How reading helps me control the rest of my life.
With so much going on in the world, sometimes I think about what gave me the ability to control my anger and emotions the way I do. I think about how I found this piece of my self-worth where the opinions of others don’t get to me.
I’ll say that at this time, all the pressure is something that I feel. And I feel it intensely. So I’ve searched for things I can align with to best serve my community. So now I’m sharing some of the things I’ve found helpful because I genuinely believe they can impact others.
One of the most meaningful activities I’ve found to challenge myself and grow has been reading. Reading has freed my mind. So this is my book list for anyone who needs some guidance toward ultimate freedom.
I was not a reader until I was 25. And I couldn’t just read anything. Most things seemed too challenging for my mind. I don’t even think I could have understood the language. So I had to find a way to read books that spoke to me—books with language that I could relate to.
One of the first books I read was The Cartel by Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman. The book was gruesome and all about street life. But it was something that I could relate to. The best thing was that it was exciting to read. I could finish a book in a day. It was crazy. It blew my mind how fast I could read something.
That’s when reading started to help open my mind. I could envision the things that I was reading. And it was just so exciting. So six books down in that series, and there are several sub-series too, and I kept reading. Those books were the gateway to my ability to challenge myself through reading.
The next book that I read was Pimpology by Pimpin’ Ken. It talked about the laws of the pimpin’ game. So, again, it was just what I could relate to in life. But the language spoke to me and everyone. I mean, the laws of any game are the hustle. And this book talked about finding your purpose in your hustle so that you can fall in love with that hustle. Then that hustle creates success.
After that, I was interested in reading more self-help, but I still wasn’t there just yet. I didn’t want to read books by authors that didn’t look like me or had a story that I couldn’t relate to.
So the next book I read was The Power of Broke by Daymond John. And I read it because he helped create FUBU, a clothing brand I grew up on. I didn’t have money for the brand, but Bad Wes got caught stealing one piece at some point. Anyway… John talked about creating success, especially for people from high-poverty areas. He just really broke it down to say you can create your opportunity, but it won’t be easy. I learned you must avoid the destructive things you have to face every day. And that’s hard for a lot of people. So John’s breakdown of key points was beneficial.
Then I read The Secret to Success by Eric Thomas. He’s a powerful speaker who has traveled the world sharing his story. He was someone I could relate to in my younger days. It was a very motivating book about his life.
Next was Jump by Steve Harvey. One of the biggest things I got from his book was that Harvey accepted every opportunity that came to him. He would grind until he made it to where he believed he could be. Harvey sacrificed everything, traveling all over the country. His story was also compelling. As anyone sees Harvey’s success now, it was nice to hear where he came from.
After that, I read Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. That man’s story is something that everyone should want to read and embrace. It talks intensely and honestly about racism and the circumstances he had to face in South Africa. And he spoke about his life as a Black man in America. All I can say is wow. And you should read it!
Then I read Black Privilege by Charlamagne Tha God. If you know Charlamagne, he speaks about what’s on his mind. He’s the man. His book allows you to align yourself with the idea that opportunities come to those who create them. You have to find the power within yourself and unleash it.
Those were the books that started me on a new path. They got me interested in reading and enabled me to think of a different and better future for myself. All of them helped to get me where I needed to be. They were all stories of successful people who overcame adversity.
I’m currently reading Hustle Harder and Hustle Smarter by 50 Cent. It’s another powerful book for anyone to read, but I know that is especially the case for Black men. It speaks our language. If you see his success despite being shot nine times, it’s impressive how he has overcome his obstacles.
As I mentioned, I’ve kept reading—self-help, fiction, and other books. I was attracted to these few books I discussed because they represented people who were like me. It was important that I could relate to the stories. And the ways they shared their stories and perspectives helped me grow. So I know firsthand how representation matters in books.
I’ve read so many books since I began reading a lot just a few years back. But the books I love the most talk about acceptance, empathy, resilience, love, hope, faith, and most of all hustle.
The beauty of books now is that you can listen to them too. Audiobooks are a great way to still consume a book even if you’re unable to take time to sit and read. You can play it while you’re in the shower and getting ready for the day. Or you can play it during a drive or workout.
I’m sure you if you start exploring, you can find something that catches your attention and gets you thinking. I’ve included suggestions below with links to their descriptions on Goodreads.
If you’d like to buy a physical copy of any of these books, I encourage you to support Black bookstore owners. Here’s a list of Black-owned bookstores across the country. Shout out to Bliss Books and Wine in the KC metro.
You can always check out your local library too! For those in KC, the KC Public Library and Mid-Continent Public Library have had great access to online resources the last few months.
Now go read and grow!
Wes Hamilton
Representation Matters
- Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It by Charlamagne Tha God
- Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
- The Cartel by Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman
- Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
- Jump: Take the Leap of Faith to Achieve Your Life of Abundance by Steve Harvey
- Pimpologyby Pimpin’ Ken
- The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage by Daymond John
- The Secret to Success by Eric Thomas
- The 50th Law by Curtis “50 cent” Jackson and Robert Greene
Other Self-help Books
- Applied Empathy: The New Language of Leadership by Michael Ventura
- Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Joe Dispenza
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
- Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
- Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex by Aubrey Marcus
- Principles by Ray Dalio
- Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Branch
- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
- Stop Doing That Sh*t: End Self-Sabotage and Demand Your Life Back by Gary D Bishop
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck: A Counterintuitive approach to Living a Good Life by Mark mason
- Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life by Gary John Bishop
o There’s now the Unfu*k Yourself Workbook too
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Business
- Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business by John Mackey
- Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
- How to Raise Your Own Salary by Napoleon Hill
- The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
- The Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
- Power vs Force by Dr. David R. Hawkins
- Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know by Malcom Gladwell
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Ben Holden-Crowther
- Three Magic Words: Key to Power, Peace and Plenty by Well Stanley Anderson
- The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby Stephen R. Covey
- The 10x Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone
- The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk by Al Ries and Jack Trout
More Books by Black Authors
- Black Civilization
- Blood in My Eyeby George L. Jackson
- Message to The Black Man in America by Elijah Muhammad
- The Spook Who Sat by the Door by Sam Greenlee
- Stolen Legacyby George G.M. James and Molefi Kete Asante
- They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America by Ivan Van Sertima
Edited by: WritinghelpKC
Hi Wes,
Thanks again for coming to Lincoln for the Civil Rights conference yesterday. One of the things I wrote down was “Stop judging…change the world” and that was helpful to me this morning: cranky and tired, I showed up in the office for a meeting that had been rescheduled for today and it LOOKED like no-one else was going to be there. So here I am telling myself all these stories (I could have worked from home. They don’t care. Why didn’t someone tell me) when I saw that quote in my notes and thought – okay, I’m getting carried away. Little Miss Judgie McJudgerson in my head is just having a field day. Let’s wait and see. Coworkers showed up. We had the meeting via video instead of in person and pretty much everyone was there. A couple of them had had rough nights too. No big deal. Just a few words helped keep me from behaving like an ass and creating additional problems for myself and others. Thanks.
Also, would like to recommend a book I’m currently listening to through our public library – “You Belong: A Call for Connection” by Sebene Selassie. I’ve been reading and listening to Buddhism podcasts for the past few years and finding good in them. This one is making me stretch. It’s excellent.
Thanks again from a fellow reader – and yes, I was the person who asked what you’re reading now 😉
Sincerely,
Sharon Ohmberger
Community Engagement Director – Disability Rights Nebraska
Artist / Potter