managing Company: Freeing Yourself Up from Everything that Prevents You from Making a Bigger 10x Future.” By Dan Sullivan.
I read at least eight Dan Sullivan books this year. This one was my favorite, and it steered me toward the EOS materials.
3. “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away.” By Annie Duke
This work is a balance to the book on “Grit” that was a best-seller a fe2w years ago. Duke, who is--among other things--a professional poker player, provides some amazing illustrations and principles on when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.
4. “Living with a Seal: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet” by Jesse Itzler.
“Every day do something that makes you uncomfortable. —SEAL” Think you cannot push yourself any further or harder? Read this book and think again.
5. Three-Way Tie: “The Thing Beneath the Thing” by Steve Carter; “I Wouldn’t Do That If I Were Me’ by Jason Gay; “You Can’t Joke About That” by Kat Timpf
Here are few other reads—Steve Carter has a spiritual emphasis so you will think I’m deep. The others two are designed to keep us from taking ourselves too seriously.
That’s my list. What’s yours?
Feel free to send me your list of top books of 2023 at JDPearring@gmail.com. We will add your ideas and try to keep the article updated.
Happy Reading!
Here are some of the “Best Books” sent in by contributors. Hopefully we can add a few of these to our 2023 reading list. Feel free to send in your top books of 2022 and we’ll keep updating this article.:
Lori Pearring, Marriage and Family Therapist, Elk Grove, CA
"The Seven Primal Questions: Take control of the hidden forces that drive you." By Mike Foster
David Bennett, Expand Financial Group, Burleson, TX
“The Power to by Change” by Craig Groeshell
“Living with a Seal” by Jesse Itzler (Other than the language, but we are capable of much more than we think)
“Never Finished” and “Unbreakable” both by David Goggins
“A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World” by Paul E. Miller
Tricia Chen, Missionary in Canada
“Every Moment Holy” by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
“Fail: Finding Hope and Grace in the Midst of Ministry Failure” by J.R. Briggs
“A Hole in the World” by Amanda Held Opelt
Scott Pearring, Seek First Financial
“Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs” by Steve Cuss
John Cassidy. Lead Pastor, Hope Community Church, Antelope, CA
“Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath
“Gaining by Losing” by JD Greear
“Forgive” by Tim Keller
Tim Pearring, Lead Pastor, Journey Church Elk Grove, CA
"Own your past change your future" by John Delony
"Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change" by Joseph Grenny
Karl Roth, Lead Pastor, Flipside Church, Madera, CA
“Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban” by John Talty Great book about the journey and process of Nick Saban. From issues about culture, commitment, leadership, and the demands required to be elite. Great book, especially for coaches.
“The Score Takes Care of Itself” by Bill Walsh It's the same as the Saban book but MUCH more detailed and methodical. Walsh was truly the professor!
“Life together” by Deitrick Bonhoeffer. One of my heroes. Intense read and convicting.
Jewish New Testament commentary (John and Acts). Wonderful and deep. Great take from Jews who believe Jesus is Messiah and the NT to be the inspired word of God, while maintaining their unique Jewish heritage and culture.
“You Win in the Locker Room First” by Mike Smith and John Gordon. Good read for coaches (and leaders) responsible for creating and maintaining a winning culture.
“The Coffee Bean” by John Gordon. It is an easy and short read about being a change agent rather than being changed by the environment.
“No Complaining Rule” by John Gordon. Everything by John Gordon is a very easy read and very far from anything academic, but he’s a good author with everyday practical leadership principles concerning positive culture.
“Power of Positive Leadership” by John Gordon
“The Energy Bus” by John Gordon
Jake Pearring, LinkedIn
“Heaven” by Randy Alcorn
“Habits of the Household” by Justin Whitmel Earley
“Raising Passionate Jesus Followers” by Phil and Diane Comer
“Money, Possessions, and Eternity” by Randy Alcorn
“Essentialism” by Greg McKeown
Ray Schaser, Lead Pastor, One Community Church, Linz, Austria
"Win at work and succeed at life" by Michael Hyatt & Meghan Hyatt Miller.
Hannah Pearring—Journey Church, Elk Grove, CA
"The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer,
Kasey White, Crossridge Church and Expand Financial, Sherwood, Oregon
(Kasey won the volume award again this year as she read 104 books!)
Most Intriguing Memoir: “Pairs: The Memoir” by Paris Hilton
Most Eye-Opening Book: “Innocence Lives: Guardian Angels of the Abused” by Julie Bonn Blank
Most Heart-Wrenching Book: “If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood” by Gregg Olson
Brought About the Most Conversation: “The EOS Life” by Gino Wickman
You Have More to Give Than You Think Book: “You Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins
Most Impactful for My Money Coaching: “Money is Not a Math Problem” by Jade Warshaw
The most TRUTH-filled book: “Truth: Ancient Truths for Every Christ Follow” by Brad Brucker
Favorite Novel(s): “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa Lee and “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant (disclaimer: many liberties taken from scripture)
John Pearson, Management Coach and friend of Excel
“Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results” by Shane Parrish. The author asked the CEO of a large public company, “If you could pick one trait that would predict how someone would turn out, what would it be?” The CEO’s response: “That’s easy. How willing are they to change their mind about what they think they know.”
“Fall In Love With The Problem, Not The Solution: A Handbook For Entrepreneurs” By Uri Levine. “A start-up is a journey of failures,” writes Uri Levine, who describes himself as a passionate entrepreneur, disruptor, and two-time “unicorn" builder. He quotes Albert Einstein, “If you’ve never failed, you’ve never tried anything new.”
“Hardwiring New Leadership Habits: Does Development Develop?” by Dick Daniels.
“Grace Ambassador: Bringing Heaven To Earth” by John Jackson
“The Four Workarounds: Strategies From The World's Scrappiest Organizations For Tackling Complex Problems, by Paulo Savaget
“Culture Shock: An Unstoppable Force Has Changed How We Work And Live. Gallup's Solution To The Biggest Leadership Issue Of Our Time” by Jim Clifton, Gallup Chairman, and Jim Harter, Gallup’s Chief Workplace Scientist.
“Yours Truly: An Obituary Writer's Guide To Telling Your Story” by James R. Hagerty.
“Decision Sprint: The New Way To Innovate Into The Unknown And Move From Strategy To Action” by Atif Rafiq
“The One Year® Book Of Hymns: 365 Devotions Based On Popular Hymns” was compiled and edited by Robert K. Brown and Mark R. Norton; devotions were written by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen.
“Rewired: The Mckinsey Guide To Outcompeting In The Age Of Digital And Ai” by Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, and Rodney Zemmel.
Thanks for reading our list! If you send in your best reads of 2023, we’ll try to keep the catalog updated. Send them to JDPearring@gmail.com.
Happy New Reading Year!