I don’t read a lot of books, and of the books I start, I often don’t finish them. I’m the opposite of Jon, who reads like a book a week, cover to cover. Never self-help stuff. Always fiction and non-fiction. I still get them confused. Which one is the true story? Read his list here.
I’ve got ADD and don’t retain much from books, whereas I learn better from watching, listening, and doing. I’ve interviewed over 250 of the highest performing men in the world over the past few years and many of them have written books. Sometimes I read them (or parts of them) before we talk. Other times, when those conversations land with me, I buy their books and do a deeper dive.
I do like the types of books where you can jump in at any point and get something out of it, so I tend to lean more toward the self-help, “teach me something” variety. But that’s a never-ending list of “oh look, I have that and this book can fix it,” which can lead to a lot of paralysis by analysis. So naturally, I should give you my book recommendations.
Why? Because if I’m recommending it, it really struck a chord with me. I got something from it. I remembered it. I actually put it to use. Each of these books has changed my life or the lives of people I care about. They’re all evergreen. Not fads. Not trendy. No hype or BS.
I also want to say that it’s okay to not be a voracious reader, much of a reader at all, or an “alternate type” of reader like I am. Magazine articles, newsletters, audiobooks, podcasts. It all counts. I’m kind of done beating myself up over the things I don’t do and becoming more accepting of the things I do.
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Real Food Heals by Seamus Mullen
I first met Seamus about seven years ago. I went to work out at our mutual friend Joe Anew’s house in Venice Beach and he was there. When I walked in, Seamus was lying on the floor with his head sticking out of a sauna blanket. We’ve been friends ever since, and he was one of my earliest podcast interviews. He has an incredible personal story as a renowned chef with multiple successful restaurants who, at the height of his success, shut them down to get healthy and completely change his diet and outlook on food in order to heal himself. This is so much more than a cookbook. It’s a roadmap back to vitality. Seamus blends science and passion, proving real, nutrient-dense food isn’t just fuel, it’s medicine. If you want sustainable health and lasting energy, this book is your kitchen blueprint. The recipes are terrific, and Kate and I have been referring to it for years. Try them out for yourself.
Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser
Simple, clean, iconic style. That’s my thing. I got turned onto this book years ago, and it seems to be on every designer’s list I like and respect. Style isn’t superficial. It’s confidence. It’s your personal brand. It’s strategy. Flusser gives timeless principles that help any man dress with confidence and purpose. Think of this as your personalized uniform design: classic, sharp, and unmistakably you. Start exploring here.
The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg
I found Brad on Instagram and became a fan of his posts. Just about everything he was writing resonated with me. He makes sense. He’s simple, straightforward, doesn’t major in the minors, and has a perspective on life, parenting, youth sports, fitness, and now excellence that I find relatable and credible.
In The Way of Excellence, he writes about how excellence isn’t about perfection, it’s about sustainable growth. Brad marries high performance with human-centered habits. This book reminds us that success without well-being isn’t success at all. Get it here.
Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson
I first heard of Mark Sisson about six years ago when I was beginning a new phase of my health journey. I was struggling with who to listen to, what to believe, and how to eat. Paleo, keto, fasting, diet or lifestyle, what was the difference, what was sustainable, and what felt right for me.
Mark’s perspective landed. I recently had the opportunity to meet him and we did a three-mile walk and talk. He’s only getting better now in his seventies. That’s something I look for. Guys who are out in front of me, living and leading by example, and proof positive that what they’re doing is working. This isn’t just a food book. It’s your midlife reset button. Mark distills ancestral wisdom into modern habits: movement, food, sleep, and mindset. It’s practical, achievable, and built for longevity, exactly what any midlife male should read. Check it out here.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Ron Speaker, our financial consigliere at Midlife Male, turned me on to this book. Finance and money management have always been one of my least favorite topics and a struggle for me to want to read about. This book is different. Money isn’t math, it’s behavior. Housel teaches that how we think about money matters more than how much we know. This book changed the way I think about money and the decisions I make. Grab your copy here.
Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold
This book single-handedly changed my life.
It was the impetus for Midlife Male and the Midlife Action Plan. Clarity empowers execution. I was invited to an EO event by a friend where Cameron was one of the speakers. Over the course of an hour, he walked us through his entire Vivid Vision protocol. How to live life by design. What it should look like, feel like, and how to get it all down on paper so you have something tangible to follow. It’s short, straightforward, actionable, and simple. Not easy. I gift this book constantly to any guy who’s stuck and wants to know where to start. Get it here.
Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
Master the basics. The little things are the big things. What you do when nobody’s watching is who you really are. I say these things all the time to my sons. We put this book on our boys’ bedside tables early on. I’d be lying if I said they’ve been making their beds ever since, but we do what we can. Small disciplines spark big transformations. McRaven’s simple principles, starting with making your bed, are life lessons in resilience and leadership in under 150 pages. Buy your copy here.
The 213 Most Important Men in My Life by Jean Pigozzi
I just discovered this book in a boutique in Malibu last week. It’s a book about influence and legacy. Through personal stories and portraits, Pigozzi shows how our lives are shaped by the people we meet, a powerful reminder that success is relational, not transactional. I love books like this because they’re a series of short glimpses into the lives of interesting people. You get knowledge, wisdom, insight, and access to their experience. It reminds me of Esquire’s “What I’ve Learned” column and what I envision our “How I See It” interviews ultimately becoming as a compilation book. Check it out here.
Raising Men by Eric Davis
Like Make Your Bed, this is a blueprint for intentional fatherhood. I look for all the help I can get as a father, and this is a strong book. Eric Davis challenges us to raise strong, capable, emotionally intelligent young men by modeling discipline, accountability, and presence. Required reading if you take your role as a father seriously. If you’re a father, know anyone who is, this is a must.
Hunting Discomfort by Sterling Hawkins
Sterling has become one of my best friends over the past five years. We’ve hiked 29029 together, walked 52.4 miles for my 52nd birthday, shared stages and stories, and there’s nobody more real out there. Growth lives on the other side of comfort. This book doesn’t let you forget it. Especially relevant in midlife, when comfort can quietly become the enemy. Start hunting here.
The Joy of Well-Being by Jason and Colleen Wachob
I adore this couple. In the health and wellness industry, so many are consumed with style over substance, sensationalism, bold unsubstantiated claims, and a desperation to be influencers rather than authentically influential. Not Jason and Colleen. They get it. As the founders of mindbodygreen, they’ve seen and lived a lot and learned that well-being isn’t optimization, it’s integration. They bring together ancient wisdom and modern living to show how joy, health, and purpose work in harmony. This book is about living well the right way, not just living longer. Find out how and get it here.
Look for Me There by Luke Russert
I lost my father at seventeen. I didn’t know much about Tim Russert, and I knew nothing about Luke Russert, except that we share that in common. This is an honest, vulnerable exploration of grief, identity, and becoming your own man. It’s a powerful reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out, you just need the courage to keep going. I get that. Explore it here.
Not The Notebook the book, but an actual notebook. Write. I believe everyone should write every day. I don’t care what you call it: journaling, note-taking, story writing, griping on paper about whatever’s bothering you, or even just a grocery list or bucket list. Just write. I carry a notebook everywhere I go. It’s essential. Don’t think you’re a writer. I didn’t either at first. Just try. Then keep going. Get it here. Here’s the one I use.
The Midlife Male by Greg Scheinman
Yes, I put my own book on this list. Why? Because it’s fucking good and it will help you. It includes interviews with over 150 men I’ve learned from who shared their wisdom with me, which I then shared with you. You don’t have to read it cover to cover. I wanted to write the type of book I could read, meaning you can open any page or chapter at any time and get something actionable. If you want to live happier, healthier, wealthier, stronger, and have more fun in your forties and fifties, pick up a copy. It’s an ideal guide to maximizing midlife at a time when guys need it most. Get your copy here.
I remember growing up with all the Reading Is Fundamental programs, messaging, and commercials. For some reason, I vaguely remember Clifford the Big Red Dog always being part of them. It’s funny what sticks. The phrase stuck. It still holds up. I still use it with my sons. Reading is fundamental. Whether you read a lot or a little, and from whatever source, part of living a full midlife is staying curious and committed to continuous learning. I hope any or all of these help you as much as they’ve helped me.
In Health,
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Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach.
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