It’s here! The 2016 Book List. I didn’t read as many books as I wanted this past year. For some reason I fell off the wagon sometime in August. I didn’t finish a single book during the last four months of the year. But, there are some outstanding books in this list. There is also one stinker.

I lean heavy on Presidential Biographies when I stray from traditional non-fiction/life improvement type of books. This year I read three such biographies and one more of a man who probably would have been President in MLK.

Scroll down to read my review/opinion on a few. Let me know your opinions in the comments. Let me know which of these you’ve read. And yes, those are affiliate links. (Affiliate earnings allow me to purchase more books!) The author links bring you to the Amazon Author Page for each author, if available.

1. Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power
   Author: Jon Meacham
   
   Reading about the Founding Fathers is always a great time for me.
2. Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush
   Author: Jon Meacham
   
   Jon Meacham provides a great review of the incredible life of a great man who dedicated most of his life to the service of his country. George H.W. Bush is a national treasure.
3. The Last of the President’s Men
   Author: Bob Woodward
   
   This book can be described with one word: Horrible.
   My copy is now serving a better purpose helping to hold up my wobbly desk. Mr. Woodward may have been a great journalist in the 70’s, but this effort is not worthy of any recommendation. Please avoid it.
4. The Echo Factor: Living a Life That Resonates Freedom
   Author: Kinda Wilson
   
   I’m proud to say the author of this great book is a personal friend. Kinda creates a great read combining psychology, story telling, and travel to bring the reader on an adventure that will help you look at yourself and life in general in a different way.
5. Quarter-Life Calling: Pursuing Your God-Given Purpose In Your Twenties
   Author: Paul Sohn
   
   If you click the link for this book, you’ll notice it isn’t available until April 4. How is that possible? In self-publishing such an incredible book at the start of 2016, Paul Sohn attracted the attention of agents and publishing houses. This great book will be revised and re-released this coming Spring. Don’t miss out on this one. Pre-order it now.
6. I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers
   Author: Tim Madigan
   
   A great book about the incredible Mr. Rogers.
7. Gerald R. Ford: An Honorable Life
   Author: James Cannon and Scott Cannon
   
   President Ford is a hometown boy for me. This biography is well done and worth the read for anyone interested in Presidential history.
8. Seven Women: And the Secret of Their Greatness
   Author: Eric Metaxas
   
   Another well written book by one of my favorite biographers.
9. Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy
   Author: Alli Worthington
   
   I liked this book so much I included it in a blog post. Read more about it HERE.
10. The Alchemist
    Author: Paulo Coelho
    
    The Alchemist has sold over 150 million copies world-wide. That alone makes it worth the time to put it on your “To Read” list. I read it for the first time this past year, and it will definitely be on my list again in the near future.
11. Walking on Water: Reading, Writing, and Revolution
    Author: Derrick Jensen
    
    This book was not on my radar at all this year. My oldest son read it for one of his college classes and asked me to read it as well. Jensen provides an interesting perspective on the profession and practice of writing. While not at the top of my list for books to read on writing, I would still recommend it.
12. More Than Rivals: A Championship Game and a Friendship That Moved a Town Beyond Black and White
    Author: Ken Abraham
    
    This is hands down the best book I read in 2016. Ken Abraham weaves an incredibly important story into a wonderful read. 5 Stars all around. Truly a great story, shared well. Special thanks to my friend, Anna Floit, for bringing this one to my attention.
13. Let the Trumpet Sound: A Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Author: Stephen B. Oates
    
    Widely considered the preeminent biography of one of the greatest men to ever live in this world. I learned a lot of new information reading this biography. It has also encouraged me to branch out from our Presidents in my search of biographies of great Americans.
14. I’m Fascinated by Sacrifice Flies: Inside the Game We All Love
    Author: Tim Kurkjian
    
    It’s baseball. It’s Tim Kurkjian. What more could you want?

There you have it. The whole (short) list.
Later this week I’ll publish my “What I want to read in 2017” list.