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© 2026 Juvoni Beckford

  1. Library
  2. /Awards
  3. /Couldn't Put It Down

Couldn't Put It Down

No. 03 · Felt it

I kept reading when I meant to stop.

22 books

  1. Creativity, Inc.

    Ed CatmulStaying power: Lasting influence

    It should come of no surprise that one of the founders of Pixar would be able to craft an amazing story with the book Creativity Inc. in collaboration with Amy Wallace. Halfway through, I knew this book would are my all-time favorites list. What stands out in this book compared to other business books is the…

    Moderate9.5
  2. The One Thing

    Gary KellerStaying power: Lasting influence

    In The One Thing, you learn the art of prioritization and how to train your mind to connect one goal with the next over time until you know the most important thing to do right now. If you don't have a goal in mind, great questions are a way to get you closer, by leading you to an excellent answer. The question you…

    Light9.5
  3. The Fault in Our Stars

    John GreenStaying power: Lingering influence

    The only kinds of books I have trouble reading and finishing are fiction books. This was one fiction book, that was the exception and I couldn't put it down. It was well written and the flow of the story put my emotions through a slot machine. I felt a part of the Story and cheered Hazel (the main character) on all…

    Moderate9.5
  4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

    V.E. Schwab

    The book is a story of a young woman who makes a deal with the devil to be fully free, and as a side effect becomes immortal. But there's a catch, she is given a curse that everyone she meets forgets her, when she leaves their sight. She lives on for hundreds of years traveling across the world and generations. It was…

    Moderate9
  5. The Miseducation of the Negro

    Carter G. WoodsonStaying power: Lasting influence

    A look into the generational & psychological effects of slavery and misguided education in the African American community and the systemic injustices that still linger. Originally written in the 1930s, the tone and subjects of the book sadly remain relevant today. People are legally free persons, but can be…

    Moderate9
  6. What If?

    Randall Munroe

    A recommended read for the super curious and or Mad Scientists. Seriously though, "What if?" is packed with smart wit and humor, from the creator of the XKCD webcomics that you've probably seen somewhere on the online. The book creates an immense feeling of wonder, blending together science, creativity, and curiosity.…

    Moderate9
  7. Getting Naked

    Patrick LencioniStaying power: Lingering influence

    One of the few books I've been able to read completely through in one sitting, being on a 5-hour flight helps I guess. Even though this is a novel, Patrick paints a picture that makes you believe this is attainable today and uses the narrative to communicate his insights in what it means to be a true trusted advisor.…

    Light9
  8. The Graveyard Book

    Neil GaimanStaying power: Lasting influence

    A plot similar to The Jungle Book and Tarzan, with the essence of a Tim Burton Movie and extravagant spooky characters like those Halloween movie specials the Disney Channel used to feature. And yet, The Graveyard book stood all on its own, with amazing writing and creativity from Gaiman. Not only did this book bring…

    Light8.5
  9. Unbroken

    Laura HillenbrandStaying power: Lasting influence

    I was HOOKED to this book. What an amazing tale of persistence and strength of the human spirit, body and mind. Keep running Louis! Unbroken recounts the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who heard the call of duty and became an airman during the second world war. One May afternoon in 1943, his Bomber…

    Moderate8.5
  10. The Art of Learning

    Josh WaitzkinStaying power: Lingering influence

    The Art of Learning is an engaging autobiography of someone who reached a world-class level in two highly competitive sports both mentally, as a world class Chess grandmaster and physically, through Push Hands Martial Arts. Even in these solo-sports, Josh did a good job showing the benefits of a great advisor, coach…

    Moderate8.5
  11. The Poetry Pharmacy

    William Sieghart

    It's beautifully structured like a reference guide that gently guides you to the perfect poem tailored to your emotions at that moment, whether you are experiencing sadness, loneliness, joy, connection, or reflection. The collection's in the book subtlety allows you to explore feelings deeply without being…

    Light8
  12. How to See

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    One profound idea is that true perception transcends mere eyesight. When we embrace experiences without the clutter of mental judgments, physical discomfort often diminishes. Viewing perception as an active practice reshapes our reality and our internal lens defines either our suffering or our liberation. We construct…

    Light8
  13. Quiet

    Susan CainStaying power: Lingering influence

    In the United States and many other western cultures, society is built to favor the extrovert. When it comes to the education system or even making career gains, extroverted personalities seem to be put on a pedestal. Quiet describes how introverts are undervalued, but behind the scenes, many of the world's greatest…

    Moderate8
  14. Essentialism

    Greg McKeownStaying power: Lingering influence

    Essentialism at its core is simplifying and focusing on the things that matter. Being essential, is prioritizing and taking back control of your life, if you don't set the boundaries, someone else will and sometimes that means you've got to say no. We can't do it all, so we need to find where we can make the highest…

    Light8
  15. The 50th Law

    Robert Greene, 50 CentStaying power: Lingering influence

    I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Despite some repetitive elements in the 50th Law, which would of made more sense if the book was much longer and needed a big recap, which it doesn't, the book focuses heavily on conquering fear, incorporating episodes from the rapper 50 cent's life. Some of the key themes…

    Moderate8
  16. The Fire Next Time

    James BaldwinStaying power: Lingering influence

    A painfully beautiful essay by James Baldwin examining the consequences of racial injustice and a philosophical view of pain, religion and the concept of race. He gives a powerful reminder, “Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your…

    Light7.5
  17. The Giver (The Giver, #1)

    Lois LowryStaying power: Lingering influence

    I was completely drawn into the world Lois Lowry wrote, detailing the story of Jonas, the community he lived in and the Giver. The giver was a somewhat dystopian look into a society authoritatively constructed to remove danger's from it's citizen's lives. That meant loosing the freedom of choice, as those in power…

    Moderate7.5
  18. How Will You Measure Your Life?

    Clayton M. ChristensenStaying power: Lasting influence

    Applying lessons and learnings from the theory of the human endeavor to help you prioritize and cultivate purpose based on personal metrics that actually matter. The author leaves you with deep questions that seem, like homework, in the form of lifework. The examples were framed around business situations to help…

    Light7.5
  19. Anything You Want

    Derek SiversStaying power: Lasting influence

    A great example of customer-focused business building. Derek's selflessness was very Zen-Like and his ability to focus and execute is admirable. His passion for music, led him to work to build the craft across multiple verticals from singing, songwriting, and even production. When he needed a way to get his music to…

    Light7.5
  20. That Which Is Seen And That Which Is Not Seen

    Frédéric BastiatStaying power: Lasting influence

    Bravo, this was a great long essay by Frédéric Bastiat, a French classical liberal theorist and member of the French Assembly. Written almost over 170 years ago, this classic is still relevant today, shows how simple principles and a solid, small government can endure over an overly complicated and massive government.…

    Light7.5
  21. Ready Player One

    Ernest ClineStaying power: Lasting influence

    Willa Wonka meet's the Matrix, is a good world colliding analogy to describe Ready Player One, set in a dystopian world where people escape into the massively popular virtual utopia called 'OASIS'. The story follows Wade Watts, whose world resolves around the OASIS and finding the egg hidden in the game by it's…

    Moderate7
  22. The Life We Bury

    Allen EskensStaying power: Lingering influence

    Grab a seat, this captivating thriller, a debut novel Allen Eskens, will sure take you on a ride. I was glued to this story! I should note that I'm giving this bonus points from a 4 up to a 5 because of the excellent narration by Zach Villa on audible which added soo much personality and color to the story, as well as…

    Light7
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