Here’s a list of must-read books for men this year — whether you’re looking to improve your habits, relationships, style A-game, or you just have some extra time to kill.
9 Must-Read Books for Men to Put You at the Top of Your Game
1. The Truth by Neil Strauss
Must-read when: Championing Commitments
Neil Strauss. Ring a bell? Yup, that’s because he wrote The Game – the raving of the pickup artist community. Well, if you love how that book taught you about meeting the opposite sex, this follow-up book teaches you how to keep them.
In this savage, yet highly entertaining journey, Strauss delves into questions that men and women ask every day: Can we keep passion and romance from fading over time?
Whether you’ve struggled with commitment issues, a sexuality crisis, or simply want to laugh your ass off while questioning your sexual existence, this is one of your must-read books.
Quote: “Without commitment, you cannot have depth in anything, whether it’s a relationship, a business, or a hobby.”
2. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
"Essentialism" The disciplined pursuit of less by Greg Mckeown is another good read. Few more books to go 🙂 pic.twitter.com/KfuRboXAJ0
— Manish (@MindofManish) January 11, 2019
Must-read when: Practicing Stress-free Productivity
On the surface, it seems this book is just about efficiency, but it’s really about McKeown emphasizing the concept of Essentialism.
Essentialism Definition: Simplifying life so we can attain a level of happiness and fulfillment most people never understand.
Through this book, you’ll discover life hacks for doing less, but better, so you’ll make the highest possible contribution. In this must-read book, McKeown explores the idea of avoiding doing everything at once and focusing on things that really matter.
Quote: “To discern what is truly essential we need space to think, time to look and listen, permission to play, wisdom to sleep, and the discipline to apply highly selective criteria to the choices we make.”
3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Must-read when: Discovering the Formula of Wealth and Success
One word to describe this must-read book: Legendary. This has been the game changer for so many people — men and women alike.
Think and Grow Rich has sold millions of copies and sparked business masterminds around the world. The two main concepts of this book focus on the crucial mindset, where everything begins and follows.
One of this year’s must-read books, it challenges you to build a small group who will support your endeavors. And while Hill doesn’t use the word mindset as we do today, this book has effectively proven the importance of cultivating the right mindset for abundance and wealth.
Quote: “The mastermind principle consists of an alliance of two or more minds working in perfect harmony for the attainment of a common definite objective.”
4. Men and Style by David Coggins
ADDRESS RECOMMENDS… Men and Style: Essays, Interviews, and Considerations By David Cogginshttps://t.co/rIoZiw7s1o pic.twitter.com/o3Vc66VIE0
— Johannes Reponen (@JohannesReponen) October 18, 2016
Must-read when: Digging Up Your True Sense of Style
David Coggins is the King of Cool and his book is not just your ordinary style manual. While yes, it answers your what-should-I-wear daily dilemma, it also involves interesting conversations about masculinity in the world of fashion.
This must-read book is a collection of essays and interviews with style icons like Lee Marvin, Fred Astaire, and Michael Caine. The conversations discuss the lessons most men learned from their fathers, their fashion faux pas, and how they emerged to become better men.
While some of the most debonair men in the world discuss bad mustaches, misguided cologne choices, and mismatched attires, Men and Style also celebrates men who’ve lived well and can tell you about how they earned their new and improved worldview.
Quote: “A life without certain embarrassments has not been fully embraced—that’s why they take your picture at prom. Those photos exist to remind you that you didn’t know everything always, especially if you rented a tuxedo.”
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5. The World’s Fittest Book by Ross Edgley
Must read when: Getting Into Your Best Shape
Well, the title speaks for itself. Written by the world’s fittest writers, this book is the melting pot of geniuses. It’s like the fit man’s bible.
It’s definitely a must-read book while you’re equipping your body to be fit, fast, or strong. Well, building muscles requires solid science and getting tips from the most muscular men is a big factor which counts as research, right?
What can we say, all the challenges in this book were all tried and tested. The workouts were effectively designed for men who are journeying to permanent changes to food diet and lifestyle.
Quotes: “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”
6. Men Without Women by Ernest Hemingway
Must-read when: Understanding Women
This is an interesting read because of its classic Hemingway subjects: war, sports, women, and more war. Among his other literary pieces, this was well received by critics.
This masterpiece deals with the loss of love and romance in men’s lives and how they deal with living in solitude. Story after story, the different women from each tale move off to the edges while men feel sorry for themselves.
These tales are never less than comic, warmly fantastic yet with an entertainingly sarcastic tone. A collection of short stories, this must-read proves that masculinity, if lacking a softer touch, can be dangerous.
Quote: “These men can’t pinpoint the moment their lives went wrong. They barely remember their previous state.”
7. Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Must-read when: Battling with your Inner Enemy
A committed stoic, Holiday dives into the wisdom from ancient and modern psychological studies to show how men sabotage themselves with ego. Divided into three parts, Holiday extracts essential lessons that you can apply when dealing with aspirations, success, and failure.
The bottom line: The lessons in this book are timeless and for everyone. Life is just full of constant ups and downs and well, our ego is always around, sitting in the dark, just waiting to strike.
Quote: “This begins by accepting that others know more than you and that you can benefit from their knowledge, and then seeking them out and knocking down the illusions you have about yourself.”
8. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
https://twitter.com/GenerousEd/status/1084765058054406144
Must-read when: Killing Time (not People)
Our list of must-read books wouldn’t be complete without a classic. Well, the film is a modern-day masterwork, but the lead role is even more wicked on paper than he is on screen. This classic centers around the life of an investment banker by day and murderer by night, Patrick Bateman.
It’s highly recommended not merely because of the bitterly black comedy but also because of Bateman’s odd views on the deadening effects of serialized consumerism. These, combined with sex, violence, narcotics, is how Bateman enacts his sociopathic violence in his superficial world.
Quote: “I had all the characteristics of a human being—flesh, blood, skin, hair. But my depersonalization was so intense, had gone so deep, that my normal ability to feel compassion had been eradicated, the victim of a slow, purposeful erasure.”
9. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Must-read when: Navigating Through Life’s Frustrations
You’ve probably heard about this title already from a lot of people saying you must grab your copy, and guess what? They are RIGHT.
Tip: Don’t feel weird liking and rooting for the most hated literary protagonist of all time, Holden Caulfield.
While reading this particular pick from our list of good books to read, you’ll never feel alone about your angst and frustrations in life. It can also teach you that growing up means channeling those frustrations towards something productive.
Quote: “That’s the whole trouble. You can’t ever find a place that’s nice and peaceful, because there isn’t any. You may think there is, but once you get there, when you’re not looking, somebody’ll sneak up and write “F*** you” right under your nose.”
For more must-read book recommendations for men, watch this video from Elisha Long:
Maybe you’re just looking for books to gift a buddy, or you’re really on the hunt for highly recommended books to read this year—well, this list contains some of the best must-read books of the 21st century. You’d do well to beef up your library with these gems.
Itching to grab some of these books? We’re excited to hear your comments. Share with us what your must-read books for men are.
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