What books are you reading right now?

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What books are you reading right now?

Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

I personally try to alternate between real estate/business books and then something more "entertaining" like a fictional novel or biography. I'm down to my last few books on the shelf and am looking for fresh ideas for 2020!

I'm currently reading "Evicted - Poverty and Profit In The American City" by Matthew Desmond. The author follows eight families in Milwaukee, as well as some Landlords, to give a detailed look at the problems facing renters. It was written right before the housing crisis and is very timely. My big take-away: I'm not surprised these people are trapped in poverty because they continue to make the same bad decisions without ever stopping to think they could have a better life by making a few hard choices. I was surprised to see how the Landlords could be so hard...then generous...then inept. 

The second book I'm reading is "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxas. This is about a young, Christian pastor that stood up to Hitler from the very beginning and lost his life for it. Very interesting and Metaxas is a great author.

The next one I'm starting is "Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale Into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days" by Joseph John Coleman. I haven't started it yet but it's all about building that customer experience that develops into customer loyalty. I'm looking forward to it!

So, what are you reading right now?

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Dennis M.
Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
6y

I sit on the couch and watch Dancing with the stars reruns while I drink Pabst till I drift into unconsciousness

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  • Dennis M.
    Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Mark Ainley:

    @Nathan Gesner I read Evicted and it helped me  see things from a different perspective.  Being from nearby Chicago I was jealous of ease to evict there.  I actually emailed the author some questions but he never got back. 

    I have been on a ready frenzy the last 6 weeks and this is what I read(listened) and actually recommend them all. 

    The South Side - Chicago book about the long history of Segregation.  Anyone interested in the investments here on Chicago’s South Side this gives a deep background. 

    Eat That Frog - Short book about taking on the most important tasks first each day. 

    Do It Scared - we all have a fear type and when a coach had me take the online survey to find out my fear type I was interested to read the book.  

    The People’s Tycoon - Henry Ford Biography I love history

    Blue Ocean Strategy - gives you a differ approach to customers you find.  Wasn’t that great and redundant. 

    What You Do Is Who You Are - I love Ben Horowitz. Good book about office culture. Any manager or business owner in any field should read. 

    The Road Less Stupid - Anyone that hasn’t heard of Keith Cunningham will love listening to this guy.  This book in Chapter 9 outlines this guys top real estate principles.  He lost like 200 million in a crash in the 80s. 

    Atomic Habits - for people that are pretty disciplined this takes it a step further. 

    They Ask You Answer - Awesome book on content marketing.  

    @Ned Carey

    Thank you for that list ! I got some new ones to read finally . The problem  with being a veracious reader is that you literally run out of good books to read Atleast I do 

    1Reply
  • Mark AinleyBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Roselle, IL (Chicago Suburb) · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Nathan Shankles @Russell Cazeault if you liked Chris Voss for that book, which is awesome, then I heard him on the Joe Polish Podcast last week.  See podcast link below:

    https://geniusnetwork.com/negotiation-mastery-negotiation-lessons-from-a-former-fbi-hostage-negotiator-for-becoming-more-persuasive-with-chris-voss-and-joe-polish/

    @Michele King @Chase Randolph I enjoyed Devil in the White City too.  Love Chicago history!

    [email protected]630-781-6744Podcast Guest on Show #72
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  • Caleb Fledderjohann
    Real Estate Agent · Minster, OH · Member since 2019 · 35 posts · 19 votes
    6y

    Just finished: "A History Of The United States In Five Crashes" by Scott Nations.  Talks about five different stock markets crashes and the events that led up to the crash.

    Currently reading: "Bo's Lasting Lessons" by Bo Schembechler and John U. Bacon.  All about the leadership style and lessons from past Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler.

    Recommend: "Crude Volatility" by Robert McNally. Discusses the history and future of boom-bust oil prices.

    2Reply
  • Ron Szmik
    Real Estate Agent · Brecksville, OH · Member since 2011 · 166 posts · 75 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G. I to alternate and I’m on D-Day The Battle for Normandy. By Anthony Beevor.

    Sacrifice at the ultimate level.

    Speechless.

    2Reply
  • Alexander W. Schuyler
    Winchester, TN (37398) · Member since 2019 · 9 posts · 8 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G. Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

    How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

    The Quick and Easy Way to Effective speaking by Dale Carnegie

    And before bed a good motivational speech or something inspirational.

    1Reply
  • Kevin Silva
    Investor · RI (rhode island) · Member since 2019 · 9 posts · 6 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G. Can’t hurt me by David Goggins (audiobook) the reading has elaborations by David himself on events in the past chapter

    2Reply
  • Mart B.
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 22 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    @Whitney Anne Kwek

    I'm I the same boat as you with and do prefer books like BP and that cover more into REI. I find audio books work well for my busy schedule, so I would listen during my commute and workouts. I've listened to Think and Grow Rich, How to Win Friends and Influence People and the Richest Man in Babylon. They have some nuggets to take away, but didn't interest me much.

    Currently I'm listening to the 4 Hour Work Week and when time permits BP: How to Est. Rehab Cost. Both books have provided me lots of knowledge that are sharpen my skills and would recommend. Another book I would recommend is The Millionaire Real Estate Investor. Definitely a good resource to use with REI. I've enjoyed that audio book so much I also got the leadership hardcover edition. Which they add tabs for quick referencing, which lays the book out more like a guide.

    2Reply
  • Jesse Stahl
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 21 votes
    6y

    Idk I thought think and grow rich was a fantastic book! It's basically a book about the law of attraction, what we think and feel about life eventually comes back to us 7-fold ... I'm a bit of a woo-woo spiritual guy so it's not surprising I liked the book. When he starts talking about thought vibrations traveling through the ether I get very excited :)

    I'm listening to supernatural: by Joe dispenza, just started. I just finished listening to his other book: breaking the habit of being yourself, a great manual for changing our subconscious into what we want, it has similar facets to think and grow rich tbh, but is much more actionable in my opinion.

    I am reading Walden by thoreau. I think it only becomes more useful the more technology we gain.

    I am reading the book on house flipping from BP! Super informative.

    The 10x rule I am listening to, great mindset shifter, I would recommend it.

    Lastly I am reading the Tibetan book of the dead, for my spiritual side :)

    1Reply
  • Mike S.
    Investor · Broward County, FL · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 938 votes
    6y

    @Nathan Shankles

    I’m in the middle of Never Split the Difference and find it captivating.

    2Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Kevin Silva:

    @Nathan G. Can’t hurt me by David Goggins (audiobook) the reading has elaborations by David himself on events in the past chapter

    David Goggins is an inspirational animal! He used to be in the same career field as me so I've known him a long time.

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  • Kevin Silva
    Investor · RI (rhode island) · Member since 2019 · 9 posts · 6 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G. That’s pretty cool man , so you guys sprayed for roaches together lol

    2Reply
  • Paul DeSilvaPro Member
    Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2017 · 148 posts · 252 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G. Currently reading "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek and listening to "Stillness is the Key" by Ryan Holliday. Thanks everyone for all these great recommendations. Personal goal is to read/listen to 50 books in 2020.

    2Reply
  • Lawrence Tupai
    Anchorage, AK · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 4 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G.

    I do the same thing with books. I alternate between something to educate myself and fictional books. I just finished 10X by grant cordone. Great book!!!! Before that, I read Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. I think I’m going to go back and read how to win friends and influence people again.

    3Reply
  • Whitney Anne Kwek
    Real Estate Agent · Portland, OR · Member since 2019 · 28 posts · 20 votes
    6y

    @Shiloh Lundahl

    Thanks for the recommendation! I will have to check it out.

    1Reply
  • Whitney Anne Kwek
    Real Estate Agent · Portland, OR · Member since 2019 · 28 posts · 20 votes
    6y

    @Mart B.

    Thanks, looks like a great list! I need to get better about finding material to listen to while I'm at the gym.

    1Reply
  • Todd Murphy
    Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 63 posts · 55 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G., great thread!

    Just finished Good to Great and Grit. Excellent business and mindset shift books respectively.

    I am reading Power of Now and have to say it is not disappointing. Very intense and is a growth book in every way.

    All the best!

    1Reply
  • Dawn AnastasiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 6k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Nathan Gesner:

    I'm currently reading "Evicted - Poverty and Profit In The American City" by Matthew Desmond. The author follows eight families in Milwaukee, as well as some Landlords, to give a detailed look at the problems facing renters. It was written right before the housing crisis and is very timely. My big take-away: I'm not surprised these people are trapped in poverty because they continue to make the same bad decisions without ever stopping to think they could have a better life by making a few hard choices. I was surprised to see how the Landlords could be so hard...then generous...then inept. 


    Those of us "in the know" in Milwaukee see that Desmond was pitching an agenda. He's a good writer, but biased to his agenda. He made it seem like the character "Sherrena" got rich off these properties. In reality, not one of the properties she owned when he wrote the book is still owed by her. They all went to foreclosure. The premise "the hood is good" is flawed.

    I'm not sure if I can post a YouTube link on this site, but here is a tour of Sherrena's properties by a local Milwaukee landlord in 2018. This landlord does know the true identity of the "Sherrena" character.

    Podcast Guest on Show #29
    2Reply
  • Joel Ray Cotton
    Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2018 · 39 posts · 11 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G.

    Principles by Ray Dalio for the second time.

    The Organized Mind

    Stealing Fire

    1Reply
  • Roland Jerez
    Rental Property Investor · Clarksville, TN · Member since 2018 · 21 posts · 8 votes
    6y

    Currently reading “Intentional living-Choosing a Life That Matters” by John C. Maxwell.

    So far the book is really good like many of his books. On page 29 there’s a list of words that demonstrate if you’re living in the land of Good Intentions, Intentional living or a Life that matters. Those words are so common to me that I’ve come to the realization that I’ve been living in the land of good intentions only (ie desire, wish, someday, hopefully, somebody should). In the process of erasing those words from my vocabulary.

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Dawn Anastasi
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  • Lee VanDenBroeke
    Elkhorn, NE · Member since 2017 · 23 posts · 25 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G. Im just starting “The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get” by Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade. So far i have enjoyed it.

    1Reply
  • Solomon Morris
    Rental Property Investor · MD · Member since 2018 · 287 posts · 205 votes
    6y

    I've been reading "Pitch Anything" for 2 months now... Sheesh!

      I'm actually surprised by how many here enjoy fiction.  I just can't get into reading about wizards or fake animals that talk

    2Reply
  • Oleksandr IvanovskiyPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2019 · 124 posts · 38 votes
    6y

    @Nathan G.

    Reading few at the same time.

    Raising private capital by Joe Fairless,

    Landlording on AutoPilot by Mike Butler

    Long distance real estate investing by David Green

    1Reply
  • Quintin Miles
    Member since 2019 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    6y

    @Nathan G. Hey i read your thread and I have a question I’m bore getting into this business trying to get started what book would you recommend for an early beginner?

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Quintin Miles:

    @Nathan G. Hey i read your thread and I have a question I’m bore getting into this business trying to get started what book would you recommend for an early beginner?

    I really recommend "Set For Life" by Scott Trench and "How To Invest In Real Estate" by Brandon Turner. the first one will teach you how to handle your finances and invest from a position of strength, into the second one is a good overview of real estate investing to help you grasp the major concepts. They are both available in the BiggerPockets bookstore. There are other books out there I could recommend but these two are simple, proven, and obviously oriented towards BiggerPockets investors.

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