My favorite books to skyrocket your career and your life

Why am I passionate about this?

As a coach and mentor, I am passionate about empowering people to be the best version of themselves. My recommendations are carefully thought out to achieve this. Success in your job search and interviewing involves perfecting multiple skills – marketing, soft skills, body language, networking, and many more. I have a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit. I teach body language to job seekers and hiring managers to improve their work culture and hire the right talent. I am a recurring guest speaker at the University of Guelph and several career colleges, and I mentor at-risk youth to stay in school. 


I wrote...

Acing Your Job Search: Strategies to Succeed Where Other Job Seekers Fail

By Roy Mapleton,

Book cover of Acing Your Job Search: Strategies to Succeed Where Other Job Seekers Fail

What is my book about?

Acing Your Job Search has been described as an “encyclopedia of career development” and an “all-in-one job search manual from a candidate’s point of view”. It was listed among the top 10 job search books for 2 years in a row, curated by influencers including Simon Sinek. It is the only book that addresses body language and influencing your interviewers.

This book is the culmination of years of experience and struggles as a fellow job seeker. I spent 2 years without proper employment and failed several interviews before I began taking a look at how to become a superstar interviewee. I wrote this book so you as a job seeker, never have to go through the same struggles and lack of guidance that I did. 

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Wealthy Barber: Everyone's Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent

Roy Mapleton Why did I love this book?

This book had a profound impact on my life.

In fact, so much so that I picked the name of the main character in the book, Roy, as my author name – that was my tribute to Chilton. It’s not enough to just find a job and keep working, hoping that one day you will make it big.

Most regular people are about 3 months away from homelessness, but not 3 months away from becoming a millionaire. Once you get a job, you want to build your life in a way that makes you wealthy.

This book was instrumental in teaching me how to save and build a secure future.

By David Chilton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Wealthy Barber as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Quite simply the best financial self-help book."
--Money Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club

Even if you consider yourself a financial "basket case," Chilton explains how you can easily put an effective financial plan into action.

In this third edition of one of the biggest-selling financial-planning books ever, David Chilton simplifies the complex puzzles of personal finance and helps you achieve financial independence. With the help of his fictional barber, Roy, and a large dose of humor, Chilton shows you how to take control of your financial future--slowly, steadily, and with sure success. Chilton's plan (detailed in an entertaining story) is no…


Book cover of What Every Body is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People

Roy Mapleton Why did I love this book?

One of the reasons I was unsuccessful in my job search was my lack of ability to read people.

I struggled to the point of desperation. I was fascinated by body language and nonverbal communication since my childhood. This book triggered my interest in studying and training seriously.

Slowly, I got to the point where I was able to teach body language interpretation to hiring managers and job seekers. This book was exactly what I needed at the time to navigate the job market and to succeed in the corporate world. 

Joe Navarro worked as an expert in counterintelligence and counterterrorism at the FBI. He is one of the world’s leading experts in nonverbal communication. This book is the best resource to help you navigate your professional and personal life. 

By Joe Navarro, Marvin Karlins,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked What Every Body is Saying as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What you say is often far less important than how you say it. One of the harbingers of success is understanding how nonverbal cues such as body language, dress, and demeanor affect how you are perceived and understood. In this book Navarro, one of the leaders in nonverbal behaviours, demonstrates how to modify your subconscious statements to your greatest advantage and also read what other people are 'saying' nonverbally. These skills will increase your ability to accurately assess moods, decode behaviors, anticipate problems, avoid hidden pitfalls, influence negotiations, and understand the secret motivations of those around you.


Book cover of The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

Roy Mapleton Why did I love this book?

This book inspires me because it discusses the significance of taking responsibility for reflecting on the more difficult and often hidden aspects of ourselves.

It helped to open up my mind to my blind spots and increase self-awareness. Based in medicine and psychology this book promotes the kind of honest and important self-reflection that is an asset in improving leadership culture and how you relate to others, even in conflict. 

Gabor Mate’s book is reflective and deep; it offers information on how adverse experience shapes people.

The author provides rigorously researched information on how all of the intersections of our daily stressors, adverse childhood experiences, toxic work environments, world events, and internal conflicts take their tolls on our minds and bodies, while providing the tools to look within oneself to find the cure.

By Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Myth of Normal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'It all starts with waking up... to what our bodies are expressing and our minds are suppressing'

Western countries invest billions in healthcare, yet mental illness and chronic diseases are on a seemingly unstoppable rise. Nearly 70% of Americans are now on prescription drugs. So what is 'normal' when it comes to health?

Over four decades of clinical experience, renowned physician and addiction expert Dr Gabor Mate has seen how health systems neglect the role that trauma exerts on our bodies and our minds. Medicine often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today's culture stresses our bodies, burdens…


Book cover of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It

Roy Mapleton Why did I love this book?

There was a time when I used to be hopeless at negotiation.

I convinced myself that marketing and negotiation was not my strength, but it was not sustainable. This book taught me tactical empathy: how to quickly understand your audience and leverage this in your favor.

I was able to understand human needs and quickly gained the skills needed to succeed in job negotiations, salary discussions, and appraisals. 

I even used these skills in getting funding from top executives for a corporate sports association in the company. My personal relationships also improved as a result of following the principles taught by Chris Voss.

If you want better results without having to hustle, this book must be a part of your library.

By Chris Voss, Tahl Raz,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Never Split the Difference as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE HUGE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

A former FBI hostage negotiator offers a new, field-tested approach to negotiating - effective in any situation.

'Riveting' Adam Grant
'Stupendous' The Week
'Brilliant' Guardian
____________________________
After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Voss joined the FBI, where his career as a kidnapping negotiator brought him face-to-face with bank robbers, gang leaders and terrorists. Never Split the Difference takes you inside his world of high-stakes negotiations, revealing the nine key principles that helped Voss and his colleagues succeed when it mattered the most - when people's lives were at stake.

Rooted…


Book cover of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Roy Mapleton Why did I love this book?

Perhaps millions of people have recommended this book before me.

When your thoughts are chaotic, your actions will be too. Being a proponent of holistic growth, I have recommended books on personal, professional, mental, and financial growth. 

From merely achieving success to staying successful takes quite some work. Once you lay a solid foundation, life will become easier for you.

Following these principles helped me get out of college tuition debt and personal debt quickly and get my entire life in order. I have set and achieved my goals consistently for the last 14 years. I worry less. I am able to efficiently manage my time and priorities.

Thanks to this book, I have been able to learn new skills every year without scrambling for time or energy.

By Stephen R. Covey,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New York Times bestseller - over 25 million copies sold
The No. 1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century

"[Thirty] years after it first appeared, the wisdom of The 7 Habits is more relevant than ever. On an individual level people are burning out, and on a collective level we are burning up the planet. So Dr. Covey's emphasis on self-renewal and his understanding that leadership and creativity require us to tap into our own physical, mental, and spiritual resources are exactly what we need now." Arianna Huffington

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written,…


You might also like...

Medical Hostages

By Shawn Jennings,

Book cover of Medical Hostages

Shawn Jennings Author Of Locked In Locked Out: Surviving a Brainstem Stroke

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

The five recommended nonfiction books on my list profoundly affected my life in my time of need. I struggled when a minor accident led to a brainstem stroke and being locked in at 45. How would I find happiness now? How can I go on? These five books gave me the strength to work hard, accept what couldn’t be improved, and be grateful for each day of good health. I hope the recommended books will help you prepare for the day your life will change...and it will.

Shawn's book list on accepting and moving on from a tragedy

What is my book about?

Duke, the leader of a bike gang, is in custody for murder. He plans an escape by feigning illness and hospitalization. But an unexpected turn of events results in two gang members and Duke holding a medical floor of patients hostage. Patients will die if the police don't meet their demands within hours.
The drama follows Duke and Drs. Mindy Fletch, director of the Intensive Care Unit, and Craig Russell, a family medicine resident, in this tense hostage stand-off.

Will the bikers find freedom? Will hostages die? Can Mindy and Craig survive and prevent deaths? In times of stress, people often discover new directions and strengths.

Medical Hostages

By Shawn Jennings,

What is this book about?

Duke, the leader of a bike gang, is in custody for murder. He plans an escape by feigning illness and hospitalization. But an unexpected turn of events results in two gang members and Duke holding a medical floor of patients hostage.


Patients will die if the police don't meet their demands within hours.


The drama follows Duke and Drs. Mindy Fletch, director of the Intensive Care Unit; and Craig Russell, a family medicine resident; in this tense hostage stand-off.


Will the bikers find freedom? Will hostages die? Can Mindy and Craig survive and prevent deaths?


In times of stress, people…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in modernity, negotiation, and personal finance?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about modernity, negotiation, and personal finance.

Modernity Explore 49 books about modernity
Negotiation Explore 25 books about negotiation
Personal Finance Explore 82 books about personal finance