Like many of you, I read A LOT. But I don’t have time for traditional book clubs.
So I’m always on the lookout for business or personal development books that are:
- Fun to read (smart but not a slog);
- With a fresh point of view (whether or not I agree); and
- Written by authors I trust or who have been referred to by someone I trust.
When I find a book I like, I put them on a list to share with coaching clients and folks in my Insider Community.
This is that list—the easiest book club in the world.
The next time you’re looking for a good read to build your brain, scan the list and pick one.
Oh, and if you’d like to know when I add to the book club list, then make sure you’re in my Insider Community. That’s where I share tools & strategies first–often ones I don’t share anywhere else. Join (free) here.
Happy reading!
Always, Darcy
P.S. If you’re an audiobook lover, Audible offers my readers a free audiobook when you start a free 30-day trial. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy.
P.P.S. All book links are Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you buy from that link, Amazon pays me a few cents in exchange for the referral. Your purchase really means more for the author, who also doesn’t make a ton of money on book sales but it “counts” as a vote to help convince them to write the next one–or to sell the next one to their publisher.
My real goal is for you to READ (or listen), not necessarily buy. So feel free to request these at your public library (or from public library e-book services Libby or Overdrive), or from any trusted source.
Awesome to get to know Leslie Ehm, whose book Swagger: Unleash Everything You Are and Become Everything You Want, is an Amazon, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller. If you struggle with confidence and don’t want to “fake it till you make it,” read this book! Watch our interview here:
It’s been super fun to get to know Kristina Paider, screenwriter and story strategist. We talked about her fun and useful book, The Hollywood Approach: Script Your Life Like a Hit Movie and Live Your Wildest Dream, here;
The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind, by Jonah Berger
Seriously, a book promising the secrets to changing anyone’s mind sounds too good to be true. But Jonah Berger’s story-filled work gives you specific strategies you can use when you need to up your influence. Get your copy here.
The Power of Moments, by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Proof that the little things matter. The Heath brothers really make you think about how you can do small things that stand out.
Everything is Figureoutable, by Marie Forleo
I bought about ten copies of this book when it came out and gave them away to clients and friends. Marie’s a mindset ninja, and while her messages are often targeted to the entrepreneur, she’s a tonic for all of us with big hearts and big goals.
The Introverted Leader by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler
This is my friend Jennifer Kahnweiler’s first book, and one of the works hat inspired a resurgence in understanding introverts in the workplace. I’ve had the honor to interview her, so welcome her to the book club and read more here:
Managing Transitions, by William Bridges
I’ve probably given more copies of this book away than ever, so it belongs in the book club! If you’re managing through change (and who isn’t?), get this one now. It’s an older book and not available in ebook or audio form, but don’t let that stop you. It’s short, powerful, and still relevant.
The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
This is another oldie but goodie. The Zanders (she, a psychotherapist and leadership consultant; he, an orchestra conductor) tell stories and share golden principles to bring more creativity and innovation into our work and lives.
Building a Story Brand, by Donald Miller
If you want to do a better job of telling the story about your business, your product or service, your department or just plain YOU, start here. Miller also hosts a great podcast called “Building A Story Brand”–go back and listen to early episodes for great branding and communication ideas.
Hunch, by Bernadette Jiwa
Intuition is a crazy thing. When does it work for us, and when is it a path to bias? Jiva is one of Seth Godin’s collaborators, and so you’ll find unconventional wisdom here.
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink
We talk a lot about “what” to do, but how often to we focus on the “when?” A great read, as are all of Pink’s books (Drive was probably my fave.)
Herding Tigers: Be the Leader That Creative People Need, by Todd Henry
I work with a lot of creative people in jobs that don’t seem creative from the outside. If their leaders only knew the things Todd shares in this book, they’d all have a better life at work.
The Dip, by Seth Godin
I could have picked almost any of Seth’s published works to include in Darcy’s Book Club–and will probably add more later–but The Dip is the book that’s helped me the most.
Seth’s premise is that the age-old mindset of “winners never quit” is just plain wrong.
In fact, he says, winners quit all the time. Quitting some things is the only way to make room to focus on the right thing for you.
Bonus: super short.
Braving the Wilderness, by Brené Brown
I’m constantly trying to stretch my courage muscles, and Brene’s work helps. Try this book or her work for leaders, Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts.
The Snowball System, by Mo Bunnell
If you’re someone who needs to market their professional services, then you definitely need the strategies and tools here from my friend Mo Bunnell. More in my interview here:
My Chat with Mo Bunnell, Author of The Snowball System [VIDEO]
Permission to Glow, by Kristoffer Carter
KC, as he’s known to friends and followers around the world, is not only a leadership expert, but a mindfulness and meditation guru. We met through our shared friend Leslie Ehm (see Swagger above) and also share a publisher. KC’s four permissions may be exactly what we need in a demanding world. There’s more in my interview with him, below.
Find Permission to Glow with Kristoffer “KC” Carter [VIDEO INTERVIEW]
The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield
Don’t confuse Pressfield’s small but powerful work with the ancient Chinese text, The Art of War. The war Pressfield’s talking about is the one I call the battle of the brain, or in his words, the resistance. It’s that thing that pops up anytime you’re trying to do something that’ll help you be better than you were yesterday. Want to get past the roadblocks? Read this (I reread it at least once a year.) Oh, and not just for creatives, although I know there are a lot of you in Darcy’s Book Club.
Red Cape Rescue: Save Your Career Without Leaving Your Job by Darcy Eikenberg (hey, that’s me!)
Of course, I feel strongly about this book–my latest, designed to help you take back control over your career, right where you are, just as you are. Even if you’re convinced it’s time to move on, this book can help you make your work work better for your life.
Lots more info here, including links to all your fave booksellers, but I’d be honored if you’d check it out and share it with a friend, colleague, or someone else who deserves a better life at work.
Why I Wrote “Red Cape Rescue: Save Your Career Without Leaving Your Job”
How about you? What are you reading?
Love to hear your book recommendations to keep adding to Darcy’s Book Club. Email me here and let’s chat.