Read & Lead: Why a Reading Habit is Crucial for Marketing & Sales Leaders
How – and Why – I Read One Book a Week in 2023
Reading is one of my greatest pleasures.
Whether you prefer paperbacks, e-readers, or audiobooks, stories open up a world of ideas and opinions from writers all over the globe. It broadens your perspective, helps you empathize with others, and offers critical insight into how to run a successful business.
On the professional side, a great book offers fresh strategies and learn from others' mistakes.
If you're looking to expand your reading habits, this post will help. I’ll also give you a rundown of the books I’ve read this year and highlight the ones that stood out.
Unlocking Success: The Transformative Power of Reading for Sales and Marketing Leaders
In today’s fast-paced market landscape, mastering the latest trends and thought leadership is not just beneficial—it's indispensable for marketing leaders looking to thrive. By immersing yourself in books, magazines, and industry blogs, you unlock crucial insights into customer preferences, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments that can redefine your strategy. This ongoing education not only helps you spot innovative opportunities but also positions you ahead of the competition.
As a leader, embracing a consistent reading or listening habit is a game changer. It fosters empathy and sharpens your strategic thinking. Dive into biographies of trailblazing business figures, engage with powerful books on leadership and collaboration, and study niche-specific case studies that reveal impactful marketing strategies and tactics.
Staying updated with industry trends is no small feat, especially when your rivals are equally proactive. However, cultivating a strong reading habit can give you a distinct competitive edge, equipping you with the latest knowledge and tactics in marketing and sales, ensuring you remain two steps ahead in this dynamic environment.
How to Find More Time for Books
If you think you can’t squeeze in a little time for reading, don’t stress! You’d be surprised by how easy it is to get more from reading.
There are lots of ways to make room for that page-turner. Going for a bike ride or hitting the treadmill? Perfect time to read a chapter. Driving or taking the train? Just download an audiobook. (My dad and I listened to the Harry Potter series as we drove cross-country to see family in California.)
Try reading a couple of books at the same time. Right now, I'm diving into Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Greta Thunberg’s The Climate Book. They serve different purposes: pleasure and education.
If lugging around hardbacks isn’t your thing, grab an e-reader. With apps like Libby or OverDrive, you can easily download a book from your local library and enjoy it while sipping your coffee.
And don’t be afraid to set a book aside if it’s not holding your interest. Life’s too short. Don’t do anything that doesn’t serve you.
Top Books of 2023
Top Non-Fiction:
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
Leslie F*cking Jones – Leslie Jones
Top Fiction:
Babel - R.F. Kuang
Light from Uncommon Stars - Ryka Aoki
A Fractured Infinity - Nathan Tavares
Full List
Leslie F*cking Jones – Leslie Jones
Hogfather - Terry Pratchett
The Light of All That Falls - James Islington
An Echo of Things to Come - James Islington
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowlin
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - J.K. Rowling
The Shadow of What Was Lost - James Islington
And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
Equal Rites - Terry Pratchett
Night Watch - Terry Pratchett
The Midnight Library - Matt Haig
In the Lives of Puppets - T.J. Klune
Dune Messiah - Frank Herbert
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - Shannon Chakraborty
She Who Became the Sun - Shelley Parker-Chan
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
A Taste of Gold and Iron - Alexandra Rowland
Legends & Lattes - Travis Baldree
Dune - Frank Herbert
Light from Uncommon Stars - Ryka Aoki
The Sun and the Star - Rick Riordan
The City We Became - N.K. Jemisin
The Fifth Elephant - Terry Pratchett
Feet of Clay - Terry Pratchett
Jingo - Terry Pratchett
Raising Steam - Terry Pratchett
Flight of Magpies - K.J. Charles
A Case of Possession - K.J. Charles
The Magpie Lord - K.J. Charles
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
A Fractured Infinity - Nathan Tavares
Babel - R.F. Kuang
Any Way the Wind Blows - Rainbow Rowell
Wayward Son - Rainbow Rowell
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Nona the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir
The Republic of Thieves - Scott Lynch
Red Seas Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
A Court of Silver Flames - Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Frost and Starlight - Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Wings and Ruin - Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Mists and Fury - Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
Assassin's Quest - Robin Hobb
Royal Assassin - Robin Hobb
Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb
For my favorite stories and nonfiction, check out my Year in Books for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
And if you’d like to nerd out with a real bookworm, hit me up on Threads or LinkedIn.