The recent coronavirus quarantine has meant a lot of different things. And if you’re like me, one of those things is significantly more reading time. Adjusting to a new way of life has been challenging, but I can still rely on books to give me some peace and normalcy.

Long before the pandemic, I had a long list of books to read, which actually seems to get longer the more I read. However, you may be on the hunt for a new book suggestion. Maybe you’ve already burned through your to-read pile and are curious about how to pick out the next right book for you.

What counts as a leadership book?

Before you go seeking a leadership book, it helps to know what one is.

The great and frustrating thing is that there’s no one example for what counts as a leadership book. It’s just a broad category because almost anything can help you grow as a leader. And perhaps that’s the primary thing required of a leadership book—growth on the part of the reader. 

No matter how you define them, there are countless great leadership books to read and picking out the right one can be daunting. But I’ve got a few ideas on how to narrow down your options and invest your time in reading a great book.

1. Ask friends

Most (if not all) of us have at least a few friends who we know are bibliophiles. They always have a book (or two) in their hands and are always willing to share a few recommendations for new books.

Friends often make the best book recommendations because they know who we are and what kind of books will benefit us. So pick out a few select friends and ask them for two or three suggestions for your next read. Write them all down so you’ve got a few options to choose from.

The more specific you are with your request, the better their recommendations will be. Ask them for a leadership book in a certain subject matter or similar to another book. That might help them to come up with ideas.

2. Read the endorsements

Every book has a list of endorsements on them talking about how great and wonderful said book is. Most of us don’t even bother to read these endorsements, but they could be a good source for finding your next great leadership book.

Find a few leadership books that you liked. Skim through the endorsements section—that could be on the back cover or even on the Amazon page. Many of these quotes will be from book reviewers with newspapers and magazines.

However, there are also plenty of fellow authors who review books. And it usually lets you know that they’re an author. So as you locate those author reviews, write their names down. They’ve likely written a book similar to the one you liked in the first place!

3. Search online

There are plenty of great sources for book lists online—you just have to know where to find them.

  • Blogs like Brian Dodd’s are incredible sources of book recommendations. Follow these blogs and jot down the titles that seem interesting to you.
  • Goodreads is one of the best sources of books across the entire internet. It’s basically a social media platform for readers. And it will even suggest new titles to you.
  • Amazon (which just happens to own Goodreads) is another obvious choice. Just search for another book or author you like and they’ll suggest similar ones for you.
  • As a slight variation on asking a friend, you can post to social media about your search for a book title. Ask your followers and they’ll likely come up with a few good ideas.

4. Borrow from your digital library

Not being able to go out in public or to in-person events because of the coronavirus has been pretty devastating. So has not being able to go to my local library. It seems like such a small thing, but since I normally go to the library at least once a week, it’s a huge break from my normal routine.

Thankfully, most libraries (mine included) have caught up with the technology of the 21st century and have titles available for borrowing online. They’ve partnered with some pretty helpful apps to allow people to check out books online.

My library uses both Libby and Hoopla to allow patrons to borrow books—as well as graphic novels, audiobooks, movies, graphic novels, and more. There are certain limitations with borrows depending on your branch. But it’s usually 100% free with a library card!

5. Try something completely new

When all else fails, try something completely different. Check out an author you’ve never heard about. Buy a book on a subject you’ve always wondered about. Or grab a book off the shelf at random and start reading.

The key here is knowing that you can stop reading if you don’t like it. Follow the Rule of 50—if you don’t like the book after 50 pages, it’s okay to stop reading it. You can always come back to it later, or share it with someone else who would appreciate it more.

Looking for your next great book?

There are so many incredible leadership books out there. It’s hard to just recommend a few. That’s why I created the Leadership Reading Database. It’s an ever-growing list of my top leadership books that I’m compiling with some trusted friends (like my buddy, Brian Dodd).

You can check out the Leadership Reading Database online and even save a copy for yourself to unlock some cool features, like sorting the titles or checking off the ones you’ve read. I’m always adding new titles, so be sure to check back as the list grows.

Until then, happy reading!

This has been a guest post by Robert Carnes.  Robert is a versatile multi-media communicator and writer, knowledgeable in both digital and print media, with over 10 years of experience in faith-based and nonprofit marketing.

Currently, Robert works as the Church Engagement Director for Orange Leaders, where he helps ministries have more influence.

Robert is the author of The Original Storyteller: Become a Better Storyteller in 30 Days.  

 

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