Jaso's book recommendations 2024

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1. Meditations - A collection of personal reflections by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (not Euralius), focusing on Stoic philosophy, self-discipline, and finding peace amidst life's challenges.

2. Back After The Break by Osher Günsberg - A deeply personal memoir from Australian TV and radio personality Osher Günsberg, sharing his struggles with mental health, addiction, and his journey to recovery.

3. Stolen Focus by Johann Hari - Explores how modern society, technology, and corporate interests are eroding our ability to focus, and offers insights on reclaiming deep concentration. The stuff about technology was mind blowing for Lainie and I.

4.. The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris - Introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a way to break free from the pursuit of happiness and instead focus on living a meaningful life. One of Lainie's first books she read on her self discovery journey.

5. The Coffin Confessor by Bill Edgar - The true story of a man who delivers people's final confessions and secrets at their funerals, shaking up the traditional idea of death and legacy. Apparently they are making this into a film. I wondered what I would have him say at my funeral.

6. The Storyteller by Dave Grohl - A memoir from the Foo Fighters frontman and Nirvana drummer, filled with entertaining and heartfelt stories from his legendary music career. We listened to this audiobook on our WA van trip and loved it.

7. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi - A poignant memoir by a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal cancer, reflecting on mortality, purpose, and what makes life meaningful. This might be triggering and a book for your later years but was very insightful for me and what I was going through.

8. Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty - A guide to applying ancient monk wisdom to modern life, offering lessons on mindfulness, purpose, and self-discipline. Lainie and I saw Jay live and he is wonderful to listen to on his podcast too.

9. Life Is A Terminal Illness - Likely a philosophical or memoir-style book reflecting on the inevitability of death and how to live fully in its presence. Another one to keep for your later years, but will help you to understand my perspective when you are ready.

10. Retirement Made Simple – A practical guide to planning for a secure and fulfilling retirement, covering financial strategies, lifestyle choices, and mental preparedness.

11. Die With Zero by Bill Perkins - Encourages people to rethink their financial strategies, arguing that accumulating wealth without fully enjoying life's experiences is a wasted opportunity. This truly helped me contemplate my life as it was, following my diagnosis. I had to find my identity again and it completely changed my perspective on life and how to live the only one we get.

12. Dirty Laundry by Richard Pink - A candid look at mental health, masculinity, and breaking down stigmas around vulnerability, often with a humorous and heartfelt approach. This was very humorous to me at times but helped me understand Lainie's combined ADHD so much better.

13. The Happiest Man On Earth by Eddie Jaku - The life story of a Holocaust survivor who, despite immense suffering, chose to live with joy, gratitude, and kindness.

14.. The Power Of Regret by Daniel Pink - Explores how regret, rather than being something to avoid, can be a powerful tool for self-improvement and growth. 

15. The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman - A collection of daily Stoic meditations offering wisdom and practical applications for a more disciplined and resilient life.

16. The Resilient Shield by Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk & Tim Curtis - A framework for building mental, emotional, and physical resilience, based on military and psychological principles. Dan Pronk is on the SAS tv show and worked with both Gog and I in Yeppoon.

17. Drive by Daniel Pink - Explores the psychology of motivation, arguing that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are far more powerful drivers of success than money or rewards. This was great, but quite technical and was a bit too much for Lainie although she enjoyed the topic.

18. The Art Of Happiness by The Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler - A blend of Eastern philosophy and Western psychology offering insights into cultivating happiness and inner peace.

19. Find Your Why by Simon Sinek - A practical guide to discovering your deeper purpose in life and work, helping individuals and teams align with their true motivations.

20. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - A deep dive into how our brains think, explaining the two systems of thought: fast (instinctive) and slow (deliberate), and how they shape our decisions.