Darkness usually appears to crawl at a consistent steady pace. Now and then, however, its movements accelerate. Swiftly it sweeps across the land–leaving destruction in its wake. The shutdown of vast swaths of the world’s economy brings the worst within our society to the surface. Crime rates rise as unemployment figures skyrocket. Other things like selfishness, pride, fear, anxiety, distrust, and anger also bubble to the surface.
These last few items should concern us equally as much as rising crime and unemployment. They happen within our hearts and impact our daily lives. They also compound our response to the other things taking place in the world.
This time home from many of our daily routines and responsibilities offers us the room necessary to work on them. That’s the bright lining to the dark cloud hovering above–the opportunity to confront these things within ourselves; to push back on them and rise above them.
What we read and more importantly what we learn from it is vital to that endeavor. I read the following books this past month. Three are fiction thrillers, one a scientific work on sleep, and one a favorite I’ve read at least four times.
1. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
2. Full Black by Brad Thor
3. Black List by Brad Thor
4. Hidden Order By Brad Thor
5. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Brad Thor Novels
Brad Thor’s work is a mix of fact and fiction. You learn just as much from the pages of his novels–if not more because of the impact of the story–as nonfiction works. One of the most delightful tools in that education is dialogue. Thor uses this common exchange of characters not only to advance the plot but educate the reader. One of my favorites takes place in the early pages of Full Black. He uses the conversation between a financial times reporter and a wealthy entrepreneur as an opportunity to set socialism, communism, and capitalism before the reader. Thor explores each economic system as the proponent of each would describe them–no strawman arguments. The exchange is worth the price of the book.
Why We Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important parts of our lives. Why we sleep presents many of the answers we’re looking for when it comes to this misunderstood part of our lives. Our sleep patterns are far removed from their natural state. The effects of our poor sleep habits never cease to amaze.
Can’t Hurt Me
This is a recent favorite I continue to revisit. Contained within its pages are lessons worth returning to often. Through the telling of his life’s story, David Goggins imparts the much-needed lessons. It is a book about not only facing down suffering but embarking your own personal war with weakness, the weakness that keeps you from becoming your best.
I will unveil a new project involving the books I read this Thursday. It will begin with this impactful book. Go ahead and pick up a copy of it so you can follow along.