10 Books That Changed My Life (And Why I Give Them Away)

The question I get more than any other is "What is your favorite book?”

In this week’s solo episode, Jay walks through the ten books he recommends and gives away more than any others.

The ones that live on what he calls his “sacred shelf.”

For Jay, it’s one of the hardest questions to answer because the right book depends on the season you’re in.

These are the books that shaped him as a writer, strengthened him as a leader, clarified how he thinks about money, and helped him understand discipline, resistance, and personal growth.

Whether you’re facing obstacles, wanting to level up your craft, looking for financial clarity, or simply needing a grounded next step, you’ll hear at least one title that speaks to exactly where you are right now.

➡️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

→ Why certain books become “sacred shelf” books Jay returns to again and again
→ How resistance shows up in creativity, business, and personal growth
→ How to rethink money and “enough” with Morgan Housel and JL Collins
→ Why the stories we read shape our character, discipline, and resilience

🎯 CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Ask yourself: What is the book I need right now?
Not what looks interesting.
What meets you in the season you’re in.

Choose one book, commit to it, and let it gift you something you’ll someday pass forward.

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Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
01:16 - The War of Art - Steven Pressfield
05:11 - Managing Oneself - Peter Drucker
07:46 - The Obstacle Is the Way - Ryan Holiday
10:04 - On Writing - Stephen King
12:34 - The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel
15:10 - Your First 1000 Copies - Tim Grahl
18:29 - Give and Take - Adam Grant
22:42 - The Simple Path to Wealth - J. L. Collins
25:09 - Make Your Bed - Admiral William H. McRaven
28:27 - The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - Charlie Mackesy
30:47 - Your Weekly Challenge

To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.