DISCLAIMER: REPOST FROM 2022’s MAE.
This post stands as a repost from the archives on mindlessandeasy’s old host.
I have been reposted it in it’s entirety without edits, just updating links to be as relevant as possible.
Enjoy ——————————————————————————
Hi Everyone, It’s been awhile.
Wanted to chime back in with some books I feel like generating more attention towards.
These are books I’ve read/listened to that will help you generate a mindset towards growth and personal development.
Inside I will have links to Amazon/Audible and YouTube so that you have the easiest time accessing them.
As an upfront disclaimer I have an affiliation with Amazon/Audible (as noted throughout the entire blog).
When you sign up for your plan or get a book, I get a kickback from them (at no cost to you btw, you essentially take money away from Bezo’s and it goes to me instead, win win)
With that out of the way, Enjoy!
Let me know your personal favorites from this list.
What you have taken away as a lesson from them?
Find a free version available on YouTube I don’t have listed? (High Quality Please)
Post it in the comments section so others can save some of money and time.
Lastly, feel free to recommend other books for viewers as well.
There is a breadth of information in the world, let’s use a collective community to enhance everyone’s lives.
Table of Contents (Quick links to the books)
- Meditations – Marcus Aurelius.
- The Myth Of Sisyphus – Albert Camus
- 12 Rules For Life – Jordan Peterson
- The 48 Laws Of Power -Robert Green
- The Richest Man In Babylon – George S. Clason
Meditations – Marcus Aurelius.
This should be NO SHOCKER to anyone who has viewed my Instagram, YouTube or blog.
Similarly, I have a brief YouTube video as well
It is a series of lesson that I go back to at least 3 times a year.
Incredible for perspective, clarity, and to remain stoic.
Meditations wasn’t even meant to be one of those books for self improvement.
It is the inward journaling and thoughts of the worlds most POWERFUL man.
We are fortunate to receive such bold insight (especially considering the turmoil raging through the empires and nations for years to come)
Listen to it freely on YouTube Below (incredible production value and audio quality)
Or If you prefer to physically collect and read books, purchase through Amazon at this link:
I CANNOT ever not recommend this collection of thoughts to you guys.
It is life changing, to put it plainly.
The Myth Of Sisyphus – Albert Camus
“THERE is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging
This one is a personal favorite.
It’s not beneficial because it’s intrinsically about self-improvement, rather it encourages a lot of reflection and thought.
Not about yourself, just life and literature in general.
I think that’s one area a lot of the online “SIG/Manosphere/Redpill/ Etc” misses out on in most of their sentiments.
While a lot of people turn to “One must imagine Sisyphus happy” or the first phrase as the most important statements, I think there’s more to squeeze out of this book.
We can easily draw parallel’s to real life and examine our own place in the world with Camus’ book.
By taking the examination into other pieces of literature along the way, we start to branch out from our central intention and get a list of works we might enjoy.
(I obviously love books and they are apart of my recommendations for improvement. these are all exceptional on their own, but this is the most valuable in terms of independent exercises of thought.)
(Update, 2025 Damon here, go check out my other blog philosophyforme.com if you like philosophy)
It’s also a good analogy for how we distract ourselves.
While we contemplate the means of life, we often compare ourselves to others.
(Or own position vs where we would like to be.)
I feel like this could be akin to Camus taking the time to detail the works of other authors to better solidify his reasoning in his book.
(As in, we look at what other people do to better illustrate our own perspective and find ourselves to be correct or incorrect)
Along the way, we can take breaks between each chapter and reflect on life, death, and our own current struggles.
Most importantly, we can try to see things through a lens of hope rather than despair by contrasting the stories to our own life and aim to find pleasure in what we do.
Albeit, I’m sure that’s not how most people would take this book, It’s what I draw from it.
Worth a read if you like to digest books for practical introspection and not temporary motivation.
Listen To The Myth Of Sisyphus By Albert Camus For Free Here:
You can find the free version of the book here
12 Rules For Life – Jordan Peterson
12 Rules for Life fundamentally is set out to give you some guidance and structure.
Peterson outlines a relatively lengthy introduction transitioning into his 12 Rules.
Each Rule is denoted as it’s own chapter, they are full of detail and rationale behind them and why they serve to better your life.
Some of these may not pertain to you based off of your view of natalism or possibility of having kids, but overall it is astounding.
To help preview the book, see below for the 12 rules (I’ve also bolded the once I remember FREQUENTLY):
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back
- Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping
- Make friends with people who want the best for you
- Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today
- Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them
- Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world
- Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)
- Tell the truth–or, at least, don’t lie
- Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t
- Be precise in your speech
- Do not bother children when they are skateboarding
- Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street.
“Listen To The Twelve rules for life On Audible.”
(I personally own this hardback version and as of 2024 its cheaper on amazon as a hardback and than in Barnes and Nobles.)
(2025 Damon here, I still own this book and read one of following books. fun fact it’s still cheaper on amazon/audible than in bookstores, though I will note, Peterson is becoming an increasingly sad person to follow. His views are becoming far stranger and belligerent and I’d highly recommend others consume only content from this book. His social media Prescence seems more for grabbing views. )
The 48 Laws Of Power -Robert Green
To summarize lightly here, it is a recollection of stories throughout history and analyzing ways that you can become more influential.
From the greatest men in the world, most cunning women of the time, or some of the more prominent merchants it’s full of literal life changing advice.
Here is a more entertaining version that covers the principles of the book to watch:
Listen to 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene on Audible Here.
Buy a Physical Copy Of The 48 Laws Of Power By Robert Greene Here.
The Richest Man In Babylon – George S. Clason
Up next, this one I feel like is especially important for EVERYONE.
All of these books cover different aspects.
The Richest Man In Babylon teaches solid foundations of savings and wealth accrual.
(Running the blog isn’t free ya know. Nothing in life is, except for happiness.)
Whether you sit down and read to take notes, or listen online, you can learn:
The fundamentals behind savings (keep one tenth of your pursue for yourself)
Theories behind PROPER investing: (don’t let a merchant who doesn’t specialize in gems buy your jewels.)
The importance behind reputation/knowing how to make yourself more valuable. (Arkad’s Story)
Most notable in it are the “Seven Cures” and “Five Laws of Gold”
I’ll let you all read them and go through the list to jot them down
(or just literally google them if you’re THAT disinterested and want fast snippets)
Listen to “The Richest Man In Babylon” For Free Below:
Buy A Physical Copy Of The Richest Man in Babylon Here
Please feel free to drop your favorites in the comments or DM me your suggestions @DamonDesade on Instagram.
Until next time, Toodles!
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