Jesse Koepke

Where did the year go? I could have sworn it was January yesterday, and my wife and I were finding out we were pregnant with our fourth.

I suppose that might have something to do with it.

Despite a growing family and 3 other kids to chase, I managed to read more books than I expected.

I managed to find a couple good fiction books (rare for me lately) and of course more business and family books. But more on that later.

So without further ado, here are the books I read in 2023.

1. 1/7: Let Her Lead, by Brady Boyd
2. 2/25: Endless Stream of Referrals, by Donnie Boivin
3. 3/22: Writing great characters in the first 10 pages, by Frank Catalano
4. 3/15: Getting Things Done, by David Allen (not technically done, but close enough)
5. 4/16: A Book a Week, by Kate Hall
6. 4/26: Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim (stopped when it got to management strategy and big companies)
7. 5/10: How to get paid for what you know, by Graham Cochrane
8. 5/19: How to outline cozy mystery, by Sara Rosett
9. 6/10: The Automatic Customer, by John Warrilow (skipped a little find applicable sections)
10. 7/15: Business for the Glory of God, by Wayne Grudham
11. 8/4: The Five marks of a man, by Brian Tome
12. 8/7: You have what it takes, by John Eldredge
13. 8/23: The 7AM Workout Edge, by Anthony Arvanitakis
14. 9/14: The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book, by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
15. 10/19: Sheet Music, by Kevin Leman
16. 11/12: Win at Work and Succeed at Life, by Michael Hyatt
17. 12/14: The Lost Metal, by Brandon Sanderson
18. The Atlantis Prophecy, by Thomas Greanias

Favorite Books

Fiction

I’ve been reading fantasy for most of my life and I seem to be running out of books to read (which is why I’m writing my own series). So the past couple of years I’ve been trying new genres. I came across The Atlantis prophecy at a used bookstore and it was a fun ride. I’m looking forward to reading more in that series.

The best fiction by far that I read this year, though, was Sanderson’s The Lost Metal.

I’m going to be honest. I’m 25% of the way through Rhythm of War and I’ve lost interest. I was starting to wonder if Sanderson had lost his touch.

But boy oh boy, does he still got it. Metal has incredible character journeys and the best written action scenes in the entire Mistborn series, much less any fantasy I’ve read. I cannot believe how good this book was. If this is where Sanderson is at, I’m going to push through on Rhythm.

Business

As a husband, father, and business owner, Michael Hyatt’s book Win at work and succeed at life was a vital read for me. I appreciate for he pointed out that people either throttle back God-given ambition or sacrifice your most important relationships. Win gave a framework for how to win at both. I think I already need to re-read this one.

Wayne Grudem’s Business for the glory of God was the best breakdown of what the Bible says about money and business I’ve ever read. I realized hour many wrong beliefs I have, and how much God loves bless us and others through business.

Family/Personal

As a husband and father to three daughters, Let Her Lead, Billy Boyd’s look at women in the Bible and ministry, was a solid overview. He stops short of advocating for women to preach (by omission more than explicit statement), but it’s a short book that addresses the few verses used by some to argue against women. As a member of Boyd’s church, I appreciated that this is my pastor’s view.

Men often point to Wild At Heart as the best book on masculinity. Where John Eldredge’s book is a treaty on vision, Brian Tome’s Five Marks of a Man is the practical application. I haven’t read a book this good on being a man in years. I immediately bought a print copy (I listened to it, read perfectly and expressively by the author) and I want to give it to ask the men I know. I’ll also bring rereading for myself and my son as he grows up.

Reading in 2024

As always, I want to get better at retention and application. I’ve been developing my notes system in Notion, so perhaps that will help.

I’d also like to read more in my Kindle. It’s funny, I’ve had a Kindle for so long (15+ years?) that it’s a nostalgic thing for me to use.

The biggest change I’d like to do is read new books. For a few more I’ve been frustrated when I got to used bookstores; I rarely find books I want.

When I expressed that to my wife, she said, “You need to buy new books.” 😳 I’ve never done this, for many reasons read to money (see Grudem’s book above). But by golly I think she’s right.

So I’ve joined the Barnes & Noble membership and am planning to buy a new book maybe once a month. First up: Murtagh, by Christopher Paolini.

Best of reading in 2024!