One of our favorite things we have found out about each other at EMOE is that we all like to read. Whether it’s paper (Drew and Andy) or ebook (Tanner), fiction (Andy and Tanner) or nonfiction (Drew), or other differing opinions, we all love to consume words of all kinds. Self help books to leadership, fantastic adventures to current events, our topics we read range across the whole board. Jump in and listen to the episode, and when you are done feel free to come back here to find some of our favorite books, most impactful books, and other gems you may not have checked out yet. If you like this kind of content, please reach out and let us know!
Favorite Books (or some of them at least)
Andy – Narrow it down to 1 book, cant do it. But you’ll never go wrong with a Michael Crichton book (and “Jurassic Park” isn’t his best one) if you want to be taken to a in depth well written reality where you can chase dinosaurs (or dinosaur bones), gorillas, watch a plane accident dispute or be a pirate in the 1800’s.
Drew – this could be a huge list… “Young Men and Fire” by Norman Maclean is an incredible story about a group of smokejumpers facing death and the struggle to survive. My inner nerd absolutely loves Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time”, he describes how we know the world exists in 3-D by drawing a 2-D dog cut in half by its GI system! And from the historical fiction front, Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose” is a bit of a medieval, inquisition thriller (I actually took a college course about the inquisition where this was the primary text). Finally, my favorite medical themed book is “The Knife Man” by Wendy Moore, it’s a great non-fiction read about John Hunter, essentially the founder of modern surgery in Victorian England. I could go on, but that is a good start to my favorite books.
Tanner – Wow, this question seemed so easy until I sat down to do it. There are way too many good books. Here’s a short list:
- Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton has always had a soft spot in my dinosaur loving heart. No story has ever come close to totally capturing my imagination.
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is one of the best series ever made, yes it’s fantasy but it has depth, growth, and an absolutely amazing world to escape to.
- Into Thin Air by John Krakauer is a great account of adventure and the reality that things don’t always go as planned. A true disaster scenario captured by one of the best adventure writers.
- The Martian by Andy Weir actually started as a blog written by an engineer for fun, and because of how incredibly addicting it was for his readers it eventually was turned into a full book (and eventually a movie!). The science in here is top notch, and reminds me of the space version of Michael Crichton.
- The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss is something I will warn you to not start. Full disclosure, the series isn’t complete and there is no known timeframe for it to be completed. But I can say that it is easily one of the best series of stories I have read in decades. But seriously, don’t start it, you’ll just be let down like me when you are waiting years for the next book.
- Unbroken: A World War II Story by Laura Hillenbrand is one of the most incredible true stories I have ever read. Honestly, I am shocked that Louis Zamperini isnt more well known within our country. Truly inspiring and incredible story.
Most Impactful Books We Have Read:
Andy – Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. A follow up to “Steal Like and Artist” its a great book for those who feel like they may be in a rut, emotionally drained or just need to take a break and remind yourself how awesome you are, this is a must have.
Drew – most recently its an “Astronauts Guide to Life on Earth”. Growing up, “A Catcher in the Rye” really called to me as I was trying to define who I was in high school and again in college, it’s amazing how a fiction book set decades earlier call to you and provide so much insight.
Tanner – Getting Things Done by David Allen changed my life. In terms of organization it finally gave me an approach that I could utilize and mold to me.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi should be mandatory for any healthcare worker. The story of a surgeon who gets terminal cancer, it is about life, death, and the area between.
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson is used in many Fortune 500 companies for a reason, it’s rock solid self improvement that can impact not only yourself but people around you. The waters of difficult conversations can be treacherous, but this book helps you identify your own weaknesses within difficult conversations, giving you steps to follow and guide you through those really tough discussions or arguments.
Best Audio Books
Andy – Range by David Epstien. In it he questions the 10,000 hour rule, and gives examples and discusses how generalists have been as or more successful as those who have chosen to specialize. It’s a worthwhile read for those trying to decide where to take their career, or how to choose what to do next.
Drew – I actually don’t listen to audio books, seriously. As for “podcast magazines” Revisionist History and Freakonomics are hands down my favorite.
Tanner – The Graveyard Book (I prefer the one not performed by the full cast) as well as Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman are fantastic listens because A) his writing skills are other worldly but it sounds even better with his accent and B) are great stories. Talking with Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell is very neat due to the formatting. Lots of authentic audio blended into the story, as well as actors portraying audio from court documents. It’s very podcast-esque, but in long format.
Current Books We Are Reading
Andy – I just started the Space Race (an Audible original), written to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing, this major documentary-drama series brings to life the past, present, and future of man’s exploration of space.
Drew – I’m trying to get through “The Happiness Advantage”, just getting sidetracked by COVID, politics, then general degeneration is society, you know, the usual.
Tanner – My escape book is currently Dune by Frank Herbert (audiobook) and I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (paper/ebook). I’m also working through Future Value by Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel because I miss baseball already.