“You can make positive deposits in your own economy everyday by reading and listening to powerful, positive, life-changing content and by associating with encouraging and hope-building people.” — Zig Ziglar

Let’s focus on that first part for a minute: reading. (or in my case, audiobooks)

Books you should read if you are a nature lover or an outdoor enthusiast or at the very least, want to read a good story and escape your reality for a little bit. Here are my top 5 books at the moment. I haven’t read a lot but of what I have so far, these are the ones I really like. In no particular order:

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
The Forest Unseen by David George Haskell
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Leave only Footprints by Conor Knighton

“You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet.” — Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

I’ve heard this quote, but I never really thought about it until lately. For the last decade plus (geez that makes me feel old) or so, I have been listening to audiobooks as much as I can. I’ve always listened to simply pass the time or to hear an interesting story. I never really chose them to “better myself”. I chose them because the covers or the subjects looked interesting. Business, military, history, biographies, psychology, personal growth, whatever. I never really took notes or got into deep discussions or thoughts about the books. Here over the last few years though, that has changed. I have been a little more intentional. Now I am picking books with a purpose. I’m trying to get better. I have found myself listening to a few things multiple times and taking notes.

It’s about whatever speaks to you. Find a subject, find a specific author, pick one book. It really doesn’t matter, as long as you are doing it. Read or listen to it, embrace and understand it, and keep going. If you can’t learn at least one thing or get at least one insight or new habit out of a book, I’m not sure it was worth it.