Reading List






Books | Alex Shoop


Books

Reading is central to my daily routine and personal growth. Below are the books I’m currently exploring and the favorites on my shelf. I update my progress and page tracker every Sunday.

Currently Reading


Why We Sleep

Why We Sleep

by Matthew Walker, PhD

Progress: Page 193 of 339 (57%)

A comprehensive exploration of sleep science revealing why we need 7-8 hours nightly. Walker examines how sleep impacts learning, memory consolidation, emotional regulation, immune function, and overall health. The book presents compelling research on the dangers of sleep deprivation and practical strategies for improving sleep quality.

Buy on Amazon →

The First 90 Days

The First 90 Days

by Michael D. Watkins

Progress: Page 92 of 257 (36%)

A proven guide for leaders navigating transitions into new roles. Watkins outlines strategies for accelerating learning, building credibility, securing early wins, and creating momentum during critical career transitions. The book provides actionable frameworks for diagnosing your situation, negotiating success, and achieving breakeven faster in any new position.

Buy on Amazon →
When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air

by Paul Kalanithi

Progress: Just Started (0 of 128 pages)

A profound memoir by a neurosurgeon confronting terminal lung cancer at age 36. Kalanithi reflects on his journey from literature student to physician, exploring questions of mortality, meaning, and identity when facing death. The book examines what makes life worth living and how to maintain purpose when your future is suddenly finite.

On My Shelf


The Leadership Challenge

The Leadership Challenge

by James M. Kouzes & Barry Z. Posner

A comprehensive framework for exemplary leadership based on 30+ years of research. The authors identify Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. Filled with real-world examples and practical tools for developing leadership capabilities at any level.

Buy on Amazon →

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Thinking, Fast and Slow

by Daniel Kahneman

Nobel Prize winner’s groundbreaking exploration of the two systems that drive human thinking: System 1 (fast, intuitive, emotional) and System 2 (slow, deliberate, logical). Kahneman reveals how cognitive biases affect our decisions, judgment, and behavior. The book synthesizes decades of research in behavioral economics and psychology to explain when to trust our intuitions and when to question them.

Buy on Amazon →

© 2026 Alex Shoop. Building discipline, one day at a time.


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