How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie

"At the end of the day, life and leadership comes down to people.  It’s been a classic that you think about the ways to help people."

First, Break all the Rules

Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

"This books is one of my favorite because it examines the real reasons people are motivated and yet still many organizations neglect the basics and their people “sub-perform”  It has 12 questions everyone in leadership and management should commit to memory."

Bowling Alone
Bob Putnam

"This book is an American classic looking at the bonds norms and trust between people.  It examines what happens when communities of people work together— and when they fall apart."

The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell

"This fascinating book looks at why things actually happen.  What leads to change in a group or community?   How do you explain it?  It’s a must read."

The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown

"You can’t read only non-fiction.   The Da Vinci Code was the most exciting book I ever picked up.  I read it in 2 todays over Christmas break one year."

Any of The Travis McGee Mysteries
John D. MacDonald

"Travis McGee is my favorite continuing character of all time. He’s a boat bum, philosopher, veteran, and “salvage expert” who specializes in helping people who have been conned or ripped off in every way imaginable. McDonald proves better than anyone that pulp fiction can also be really great literature. They’re twenty-some titles in this series. Each references a color. Start with The Deep Blue Good by. Read them in order."

A Prayer for Owen Meany
John Irving

"Twenty years ago, I found a dogeared copy that someone had left behind at LAX. I picked it up and started to read it on a flight to Peru. It was the fastest sixteen hours I’ve ever spent on a plane. Great writing, great story, unforgettable character. A few months later, I put it back where I found it. I hope someone else picked it up and did the same."

Flashman!
George MacDonald Frasier

"The Flashman Chronicles are a series of adventures that involve a soldier who serves in the British Army during the Victorian era. With the exception of the titular character, the books are historically accurate, but outrageously fun because Flashman - who narrates all the adventures - is a shameless coward who somehow winds up getting promoted through the ranks because he’s constantly getting and taking the credit for things he didn’t actually do. There’s no more entertaining or politically incorrect way to learn history than through the eyes of Harry Flashman."

Me Talk Pretty One Day
David Sedaris

"The funniest essays by the funniest writer I know of."

Cryptonomicon
Neal Stephenson

"I normally avoid the whole techno-geek, sci-fi genre, especially when it comes in 900 pages, but this book absolutely blew me away. Nazis, code-breaking, computers, bit-coin, data-havens, U-Boats, war heroes, and some very dangerous dentists. It’s a big bite, but if you’re not afraid of a commitment, dig in. It’s a lot of fun."