Update 1: I've removed the fitness books as I concluded over the past year that fitness is not something you can read & learn. It is all about just showing up & applying. I have a separate section for fitness knowledge if anyone is interested.
I have loved reading since I was like 11. I don't remember the majority of the books I've read and have not finished so many because I got bored. Here are some standouts that have stayed with me as my all time favorites:
Novels:
Man's Search for Meaning- Viktor E. Frankl
From Wikipedia
Man's Search for Meaning is a 1946 book by Viktor Frankl chronicling his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, and describing his psychotherapeutic method, which involved identifying a purpose in life to feel positive about, and then immersively imagining that outcome.
I read this in 2017 and it still remains one of the most impactful books I have read. It really puts your own problems in perspective when you read about what people went through during wars. You realize how petty your own issues are and we are all so lucky. Everyone should read this book in my opinion.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes- Arthur Conan Doyle
I don't think Sherlock Holmes needs any introduction but here we go: Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who first appeared in publication in 1887. He is the creation of Scottish born author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A brilliant London-based detective, Holmes is famous for his intellectual prowess, and is renowned for his skillful use of deductive reasoning (somewhat mistakenly - see inductive reasoning) and astute observation to solve difficult cases. He is arguably the most famous fictional detective. (From Barnes and Nobles)
This collection was actually the first set of novels I ever read in 2009. I've never had more fun reading any book in my life and will always love the character. Insane fun. This should be mandatory reading in schools.
The Expanse
A thriller set two hundred years in the future, The Expanse follows the case of a missing young woman who brings a hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain together in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. (IMDB)
I updated this post just to put this series in. This is without a doubt the best science fiction I've ever read. There was a certain sadness that came to me when I finished the book series. I can't recommend this series enough to anyone.
Finance:
I hate suggesting finance books to people because there's just so much good investing stuff out there, but here are my top 2 books that influenced my investing style the most:
A Wealth of Common Sense: Why Simplicity Trumps Complexity in Any Investment Plan- Ben Carlson
A Wealth of Common Sense sheds a refreshing light on investing, and shows you how a simplicity-based framework can lead to better investment decisions. The financial market is a complex system, but that doesn't mean it requires a complex strategy; in fact, this false premise is the driving force behind many investors' market "mistakes." Information is important, but understanding and perspective are the keys to better decision-making. This book describes the proper way to view the markets and your portfolio, and show you the simple strategies that make investing more profitable, less confusing, and less time-consuming. (From Google Books)
This was the first investing book I ever read in 2018. Before this, I was kind of a "YOLO trader" who was interested in finance but did not really know anything about investing. I learned so much from Ben's book and it still has a huge influence on how I invest. It is a very good book and explains a lot of investing concepts in a simplified manner. The book open your mind to many more possibilities of investing and will save you a lot of time if you are starting out. I got lucky. Ben's blog is also a very good resource where he publishes golden tidbits on finance and investing.
Coffee Can Investing: The Low Risk Road to Stupendous Wealth- Saurabh Mukherjee
Most people invest in the usual assets: real estate, gold, mutual funds, fixed deposits and stock markets. It's always the same four or five instruments. All they end up making is a measly 8 to 12 per cent per annum. Those who are exceptionally unfortunate get stuck in the middle of a crash and end up losing a lot of money. What if there was another way? What if you could make not 10 not 15 but 20 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) on your investments? What if there was a way to grow your money four to five times whilst taking half the risk compared to the overall market? (Source: Amazon)
I actually read this book only in late 2019 and it is one of my favorite books ever. The book made me add more quant based approaches to my portfolio and has been a major influence on my investing style over the last 2 years. A good wealth of knowledge.
I have entire section on finance resources if anyone is interested.
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