a reading freebie

I once did the Gallup test, and my number one talent is Input.

It means that even though I often have all the data I need, I will constantly scour for more.

It's a blessing and a curse.

A curse because I'm always running out of space digitally (I'm not a physical hoarder, but a digital one).

A blessing because I could compile some resources for you, and prep this free book list.

Even though I have a backlog spanning hundreds, if not thousands, of books, I'm always looking for recommendations.

When someone takes unusual books and puts them on a list, in my mind, I always go:

Why did he pick this book? I haven't seen it anywhere around...

This fuels my need to discover.

Many people (me included) add Atomic Habits to their "Self-development" themed reading lists.

However, few are brave enough to add Man's Search For Meaning, an emotionally and psychologically taxing book.

In my eyes, it is a perfect companion book.

The examples in Clear's book might be fitting for his arguments, but the rawness of Frankl's experience in the concentration camp reminds us why we even want to be.

Atomic Habits provides the tools, and Man's Search For Meaning gives the reason.

This duality is also why I populated my list with works from fiction and non-fiction.

Some are supposed to give us the mental frame to show us what we are fighting for, while others will help us move in the desired direction.

Before I created my book list, I looked at thousands of others.

Here are some of my favorite spots to get them:

1. https://chriswillx.com/books/ — because I love the Modern Wisdom podcast, and Chris Williamson is a huge inspiration of mine.

2. https://twitter.com/matt_gray_ — Matt posts small book lists on his LinkedIn profile but shares a lot of quotes from elite performers on his Twitter.

3. https://www.mostrecommendedbooks.com/ — one of my favorite discoveries of 2020 - a service with book lists originating from former presidents to athletes. I'm sure you will find one for you.

After being a user of lists for years, I thought to myself:

What if I did a list myself?

That's how the 100 Essential Fiction and Non-Fiction Books came to be.

It's a collection of books that positively changed me, and I hope they will do the same for you.

You will find some of my favorite fiction and non-fiction books there, a guide on how to enjoy reading more, and a tutorial on creating a list of your own.

I've handpicked some of the most impactful and thought-provoking books across various genres, including self-improvement, personal growth, philosophy, and timeless fiction.

For each book, you'll find:

• the cover, the title, and the name of the author/authors

• four tags to help you quickly identify the topics within

• a brief description highlighting why you should care about that book

• three points about the content of the book

• the page count

💾 Download your free copy today and embark on a literary journey to improve as a person in the areas of writing, storytelling, and self-actualization skills.

Love you,

Piotr