The list below is in no particular order. These are the books that have helped shaped me into the person I am today and tomorrow.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

I first came across this book back in Cegep. I was around 17-18 years of age. Having just finished high school I was heavy into martial art films (which now seem to have disappeared), and hip-hop music. Of the many artists I listened I would often hear reference to the title Art of War. Two good examples would be the iconic group Wu-Tang Clan that their entire name and style are based on martial art films. Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony another group whos best selling album was titled The Art of War.  

48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Years after reading it I realized that this is one of those books EVERYBODY had read. Rightfully so. Around 18 years of age Hip-Hop music has guided to this book. I have to say for a young kid who just started reading I loved the fact they had stories to help further explain all 48 laws.

The Ethical Slut by Janet Hardy & Dossie Easton

This is a book I will always remember when I found it. It was August 15, 2008. That was the day the film Vicky Christina Barcelona was released. Normally not a film I would go see a good friend of mine wanted company, and I am sure as hell happy I went. Having seen the relationship dynamic I immediately felt my heart and brain tick. This made sense, being the curious mind I was that night searched the internet and found out about Polyamoury and the Book Ethical Slut. The following day made my way to the library and took out the only copy of the book they had. 

This book single-handedly helped shaped the way I handle jealousy, communication, and conflict in relationships. You need not be in a Poly relationship to appreciate and learn ways to communicate with your partner. I highly recommend when reading the book look past the Polyamorous aspect and take in the tools and skills they teach. Worst case scenario you build a stronger relationship between you and your partner.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

I have to be honest this book has been on my Amazon Saved for Later list for a few months until I herd him in an interview and mentioned Taking Souls on the Joe Rogan podcast. At that moment I pressed pause, went to my Saved for Later list and purchased it with next day delivery. 

This book right here! This book right here! Is the epitome of how powerful our mind is. We all know the mind is the most powerful tool, David Goggin’s story is the perfect example of how you can get yourself to achieve whatever you want if you set your mind to it.

Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit

“Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own.” -Bruce Lee

Whenever I am asked if I could spend the day with any person dead or alive, the answer is always Bruce Lee. This was an easy find, the best way to sum it up is. Chris has a new love for reading, Chris is a huge fan of Bruce Lee, Chris gets his first credit card, Chris connects to Amazon and purchases book. The part that resonated with me the most in his story, is when it came to his style of fighting he had a simple rule. “Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own.” being a young adult and impressionable this has become one of my rules of life.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell is another of those authors who everyone has read his books. Having first read The Tipping Point and Blink it only made sense to purchase his third book. This was another book I read in Cegep, and if memory serves correct it was the first non-fiction book I ever completed in a 24 hour period. To this day Malcolm Gladwell is the only other of which I own and read all of his books.

Mastery of Love by Miguel Ruiz

Oh, baby! This is the one and the only book I have purchased more than 10 copies of. The story goes a Sunday morning I find out about the book through a text exchange with a friend. Still morning I take a 15 min drive to the Indigo book store, ask the clerk as to where I can find the book. I hastily make my way to the shelf, grab one of six copies, and pay for it at the cash. Now from the cash register to my parked car was a 3-minute walk. During that walk my eyes were glued to the pages, I sat in the car, and put the key in the ignition. As I closed the book I noticed a guy next to me waiting for my parking spot, that’s when I got the impulse to make my way back to Indigo and purchase the remaining 5 books. This is one of few books I continue to purchase and hand out to gifts as people. Before I hand it I make sure to leave a message for the person.