5 Practical Books to Put on Your Reading List

It’s always nice to pick up a good book that has a great plot and characters and get lost in the story. With so many amazing books out there to pick up and read, it’s really hard to get them all in one list. However, if you like reading books that help with self-development, there are a few that are for sure worth your time. There’s never really a bad time to read a book that will help you either get started on a project you’ve always wanted to start or learn something new that will help you with your job or just life in general. Below are five books that serve as practical guides to help you in whatever walk of life you’re in.

Influence the Psychology of Persuasion by Bert B. Cialdini Ph.D.

Cialdini’s Influence is a fantastic read or listen. If you enjoy learning about how people are influenced or persuaded, this is the perfect read. This book breaks down the science of why we’re so quick to agree to something. It’s about the science behind what influences our quick decisions and gives us more insight into that side of ourselves. If you have a hard time saying no to something, then this book is great for gaining more insight. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a way to persuade people, this book gives you insight into how those thought processes work. No matter what reason motivates you to read this book, it’s worth putting on your reading list.

On Writing by Stephen King

While this book is about writing and Stephen King’s perspective on how to go about writing based on how he does it, this book is also about how to jump into a project and get it done. Writing a novel is a massive undertaking, and the process in this book can be applied to more than just writing. With anything that takes a long time and a lot of thought, you need to be able to break it down into smaller, more tolerable steps. So, because the advice in this book is not merely about Stephen King’s life and writing process, you gain deeper insight into how to be more successful when you take on a project and how to deal with hang-ups. This is why this is another great practical guide to read.

The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell

Maxwell has a lot of books that help with self-development and success. This book, however, stands out because it is about how to foster personal growth. From teaching you how to schedule your day-to-day tasks to making you ask deeper questions about your goals in life and how to accomplish them, this book makes you take a deep, introspective look at your life and personal growth and develop a plan to put into action so you can grow as a person. If you’re looking for a read that gives you the kick in the pants you need to get your life in gear, then this is it, which is why it should be on your list.

Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova

Maria Konnikova has led an interesting life. Her perspective throughout her work is why this book is on this list. As a Harvard graduate in Psychology and fiction writing, Maria Konnikova gives her readers a deep look into logical thinking and mindfulness. This means going beyond making assumptions and really examining the facts. So, for anyone who wants to understand logical thinking on a deeper level, this book is perfect for adding to your reading list. It’s one book that you won’t regret diving into, especially after you put these practical skills to use.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Who doesn’t want to be more successful in life? This book looks at the habits of successful people and breaks them down so you can apply them to your day-to-day routine. It’s not about being a workaholic; it’s about improving your productivity and having a game plan to do that. It’s about being proactive instead of reactive. It’s about prioritizing the things that are urgent and weeding out the things that aren’t. This book will help you overhaul your habits so you can begin to be more successful and achieve your goals. For anyone wishing for a better way, this is it—and 7 Habits should be on your reading list immediately.

With these five books under your belt, you should be unstoppable as long as you apply their guides to your day-to-day life. Besides, if you’re going to spend your time reading or listening to a book, then why not spend a little bit of time making your life and habits better? After all, who wouldn’t want to use the practical suggestions from these five books to achieve success?