I've done all my individual book reflections - but now that the year is done I wanted to zoom out and look at the big picture.

I was originally going to do some kind of cheeky 'superlative' kind of thing - but instead I'm just going to put the books into a handful of buckets.

Feel free to skim through and only look at the buckets that apply to you.

Books that Everyone should read

1. Darkness Visible - William Styron

I considered not including this one on this list - but ultimately decided it was a worthy entry. If you are someone who has experienced depression, anxiety, or any of their friends - this book will help you articulate those experiences. If you have been lucky enough to be free of those ailments - this book will help you gain a better understanding of how intense and powerful those monsters can be.

2. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl

This book is my single favorite from the year - and the practice and understanding of Logotherapy is deeply relevant to the problems we all face in the modern world. The argument that for many people - depression and anxiety are not neurological ailments - but existential/spiritual was a massive step forward for my view of the world. As I summarized to a friend (at the risk of vastly understating the value of this book) - Frankl's argument is that most people aren't neurotic - they just lack purpose.

3. The Art of Gathering - Priya Parker

There are a lot of very reasonable and valid complaints about this book. Parker does a little too much name dropping. There is a general arrogance to the idea of trying to instill some kind of deep meaning in every dinner date or birthday party.

That aside - the core argument that we should all approach human gatherings with more intention and mindfulness is vital. So many gatherings (meetings, weddings, birthday parties, dinner parties) follow a distinct "we've always done it this way" format - choosing to break from those tired templates and create events that truly serve our guests is a worthwhile pursuit.

4. Four Thousand Weeks - Oliver Burkeman

An hour on LinkedIn and you'll see about a gazillion different pieces of content explaining how if you make this little tweak you can get X amount more in Y time. Four Thousand Weeks is so incredibly important because it takes a sort of opposing stance. Our time is our most valuable resource - treating it like a game of Tetris and trying to squeeze every last thing into the box only serves to decrease the value we place on the things we do.

Especially for high performers and workaholics - this book is an absolute must read.

Books that all Leaders/Managers of people should read

1. Team of Teams - General Stanley McChrystal

The era where big things can be accomplished under the thumb of an all powerful manager is over. The age of distributed authority and trust has just begun. This book is the ultimate case study on how the role of the leader is to establish clear intent, vision, and direction - and then to focus their energy on clearing the path and creating an environment where their people to get it done.

2. Drive - Daniel Pink

If you're still trying to lead using the carrot and the stick - it's time to level up. Many years ago I had a manager who's only gift was for swinging the stick - the job was miserable and there were mornings where I genuinely considered putting my car into a ditch on the way to work - I certainly never considered going above and beyond to get my job done. My manager directly after that was the perfect model of what Pink prescribes in Drive. Ultimately it was her leadership that inspired me and gave me the confidence to take the risk of a complete career change - and I give her some credit for all of the success I've experienced since.

3. Good Strategy/Bad Strategy - Richard Rumelt

A great leader with a bad strategy (or no strategy) is not a great leader. Calling back to my commentary on Team of Teams - your role as a leader is to establish clear intent, vision, and direction. Another word for that is strategy. This book will provide solid foundations to be more effective at setting and communicating GOOD strategies.

4. The Pyramid Principle - John Vallely

If you want to be a great leader - you need to study great leaders. There are few individuals who can universally be considered great leaders and John Wooden is absolutely on that list. The Pyramid itself is an excellent tool that any leader could use to guide and inspire their team - but the man behind the pyramid is the subject really worth studying.

Books that you should read if you're looking to relax and just enjoy

1. A Wrinkle In Time - Madeleine L'Engle

I cannot begin to describe how much I enjoy this book. It's such a lovely blend of science fiction and fantasy - and despite the fact that it was written for children it remains enjoyable and powerful as an adult. This is also one of those books where my perspective as a parent has changed the way it reads for me.

2. Beowulf - Unknown

This is probably a surprising addition to this category - but I really found Beowulf to be a refreshing thing to read. (I read Seamus Heaney's transcription). It is a simple story that's been told thousands and thousands of time - but there's just something about it that tickles me.

3. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

I adore these books (except for Horse and His Boy which is fine). They are a simple, fun, and easy addition to the many allegorical adaptations of Christianity. We celebrate JRR Tolkien for the depth and density of the Lord of The Rings. We should celebrate CS Lewis for how light and simple he made Narnia.

Books that you should read if you're searching for meaning or having some kind of existential or spiritual crisis.

1. Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl

The first/only double tap I'll do on this list - seems like an obvious addition to this category.

2. The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran

I am not one who has ever found much joy or connection with poetry - but I really really enjoyed The Prophet. The book is easy to read and follows a simple formula that allows Gibran to provide philosophical and spiritual commentary on every topic that weighs heavy. This one is best read with a cup of tea by a warm fire.

3. The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom

There are probably 7 or 8 Mitch Albom books (my wife's) on our shelves - but prior to reading this I had never read a single one of his books. Based on my experience with this one - I expect I will read the rest of them before long. A warm story that focuses on finding the value and the meaning in one's life.

4. Siddhartha - Herman Hesse

I am not likely to abandon all of my worldly possessions to go pursue spiritual fulfillment as an ascetic - but reading this book at least has me considering the idea. I have loved this book since first reading it in high school - and reading it again I can say firmly that love has not waned.

Books you should read if you're interested in science/space but aren't an engineer/scientist

1. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking

This book was vastly more approachable and consumable that I expected when I picked it up. There is admittedly some degree of challenge in portions of the book - but in general I found little difficulty in getting through with a cursory understanding of what Hawking is trying to explain. I found this book deeply interesting and I imagine you will as well.

2. Chaos - James Gleick

This book is awesome - the kind that just sort of blows your mind every few pages. More than any other book this year - this is the one that I most often find myself wanting to talk about with people. It isn't terribly challenging to read and will impart you with all kinds of cool knowledge that is sure to impress your friends and family over dinner.

3. Space to Grow - Matthew Weinzierl, Brendan Rosseau

This book is becoming increasingly relevant as the 'space economy' gains more attention and traction. Reading this will help you understand that while space is a new and unique medium; the idea of establishing an economy in a fresh domain is not all that new or unique. The information is well summarized and was clearly written so that deep knowledge of space or economics was not a prerequisite.

Honorable Mentions - These don't fit a particular category but I enjoyed and would recommend

1. Skunk Works - Ben Rich

2. Freedom's Forge - Arthur Herman

3. Thinking In Systems - Donella Meadows

4. Sabbath as Resistance - Walter Brueggemann

5. Walking Disaster - Deryck Whibley

I can't say enough how much I appreciate those of you who have followed along as I've posted all these reflections and shared my work toward this goal - you can find the full list of everything I've read this year (with my ratings and some times a review) on my Goodreads.

My original plan was to take the foot off the gas and only read ~50 books in 2026, but after finishing 59 books in November/December alone - it was clear to me that there is no reason I can't do another 100. So here we go again.

Friday, January 2, 2026

100 Books - What I think YOU should read.