Top Five Books In 2009

This time last year, encouraged by my board of directors I embraced social networking and decided I was long overdue for one of those social networks, so I joined LinkedIn.  Building a network of professionals, staying in touch and collaborating in a virtual way is something I have enjoyed.  One particular feature I like with LinkedIn is the ability to add a reading list.  This has been a valuable application to share and watch other lists within my network allowing me to track my own titles. 

The idea of creating a top reading list struck this week while reading to a group of first graders (I volunteer every Tuesday at a local public school).  Each week, these children go to the library, select their favorite book, read and share with fellow classmates.  So I felt the need to share. 

All the titles from this list were not published in 2009 but relevant to the times and meaningful to me and those I felt inclined to share and encourage to read.  My methodology for what made the reading list is not scientific, I glanced over the twenty or so titles and thought which ones I mention to others, quote repeatedly, tweet on Twitter, continue to reflect on, build training around and tend to give away so others can enjoy. 

I hope you enjoy and recommend other books.  I am always interested in adding more titles to my 2010 reading list. 

Free: The Future of a Radical Price  by Chris Anderson

Comment: Great book, it was on p231 that summed it up for me concerning - You can't compete w/ free "The way to compete w/ Free is to move past the abundance to find the adjacent scarcity. If software is free, sell support. If phone calls are free, sell distant labor and talent that can be reached by those free calls. If your skills are being turned into a commodity that can be done by software, then move upstream to more complicated problems that still require the human touch...custom solutions are often the ones most willing to pay highly for them.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable (J-B Lencioni Series)  by Patrick Lencioni

Comment: Bought the book making sure we don't fall into this category, just bought more copies to share with my team and plan to incorporate into our staff retreats.  Note:  We have since incorporated a monthly team activity to build on the five levels of a functioning team. 

Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else  by Geoff Colvin

Comment: I found high level similarities to Gladwell's Outliers but Geoff Colvin takes on a more scientific approach. Colvin breaks down the idea of great performance to drive and create better performance by what he terms "deliberate practice". The book applies to a personal and professional lifestyles. It had me referencing many times to people in the workplace and has challenged me in approaching personal goals. I highly recommend putting this on your list of must reads.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.)  by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp

Comment: If you ever wondered what it would be like to make every attempt to feed yourself and know the whereabouts from where it came this is for you. Kingsolver experiences how a family deliberately eats food produced from the same place where they worked, their kids walked to school, neighbors look out for one another and get this, they even drink water from the tap.

The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything  by Ph.D., Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica

Comment: Finding your passion and pursuing your talents defines the Element. I enjoyed the sections on Beyond Leisure where Robinson explains the difference between leisure and recreation. The thought that leisure is the opposite of work and being passive. Where work is something that takes our energy. He then ties this into the overall chapter of The Love of Money and how pursuing your Element may not make you rich but will reward you with happiness. Good read overall where I find myself referencing to many within my network.