The list of books I've read in the past year
2008-10-13
Please see this new page I created for you:
Last year I started keeping track of all the books I read. Underlining my favorite bits, and typing out notes for later. Then I refer back to my notes often, so keep what I've learned fresh in my mind.
So, if you're needing some new ideas or inspiration, check out my book list at http://sivers.org/book
Each one has the ISBN number and Amazon link, so you can go read more about it, or reserve it at your local library.
Now that I've finally got this list up, I'm going to start posting some specific highlights of lessons-learned from these books to my blog.
But for now, I just wanted you to be able to explore the list for yourself: http://sivers.org/book
Feel free to ask any questions about them or just let me know if you've read the same ones, too!
Derek, Can you give some recommendations as to which of them you enjoyed most or gained the most insight from?
What a fabulous idea.....and thanks sooooo much for sharing this! You continue to inspire.... and we are ever grateful!
I've read the 4 hour work week and the Magic of Thinking Big within the last 6 months. They both have had an impact on me
......hmmmmmm? So which one should I try next?
Derek-
Lighten up man. Read some fiction! Thanks for the recs. Will take a look.
-Sam Jacobs
Wow! What a bunch of books! I'd like to read at least some of them, but one title was interesting: "Bull in China" - just because I once made an album called "China in a bull shop".
Must check some out. Thanks for the tips!
I appreciate your recommendations, Derek. And, that page would be SO much more useful if you offered a sentence or two about why you recommend each of those books (and maybe even for whom or what purpose is best served by each) etc. Thanks just the same.
Wow, what a way to spam everyone on a mailing list and get them to buy books so you make money through your affiliate program.
Where's your sense of adventure? How come so many self help books? It seems to me that if any of them REALLY inspired you, you wouldn't have such a need to read another and another and yet another. Just what is it that you are looking for anyway?
Bobby: I only emailed people who opted-in to my personal email list to hear about new services offered. I figured a list of recommended books was somewhat of an offering, so I emailed it to those who had signed up.
As for the affiliate program: it was an afterthought, and I'll probably just take any profits it may generate and put it back to the musicians here as a prize.
Plus I gave the ISBN number so you can ignore the Amazon link completely and go find it at your favorite place instead.
EVERYONE ELSE ABOVE: Yes - I'm definitely going to add some sort of why-I-recommend and categorization soon.
Probably I'll be doing this piece-by-piece on my blog, talking about my favorite bits from these books in individual blog posts.
That's why I just wanted to get the list up-and-running first.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Great list!
I've read Art of Learning, How to Get Rich & Maximum Achievement. Amazing, amazing books.
I also love:
Mindset by Carol Dweck,
The Anatomy of Peace:
Resolving the Heart of Conflict &
Leadership and Self Deception:
Getting Out of the Box
both, by the Arbinger Institute
Here is a book by a composer, Benjamin Zander,
that you might also like:
Art of Possibility
Here is his TED talk:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
Thank you for caring about everyone enough to take the time to share your list. I look forward to reading your notes from the books and why you chose them.
i like some publishing help with my music
I have read David Allen's Book as well. I have read Getting things Done as well as another one. forget the title at the moment. I find him the guru of time management and use his advice diligently in bothe personal and professional endeavors. I have also read Maximum Achievement but it does not rank on the top of my list when it comes to more personal and spiritual development. For that I would recommend reading Wayne Dyer. For instance The Power of Intention, Your Errogenous Zones, etc. He is the guru of self development. For an Indian wisdom twist try Deepak Chopra (who also co writes and colectures with Dyer). For New Age visulaisation, Shakti Gawain rules.
As for getting rich, I like the Automatic Millionaire. Simple ways to put the money you already have to work...as opposed to trying to make more.
Thats my 2 cents from years reading up on similar topics.
and sorry about all the spelling mistakes...so much for being literate!
I suggest some spirituality books. You are nourishing your mind, now nourish your soul. I recommend "Life; an Enigma, a Precious Jewel," or "Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death," both by Daisaku Ikeda. Then if you want a good laugh, read my novel about my punk rock days in Huntington Beach, California: "Myth Shattering." I also call it a Buddhist discovery novel.
Peace, from the far East, Timothy Harada
www.timharada.com
Thanks for the list, Derek! I think it's always interesting to hear what other people are reading or have been influence by.
I've read a number of the very same books in the last couple of years (4 hour work week, lots of Seth Godin, Thinking Big, Paradox of Choice, GTD, etc.) Many of them dove tail very nicely in their related ideas.
Right now I'm reading(well, listening to) the Art of Learning, I'm about halfway through. I think is going to be one of my favorites, in particular I think it's a great one for musicians and other artists to read.
Sri, Anouschka, Timothy : thanks for the suggestions!
Derek,
I've read about half of these books at one time or another. I found Brian Tracy's the most useful. I'd also recommend First Things First, Compass of the Soul, and Never Eat Alone.
But really, I find more wisdom, both practical and spiritual, in music than in books such as these. May I also recommend: Carrie Newcomer's recording The Geography of Light, Northern Lights from Gretchen Peters, and The Farthest Wave from Cathie Ryan?
I agree.. you need to read some fiction!
Derek, appreciate you sending this to me..can't promise i'll get to read all of them.. ( i'm a slow reader..(: ) but will try to get to one or two of them....
Thanks for posting this Derek, I now have some new stuff to check out. Coincidentally I've read several of the books on your list this year as well. (After I saw some of them in the recommended reading at the end of the 4 Hour Work Week)
Two others I've read this year and found to be really good are:
Do You! - by Russell Simmons
Tuned In - by Craig Stull, Phil Myers, and David Meerman Scott
hey thanks for the list of books about success & more so application. Wisdom is a gift from God who created all these authors.
Where is the The best selling Book of all time?
The Bible- 66 different books by different authors spanning over 6000 years the wisdom of the ages- just an observation to the men & women that author books of our time that maybe even if holding double doctorates have studied 40-60 years in their prime, that is
just a very small glimpse compared to 6000 years of wisdom. I am learning daily as I read the word of God & apply it to my Life.
I suggest reading daily to receive spiritual nourishment & truth for your heart- the core of a man.
I bless you & thank God for all you have done to share with others.
James
Thanks Derek!
It's great...All the best!!!
This was a tasty treat, the summaries are worth their weight in gold! I have read a lot of the authors here and so many of the distillations of what the books were about became even more interesting. Follow up books to the financial ones might be "Stock Market Wizards" and "The Alchemy of Finance" (Karl Popper is talked about by Mr. Soros who gives a very deep explanation of Reflexivity and why the nature of banks themselves have lead us to the point where they are all failing worldwide.) The Financial Reckoning day by Bill Bonner who writes the Daily reckoning for free is very neat also.
This list is a great thing to have fallen out of the sky, thanks.
I agree with the fiction advocates. Why on earth are you reading so many business books? You already have a business that is so successful that it enables you to not do any work! You've already hit the jackpot, dude, so enjoy it ... and if that's no satisfying, set about changing the world for the better
Cormac: I love learning. This isn't work to me. Business is really interesting and as creative as anything.
A lot of these I read not necessarily for myself, but to help distill and share their lessons with all the musicians I know.
You really should read some fiction now and then, Derek.
thanks very much for the list!
Jennifer
Hi Derek, Hope all is well. Im in class at SF State taking the A&R class in the Music Industry program. We are reading Dirty Little Secrets of the Record Business by Dave Bordowitz. We were talking about niche markets, and wanted to ask a question as I plan my marketing and promotional plans.
I've identified my niche market to be (in the us) primarlily African American (but since Im in the Bay I'll have to also include latino, pacific islander, asian) between the ages of 28 to 40. People who gre up on Hip Hop and still love it, but can't connect with the younger crowd of Hip Hop. They listen to The Roots, Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, Dwele, Eryka Badu, Jill Scott, Slum Village...groups like that. They are more Adult Contemporary than strictly Urban.
In the book for class it talks about the difficutly in reaching this market because their tastes varies, and they dont always buy music in one genre. What I'd like to know from your vantage point is, if you were putting a record out to this market, what would you do? Or even more important what wouldn't you do?
Appreciate being able to connect. Thanks for the Books List. I have the 4 day work week book already!
Kind Regards,
Jahi
www.onefamspot.ning.com/profile/jahi
www.myspace.com/goodmusicalwaysgetsthru
www.themyc.org
Dear Derek,
Thanks for sending your book list. I appreciate all that you do to send positive energy out into the world.
Best regards,
Philip Hernandez
Thanks so much Derek!
Hi Derek! thanks for the book list - some of them i've already read. the other books "i'll go through ;-)" what i miss are 1. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by R. Kiyosaki 2. Conversations with God by Neal D. Walsch 3. The Alchemist by P. Cohelo
hope you have fun
best wishes harald
P.S. what about your "new" project?
hi Jahi - (2 comments up)
I think the industry over-thinks the genre thing, whereas real people don't care as much. They just like what they like.
So don't let them scare you into over-thinking this. Just use common sense to reach real people the way you would want to be reached.
Email me at derek@sivers.org separately for details, if you'd like.
Thanks Derek! Great list.
Best, Ellen
Wow Derek-
...
That's quite a list! Wish I had that much time for reading
One book I read that had a big influence on me and my thinking is "Saved By The Light," by Dannion Brinkley.... www.Dannion.com
Some of these books, one can find at:
www.abe.com or www.abebooks.com
for a fraction of the list price...
I wrote out a response to the last email you sent, but got swamped...will try to get it out to you soon...
Hope you're doing well...
Very Best Regards, George
Derek,
You sir are a voracious reader. Great! I wanted to just say thanks for the book list. There were several I had never heard of.
I'd also like to reciprocate with a list of my own ...this is a site I run of self growth books. Many of these books have helped me and I just wanted to share. Some free downloads too: http://infusebooks.com
I also wanted to share some links to sites of a friend of mine whose qualities reminds me alot of your own amazing entrepreneurship. You might find them valuable. Drop him a line and tell him I said hey...
http://philosophersnotes.com/
http://philosophersnotes.com/meet_the_philosopher
http://thinkarete.com/
Keep on, Bry
Music: http://www.bthompson.net/cd
Illustration: http://www.bthompson.net/
Books: http://www.infusebooks.com/
Quotations: http://www.bthompson.net/quotationlinks/
Just for fun: http://www.bthompson.net/BandNameGen.html
Great list, Derek. I've read many of them. I HIGHLY recommend this new book looking at business through the eyes of chess. One of the best books I've read in a while: http://www.amazon.com/Three-Moves-Ahead-Chess-Business/dp/0470178213
And you've probably read this 15-year-old classic, the bible of technology marketing, but I just re-read it and it's as relevant as ever: http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Chasm-Marketing-High-Tech-Mainstream/dp/0066620023
and, Derek, I keep a similar list of favorite/life changing books at:
http://www.magicbrook.com/teach-articles/booklist.htm
Few if any of these are about "music" per se. But they've all taught me something important.
cheers
Brook
Those look like excellent books, and I've never heard of a single one of them! When you blog about them, maybe point out which would be most useful to a struggling jazz musician, who happens to have two kids and assorted day jobs. That would be goo for me. Thanks so much! Greg Pagel
Hi Derek, excellent list and even some I've not read, but you need to put Dave Ramsey on your list of books to get as well
Especially in these times LOL Have a good one 
Tina Helmuth Cedar -N- Sage http://independentartistscompany.com/artist.aspx?id=22131 http://www.myspace.com/cedarnsage http://www.lonepineshelter.petfinder.com
Thank you Derek. You have certainly helped a lot of people.
No, I haven't read any of those books. I mostly read the Bible or other Bible helps as I am a minister. Not that there is anything wrong with other books, I just haven't found the time to do all that much reading. Thanks anyway. Sister Mary
Wow! you read a lot.
THANK YOU DEREK, This is a wonderful list and a fantastic resource! Which titles are your all time favorites? And why?
Truly ~ Serpentine
That's awesome.
Hi Derek. I just started running the promotions and advertising for a new bookstore in Indianapolis.
Along with the many promotional things I am doing to make the store a sucess, I am also holding many events in the store including workshops, booksignings, acoustic live music, selling local cd's, etc.. The website www.booksonsale.org is featuring artists, musicians, authors, blogs, poetry, lyrics, etc..
As much content as we can get! The store is set to open Thanksgiving weekend. If you ever get a book written that is to be mass-produced for retail sale, or if your ever going to be in the area and want to hold a workshop for musicians, It would be great to have you and I would promote it well.
-Will Nelson
Hi
and thanks for the list of books. I haven't read any of them actually but I have read books about similar topics and they all seem very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Do you actually read books, or do you listen to audio versions of them? I find listening to audiobooks in my mp3 player very helpful these days as I seldom have time to sit around and just read a book (I have three small children).
How's Muckwork doing?
Cheers Thomas
You read all these Derek?
Impressive! Thanks for the great information.
I only have one of them.
Al
Dear Mr. Sivers: I wanted to thank you personally for sending me this information! I will put it to good use... Antoine Smith
Hey Derek! Hope you had a great time in Iceland. Thanks for posting your reading list...a lot of great titles! Do you have a favorite? The Art of Profitablity sounds good. E-Myth is always a good one, even though it's a little dry. Hit me back when you have a chance. Take care, Bryan Bryan Kelley Groove House Records, Inc. www.groovehouse.com
dear mr derek thanks for your letter willy. a deceptioned, frustrated, and depressed composer.
Hi Derek Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. Mazdak
This a great list!! How do you find the time to read so much?
Ben
Thanks Derek! I just ordered two from the list to add to my late-night reading.
Derek, I see you are a motivated and inspired guy. Thanks for the amazing site. (I've studied the 4 Hour Work Week, and think you;ve done a great job summarizing it.) Bill Bookston
Derek, No novels???? As you know, exploring the mythos is where real life lessons happen, sometimes. Check out DAMNED RIGHT by Bayard Johnson, from Fiction Collective 2.
JMJ
cool man - thanks
I am writing a book as well for musicians - think its gonna be really cool!
Paul P
-- Please visit my websites:
http://www.PaulPeterson.com http://www.Myspace.com/stpaulpeterson http://www.PaulTheTrainer.com
Looks like a good list Derek... I'm sensing a recurring theme around money management and general productivity... hope the recent markets haven't hit you too hard.
I've read (and also enjoyed) Fooled be randomness. It's amazing how often I find myself saying out loud "small sample size".
And Barry Schwartz was a professor at my college (Swarthmore). My girlfriend quotes that book (Paradox of Choice) more often that I do but the idea seems solid.
I had a question for you I was hoping you could shed some light on if you had the time/knowledge. Do you think it is valuable to pursue representation by a label? I'm sure it takes a bit of work to get a label to be interested in you but I am wondering what sorts of advantages a independent label might offer a musician.
Also I'm wondering, as a piano player, is it worth it to drag a keyboard everywhere I go and play a ton of shows or should I be concentrating on just a show per month or so?
Okay, talk to you later.
- Joe Raciti
Derek
With respect I think your book list needs some work. Here is a short list of my recommendations to you - not as didactic as "You, Inc." but equally revealing into what makes us who we are - isn't that what we're all trying to find out anyway? I for one have found them to be unique guides without compare.
Pig Earth - John Berger
The Savage Detectives - Roberto Bolano
The Magic Mountain - Thomas Mann
I Love Dick - Chris Kraus
Reading In The Dark - Seamus Deane
Austerliz - W.G.Sebald
Best regards, Tamara
I write a song. You remix. We make a record. www.calendarsongs.com
I read The Magic of Thinking Big many years ago and found it interesting and helpful. Liz.
Hi Derek
Wow!! This is a fantastic resource Derek! I'll definitely be checking this out. Already spent quite a lot of time on your previous one (with all the quotes from musicians and the like).
Many thanks!
Mark (Guitarist who lived in Abingdon) P.S. Check out these quotes I just got from Guitar Player Magazine on my new album:
"...three of England's most accomplished players, as well as one of the year's most engaging recordings."
"Wingfield's guitar playing is mysterious, majestic, and blazing in turns"
Derek - I know you're a busy dude... What would be your top five recommendations? Thanks -
Joseph Velosa www.chicosbailbondsblues.com Jack of all trades - Master of none
EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:31:38 -0700To: jvtwin@hotmail.comSubject: The list of books I've read in the past year [sivers.org/list-books]From: derek@sivers.org
((Reply above this line to post a public comment on http://sivers.org/list-books {173u-150330u} To email me privately do not reply - just send a new email to derek@sivers.org))
Please see this new page I created for you: http://sivers.org/book Last year I started keeping track of all the books I read. Underlining my favorite bits, and typing out notes for later. Then I refer back to my notes often, so keep what I've learned fresh in my mind. So, if you're needing some new ideas or inspiration, check out my book list at http://sivers.org/book Each one has the ISBN number and Amazon link, so you can go read more about it, or reserve it at your local library. Now that I've finally got this list up, I'm going to start posting some specific highlights of lessons-learned from these books to my blog. But for now, I just wanted you to be able to explore the list for yourself: http://sivers.org/book Feel free to ask any questions about them or just let me know if you've read the same ones, too!
((This is an email-to-blog engine so you can get my blog updates and post replies, without needing to check the website. Please email me any suggestions to derek@sivers.org))
Thank you for sharing this list and your notes, Derek. I was immediately drawn to "Getting Things Done". It's like he was reading my mail! Thanks again. I will definitely check this book out more closely and look forward to reading your notes on the others.
Linda Studley
Thank you Derek! Just now I am reading The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century by Alex Ross
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rest-Is-Noise/dp/B000UZQIDI/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1223934428&sr=1-1
But I will dig into some stuff on your list shortly.
thanks again.
Jim Crozier
http://jimcrozier.com
http://myspace.com/thejimcrozierband
http://cdbaby.com/cd/jimcrozier
A good list of reads my friend. I am reading 40 Days to the Work You Love. I like the last one in your list.
Dear Derek,
You'll have to excuse me but i thought i'd tell you that sending out a list of book's you've read seems like a very far cry from your first e-mail about trying to get musicians together and help each other.
I've read most of these book's and many others.In fact i wrote in my blog about double complexities and so called experts failure to recognize them and figure them into thier equations.It has alot to do with with why our economy is in the shape it's in. If experts are not recognizing double complexities just think of how far into the darkness the average.joe is.
The one thing i think that would help a band or artist is having a really good manager.
You know alot about the music business.Why not take all that knowedge and invest it in a few bands or an artist or two. People who's music you really like and who you like personally.
That's the best way i think for someone like yourself to really make a differance in people's live's.When young bands ask me how to make record i would never refer them to a book.
They are looking to hear solid idea's from someone who has made a record,but i can't begin to describe to you how much more effective talking to them in person is than refering them to a book.Just the fact that you will take the time to converse with them may make the differance between them living out thier dreams or settleing for much less{a boring job they really have no interest in}.
Good Luck with your project.
Pete Holly President/CEO, Look's Music International & Black Swan Films
Hello Derek,
That's a really nice list of books.
Here are a couple more you may enjoy. I've read them both about ten or twenty times--and I always feel hopeful and happy the whole day when I read them.
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire http://www.amazon.com/Spontaneous-Fulfillment-Desire-Harnessing-Coincidence/dp/0609600427/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223933456&sr=8-4
Zen Guitar by Philip Toshio Sudo http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Guitar-Philip-Toshio-Sudo/dp/068483877X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223934470&sr=1-1
And coffee--Derek--I have to say that most coffee is not worth drinking--except real coffee. (My husband, Bob, imports his own central American beans, roasts them, grinds them and serves them at our home to us--and it is wonderful--he also does that at work and walks around and serves all the coffee drinkers in his office every morning. He does this out of his own pocket and there are color signs taped all over the front of his office that say "Roberto's Espresso Cafe."
He also makes coffee for all my students when I teach banjo at the John C. Campbell School in North Carolina and everyone just loves it.
The best coffee we have ever had besides Bob's is at the Don Carlos Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica. It is not a fancy hotel--but very comfortable and colorful--they have parrots in the inside gardens and a trainer comes every day to work with them. They have a tiny restuarant--and the coffee is wonderful there--they keep real cream heated so you can drink it half and half. It is not very expensive to fly to San Jose from where you are and try it.
Best wishes always, Mary Z. Cox www.maryzcox.com webpage www.secretbanjo.blogspot.com a secret life of banjo blog
Derek, you know how you call a musician who perfectly combines passion and virtuosity a monster? Well, you are a monster of entrepreneurial philosophy. Thank you for all that you do!
--Alexa Weber Morales
Wow Derek. what a great resource. I just skimmed through it. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the tips on getting ahead in the music biz. Keep up the good work. Marshall
Thank you very kindly for sending this along!
Jeff Youngblood The New Age of Rock www.MagellanMusic.com
Thank you Derek, What a wonderful list!!! Im pretty sure I should read all of them :>)
Now that is an awesome list Derek!
Derek, you are as always AMAZING. You are an incredulous person....thanks for all these precious notes of wisdom! What's next I wonder? I sure wish you good health and lots of wealth, you deserve it all. your friend, Sammy.
Please add, Epiphanies of the Soul: Empower Yourself With Therapeutic Poetry, to your list. Thanks!
LOL, you and I are on the same train... I literally just wrote myself a note yesterday to post a blog mid-November listing all the books that I've been talking about this year, same kind of books, thinking that they would make great gifts for anyone but as a package for artists, a good way to motivate someone to keep at it
. Are you in triiiibes, Seth Godin's exclusive site? The new book is so awesome, you will love it.
kate bradley
wow dude. that's a lot of reading!! I'm beginning to understand (and very much admire) your dedication to the idea of how to better become self-empowered. it really is no mystery, is it? this list alone has proven inspiring, let alone what I can imagine to be a seemingly bottomless well of knowledge and know-how.
thank you for passing this along.
Tony
Hi Derek Damn man, read some fiction. All work and no play makes Derek a very dull boy.
have you read 'In The Tin' by Arfon williams
... couldn't resist trying the email to blog engine.. Bloody interesting!
I can't read books like that. I just do what Linus (from Charley Brown) did... put the book under my pillow and let the words soak into my head ;) Tonight i'm reading "Malice in Blunderland" again... One of these days i'll have to get to writing it...
Cheers and thanks for the demo - and the reminder to find my old ISBN numbers..
Hi,
This is a good one for those interested in publishing their own material.....
http://www.amazon.com/dp/193114009X
Roddy
How about "Faust II" (especially the crooked real estate development deal when he had Philemon and Baucis killed? How about Michael Pollan, starting with "The Botany of Desire"? How about the "1001 Nights", pretty creepy, sometimes fun, often howling-loud mad funny. How about Ursula Hegi's "Stones from the River"?
Looking forward to your next year reading list. Keep it real. Enjoy!
Christiana
www.ChristianaDrapkin.com
Thanks Derek, I started reading and two hours later I finished. Very interesting, some controversial ideas and theory but that's good because that makes it thought provoking. I'm going to order some of these in particular "The Wisdom of Crowds".
Frank
Hey Derek!
I'll keep this short...from a musician stand-point, what would be your top 3/4 books to read?
Cory Melnychuk a.k.a. LEs Robot
Looks like some quality reading material.
I've read 3 issues of "Guitar World"
Derek,
Always great to get your emails. Thanks so much for making this page - it is so great you put in the links to Amazon too. Great books. I'm actually also reading the Wikinomics book and Made to Stick. The David Allen books are good too.
I have to tell you that I loved your talk to the incoming students at Berklee. I graduated in 2005 and I think that every incoming class should hear your talk!
Have you read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch? It's quite good. His speeches, either as video or just audio, are also good to watch/listen to, at least once.
Best, Anders
Thanks Derek!These books look great, I'm gonna get them!
Howie Statland www.Rivingtonguitars.com www.NYCSmoke.com
Derek - thanks for sending the book list. I am a book collector (and reader) and enjoyed your overview - and I am also a Brian Tracy fan. If you are not familiar with the Nightengale-Connant series of audio books (and Tracy publishes with them too) it looks to be in vein with your list to date.
If you want to really mess with all this success 'wisdom' in a new way check out Tolle's A NEW EARTH. You will understand the conundrum that is breaking down traditional 20th century wisdom in many areas of endeavor.
And if Steven King is too tame, and you really want a profoundly frightening expereince go back and read your Keynes GENERAL THEORY... and your Malthus ESSAY ON POPULATION - people talk about these all the time but have not actually read them - and they underpin our modern society!
De Tocqeville could use a fresh reading these days as well.
A. Paul www.apolloproject.net
Thanks for this… will check it out!
I am still hooked on “The Long Tail” + I want to but this one book called “The Pirate´s Dilemma” by Matt Mason while I´m in the US. I go to NYC this Saturday for a week of CMJ + from there to London for Musexpo…
Best,
Patrik
I love "To much sheltering from results can be stunting"...Thought for me for the day.Love Brooksie
Thanks Derek,
I just finished " The Go-Giver " Awesome ! Go get it and let me know what you think.
I'll begin " Releasing your Brilliance " today and I dig the list you provided,
Hey, I can send you The Go-Giver and you can read it and send it back if you want, Let me know.
Hi Derek -- thanks for the list!! Two questions...
1. Ever think of adding "ratings"?
2. Are you on a pure "business-book" diet, or do you sprinkle in some fiction once in a while? Cheers, - Gary
Hey Derek, you should check this one out: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0310276993
Very compelling book, for me at least....
Tom
Wow great list. I have the first title. Many of the others sound well worth the time to read.
much appreciated peace Astara
Hey, I didn't see any sci-fi on your list! @:>
(But, if you want to add one . . my sci-fi novel is available for free download at my site: www.shawnoshea.com )
Cheers, Shawn
holy smokes dude you read a lot! i need to self motivate and get my band to the next level.
myspace.com/sistasinthepit give me your top 3 book recommendations!
peace, anita
EX-CELL-ENT list!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Dear Derek,
Thank you very much for your "list of the books you've read last year".
Anyway, to be honest I did not read any of those books listed, mainly due to my busy schedules promoting my songs and working on my second musical "Leaving".
However, I have printed out the list of your books and when I have got some free time, I am going to visit my local library and to find out is there any of those books available for reading, if not I am going to try to order one or two from the bookstore seller.
Thank you very much for your e-mail and all the best.
Rizo Balic
Hi Derek,
Impressive list, I came across one match with my list, I Just finished reading Brian Traceys Maximum Achievement. Very good book, I am translating the whole book to dutch so I can give it to friends and family that don't understand english.
I'm reading/learning about mindfulness right now, if you haven't already you might want to read about that, it's very interesting.
Best Regards, Rody Coronel Oversloot
Wow, now you made me want to go get a book or two!
Great list Derek, I see you are speaking at Road Rally for Taxi, that's great as I'm a member.
I just read Ronnie, By Ron Wood, of the Stones. Good Book, check it out.
Thanks Derek,
but when do you have time to read!
Roni
Hi Derek, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins is another good one. Randy Keller
Derek:
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate that you have never lost interest in the musicians (like me ) who have found their way to you and CD Baby over the years. Your input over the years has continued to inspire - me certainly, and countless others, without a doubt - as well as give us real information. You're a great guy. Thank you for sharing that with us!!
Sincerely Rebecca Kyler Downs
Derek-
Jay Della Valle here. We originally met in LA years ago during DIY Convention. I was and still am sporting a sweet mustache. Anyway, as years go by- I keep coming in contact with and becoming close with various people that you too are also close with, like Ariel Hyatt and John Taglieri. So it truly is a small world. I remember when I met you -you told me the story about how you used to be the human blob on a college campus- and get paid to run around and annoy people. or something like that? i always find myself telling people about that.
anyway, congrats to you on all your success. you have a great mind and the power to influence a lot of people in a positive way. it's always great to read your blog and what you're up to. This book list looks great- I will def be checking some of these books out. I just finished reading 2 great ones also: Wayne Dyer's "Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life"- I gave myself a year to read it- amazing power in this book. And I just finished reading what I think is one of the greatest literary masterpieces ever- Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. These are both books that noticeably change your life by directly influencing the way you think.
Thanks again, Derek!
-Jay Della Valle Producer/Singer/Songwriter/Mustache Enthusiast
"Alternative Pop Rock Music that sounds like Jimmy Eat World and Our Lady Peace with a mustache on top." www.dellavallemusic.com www.myspace.com/dellavalle www.gloriusmustache.com www.myspace.com/gloriusmustache
Thank you for sharing your list. I will be sure to read at least one, and give a full book report.
Ja Franco
Thank you. We are readers and are always interested in new, fulfilling reads.
Glen
I'd like to recommend a book that
I've read,All You Need To Know
About The Music Business by
Donald Passman.He has an updated
version of it.This is
the guy you'd want as your
lawyer.
Derek, you have joined Seth Godin in the my personal pantheon
Eckhart Tolle is thought provoking as well.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Great list! I look forward to all your emails and not only enjoy them immensely, but always learn something new and compelling. Thanks for the great service you provide. SS
Derek,
Thanks for all the tips and advice you send out regularly. You are the coolest guy I know and I haven't even met you. I am going to enjoy combing over your list of books.
Sincerely,
Derek Hansen
Derek, As a reminder (b/c I'm sure you meet a *lot* of people), we talked briefly at the Business of Software in Boston, and I work for JamBase.
Great book list! I love a lot of those books. I'm very glad that you've got the 4-hour Work Week on the top of your list, it absolutely changed my life. I'm working on the side to launch my 4-hour work week business on top of working a 45-50 hr/week. It's tough, but exciting.
I'd love to keep in touch. Very interested in what you're working on next. Keep up the great work! ~Mason Blake
Hi Derek:
Many thanks for sharing your list.
If may be so bold, would like to share a couple of books with you:
Both are by Thich Nhat Hahn (Tick Not Hon). "Mindfullness" (If I could only take one book to a desert island) "True Love, A Practice for Awakening the Heart"
Combining some deep breaths (he's a big meditation guy), along with all those ideas and your wonderful brain could be world-changing;)
Best to you and yours, Aine M.
Hey, Derek:
Of all of them, this one seems to stand out as being the most amazing:
http://sivers.org/book/EMythRevisited
I will try to find time to read it.
Cheers,
-->S.
Hi Derek,
This list and your notes on each book are very impressive...you keep being a constant source of inspiration!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Corinne Marcus
That's a hell of a lot of comments. I am still reading most self help and development books. Best two I can think off from the top of my head so far are..
1. Think and grow rich
2. Seven habits of highly effective people
THANK YOU!!! This is an amazing list and your notes are priceless. This is much appreciated Adrienne Pierce
Check out this one: http://www.amazon.com/Whole-New-Mind-Right-Brainers-Future/dp/1594481717/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224104955&sr=1-1 Lanny
Hi Derek,
Thanks very much for your book list. I am checking out your book suggestions and appreciate your valuable notes for each book.
Thanks again for your help and inspiration to achieve a more satisfying life.
Warmest Regards,
Derek:
Thank you very much for this book list. It is very useful for me (I imagine for every body else) to see what you're reading. But what is even more interesting is your notes on what you read and what you learned from the book.
Thank you for sharing such important information,
Pedro Crump CD: El Silencio del Agua MusicaOceanica
I appreciate the list. thanks
Hi Derek,
just a short thank-you for all the continuing information.
best regards from Berlin
Chris
Hi Derek,
First off I want say thanks for your time and all the information you share. You are an inspiration to my life.
You asked for a response to your article on accents. So many americans don't speak other languages, I wish a did, but I do like to sing some of my song melodies as if they were in french or other accents to hear other phonetics of sounds to come up with words that may not rhythm but work together with phasing and the accent of the way you say it or just to find other words you might not have thought of before. I'd love to hear one of my songs sung in another language or take a spanish song and write it in way that said the same thing but rhymed with the melody of the original. Its like trying to find a word that rhythms with orange. A good exercise would be to write a song with phonetics and not rhyme on paper. Nothing new but hard to do, cuz some 'writers' aren't poets. Its just got to say something interesting and different, not just rhythm.
Oh well, I'm going back to read more of your articles .
Thank you for being your self,,, cuz everyone else is taken or,, maybe just lost trying to sound like someone they would rather be. Personally I'd rather be a cowboy,, in an Italian spaghetti western, ride with Clint,, and learn how to spit. yeee-haw,,getti' up now little doggies,raw hide ??????
Thank You !
StillPhil aka Phil Gillespie
Hey, Derek,
Love this--thanks for sending it along. Are you hip to GoodReads.com? That might be an easy vehicle for people to integrate your book choices with their other friends' choices.
Cheers, Nicholas Markos
Thanks for this list. I look forward to your blog highlights.
thanks
Rick Hatfield
wow Derek....you're something else.....read a lot, hum? did you read a book called "THE HOLOGRAPHIC UNIVERSE" by Michael Talbot? I just would like to see what you think about it....anyway, thanks for being you...
http://www.cdbaby.com/jesus
Jesus: sorry, don't know that one. I'll check it out. Thanks!