Jo's Reading List

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Welcome to my reading list – a collection of books that have shaped how I think, create, and move through the world.

These aren’t just books I’ve read; they’re books I’ve returned to, underlined, dog-eared, and recommended countless times. Whether you’re looking to spark creativity, deepen your understanding of yourself, explore new ideas, or simply get lost in a great story, there’s something here for you.

I’ve organized them by theme to help you find exactly what you need right now – but feel free to wander. Some of the best discoveries happen when we follow our curiosity.

These are genuine recommendations, and to keep content free, some links are affiliates that support our small team in continuing to bring you inspiration and resources.

Storytelling

Save the Cat!
by Blake Snyder

This is the one book all filmmakers should read, have read, and need to re-read. It’s simple and tangible, it covers the art of storytelling, structure, character, plot, scene, and the pitch.

Save the Cat! Writes for TV by Jamie Nash

A must read for any aspiring TV show creators, this is a spin of from the legendary Save the Cat! orginial that focuses more on screen plays, but the elements are similar and translated to serialized content.

Show Your Work
by Austin Kleon

This small coffee table book is so powerful. It reminds you of the simplicity of sharing your journey with the public as a way to not only stay accountable, but to create better products and services as a result. And how it can be way more fun. This book changed my business strategy, and it’s a game changer.

Into The Woods
by John Yorke

Ever notice how stepping into unfamiliar territory makes you grow? This storytelling essential book might answer why: every compelling character journey begins when they enter into he unknown and is forced to make a choice of what kind of character they want to be.

STORY
by Robert Mckee

This one is THICK. McKee breaks down the mechanics of storytelling, like why scenes need to turn, how character desire drives narrative, and what makes endings feel earned versus flat. It’s dense and academic, but it gets into the real architecture of why stories work.

Language Learning

Fluentish
by Jo Franco

There were no language learning journals or planners, so I had to publish one myself. I’ve designed this journal for language learners of all stages. This is like a giant workbook where you can store your notes, find new resources, and of course, journal in your target language. Complete with habit trackers, monthly planning, and a rewards system, you’ll stay motivated and linguistically challenged one page at a time.

Through the Language Glass
by Guy Deutscher

I’m a big nerd. Could you tell? I love thinking about how each language I speak literally changes how I see the world. Through the Language Glass helps scratch the itch for my love of the science behind why learning languages is a damn superpower.

Storylearning Books

Storylearning Books: Unlock new languages through captivating stories! Perfect for language lovers who love a good plot to build their language blocks. These are featured in many languages around the world.

Self-Development

Buy Back Your Time
by Dan Martell

This book completely changed how I think about focus. Here’s the game-changing insight: focus isn’t about doing many things better – it’s about cutting many things so you can excel at what makes you unique. It sounds simple, but it took me 30 years to learn.

Tiny Experiments
by Anne-Laure Le Cunff

It’s the perfect guide for anyone looking to make meaningful changes without overwhelming themselves. Anne-Laure’s approach to personal experimentation is both scientific and deeply human.

Entrepreneurship

Contagious
by Jonah Berger

I assigned myself this book for film school to understand how to make ideas catch on, and it changed how I see my business strategy in the best way. This book will outline scientific ways to make your ideas and messages catch on. It’s essential in this world of clutter and lack of originality.

The Business of Belonging
by David Spinks

A guidebook on how to create and nurture community-driven businesses. In the age of cluttered information, artificial intelligence, and content overload what will always resonate is good, old fashioned community. But there’s an art to creating a thriving world of traditions, nomenclature, and life-long support from members.

The Copywriter's Handbook
by Robert Bly

A MUST READ for all entrepreneurs. Founders are typically their company’s greatest copywriters, and even if you’re not, you need to know the art of direct-sales-copywriting to be able to hire (or fire) a copywriter to hype up your products and services. This guidebook is dense and looks at the psychology of writing as opposed to the fluffy stuff.

Email Marketing that Doesn't Suck
by Bobby Klinck

This book is a 101 on how to create email funnels, welcome sequences, and why email marketing is so essential even in today’s marketing landscape.

From 6 to 7 Figures
by Austin Netzley

A book that’s necessary if you’re in the six figure zone and want to level things up to the next chapter. This book talks about how to be more efficient, how to stop micro-managing, and how to scale your big beautiful idea in the simplest way possible.

This is Marketing
by Seth Godin

Seth Godin is a genius in the marketing space, and this book is essentially a playbook for anyone marketing anything. It helps you understand what you’re actually offering, how to make it unique, and what people actually want in the market.

$100M Offers
by Alex Hormozi

This book is simple and incredible useful. It’s also only $.99 on Kindle and written by business mastermind and social media creator, Alex Hormozi. This book highlights how to get to your big and profitable idea.

Gadgets for the Book Lover

Oasis Kindle E Reader

Like I mentioned above, this Kindle changed the game for me. I was anti-e-reader until I saw how comfy this e-reader was. The battery life is insane, and the buttons are addicting.

Magnetic Book Marks

This item is all about tiny joys. I read many books at once, which is why I have an assortment of book marks, and the magnetic ones lock in the page far better than a classic paper bookmark. Plus this is a small way to find joy in cracking a book open.

A Reading Candle

This is one of those items that turns an activity like reading into a ritual to feel like you’re treating yourself to a luxurious experience. I love Home candles. Especially the ones scented like places I miss.

Erasable Pens

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The mind-blowing continues! I love writing with erasable pens, it’s the perfect way to stay both committed and flexible. I get a multicolor pack to make notes in the margins of my books and of course, in my journals.

Erasable Highlighters

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Yes… I know!!! Who knew this was a thing? Now you can highlight your books and ERASE the markings if you made a mistake. Talk about high-tech!

I'm looking for a book about...

Storytelling

Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

Save the Cat! Writes for TV by Jamie Nash

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

Into The Woods by John Yorke

STORYby Robert Mckee

Language Learning

Fluentishby Jo Franco

Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher