Books I Read in 2021

Each year I post the books I read that year as a means for conversation and a shameless plug to get more great book referrals. This year I wrapped up my Executive MBA at Vanderbilt and honestly didn't even think of publishing the 2021 list until a few weeks ago. Better late than never, I suppose…

Over time I've added a brief summary of the book or my main takeaway so that others may be able to pick from my list. In addition to these books, most of which I listened to the audiobook format, I listened to 54 podcasts on a variety of topics including business, leadership, spiritual life, sports, and many things in between.

My top book of 2021 happens to be the first book I read and was a reading that my book club chose for us to read. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer changed my year as it encouraged me to slow down and examine my life and what I believe is truly important. It invited me into a purpose and pace of life that we see in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. I have recommended it many times over the last 18 months (including yesterday) and have yet to find anyone that did not feel changed by reading it.

I attempt to read a variety of books and have learned to mix in fiction for my own enjoyment, but also because I think it does something magical for the human brain. There's nothing like getting lost in a good work of fiction.

While I'm at it I'll make a pitch for starting your own book club. Having a place to discuss presented ideas, gain new perspective, and build a learning community multiplies the impact of any given material. My book club meets virtually to allow individuals from other states to join on a weekly basis, so don't let distance or lack of time stop you!

On a more personal note, I do want to call out an untitled book that I read this year. It is a personal biography that my paternal grandfather wrote down as Volume 1, covering the first 40 years of his life. It has become a treasured possession of my family, as each family unit has read and passed on the book to the next. There were so many things that I did not know about his life and so much wisdom in the handwritten pages. Too often we go through life without asking even those closest to us about their past, hopes, and overall journey of what led them to this moment. I eagerly look forward to Volume 2 of The Life of Larry Kinney.

1. Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

What a great title, right? "Hurry" is all around us and we must actively push against it in the fight for our souls to have peace and contentment in the midst of a noisy and demanding world. Top book of 2021.

2. That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph

The lessor-known co-founder of Netflix, Marc captures the story of building Netflix from his perspective. A lot of lessons for start-ups and those trying to find a product market fit. I can't be 100% sure but I think the now popular subscription model started with Netflix. Innovation can come in the form of pricing as well.

Recommended by Nick Burnett

3. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

Sequel to Ready Player One, now a major movie. I hope they make this one a movie as well because it incorporates lots of music and pop culture references which would be fun to see on the big screen.

4. Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

This book was a lead-up to Obama's initial presidential campaign. It provided a window into the less-than-glamorous life of being a politician and gave insight into the values that lead to his eventual election to the nation's highest office.

5. A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost

Incredibly funny book. Dozen of real-life stories that had me laughing. Also, did you know that Colin went to Harvard?

6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

I generally re-read an HP book or two each year and find something new to enjoy every time.

7. Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Extremely interesting idea that there are three types of order for structures, organization, and people. 1) Fragile- easy to knock over 2) Sturdy- hard to knock over 3) Antifragile- gets harder to knock over the more you try. The author points out that our lives are generally filled with Type 1 & 2 but that we need to move to Type 3.

8. The Goal by Eli Goldratt

Book on operations written as a novel. Read as a part of my Executive MBA program with Vanderbilt University.

Recommendation: Vanderbilt Professor Yasin Alan

9. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Extremely powerful mindset and one of the top books I read. I know this book became popular among NFL teams and I can see why. In a world of trying to outsmart and outmaneuver to avoid friction and difficulty, often what we need is to embrace the obstacle AS the way. Our goal is achieved by going through the obstacle, not avoiding it. I still apply this thinking to life today in my relationships, my business, and the ups and downs of life. 

10. Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

This book would have most likely been the top book of the year if not for The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. This is not a book to tell you that you need to budget or how much to save for retirement, but rather gets into how our minds process information and making financial decisions.

Recommendation: Book Club

11. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter

Buy assets, not liabilities. Make your money work for you. Most people have mistaken ideas of what classifies as an asset under Robert's definition. Is the house you live in and pay a mortgage on an asset?

12. The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre

Story of a Russian spy turned double agent for Britain. Reads like a spy novel but really happened and helped to avoid even more conflict during the Cold War. Could have been one of the key dominos that lead to the fall of the USSR.

Recommended by Richard H. Williams

13. Rework by Jason Fried

The founders of the popular project management software Basecamp write about their lessons for staying productive and avoiding "rework", doing things quickly but wrong and having to start over.

14. Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Igor

Re-read this book, as it was one of the top books of 2020.

15. Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey

Classic from Stephen Covey that explores how trust can be a competitive advantage for teams and organizations to allow them to move quickly to adapt and advance.

16. Star Wars: Tarkin by James Luceno

Enjoyable backstory to the famous Star Wars villain, whose journey to power is filled with twists and turns. I still haven't forgiven him for the whole Alderaan thing though.

17. Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Books on habits and building each and every day.

18. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Read by the man himself, this book is full of stories that include lots of laughs, some pieces of profound wisdom, and even some of the trademark McConaughey weirdness that makes him who he is. The book was much more fun to listen to than I expected.

Recommended by several friends

19. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Potentially my favorite Harry Potter book as the story ramps up to its final installment.

20. Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency by Chris Whipple

A behind the scenes look at how things actually get done in Washington. The leadership and communication required by the chief of staff role is critical for a successful presidential term. There is a lot to learn for leaders about building and maintaining a high-performance team and culture.

Recommended by Corey Johnson

21. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Classic novel that kept the story moving much more than I anticipated. Enjoyable to read as well as provides some introspection.

22. Power of Writing It Down by Allison Fallon

I'll admit that I haven't fully integrated this principle into my life, but my belief in this concept certainly grew as a result of the author's articulation and research. I am actively working to embed this power into my routines.

Recommended by Daniel K. Cornett

23. A Promised Land by Barack Obama

Followed up Obama's previous book with the story of his election and initial term. There is always so much work that goes into a single piece of legislation, initiative, or special project and this book gives you a front seat to how difficult the role of president can be, as well as how rewarding it is to see your hard work pay off in the form of national change. I think it is such a blessing that books like this give us insight into different ways of thinking and allows us access into the thoughts of some of the top leaders of our time.

24. Encounters with Jesus by Timothy Keller

Re-read this book to walk through the life of Jesus again with Tim Keller as my tour guide, pointing out all of the ways that Jesus draws near to us and how our encounters with him change us for the better.

Let me know if you've enjoyed these books and please send me some great referrals so that I'll be ready to hit the ground running in 2023.