The best 6 books I read in 2014...so far

Not pictured: Give and Take, the one that started it all!

Ah, the pleasures of summer reading. While most people like to take escapist fiction to the beach or vacation house, I've had a great season of learning how to be a better communicator, colleague, and leader, thanks to these books:

• Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam Grant (not pictured)
  I first heard about Adam Grant through Dan Ariely's awesome Coursera MOOC, A Beginner's Guide to Irrational Behavior. Nice guys don't finish last. Smart, mindful generosity will enrich your life and create incredible success and happiness around you.
  
  
• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What we Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
  By identifying our habits (good and bad) we gain real control over our decisions and achieve what's important to us.
  
  
• Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman with Greg McKeown (Still reading this one, and loving it.)
  The world of management, there are multipliers (who boost everyone around them) and diminishers (who suck the talent and motivation out of them). Multipliers have the power to transform teams and performance. Anyone who has a manager or is one should read this.
  
  
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (My favorite)
  We live frenzied, unfulfilled lives because we think we need to do everything. Knowing the difference between the essential few and the trivial many frees up your mind and energy to apply them in the best way.
  
  
• Talk Like Ted: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo
  Required reading for any user of PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezzi, etc. Strong storytelling + a clear plan = powerful presentation.
  
  
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
  A slow start, but totally worth the read. Today's New York Times article on the emptiness of extrinsic motivators proves the need for this book.

Next on the list -- a change of pace. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. What have you read this summer that made your list?