One of the biggest challenges that I face every vacation is trying to decide what I’m going to read.  Usually, I don’t decide and I end up lugging 40 pounds of books with me just in case I might be in the mood for a certain work.  (Note: I know that the Kindle from Amazon will solve this problem…I just can’t get beyond my “I don’t buy the first generation of any consumer electronics” rule.)  Eventually, I thrift my choices down to a full duffel bag (for driving trips), and when my wife is not looking, I sneak a few additional volumes into someone else’s bag or under the seat.  I guess I’m a book smuggler.

Here’s the latest list of great reads that will make it into my traveling book bag this season: 

  • The Glorious Cause, volume two in the Revolutionary War series by historical fiction writer, Jeff Shaara.  If you like historical fiction, you’ll love Jeff.
  • The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement,  by Eliyahu Goldratt…a classic business novel and something I’ve been meaning to revisit for the last decade.
  • Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.  I re-read this classic of objectivism every few years and it’s time.
  • A biography of one of the founding fathers to match up to Shaara’s book.  I’ve always enjoyed pairing a good piece of historical fiction with the real thing.  It’s kind of like Stilton Blue Cheese and a glass of vintage port…they just go together.
  • Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch and Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss…both authors and both books are must-reads for the independent professional and invaluable reference tools for me.
  • The last two issues of Harvard Business Review.  In particular, the July/August issue is themed as “Honing Your Competitive Edge” and has some great looking articles.

I’m probably approaching a stuffed duffel bag of books at this point, so I’m pushing my luck (and the limits of my time), but if I can slide a couple under the back seat, they will be:

  • Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, the story of Lincoln’s challenges and successes in managing his less than friendly cabinet.
  • Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond.  I started reading this unique take on the development of cultures and societies last year and got sidetracked.  It’s been on my to-read list for some time and it’s time to finish it. 

The Bottom-Line for Now:

I’ll keep you posted on my progress and I’ll look forward to the incredible material for blogging that I will gain from the list above.  I love great business books, but I’ve always believed that the best leadership and management material is found somewhere other than the business aisle in the bookstore.  I look forward to reporting back to you after vacation.