Josh Wilcox

Sometimes reading should be hard. Sometimes a book should feel like homework. Sometimes the effort you put in will increase the value you take away. Here are some not-easy books that changed the way I think about reading and life.

Ever find yourself pondering something you read a long time ago? Whether timely, imaginative, or mind-bending, some books just stay with you, like an intense dream. Here are a few of mine.

The mark of a book that was worth your time? When the mental imagery blurs with your lived memories. When your fingers recall the texture of the pages. When the cover art feels like an old friend. When you wish you could forget the story and read it all over again. Check out some of my favorite memories and form some for yourself.

Ever stop and stare at the wall after finishing a book? Or just close your eyes? Or cry? If you strive to read the best the world has to offer, sometimes you just need to take a minute to process and move on. Look below and find your next excuse to take five.

Years of consistent reading changes you, especially when reading broadly. Better yet, reflecting on your literary adventures reminds you of how you've changed. I like my reading journey and I hope these books find a place in yours.

Let's face it—not every series is worth pushing past the first book. I've done this many times and have some examples where the second book is just as good. Happy reading.

It seems a shame to let these recommendations go unsaid just because I didn't reach the end. Life happens and priorities shift. Unfinished doesn't mean unfit. Some books introduce the wonder right away. Take a chance on one of these and tell me how it ends.

Looking for practical, non-boring reads that will help your performance in the workplace? I've saved you some time by putting together my top recommendations for improving how you think, communicate, set goals, persevere, and lead. Investing in your professional mind is a simple way to set yourself apart from the herd.

If you're like me, nonfiction is often second fiddle to a great novel. The good news is there are incredible books out there on history, psychology, and life that aren't boring. In fact, they can be more invigorating than that latest fantasy read. Check out some nonfiction I've read over the last few years.

Looking for your next self-published read? Check out these hidden gems. Yes, I'm biased because I know the authors, but we should all do more “local shopping” to find truly unique books and stories.

Ideas are fundamental. Communication is critical. Conversation is enlightening. Podcasts pull these things together beautifully for 21st century humans. If you thrive on sampling the world's buffet of audible entertainment, here are 20 podcasts which have literally changed my life.

Looking for a truly unique podcast recommendation? You'll find one here. Like anyone else, I have my favorite shows, but I try to branch out from time to time. It's important to escape your echo chambers. It's important to enrich the texture of your mind by putting quality stuff in.

Never listened to Lex? Don't worry, I've got you covered. His podcast covers an immense landscape of topics, so I've pulled together some of my favorite episodes to get you started. Podcast tagline: “Conversations about science, technology, history, philosophy and the nature of intelligence, consciousness, love, and power.”

Remote work is so prevalent these days and it's more important than ever make sure your gear enables you to be productive. Whether you've been working from home for many years or a few days, there's always a way to improve your set-up without breaking the bank. As someone who has been doing this for 5 years, I want to share some of my favorite hardware.