HHM CPAs partner Trip Farmer considers reading an essential part of his growth – both personally and professionally. In this list, he shares four books that have shaped his thinking around productivity and self-improvement along with others he recommends simply for the enjoyment they bring.
Productivity and self-improvement
Getting Things Done by David Allen
David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” presents a system for organizing tasks and managing workflow to reduce stress and increase productivity. At its core is the idea that the mind is for having ideas, not holding them. Allen advocates for capturing all tasks in a trusted external system, clarifying actions organizing them by context, reviewing regularly and engaging in focused execution. The method is particularly popular among professionals overwhelmed by competing demands and seeks to bring clarity and control through structured habits.
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
In “The E-Myth Revisited,” Michael Gerber debunks the myth that most small businesses are started by entrepreneurs with grand visions. Instead, he argues, they’re often started by “technicians” skilled in a trade but unprepared for the realities of running a business. Gerber outlines a framework for building scalable, systems-driven enterprises by encouraging owners to work on their business rather than in it. Through the story of a struggling bakery owner, he illustrates how to balance the roles of entrepreneur, manager and technician for long-term success.
“Gerber uses McDonalds as the quintessential system-driven business with a standard operating procedure that allows anyone to step in and operate it – which should be the goal for most business owners,” Farmer adds.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is a self-help book that blends established principles with actionable guidance for personal and professional growth. Covey organizes his approach into seven sequential habits – from being proactive and beginning with the end in mind to collaborating with others and regularly renewing oneself. His model emphasizes character development, internal alignment and interdependence as keys to long-term effectiveness and meaningful success.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is a timeless guide to communication, persuasion and building positive relationships. Drawing on practical examples, Carnegie outlines key principles like showing genuine interest in others, avoiding criticism, remembering names and making people feel important. First published in 1936, the book remains a cornerstone of interpersonal skills training, with its enduring message that kindness, empathy and tact are the foundation of personal and professional influence.
“Life is more interesting when I can read about what others have learned and are willing to share,” says Farmer, “especially when those insights help me grow as a professional along the way.”
Books for fun
Intellectuals by Paul Johnson
In “Intellectuals,” Paul Johnson offers a critical portrait of prominent thinkers from Rousseau to Sartre, revealing the personal flaws and moral inconsistencies behind their lofty ideas. Blending biography, history and cultural critique, Johnson challenges the notion that intellectual brilliance equates to ethical leadership. The book is both entertaining and polemical, raising questions about the role of public thinkers and the gap between their private behavior and public philosophies.
Every book by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell’s books – including “The Tipping Point,” “Blink,” “Outliers,” “What the Dog Saw,” “David and Goliath” and “Talking to Strangers” – explore the hidden forces behind everyday phenomena through engaging storytelling and counterintuitive insights. Whether examining the origins of social epidemics, the power of first impressions, or the roots of high achievement, Gladwell weaves psychology, sociology and anecdotal evidence into accessible narratives that challenge conventional wisdom and invite readers to see the world differently.
Every book about Warren Buffett
Books about Warren Buffett – such as “The Snowball” by Alice Schroeder, “The Warren Buffett Way” by Robert G. Hagstrom and “Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist” by Roger Lowenstein – delve into the life, philosophy and investment strategies of the legendary “Oracle of Omaha.” These works explore Buffett’s disciplined value investing approach, his partnership with Charlie Munger, and his personal values of frugality, patience and integrity. Collectively, they offer both a detailed financial education and a portrait of a uniquely principled capitalist.
“Buffett is the most revered investor of our time and inspires many to learn value investing and getting rich slowly,” says Farmer.