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I moved out last weekend. I brought with me all the books I have bought (and read in the majority) since I moved to London 2 years ago. There are 96. That’s roughly 40 to 50 books per year. Just under one per week.

As I look at them lying on my desk, I asked myself: what did I learn from you? The answers come fast and easy:

• from you I learnt to go with my gut in business (Richard Branson, Felix Denniss, Donald Trump..)

• from you I learnt the beauty of an evolved intellect (Frank Herbert’s “Dune”),

• from you I learnt that mastery is developed by repetition when there seems to be no progress (Josh Waitzkin’s “The Art of Learning”)

• from you I learnt that thoughtful strategy can avoid unnecessary pain and struggle (Robert Greene’s “The 33 Strategies of WAR”)

• from you I learnt happiness comes down to disciplined daily rituals (Dalai Lama’s “The Art of Happiness”)

• from you I realized how being mindful of my mortality makes my daily actions more benign (Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations”)

• from you I realized how the only way for peace on Earth is to nurture my inner peace (Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth”)

From almost each and every book I learnt something valuable to lead a better Life - because that is what I’m looking for when I read.

All these books have slowly transformed my worldview over the last 2 years. Had I read different books, I would be a different Miguel. Maybe not in essence, but certainly in worldly wisdom and character.

Choosing new books is an organic process. A mixture of recommendations and research.

As I look upon 2010, I’m very aware the books I choose to read will influence my 2011 and beyond. Like making new friendships, you have to be careful who you let in. There is only so much time available.

We must choose wisely. Our future self depends on it.