The Best Books to Read During 75 Hard
FORGE - Habits & Fitness Team
The 75 Hard reading requirement is simple: 10 pages of non-fiction, personal development content every day. No audiobooks—actual reading.
But with thousands of books available, where do you start? Here are the best books for your 75 Hard journey, organized by category.
Mindset and Mental Toughness
"Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Goggins' story of transformation from overweight exterminator to Navy SEAL is the ultimate testament to mental toughness. His concept of the "40% Rule"—that when you think you're done, you're only at 40% of your capacity—will push you through hard days.
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: The definitive guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones. You'll learn the science behind why habits stick and how to design your environment for success.
"The 10X Rule" by Grant Cardone
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Cardone argues that most people dramatically underestimate what's required for success. Setting goals 10 times bigger than you think necessary aligns perfectly with 75 Hard's extreme approach.
"Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink teaches that leaders must own everything in their world. No excuses, no blaming others—exactly the mindset 75 Hard requires.
Discipline and Productivity
"The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Small, consistent actions compound into massive results over time. This book mathematically proves what you'll experience during 75 days of disciplined action.
"Deep Work" by Cal Newport
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Learn to focus intensely and eliminate distractions. The principles apply not just to work but to every aspect of the challenge.
"Discipline Equals Freedom" by Jocko Willink
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Short, punchy chapters that reinforce the mindset you need. Perfect for reading 10 pages when time is tight.
"The One Thing" by Gary Keller
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Teaches extraordinary focus by asking: "What's the ONE thing I can do that makes everything else easier or unnecessary?"
Health and Fitness
"Bigger Leaner Stronger" by Michael Matthews
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Evidence-based approach to building muscle and losing fat. Great science to apply during your two daily workouts.
"Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Understanding sleep science helps you recover better from workouts and maintain mental clarity throughout the challenge.
"The 4-Hour Body" by Tim Ferriss
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Experiments in rapid body transformation with practical protocols you can implement immediately.
Success and Achievement
"Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: The classic success book that's influenced generations. The principles of desire, faith, and persistence apply directly to completing the challenge.
"Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Explores what makes high achievers different. Spoiler: it's mostly about putting in the work consistently.
"Grit" by Angela Duckworth
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Research-backed exploration of why passion and perseverance matter more than talent.
Psychology and Behavior
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Understanding how your mind works helps you overcome the mental barriers that cause most people to quit.
"The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: Deep dive into the science of habits—how they form and how to change them.
"Mindset" by Carol Dweck
Why it's perfect for 75 Hard: The difference between fixed and growth mindsets determines whether you'll succeed or fail when things get hard.
How to Choose Your Books
For Your First 75 Hard
Start with books directly about discipline and mental toughness:
- "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins
- "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
- "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink
These three will carry you through most of the 75 days and directly reinforce what you're doing.
Match Books to Your Challenges
- Struggling with workouts? → Read fitness and health books
- Fighting mental battles? → Read mindset and psychology books
- Want career benefits? → Read success and productivity books
Keep Multiple Books Going
Having 2-3 books in rotation prevents boredom and lets you match your reading to your mood.
Reading Tips for 75 Hard
When to Read
- First thing in the morning (mind is fresh)
- During lunch break
- Before bed (helps wind down)
- During one of your workouts (stationary bike, treadmill walk)
Where to Read
- Keep a book in your car
- Have one at your desk
- Place one next to your bed
- Download Kindle app for emergencies
How to Retain More
- Highlight key passages
- Take notes after each session
- Discuss ideas with others
- Apply one concept per day
What Doesn't Count
Remember the rules: non-fiction, personal development books only.
Doesn't count:
- Audiobooks
- Fiction (even if inspiring)
- Magazines and articles
- Blogs and websites
- Podcasts
Does count:
- Physical books
- E-readers (Kindle, etc.)
- PDF books read on screen
How Many Books Will You Finish?
At 10 pages per day for 75 days, you'll read 750 pages minimum. That's typically:
- 2-3 longer books (300+ pages each)
- 4-5 shorter books (150-200 pages each)
- Some combination of both
Many people read more than 10 pages once they get into a good book—that's completely fine.
Track your daily reading progress with FORGE - Habits & Fitness. Never lose count of your pages and watch your book list grow throughout your 75 Hard journey.
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