The Bookshelf

Mornings for growth. Evenings for fiction.

If I am being completely honest, I have never been much of a bookworm. My wife can absolutely fly through novels, but I usually struggle to carve out the time. This year, I am changing that. I am officially challenging myself to read more consistently.

To make this happen, I am using a simple strategy: I always keep two books going at the exact same time.

In the quiet mornings before the kids wake up, I focus on personal growth and skill-building. Then, at night or on the weekends, I switch gears to a good fiction book. Splitting it up keeps me engaged without burning out.

This page is my ultimate accountability tool. Every time I finish a book, I log it right here in my virtual bookshelf. You will find a quick rating out of five stars and a short, three-sentence review of my honest thoughts.

Hopefully, building this habit keeps me on track—and maybe it helps you find your next great read, too.

Mindset: New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

Personal Growth

This book completely changed how I approach learning and parenting my son and daughter. It’s an easy, fact-based read that skips the typical influencer nonsense in favor of actual evidence. I will definitely be recommending this one to friends and family looking for practical advice.

Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken

Fiction

While the Greek mythology backdrop is a nice touch, the core plot is just your typical romance between the protagonist and the alleged villain. The narrative relies on too many forced twists and lacks the character depth needed to make the world actually feel believable. It makes for an easy read, but the shallow backstory and an unsatisfying ending ultimately leave a lot to be desired.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Fiction

I checked this massive book out from the library, but abandoned it after 100 pages simply because it was too bulky to comfortably lug around. Since I didn’t get far enough to fairly judge the content, I am leaving it unrated for now. I might give it another shot down the road if I can grab a lighter, digital copy for my Kindle.

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman

Personal Growth

TBD

Wooden on Leadership by John Wooden & Steven Jamison

Personal Growth

TBD

Wired In by Toby Neal

Fiction

TBD