I love to read – fiction, non-fiction, self-help, autobiographies, biographies…whatever. Give me a book & a comfy chair & I’m happy for hours! Now that the weather is turning chillier & the house is so toasty & warm…it’s a great time to read. If you’re looking for a few ideas, here is my Top 5 list of books to read. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
#1 – Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, Cal Newport
An excellent study in ways to improve the quality of the work that you do. This is not only a book about improving efficiency, but it makes the case that much of our day is spent doing things that keep us busy (i.e. social media, email), but are not really critical to the high-level performance that ultimately provide us with a true sense of fulfillment.
#2 – The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, Ryan Holiday
An inciteful book about turning your problems into advantages. Using the ideas of stoicism – the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience – Holiday illustrates how we can learn to focus on things we can control, let go of what we can’t control, & turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger & tougher.
#3 – Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance, Alex Hutchinson
I couldn’t stop reading this book! Just what exactly is it that limits our performance abilities? Muscles? Oxygen? Pain? Is it in our bodies…or in our head? Hutchinson offers a fascinating look at latest research on what limits our ability to perform & attempts to answer the question: “Can we all achieve more than we think we’re capable of?”.
#4 – Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague, Geraldine Brooks
Want a book that unintentionally speaks to current issues? Here you go. This historical novel, set in 17th century England, details the arrival of the plague in a small village which then quarantines itself to prevent the plague’s spread. It’s a gripping story full of death, superstition, faith, & the struggle to keep a community together under extreme circumstances.
#5 – Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory, Deena Kastor
I had the distinct honor of getting to know Deena Kastor (then Drossin) when I did my internship at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in San Diego. Her humility & positive nature stood out as uncharacteristic among the larger-than-life personalities that often accompany Olympians. Upon meeting her you would NEVER know that she is one of the most decorated long-distance runners in America. As I read her memoir I came to understand more fully why she is the way she is. This is a beautiful read detailing the transformation of an athlete who ran on fear of losing to an Olympian who came to appreciate the power of positivity & gratitude.
To see all of my reading lists, check out:
Coach Michelle’s 2022 Spring Break Reading List – Performance High