Hi there, friend.

Reading is one of my most important habits for growth. It helps you get centered, learn about new tools, and experiment with new ideas. 

The most brilliant people in the world prioritize reading and learning each and every day. Warren Buffet, for example, spends 80% of his day reading.  And my friend Robin Sharma says “education is inoculation against disruption”.

I promised myself a long time ago that if I saw a book that intrigued me, I would get it without thinking. I spent many hours in my monk life reading, and so developed a deep inner respect for knowledge, insight, and wisdom. Now, I always travel with at least 2 books in my bag. 

Not all books are created equal. So I’ve done some reflecting – a topic we’ll be coming back to a lot in the coming weeks – and assembled a list of my favorite books I read this year.  You can get these for yourself or to give to people this holiday season. Take a look and find something that you and your loved ones can cozy around the fire and read together.

How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choice by Annie Duke.

From the introduction: “There are only 2 things that determine how your life turns out: luck and the quality of your decisions. You have control over only one of those 2 things.” As a former professional poker player, Annie knows a thing or two about the delicate balance of luck and decision-making. What I love about her work is that Annie’s taken this huge skill that impacts us on a daily basis, and broken it down into easy-to-understand concepts that will boost your decision-making skills across all arenas in your life. 

The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Jonathan Haidt, Greg Lukianoff

I’m a huge fan of Jonathan, and loved chatting with him on my podcast about his newest book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Here, he and Greg have presented a really compelling case about the underlying beliefs that are central to our current society of discord. This is a powerful read for anybody who, like me, wants more unity in this world.

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer

Did you know that there is a whole world of “mental athletes?” I’m serious. People who train to compete in memory competitions, also known as “mental sport.” Now, if you’re like me, you’ve been at your fair share of parties and the moment somebody mentions their name it flies out your other ear. Joshua’s epic bestseller lays out the concepts that the memory pros use to remember everything.

Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen Hardcover by Jon M. Chu 

Fans of Wicked, or Crazy Rich Asians, will know the legendary director Jon Chu. Here is his memoir that details his struggles coming into his own in Hollywood. I relate to his story, being the child of immigrants growing up in the UK, trying to forge my path in an industry filled with people who don’t look like me.

JoyFull: Cook Effortlessly, Eat Freely, Live Radiantly (A Cookbook)  by Radhi Devlukia-Shetty

Of course, how could I not mention my lovely wife’s brand-new cookbook! People who know me know I can’t cook to save my life – but Radhi’s approach is practical and the food she makes is just absolutely outstanding. Beyond tasting good, however, it’s all food that makes you feel good. Which is what all the food we eat should do.

Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

I love this book, and I think it’s what so many of us need right now. Our society has an obsession with getting things done, and doing it quickly. And that leads so many of us to either make terrible mistakes, or get burnt out – or both. Cal’s groundbreaking work challenges the modern concept of productivity in a way I think is essential for all of us.

But Jay, I’m a terrible reader. How could I possibly make my way through this whole list?

Remember that the power of love outweighs the power of will. You’ll never conquer your booklist through willpower alone. Find what you’re passionate about. What you’re excited to learn about, talk about, listen to on the way to work. That’s what you should be reading about. If anything on that list – or any list – really feels exciting to you, that’s where you should direct your energy.

Oh and by the way, I’ve also written 2 books myself. Think Like a Monk is my practical guide that takes the wisdom I learned from my time at the ashram into daily life. And 8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go draws upon the same source material, but this time talks all about the thing nobody teaches us about but everyone wants: love. I’m incredibly proud of both of them. Take a read if you haven’t already.

📚 #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
🎧 Host of the On Purpose Podcast
🙏 Creator of the Jay Shetty Certification School

Challenge for the week ✨

Last week, I challenged you to commit to performing one act of service. The responses I got blew me away. Here are just a few that made me smile.

Reader Jenifer decided to give time and resources to keep people warm and happy:

 “I am making afghans to donate to a local nursing home and toys to donate to the local police department to give to children.”

Reader Keith is providing food and company for the elderly:

“You may be familiar with the Jewish concept of a kiddush after prayers on the Sabbath. Tomorrow, my wife and I are providing kiddush for the older members of our community - approx 20 people - so that they can be guaranteed of a hot meal, surrounded by the company of others. For me, an act of service is part of my DNA. Selfless acts are often done in the shadows - may the universe and the creator bring light into our lives.”

Reader Émilie is baking treats for the holidays:

“Every year, I bake desserts and arrange them in nice Christmas boxes. I give them to friends, neighbors, my children's educator, people who have become my village. It makes me happy to make something from scratch. And to spread a little bit of joy.”

I want you to commit, right now, to a daily reading habit. A number of pages, or a number of minutes, you commit to every single day. Make it a habit. I don’t care if you’re reading the New Yorker, the Guardian, or the autobiography of Ben Franklin – whatever it is, commit to it.

And tell me what you learned!

Poll of the week