5 Books You Should Read to Stay on Top of Your Game - A Curated Book List for Insurance Professionals
So, you want to start an English reading project, but you’re not sure where to begin.
What should I read about? Is this book the right fit for my English level?
What if I give up halfway through? What if I feel frustrated and never want to pick up a book again?
Maybe you just need a plan.
A reading plan, some book recommendations, and a little encouragement will make a difference.
Below is a list of books that are perfect for English learners at all levels.
**These are the books I selected in 2024, but you can still catch up.
(I will be publishing the 2025 list shortly - the titles are already on my Linkedin page)
These picks are accessible, and tailored to help you build confidence while enjoying the process.
Go ahead and choose one that sparks your curiosity or meets your current needs.
Hope you enjoy the list!
When curating this list, I focused on books that are:
Accessible: Written in clear, straightforward English.
Engaging: Interesting and relevant on both a personal and professional level.
Practical: Offer actionable insights and knowledge.
Here’s my curated list of 05 books perfect for English learners in the insurance market:
Atomic Habits - An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear - 320 pages - Proficiency Level: All levels
James Clear always dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. However, his life took a different turn. During high school, a baseball bat slipped from the hands of one of his classmates and struck him in the head. The impact caused a severe injury that shattered his nose, damaged his brain, and changed his life forever. Rather than letting this setback define him, Clear turned it into an opportunity to explore ways to rebuild his life. His efforts began with small, incremental habits that gradually led to minor improvements, ultimately resulting in his full recovery.
Although James Clear never went pro, he gained profound insights into the power of habits. Years later, he launched a website and eventually wrote a book. That book became a massive best-seller, with over 20 million copies sold—and counting. Its success highlights the widespread need for expert guidance on how to build new habits and break old ones that no longer serve us. The book offers practical strategies, compelling stories and just the right amount of scientific data to demonstrate how small, consistent changes can lead to transformative results.
Sample Quote: You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
Can’t Hurt Me - Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins - 364 Pages - Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Sometimes, I feel exhausted just watching the insane things David Goggins puts his body through. Watch and you will see I have a point here.
But one thing is certain: after reading his best-selling book, Can’t Hurt Me, I started to understand where his true “power” comes from—his mind.
Goggins’s brutally honest. He is blunt, he is tough. And he says A LOT of bad words. This is David Goggins. He won’t sugarcoat things for you.
But if you’re ready for a change and need a powerful push to break out of your comfort zone, Can’t Hurt Me is a great guide. This book is especially recommended for anyone looking to build a stronger, braver, and more resilient mindset.
Yes, it might feel a bit punchy at times, but it won’t disappoint. It will challenge you to push past your limits—through pain, discomfort, and anything else that might be holding you back.
Goggins is, without a doubt, an extreme man. Even his friends admit that his intensity can be overwhelming at times. But he’ll take you through thick and thin, and by the time you turn the last page, it’s unlikely you’ll be the same person.
“The reason it’s important to push hardest when you want to quit the most is because it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same reason why you have to do your best work when you are the least motivated.”
Deep Work - Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport -
304 Pages - Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Deep Work is probably one of my favorite books on this list—and has been one of my favorite books in years. It helped me tremendously during the pandemic, when getting “in the proper zone” to do my work suddenly became much harder (I come from a family of doctors, and everyone was working head-on on the front lines). Newport’s principles gave me a framework to cut through the social chaos, reclaim my focus and do my best work. Even now, long after the pandemic, I keep coming back to this book as a guide to improve my practices in my translation office.
In today’s world of constant distractions—emails, notifications, social media, and endless meetings—it’s harder than ever to focus on what you need to do. I recommend Deep Work to anyone who does intellectual work. Whether you’re a loss adjuster, a claims analyst, a mother in a C-level position, or a leader in any field that requires focus, this book will help you. Trust me, it’s worth every page.
Sample Quote: “The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable”
The Happiness Advantage - How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor - 256 pages - Level: Basic/Intermediate
This is my second favorite book on the list. It was recommended by one of my consulting clients. At first, I was skeptical. I thought it was just another self-help rant, a bit of woo-woo science. But I was wrong. Backed by solid research, the author brings a blend of scientific rigor and practical wisdom, without oversimplifying things.
The central premise of the book is actually very simple: we've been thinking about happiness and success backward. While most of us believe we will be happy once we achieve success, Achor tries to demonstrate that happiness actually fuels success and performance, not the other way around.
The timing of this book couldn't be better. Achor shows that happiness isn't just a feel-good concept but a competitive advantage in the workplace. Small positive changes can trigger what he calls the "happiness advantage"—improved productivity, higher creativity, better resilience, and stronger professional relationships.
For professionals juggling demanding careers with personal development, this book is invaluable.
Sample Quote: “For me, happiness is the joy we feel striving after our potential”.
The Lyrics - 1956 to the Present by Paul McCartney - 624 Pages - Proficiency Level: All Levels.
No matter your age, who you are, or where you're from—you gotta love Paul McCartney. Along with John Lennon, he is the founder and creative force behind The Beatles, a magic lyricist, a multi-instrumentalist, a father, a poet, and is often called “a genius.” He was even knighted by the Queen.
With his songs, Paul has touched hearts across generations. And he’s got that British accent everybody loves.
Lyrics is a big book, but it’s worth every cent you pay for it. It’s a collection of 154 of his songs, complete with his own commentary. He tells the stories behind the songs—how he came up with the lyrics and melodies, what inspired him, and what they mean to him. It is filled with photos, paintings, and handwritten notes from McCartney's archives, making it an invaluable treasure, even if you’re not a Beatles fan.
Unlike typical music memoirs, this book feels like a personal conversation with McCartney. Think of it as a coffee table book you can dip into whenever you need a dose of creativity or motivation.
