I read a lot of books and this is my attempt to pick out some of the best. The books are separated by the category that I believe they belong in and not necessarily where the author or publisher think they fit. The links are to Amazon.com – which has great deals on everything as well as great customer service – where you can buy them.
True Philosophy (How to Live):
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca (Kindle / Paperback)
Stoicism was a popular practical philosophy during the times of the Roman Empire, and Seneca is my favorite practitioner of them all. In these personal letters written to a close friend, Seneca discusses timeless topics such as friendship, dealing with anger, and death. This isn’t about logic systems or anything like that. It’s only about how to live a better life.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Kindle / Paperback)
Marcus Aurelius, an emperor during the Roman Empire, was another famous Stoic practitioner. Although he had tremendous power to do as he pleased, he was, and still is, regarded as one of the best emperors ancient Rome ever had. This book is a compilation of thoughts he wrote to himself on a variety of topics. This book is very good, but not as good as Seneca’s works.
Exercise and Nutrition:
Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes (Kindle / Paperback)
Taubes tackles the idea that grains and carbohydrates are good for us, and that fat is bad. This is a big book packed with information. It will take you a while, and it gets into a lot of science. If you’re really interested in nutrition, then give it a read. If you’re interested, but don’t want to get into such detail, then read his new book, Why We Get Fat And What To Do About It (Kindle / Paperback)
The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss (Kindle / Hardcover)
In this book, Tim Ferriss challenges conventional wisdom about health and performance. He teaches you how simple, small changes can lead to big results. While some of what he talks about may not appeal to you, it still accomplishes it’s goal: to get you thinking about your health. Best of all, the book is an easy read and enjoyable.