Every new year hits a little differently. There’s always this messy Venn Diagram of what happened over the last year personally and professionally overlapped with what everybody else is experiencing, and then of course how we react to all of it. However you mix up those variables, it’s pretty common for this time of year to be one of reflection and planning. And if you’re a book nerd like me, there’s reading.

I decided to narrow down my top reading picks for January 2023 using the following criteria: I picked a selection of books that sit at the intersection of our personal and professional lives as well as the economy and society. It’s no secret that we’re all living through a time of significant change and uncertainty. Anyone going into this year claiming to have it all figured out is excellent at the hype, but likely not much else. These are books that won’t tell you what to think, but HOW. You’ll learn strategies, concepts, and approaches that are based on history, data, and experience, but you won’t find any “proven systems,” or “recession-proof hacks.” 

I’m not going to tell you what to think, or how to feel about these books either. You’re smart, you can read them for yourself. When you do, I’d love to discuss them with you. What I will share is why you might want to read each of them, and that might help you decide which ones to read if you aren’t planning on reading all four. 

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

The book explores the relationship between money and human psychology. It covers a wide range of topics, including how people think about money, how they make financial decisions, and how they can better manage their financial lives.

Why you should read this book now: Recession is a lagging indicator. Recessions are descriptive, not prescriptive, and if you want your business and your personal financial well-being to thrive in a time when that isn’t the most obvious or likely anticipated outcome then this book is a bright light in an otherwise dark time. 2023 could be your best year yet regardless of what may happen around you, and this book could be a great way to frame your thinking and set you on a productive path.

The Long Game by Dorie Clark 

A book about the importance of building a long-term perspective in both your personal and professional life. It offers strategies for developing the skills and mindset needed to succeed over the long haul.

Why you should read this book now: We always overestimate what we can do in a day, but underestimate what is possible in a year. From our 24-hr news cycle and social media to an economy focused on quarterly earnings at all costs, we’re surrounded by a culture of immediacy, and there’s seldom a sane voice championing the long game. Despite our cultural preoccupation with it, overnight success is rare and fleeting. This book is the antidote to that flawed approach.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book focuses on the power of small, incremental changes to improve your life. It offers practical tips and techniques for developing good habits and breaking bad ones.

Why you should read this book now: It’s no secret that New Year’s resolutions don’t work, but that isn’t a reason to go through life as if change isn’t possible either. People can, and do change for the better all the time. No one is more obsessed with this concept than James Clear and if you want to make real, lasting change of any kind then this book is a great place to start. 

Great at Work by Morten T. Hansen 

A book that explores the key factors that contribute to high performance at work. It offers insights into what sets the most successful people apart, and provides practical advice for how to become more productive and successful in your career.

Why you should read this book now: There are countless books about careers, business, and productivity out there, but very few of those are actually grounded in research. Hansen explores how the most successful people actually achieve more than the rest of us, and what sets them up for success. Whether it is your own work, working with others, or the hot topic of work-life “balance,” you’ll find actionable, data-driven insights that will help you to reimagine how you work.