It’s June, 2025. Halfway through the year. It’s as good a time as any to do a “What Are You Reading” pit stop and post an update on what I’ve been soaking in for the past few months.
To summarize: Reading progress has been slow & steady. I know my overall word & book counts are down from years past – Not an excuse, just a status statement.
On the good side of the cover, I’ve been pretty deliberate in getting some reading time accomplished on a consistent basis. Mornings, for the most part, seem to provide the steadiest page time. I’m a creature of habit, especially in my morning routine. Prayer, journaling and book reading (distinguishing it from screen-time reading) are non-negotiables, even on the weekends. A good couple of cups of coffee and a Spotify playlist in the background round out my morning start-up.
So, I’m consistently turning pages, just not at the pace, speed & volume as I’d care to admit. It’s been a really good stack the past couple of months. I’ve only started a couple of new titles, have gone back for 2nd & 3rd reads of previously read highlights, underscores & marginalia. These efforts have married nicely with my Morning Pages: I’m probably 85% compliant with getting some words on the page every morning, definitely time invested well. The only time my iPhone screen is touched or viewed is when I’m starting up the Hallow App, or changing the Spotify volume….
So in quick summary, here’s what I’ve been reading:
The Virtues of War (Pressfield): This one has been somewhat of a slog for me. I love reading Pressfield, but I find that I have to really be focused as his writing is so detailed in names, scenes & story development that you don’t want to miss anything.
The Way to Live (Hackenschmidt): This is a Zach Evan-Esh staple. I picked it up off Amazon. It was originally written in 1908 by the Russian wrestler/weighlifter as a guide to overall health & fitness. While some of the ideals are outdated regarding exercise, health & medicine, the themes he presents in the early part of the book are timeless. Eat simple. Exercise. Rest. Repeat. Consistently.
Challenge Your Leadership (Moore): Corely Moore is definitely in my Virtual Circle of Influencers, and this book is an example of why. I just picked it up last week, loving it already.
Small Unit Leadership (Malone): 3rd read of this for me. An extremely influential book on me. Re-reading marginalia & underlines, taking notes from it constantly.
Whispers of Mary (Somers): I bought this for Beth for Mother’s Day. It’s been sitting on the end table waiting to be read, so I’m helping myself to it.
Peak Mind (Jha): 2nd read of this one. Dr. Jha has opened my eyes to much as to how we think & feel, how our brains work, how we remember, and how we process our thoughts, emotions and anxious moments. I keep coming back to this book for her guidance on ruminating, white boards & flashlights, and what to do when our minds get carried away.
Benjamin Franklin (Isaacson): This has been a slog for me, I should have finished this book months ago. But Isaacson’s writing, research & level of detail in telling the stories of Franklin are so well done, I don’t dare disrespecting the writing and the man by skipping/jumping through it. I’m in the 1776 timeframe now – It’s really good!!
The Artist’s Way (Cameron): 2nd read. I came back to this one as it is often-times referenced by writers & content creators. I’m in Week 8 of the book’s challenge-based curriculum. She, and Brenda Turner, have opened my eyes to what I’m doing with all of my writing & work: I’m a creator before I’m a teacher. Start with being a student. Create for creations sake. Make things YOU like that YOU enjoy. Let the rest of the world decide what they want to do with it, how they’ll react to it, etc.
Jiu-Jitsu University (Riberiro): A constant companion and reference in my stack.
OK, your turn: What are you reading? Any recommendations? Put them in the comments.
Be the first to comment