My 2022 Reading List

Every year I seek to be intentional about the books that I choose to read. My goal is to read widely, in my area of study and beyond it. I read biography, history, fiction; books by people I agree with, and by people I disagree with. My goal is to learn, and that means you have to stretch beyond what’s comfortable.

Here are some of the books I’ve got in my reading queue for the first quarter of this year:

• At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in your Favor by Carey Nieuwhof (currently reading) – Carey’s one of my favorite authors, and this book is very practical; I can already tell this will be one I recommend to others for years to come.
  
• Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe by Robert Matzen (currently reading) – my wife got me this one for Christmas; Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors, and this recounts many stories from his time serving in World War II in Europe.
  
• Smart Leadership by Mark Miller – Mark’s another one of my favorite writers, and I’m really looking forward to diving into his newest book
  
• I, Eliza Hamilton by Susan Holloway Scott – After reading Chernow’s book on Alexander Hamilton, I wanted to learn more about his wife Eliza and how she impacted early American life and culture through her influence first during Alexander’s life, and then for decades beyond his death.
  
• The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil – my brother gave me this one for Christmas; it’s outside my normal reading pattern, but I know based on his recommendation there is gold within.
  
• Grant by Ron Chernow – I’ve not read much about Ulysses S. Grant, and Chernow’s engaging writing style is sure to make this a great read.
  
• The Loyal Nine by Bobby Akart – this is one of my favorite fiction writers, and though I’ve read this before a number of years ago, my wife got me the paperback for Christmas, and I can’t wait to re-enjoy this series.
  
• Coaching Confidential by Gary Myers – this was a recommendation from another leader, and after reading Bill Walsh’s book The Score Takes Care of Itself last year, I anticipate a great read here.
  
• Risk by General Stanley McCrystal – I heard General McCrystal speak at the Global Leadership Summit, and was impressed by his clarity and intelligence. I’m looking forward to gleaning from his decades of leadership experience.
  
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer – many people will adopt a word or phrase each year; my word for 2022 is “unhurried.” This book was bought with that in mind. I believe the best leaders do not lead from a place of frantic activity or emotional response, but from a solid core that is centered. This was a recommendation from another leader, and I’m looking forward to diving into it.

What books are you looking forward to reading this year? What’s on your list that I and others should consider reading? Put your list in the comments below!