What books does /fit/ read?

>>38385568
what have you learned so far?

>>38385819
talent is overrated

>>38385568
How old are you, OP?

>>38385827
not much into reading then huh?

>>38385568
This looks like the sort of book a WASP family would force their kid to read when he's only getting Bs in school and is too interested in car mechanics.

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History, the classics, Greek and Roman literature, some weebshit.

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>>38385944
The non retarded version

>>38385568
On my reading list at the moment:
>The Charisma Myth (I ordered it after watching this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT306YIh3FI)

>Difficult Conversations (by the Harvard Negotiation Project, should be obvious what it's about)

Past reads I would heartily recommend:

>The Monkey Paradox (a must-read)

When I don't want to expand my mind and just have some fun, I re-read Terry Pratchett novels

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>>38385568
Reading a lot of books on Teutonic culture and the Heathen worldview recently. Its interesting to think about what Europe would be like had it not been taken over by a desert cult.

>>38386905
It would have been a bunch of faggots just as it is today

Unfortnately I get bored of non fiction pretty fast. Any tips ?

>>38387051
Kill yourself
That should help

>>38385568
>looking for self improvement books
Self improvement books are a trap. It's just a cycle of feeling good but not getting anywhere. Instead you should focus on reading something practical. Something that will teach you about fitness and nutrition or personal finance. You really only need to read one self improvement book and it's HTWF&IE. If you know what that abbreviation is you're close to making it.

>>38387064
Thanks, anon.

>>38387081
>Something that will teach you about fitness and nutrition or personal finance


So basically self improvement books.

>>38387081
HtWF&IP^

Any book not corrupted by modernistic, hedonistic beliefs is good. That is reading the untranslated philosophies from before 1920s or so.

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The Inner Game of Tennis is a good ass book that's less about tennis and more about competition and perforance. My friend got it for me for my birthday.

I like to read about fighting, history, science and cooking.

>>38387097
Very vaguely put. Self improvement books are books that tell you common sense messages in ways to motivate you. i. e. I imagine OP's book is something like "you don't need talent you need hard work and here is how you do it - practice the same thing over and over again". A gross generalization. You don't need to read that book. You need to read technical information that will help you grow, not make you feel good.

>>38387154
Common sense isn't a thing

>>38387171
Just because you don't have it, doesn't mean we all don't.

>>38387183
If I don't have it then it's not something all people have therefore it's not worth counting on in the context of teaching people things

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>>38387081
This, and for fitness books I unironically recommend starting with rippetoes books. They really do prevent you from wasting time in the gym.

>>38387197
I phrased that incorrectly. Just because you don't have common sense doesn't mean that other people don't. It's called common sense because in a general population it would be common. Meaning that you're the unlucky few that does not have enough common sense to learn something by either reading about it specifically or practicing, but instead chooses to read a book about learning rather than putting the effort to improve the skill directly.

>>38387081
Dude I'm 19 never had a job and I know the abbreviation. Knowing it is not being close to making it, you almost gave me hope

>>38387246
In a nutshell self improvement books are basically. "Wow, I knew that doing these things would benefit me greatly but it's good to finally see it put into words."

>>38387264
That's cool dude, but I was just fucking around as the book is popular as fuck. However, I am skeptical that HTWF&IP will hardly get you anywhere, other than offering you a boost in confidence or motivation. After all one still needs to take action and when it comes to self improvement it's a lot easier to stall by reading self improvement books and thinking you're getting somewhere, instead you're just re-reading the same bull shit over and over again without refining any skills. kek

I just read blood meridian. I really liked it.

>>38387246
You phrased that even worse, I don't even know what you're talking about anymore

My point is there is no such a thing as common sense because not everyone hss the same experiences or opportunities therefore not everyone know the same things. Just because a book doesn't help you specifically doesn't mean it won't help someone else so just do you and don't dismiss other people

>>38387324
It's difficult to argue against common sense. After all, everyone knows that if you want to be healthy you must eat right and go to the gym. If you want to learn about a specific topic you read about it. If you want to get good at something you practice it. You and I both know that fire is hot. So to say there is no such thing as common sense is dead wrong.

But I'm going to extend the olive branch here. Yes we know that we must eat healthy and work out to be healthy, but specifically a person may not have common sense as to what is healthy or what is considered a good work out. Furthermore, when it comes to learning a person may not know what to read - even though it's common sense that reading will make you smarter.

So in the context of self improvement books I guess it isn't common sense not to read them and work on your skills instead. But it sure is a waste of time.

>>38385568
All the hate for self-improvement on fit is retarded.

Keep on reading OP. You'll make it.

>>38387557
To elaborate

People here assume we are into self-improvement and do nothing to implement it into real life. They assume we do not have hobbies/study/work where we can test and apply the stuff we learn from these books.

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Re-reading this atm.
I generally never do this, but I read it for the first time when I was just a kid and I felt like I missed a lot of it. I was right too, shit gets awfully complicated later on.

>>38387557
Yes because it's a lot better to read a book that tells you to eat right and exercise, rather than to read a book about proper nutrition and hypertrophy.

>>38387575
What incredible self improvement techniques have you implemented into your life?

>>38387450
>After all, everyone knows that if you want to be healthy you must eat right and go to the gym

Thing is tho, not everyone knows that
There's a lot of misinformation
Lots of people have no idea what healthy actually is
Lots of people think going to the gym can actually injury you
My mom for instance was afraid of going to the gym because she thought it would strain her joints
I'm telling you dude, it might seen like plainest thing in the world to you but it's almost guaranteed that someone else out there is confused about it

>>38387618
If you didn't know you needed to eat healthy and exercise how would you know you needed to learn about nutrition and hypertrophy?

>>38387601
Have you ever read Frederic Brown's short stories? Or other sf short stories?

>>38387643
>There's a lot of misinformation
Self improvement books do not specifically reduce misinformation. Anyone can be a dick and write something general or specific that is misinformation whether ignorantly or on purpose. They do not know what healthy is, but they are aware of the concept of health and should seek out specific books that will inform them about it. i.e. how nutrition works or a book on exercise. Not a book that tells them they have to do things to benefit.

>>38387661
I'm sorry. I've been operating under the wrong assumptions. The thought of braindead fucking morons never crossed my mind as I live very far away from them. Your question is logical, but now ask yourself how stupid does one have to be that they must be told: "You must act in a way that benefits you." rather than the process of "You know what benefits you, so here are specific instructions about how to do it." -I can see now how self improvement books would help people living in the gutter.

>>38387744
>The thought of braindead fucking morons never crossed my mind as I live very far away from them


You're on the internet, how can you not have seen them?

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>>38385568

>>38387081
>Self improvement books are a trap. It's just a cycle of feeling good but not getting anywhere. Instead you should focus on reading something practical. Something that will teach you about fitness and nutrition or personal finance.
But anon... That is what self help books are. They are books like "basic introduction to personal finance", "guide to nutrition and health", "cookbook for diabetics", "Fitness and exercise for old men" etc

You find the specific topic that you want to improve on and then you go and get the relevant information on it.

>You really only need to read one self improvement book and it's HTWF&IE. If you know what that abbreviation is you're close to making it.
Here you are implying that everyone has problems with getting to know people and socializing. Why do you do that? Why do you generalize all self improvement books and say they are a trap and then in the next sentence you recommend a self improvement book?

Your post is low quality and you should think your posts more trough before you post.

>>38387840
You can find basic introductions with a quick google search and find specific books from then on. No excuses.


The second part of my post, as I stated above, was a joke based on the popularity of the book.

>>38387861
>You can find basic introductions with a quick google search


Or you can find it all in one place in a fucking book
Why is this so hard to accept

>>38387861
>You can find basic introductions with a quick google search and find specific books from then on.
Specific books on whatever subject that you wish to learn, aka self help books.

>>38387897
All you're going to do is read a self-improvement book in hopes for a short cut. Once the books tells you "you need to save money" you're gonna go online and look for a book on saving money. Do you see how you can efficiently skip a step simply by going online and looking up books on personal finance rather than having to read a book that tells you to practice personal finance?

>>38387926
Specific books would be labeled under their specific genres i.e. nutrition, finance, math, fitness. Saying any of the previous books are self help is a cop out by using a gross generalization. The books on nutrition and finance will obviously benefit you, but they keep their own genres.

>>38387929
Once the book tells you you need to save money it is going to elaborate on how you do that
That's the point of it

>>38387950
Any book on teaching yourself how to X can be called self improvement

>>38387954
No, it's going to motivate you to save money by patting you on the back, it isn't going to help you create a budget.

>>38387980
Yes it will

>>38387976
Well then we've been arguing for no reason at all. Simply because we never discussed the definition of a self help book. Go to any book store and you'll find the self help section filled with motivational bull shit about how you're living in the present so you might as well act now. Or how to take a big short cut in life so that you can reach personal growth and well being and all of this other mumbo bull shit. That's what the self help genre encompasses. Books in general are beneficial to you, but you're out of the genre when you discuss finance and books on nutrition. Do you see where the confusion lies?

I can prove my point easily.

https://www.google.com/#q=self+improvement+books

That's what you get when you look up self improvement books. A bunch of bullshit like "The Secret" If you think about big gains they will come to you. etc. It's just a bunch of books that offer people short cuts so that they will buy it and never receive any technical knowledge.

>>38385990
I loved spice and wolf. I read till volume... 6 i think? dont spoil or ill kill you

>>38387718
None of his, many of Asimov and Philip K. Dick though

>>38388009
that's cool bro.

Anyway here's a list of books that will actually help you grow and teach you valuable technical information. If you guys actually finish one of these I would be impressed.

http://buffettsbooks.com/books-by-warren-buffett.html#sthash.Z7DkHole.dpbs

>>38387950
"How to Eat Well for a Better You" would be self-help where "The Principles and Practice of Nutritional Support" wouldn't

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>>38388101
I would imagine that the former would recommend specific food to eat, whereas the latter would inform people about carbs, protein, calories etc. and the effect on the body so that they may create their own diets. That's my bias.

>>38388072
>If you guys actually finish one of these I would be impressed.

>a bunch of pop-investment books
>a bunch of pop-bios
>a bunch of pop-sci books
>atlas shrugged
>catcher in the rye

come one mate these are hardly esoteric academic tomes

then again I forget i'm on /fit/ and not /lit/

Flow is a good book

Not exactly self improvement but very interesting

>>38388101
What if the content of the book was exactly the same?

(anyways, i guess i used a shitty categorization but i would consider second book to be self help as well. But i see your point.) Btw, i'd read that book if it was real. Anyone have any good books on nutrition?

>>38388152
Yeah it's a lot easier to dismiss books when they go over your head so that you feel better about yourself.

>>38388152
So all you have to do is put "pop" in front of something and the implication is that they're bad?

You've never even read a page of the intelligent investor and yet here you are flaunting your undeserved ego.

>>38387128
you gotta know greek for that....

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>>38388152

try this one you little cuck

>>38385568
Instead of reading about improving yourself why don't you actually get off your ass and do it? You're squandering your life in front of a computer screen.

STOP BEING NEET!

>>38388177
>>38388208
why are you getting so defensive?

I'm not saying they're bad for fucks sake, it's just they're not particularly esoteric or difficult

jesus christ lads take a chill pill

harri potter

>>38388228
>pulitzer prize winner

Fuck off with your pop-books please.

>>38388242
Fuck off or I will use what I learned in The Secret to steal all of your natty gains from you bitch

>>38388228
If theres any CS majors in here, this book is a great fucking read. Even if you're not its great.

>>38388228
I'm already aware of that mate

I wasn't trying to attack the books; I was just saying that one is not worthy of much praise for reading one of them

>>38388264

I am, I'm in the middle of it and enjoying it

I'd say anyone with interest in math, logic, AI, philosophy

>>38388293
> I was just saying that one is not worthy of much praise for reading one of them
You're wrong because you've overestimated people who read self improvement books

Thinking, Fast and Slow is an amazing book. Recommend everyone reads it.

>>38388309
this discussion is peddling off into autistic territory

but why would >>38388072 be impressed for somebody reading an easy book? Does he just have low standards for /fit/?

>>38385944
Good taste. I like having 1 historical book and 1 fiction book I'm working on and pick one based on how I feel that day. Any particular suggestion from Roman times? I was always interested in Roman history.

>>38388062
From These Ashes: The Complete Short SF (Science Fiction) of Fredric Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/1886778183/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_wkmUxb9XHD3SG

Well worth it imo , best short story author I've come across

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This book is fucking awesome. You should read it

>>38385990
Damn that shelf is A E S T H E T I C.

>>38385990
nice Pochaco

Is there any fucking book about improving memory skills?

My brain feels like full of Play Doh and my memory essentially vanished some years ago. Doesnt matter how much omega3, sardinen or nuts i put in my diet.

Also, introduction to philosophy covering some of the most important aspects and figures would be cool.

>>38388541
stop drinking and using drugs

>>38388541
you train memory by practicing remembering stuff. also lose weight and stop using prescription drugs

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>>38388349
Anything by Adrian Goldsworthy is an interesting read. A fine balance between good scholarship and fluent writing for a layman. I consider his Caesar the best biography I've ever read.

You can also hop on The History of Rome Podcast for a great run-through, and pick your favorite period from there.

I'm currently reading "A History of Private Life: Pagan Rome and Byzantium", which is good, despite the very obvious "frenchness" (Lots of Foucault-style analysis of power structures and sexuality, vaguely Marxist interpretations).

>>38388541
>improving memory skills?

Get into meditation: Mindfulness in Plain English

Start practicing maths and playing logic games: Elevate is a good app for phones

Think of a number in the morning; try to remember it before bed

> introduction to philosophy covering some of the most important aspects and figures would be cool.

The Story of Philosophy - Bryan Magee

>>38388228
>terrible exposition of concepts
>water-thin and borderline incorrect explanation of Godel and Quine
>hamfist some half-assed philosophy of mind thrown in just for shits and giggles
>author goes off on numerous irrelevant tangents
>attracts fedora tipping idiots on the bus
Yeah it's a fucking shit book alright.

>>38385937
That's a very specific example anon
>are you that WASP?

>>38388395
Thanks mate, I'll give it a try.
Ever heard of the Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons?

>>38388726
>>38388395
you guys should read some Gene Wolfe

>>38385568
>self improvement books
fucking americans I swear

I was only able to get through the first two chapters of "Think Rich & Grow," before running back to crime fiction. The book wasn't bad, but what Hill dictates is essentially everywhere now, and it's up to me to take action. I do recommend the book. Also been reading up on West African history, I do feel too much fiction has crippled my ability to consume non-fiction. I appreciate what I learned so far.

>>38385944
are you a vapire

>>38388726
>>38388850
I haven't heard of either of them but I'll check them out

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>>38385990
>fedora: the shelf

currently reading:

>german idealism - beiser
>irrational man - barrett
>odes and epodes - horace
>how the laws of physics lie - cartwright
>history of political theory - sabine (on hiatus tho)
going to be working on some essays on philosophy and foundations of quantum mechanics over the next week
also dip into the oxford handbook of philosophy of physics from time to time

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>>38387134
you don't get to have friends

>>38389241
How is it fedora? I've literally got Ikons, Religious texts and whatnot
>>38389175
No, just someone who is a bit autistic.

>>38385568
You want the best self improvement tips you'll ever get?

Get off 4chan for good, it's just a timesink filled with bad info, trolls, memes, spitefulness and you are just here to procrastinate and avoid doing things that really better you as a person. 4chan will do you little good, and that good can be found in a lot more thorough, concentrated and available form on other websites or books. If you do stay on 4chan, you need to realize it's not any better than watching TV in terms of personal development.

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Get on my level.

My theory is that the stigma applied to the 'self-help' genre was created by the elite class try and keep plebs from reading them.

The (few) very successful people I know personally all read a shit load of them.

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Not self improvement related, but its a nice book. Anyone can rec me some good Investment related books?

>>38389241
go back to watching reality tv

>>38385568
>tfw to fit two read

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>>38389246
>foundations of quantum mechanics
So I guess you'll have no trouble answering the questions in pic related right?
>it's another "delusional /fit/ard thinking he knows shit" episode

>>38388541
Try stuff by Frances Yates and Mary Carruthers on memory. Apply the techniques.

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Pic related is what I last read. Currently reading The Bell Jar, prob will finish tonight. Next up: Dune, then re-reading Crash.

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>Pharmacy Student

I legit just read these texts because I find them interesting, not because they are required by the program.

>>38385990
billy/10

>>38389442
>kahneman wrote a book
i did not know this, buying immediately

Anything by Robert Greene
Think and grow rich
Some atuff by outliers guy
Some older stuff
Art of war
Meditations
The prince

Just a bunch of shut I should have read sooner.

>>38389478
This so much this. I know a guy who is worth 100 million and he has transcribed think and grow rich twice. It is insane

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>>38390485
you should legally change your name to his name and make sure you eat the same breakfast as well

>>38387081
>HTWF&IE
everyone knows that fucking book you stupid fuck

there is an endless supply of useful literature reading carnegie doesn't make you ANYWHERE close to making it, kill yourself

>>38389478
Why don't they just suppress the publication of these sorts of books lmao? It takes much more work and time to create an entire social stigma.

>>38390557
Not a very big thinker are you

>>38390586
At least more than you apparently lmao

>>38390557
>Why don't they just suppress the publication of these sorts of books
Because then people would want to fucking read them, you dolt.

>>38389478
yes, because the working class would rise up and conquer if only they knew the secrets written in these books
>take advantage of opportunity
>make good decisions

they must never know

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I don't have time to read anything else this semester.

>>38390607
>>38390586
>>38390557
>>38389478
except these books sell millions of copies and none of the retards that buy them are instant billionaires

>>38390607
>people would want to read books they've never heard about
rofl

>>38389478
self help genre is a meme created for the american middle class

>>38387601
I'm reading that too, it's really fan good. The whole universe is so intricate and well detailed I wanna read the othet dune books when I'm done

>>38389442
All these books look brand new. You haven't read a single one

>>38390615
law has to be the most boring profession of all time. Memorizing rules for 4+ years, yikes. I looked at some law books at my uni's library and they all look very dry and dull.

How do you do it, anon?

Just finishing up Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger

>>38392373
Actually I've read them all except for Capital. Aside from TAPL, I've only read them at home, which is they they look fairly new.

>>38392763
*why they

>>38392373
Do you not look after your books anon?

Not currently reading it, but Charles Duhigg's Habit book has served me well.

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>>38392414
Its my first year, classes officially start this week.


I used to be a graphic designer after getting a degree in comm, but somehow went into disability law 2 years ago. I found that with every case I read or worked on and every law I retain I get this little feeling of "gotcha." Every subsequent piece of knowledge adds to that ability to outwit.

Once you get a little taste, your entire perspective changes. There's a clout and a power to it like no other. There's a fundamental urge to learn more once it starts. I'm about to get plowed by the ivory tower and I can't wait to struggle for the next year.

>>38385568
Harry Potter my niggah

>>38392893
that is unfortunately the right attitude

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>>38385568
Starting Strength and Practical Programming For Strength Training, obviously.

>>38392893
Judging by the books, you're a 1L.

I'm glad you're so upbeat and passionate about it, but don't burn out. This year is a marathon, and your GPA this year influences everything from here on out.

Also, if you're not in a relationship now, don't do it unless you really love her. Or him...tfw 2016. Don't you dare move in with her either. Judging by the mass market blinds and beige wall, I assume you're in a small apartment or maybe even a dorm. Stay there.

Don't drink yourself to death 3L year.

Don't wear your good suits when you go out at night.

Don't forget that you are now in the ivory tower, where the right answer is almost always the right answer. The real world is a little different in that judges make decisions that sometimes seem arbitray, behind-the-times, or just flat out wrong. Prepare yourself for that and you won't be disappointed.

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Who else /MD/ here?

Feeling drunk and cynical? Wanna make it worse? Here's my bookshelf, minus law books.

Vonnegut
Dostoyevsky
Etgar Keret
Charles Bukowski
Sinclair Lewis
Philip Roth
Ayn Rand (it was a phase)
David Sedaris

>>38388416
this book is fucking horrible.
nobody should read it

... and the author should be killed

>>38393080
I am a 1L in a house with some friends, hiding in the corner of my room looking out the window to the rain. I just recently moved to the other side of town and it was not with my gf. I'm not a drunk like I used to be, like the time I ruined a suit by throwing up all over it.

I'm used to terrible judges, I worked in social security disability.


I'm appreciative of your input anon. Thank you for taking the time.

>>38393236
I just realized that at least five of those authors are Jewish. I'm not sure what that means.