Jason Lengstorf01:10PM on May 08, 2009

I'm reading The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs right now. I just wrapped up a re-read Hot Water Music by Charles Bukowski.

I really loved High Fidelity. Made to Stick is a great read, too.

Mark Young01:11PM on May 08, 2009

Currently reading Athletic Body in Balance by Gray Cook. Don't know why it took me so long to pick this one up, but I'm glad I did. Excellent so far!

Aaron01:15PM on May 08, 2009

Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins
...or anything by him. Still Life With Woodpecker is my fav.

The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker

flagmonkey01:23PM on May 08, 2009

Muscle Chow stands in my kitchen, "All Quiet on the Western Front" is on my whishlist. If you like those kinds of books I suggest you give "As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me" or "Papillon" a try if you haven't read them. I liked both very much.

Jay Stadtfeld01:30PM on May 08, 2009

I generally have close to five books going on at the same time. The most noteable book I'm reading right now is "Danger's Hour: The story of the USS Bunker Hill and the Kamikaze who Crippled Her."

Long story short, my Grandfather was in the lookout tower when two kamikazes came through the clouds carrying 500 lb. bombs and smashed into the deck of the aircraft carrier. He witnessed hundreds of men die that day.

Figured it'd be a noble way of knowing the things my Grandfather saw through his days in the war.

Michael05:43PM on May 08, 2009

You have an AP Stylebook *and* the right dictionary? Nice work on the writing front.

Ryan06:16PM on May 08, 2009

Wait...where's Built For Show? I know you have at least one copy laying around...

Dan07:23PM on May 08, 2009

Finished Dave Tate's "Raising the Bar". Started reading "The 48 Laws of Power" based off your recommendation. I've also started "The Closed Circle: An Interpretation of the Arabs" by David Pryce-Jones.

I'd also recommend "The Gift of Fear", excellent book.

aamir08:49PM on May 08, 2009

The Wealth of Nations (Adam Smith)

Foundational economic theory, to be sure. But Lord Almighty how Smitty does go on.

In my life, up to this point, there's been only one book that I've been unable to finish that was L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics" - the most mindless and prolix piece of rubbish that I have ever had the misfortune to lay hands on.

The Wealth of Nations, while being very far from mindless, is a match for prolixity and last night, I toyed briefly with the idea of just stopping at page 300-something of 1500 or so pages and calling it a day.

But, once more, into the breach.

Luka Hocevar01:50AM on May 09, 2009

Now that I think about it I'm reading too many books at once and should only stick with the one that tackles the issue:

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

Then there's the others:

Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin

Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

Little Black Book of Training Secrets (re-read) by Christian Thibadeau

See what I mean....

Brian03:22AM on May 09, 2009

Strong Enough, Mark Rippetoe

JPCleary07:00AM on May 09, 2009

So I just noticed that they came out with the Kindle DX...and Built for Show IS available for Kindle download...as are a lot of other books on my "to read" list.

Which got me thinking....Nate, you ever considered getting a Kindle?

By the way, "Brewing up a Business" was a great read...two of my favorite subjects...marketing and craft beer.

The "Details - Men's Style Manual" was good, too...

David08:07AM on May 09, 2009

What am I reading now?

Currently Reading

Under the Bar-Dave Tate
Raising the Bar-Dave Tate
The Omnivore's Dilema-Michael Pollan
Cooking to Hook Up-Michaels and Campbell

Planning to Read Again:
Akira book 4-Katsuhiro Otomo
Banksy: Wall and Pieces-Banksy
Neuromancer (for the 4th time in 2 months. I don't know why I keep reading this book)-William Gibson
Plainclothes Naked-Jerry Stahl

Need to Read/Finish Reading:
The Tipping Point-Malcolm Gladwell
Liberal Fascism-Jonah Goldberg
A Storm of Swords-George R.R. Martin

Chase Karnes04:26PM on May 09, 2009

Currently:

Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (Reviewing for the CSCS)
Simpleology - Mark Joyner
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

Next in line:

Secrets of Peak Performers - Kennedy/Glazer/Milteer
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Fat Loss Troubleshoot (E-Book) - Leigh Peele

-Chase

Yash06:45PM on May 09, 2009

Hey Nate,
I've been following your site for a while, and I picked up your book a few months ago, and they're both awesome. I'm gonna start the BFS program next fall.

I'm currently reading "Into the Silent Land" by Paul Broks. Its a neuropsychology book that delves pretty deep into the mind/brain link and notion of self and soul as it pertains to the physical brain. Some pretty deep stuff.
Next up is "Phantoms in the Brain" by VS Ramachandran which is supposed to be about the phenomenom that many amputees experience about being able to feel their lost body parts, or phantom limb syndrome. They're both for a class, but they're actually really interesting [at least for a nerd]. Who knew you could enjoy something you were forced to read?
-Yash

mikeyc07:56AM on May 10, 2009

Deep Survival - Laurence Gonzales. He talks about some amazing survival stories and goes into detail about why some people survive, and what goes on psycholgically and physiologically. Very interesting ready. Finished it in a week.

Nate Green10:20AM on May 10, 2009

Thanks for the recommendations, guys!

@ Ryan - I've got about ten copies of Built for Show at my house, and maybe a dozen "first copy proofs". I don't usually keep them on my bookshelf, although I have played around with the idea of building a small fort. First, I'll need more books.

@Luka

The Power of Less is a great book. Nice find!

@JP

You know, I'm not sure if I'd get a Kindle. I like the idea of turning pages and having an actual paperback in my hand. Still, I may consider it. What do you think of yours?

@ Yash

Thanks for picking up BFS. I really appreciate it!

-Nate

JPCleary01:19PM on May 10, 2009

@Nate

Shiiiiitttt...only highly paid T-Nation contributors can afford shit like that. ;)

I honestly don't know if I'd like it either. But from a couple of guys I know, whose opinions I value, they have both told me they'd never go back. They both told me it's hard to describe, but once you've done it...it's awesome.

I'll wait for you to drop the coin and give us a review...

Chad07:16PM on May 10, 2009

Hey Nate..

Moment of truth...Which would you recommend more... Precision Nutrition or Cheat your Way to Thin?

Grandpa05:04PM on May 11, 2009

Reading: Girl from the Gulches, Story of Mary Ronan.
About her life as a young lady on the frontier during the gold rush days(1850-1875, From Utah to California to Montana. The hardships of travelling by covered wagon, wars with the indians, and enduring the hardships of a 'settler's wife'. This was during the time of CHIEF JOSEPH, the Nez Perce tribe, and their suffering and humliation by the whiteman.
Also reading WAY OUT WEST by H. G. Merriam The reminiscences of the men and women on the Great Plains range from tragic to humorous, from adventures with warring indians to the hardships of ranching and mining during the depression days of the thirties. Telling of the ministers of the gospel who had to prove themselves the physical equal of the rough miners and ranchers.

Joe Carabase08:01PM on May 11, 2009

Question for Nate: You said you given away about fifty books recently, I am constantly recommending new books to friends/clients but I like keeping books I have read because I always find myself referring back to them. As you read, do you take notes?

I just finished reading a few great books;

Guerrilla Marketing on the Internet by Jay Conrad Levinson and Mitch Meyersons

The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki

Never eat alone by Keith Ferrazzi

I'm currently reading "Functional Training for Sports" by Mike Boyle and
watching "The 2008 Indianapolis Performance Enhancement Seminar," by Mike Robertson - so far both are real good.

Nate Green03:52PM on May 12, 2009

@ Chad

Honestly, I'd recommend Precision Nutrition for an overall system. Cheat Your Way Thin is a great product, though.

@ Grandpa

I think you read more books than anyone I know!

@ Joe

I do take notes on fitness and non-fiction books like psychology and philosophy texts. Definitely not for fiction, though. :)

-Nate

Dave06:49AM on May 13, 2009

IWillTeachYouToBeRich - Ramit Sethi
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, 3rd Edition. - Oh so riveting. lol

Many more in the queue, but focusing on that damn text book for now.

Chris Colucci11:39AM on May 14, 2009

I just finished reading Muscle, Smoke & Mirrors, Volume 1 by Randy Roach.

It talks about the history of bodybuilding (with an emphasis on the nutrition) going back to the early 1900's, as well as the start of the fitness magazine industry.

There just might be an interview with Mr. Roach popping up soon on everybody's favorite bodybuilding site, too. ;)
(Shame? No, I have no shame.)

Carter10:50AM on May 16, 2009

Hey Nate, any chance you'll be traveling to Thailand soon to do some Muay Thai? Just wondering based on the books you listed and because I'm considering going there when i return from my deployment in December.

DEAN aka bruceleewannabe08:14AM on May 22, 2009

Anything by Dr. Ken Leistner

I've get an interesting book sittin' here on my shelf I've yet to pick up. It's called "Mind Penetration" by Dr. HAHA LUNG

It's about the ancient art of mental mastery and looks like nothing I've ever seen before. FYI everyone.

paul \\\'results rockstar\\\' mort06:20PM on June 26, 2009

duuude- you MUST check out the 'go-giver- that small book is the SHIZZLE!

travesti03:45AM on June 17, 2010

very good blog

Brad01:58AM on July 04, 2010

This a great, well-rounded list.
I did a similar post on my top 5 reads...
http://ftbonnigan.livejournal.com/121289.html

Great blog, man. I'm working my way back through the archives. All the best.