Brian Monahan's Favorite Books
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6) It is plain old fun. With goals like becoming A Giant Squid or being selected for Lens of the Day I can find some joy in creating my online businesses.
These are my favorite books of all time. I hope you take the time to read a few or suggest a few of your own.
A book club is an easy first lens idea for any Newby Squids out there.
The Foundation
The must read books for personal development
Think and Grow Rich
There are various versions of Think and Grow Rich available with addendums and updates but this is the trusty paperback version I have carried around with me over the years.
The principles covered in this book are timeless. My favorite principle from this book is; when two minds come together for a common purpose a third greater mind is formed, with greater power than the sum of the two. This can be referred to as synergy but I find it flat out powerful.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/05/2009) 
Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller--Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
I have not read this version but I am sure it has all the original text so if you are not sentimental, go ahead and buy this version if it is your first copy.
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
Business Books
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
A good back identifying via data the success factors of some of the most famous business successes.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less
Learn about where to focus your attention. If 80% of your results are from 20% of your work. Why focus on the areas that lag.
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/05/2009)
Marketing Books
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
What makes your product stand out. In a field of brown cows you would notice a "Purple Cow." The caveat is does your "Purple Cow" actually have value.
Amazon Price: $13.62 (as of 07/05/2009)
Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers
This book has been out for nearly a decade now and is the gold standard for new world marketing. If you have not read this book its a must if you don't want to tick your customers off with email and digital marketing techniques.
Amazon Price: $19.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
Sales Books
Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless: How to Make Them Love You, Keep You Coming Back, and Tell Everyone They Know
Satisfied is the lowest entry point for a happy customer. Gitomer makes a better goal with Loyalty at the top.
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 07/05/2009)
Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
This is the first of Gitomer's series of books based on his keynotes and articles. I recommend all of his books. His no nonsense approach is refreshing. Do you want to know why you are not doing well in sales? "Because you SUCK!" according to Jeffrey.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/05/2009)
Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books Collector Edition
Get it all in one package and save big.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Personal Productivity and Value Alignment
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
My favorite part of this book is the creation of your defining values.
Amazon Price: $9.57 (as of 07/05/2009)
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
A formal old school approach to organizing your workload. It is a good read to give you some framework for organizing your life.
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/05/2009)
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
A radical approach to living a rich and full life. Even a few of the principles applied at the smallest level will greatly improve your productivity.
If you want to challenge your beliefs, I highly recommend this book. I also recommend his blog. You should be able to just Google 4 hour work week to find it.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/05/2009)
Hyped Contemporary Books
Good Reads, May not Last the Test of Time
![Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Cz7mSihbL._SL75_.jpg)
Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Amazon Price: $8.54 (as of 07/05/2009)
Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/05/2009)
Personal Development Classics
How to Win Friends & Influence People
Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Power of Positive Thinking
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
The Greatest Salesman in the World
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
A Message to Garcia
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Art Of War
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
Self Help Classics
The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition : A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/05/2009)
You Can Heal Your Life
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/05/2009)
Love Is Letting Go of Fear
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61)
Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 07/05/2009)
Spiritual Books
Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential
Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Purpose Driven® Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven® Life, The)
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Joshua: A Parable for Today
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
The Celestine Prophecy
Amazon Price: $10.74 (as of 07/05/2009)
Best Book of All Time
Add or Vote for your Favorite
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
My favorite of all time. What is your favorite.0 points
Keep up with My Current Book Reviews
Expert in the Rough
I also include book reviews on my blog Expert in the Rough
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPlease add any suggestions.
Of course this is just the top of my list.
I have a taken hundreds of books to thrift shops and have hundreds more on the shelf that I could recommend.
qlcoach wrote...
I see you love to read and you enjoy inspirational books too. I believe there is a need to find better ways for readers and writers to interact online. Along these lines, please check out The Eby Way. Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist. And best wishes for the success of your book club!
Posted November 26, 2008
On My Nightstand or in the Bathroom
What I am currently reading.
Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000: Running a Business in Today's Consumer-Driven World
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/05/2009)
The Monster of Florence
Amazon Price: $17.15 (as of 07/05/2009)
