Whether you’re a book lover looking for inspiration or love learning about people through their reading choices, discovering celebrities’ favorite books is an excellent place to start. Joe Rogan is a fascinating character known for his long-standing podcast and stand-up comedy. Whether you’re a fan of his or not, Rogan constantly recommends books to his audience, but are they any good?
This article explores the Joe Rogan book list to uncover the best Joe Rogan suggestions and upgrade your bookshelf. We’ll also share the infamous Joe Rogan podcast book recommendations alongside the ones he praises on social media. Despite the controversies around him, Rogan is an avid reader and enormously successful — but do these two things go hand in hand? Let’s find out.
Key points:
Joe Rogan is an American comedian, commentator, and podcast host. Across all his platforms, Rogan loves recommending the books he is reading. Most noticeably, self-improvement is one of his most read genres, alongside scientific reads, to better understand humanity.
Many of Joe Rogan’s favorite books come from people he hosts on his globally known podcast, such as Elon Musk, James Nester, and David Goggins. While he talks about various texts, Jonathan Haidth and Malcolm Gladwell are two prominent authors in Joe Rogan’s favorite books collection.
It is disheartening when you buy a book on Amazon only to realize you’re not enjoying it and it doesn’t align with your learning goals. Thankfully, Headway makes it easy to choose which books to dive deeper into, including your favorites on the Joe Rogan book list.
Read summaries and listen to or read key points from interesting titles. You can quickly get a clearer picture of the book’s content and decide if it’s right for you.
Who is Joe Rogan?
Born in New Jersey in 1967, Joe Rogan is an American stand-up comedian, sports commentator, and podcast host. He hosts The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, a long-form conversation with guests from all walks of life. He’s also an avid mixed martial arts (MMA) fan who commentates for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.
In recent years, Rogan has become known for his love of reading and his commentary on politics, science, and current affairs. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, is the most downloaded in the world, with over 200 million monthly downloads. In fact, his partnership with Spotify sparked debate across the media industry as it was one of the first podcast deals of its kind.
Rogan has been in the public eye for years. In that time, he’s recommended many of his favorite books, which have helped him succeed.
What are Joe Rogan’s favorite books?
Joe Rogan loves sharing his current reading list. If you’ve seen his social media posts or listened to a podcast episode, you’ll know he consistently rates books across his platforms. However, what types of texts are on the Joe Rogan recommended book list? He discusses numerous topics in his podcast episodes. However, there’s often an overarching theme of understanding humanity in what he reads. Some of the best Joe Rogan book suggestions fall under the self-help category, a genre that many praise as much as they criticize. So, with that in mind, let’s get into the book list of Joe Rogan.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Considering Rogan is keen to understand how humans work, Sapiens is a fitting book about the history of our earth. It’s a unique look into human evolution. It may suit those interested in the development of ancient worlds and the one we live in today. The author originally wrote this book in Hebrew in 2011 before it was translated and published in English in 2015.
Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance
If you want to learn how successful people become successful, a biography is a great place to start. What better way to learn about triumph than from a man known for his outlandish ideas? Yes, this book is about Elon Musk, the visionary whose unfathomable dreams are becoming a reality. Musk was a guest on Joe Rogan’s show several times, discussing his ventures with Tesla, among other things. This biography examines Musk’s life as an investor, engineer, founder, and CEO of some of the world’s leading EV and commercial space companies.
1984 by George Orwell
1984 is a classic science fiction novel based in a dark dystopian world. Published in 1949 by George Orwell, Joe Rogan re-read and recommended this book in 2020 due to the state of the world. Its themes center on repressive governments, war, and futuristic societies where everything is under surveillance. If dystopian fiction is your thing, you’re in for a thrilling treat.
Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh appears in several book recommendations from Joe Rogan. Although Thich Nhat Hanh is more than just an author, he is a peace activist, Vietnamese monk, and zen master. In this moving read, readers will hopefully reconnect with their inner peace and learn how to use it in times of challenge. In its essence, this book makes meditation more accessible and applicable to everyday life.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
The author of Breath, James Nestor, was a guest on Rogan’s show, so it’s no wonder it would be on the Joe Rogan podcast book list. In the episode, Nestor discusses his non-fiction book, which Rogan praises. Since many of Joe Rogan’s favorite books are about improving your lifestyle, this book follows suit. However, instead of telling you how, it takes you on a historical and scientific journey of humanity’s oldest instinct — breathing. While it may sound absurd, this book claims to teach readers how to breathe better.
The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt
The renowned psychologist Jonathan Haidt published The Happiness Hypothesis in 2006. It explores ancient myths and sayings that may be the key to happiness. Still, more importantly, it discovers what makes people happy and unhappy. Haidt appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and the book solidified itself as one of Joe Rogan’s favorite books when he praised Haidt’s insights on social media.
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter
For Rogan and many people in today’s society, this book was humbling. As humanities’ dependency on technology increases, Alter looks at our tech obsession. Despite his success with technology and media, this book came up as one of the best Joe Rogan book recommendations.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
As the man himself stated on Twitter; this may be one of Joe Rogan’s favorite books. The War of Art is practical, and readers often become engrossed by the author’s insight. Creativity isn’t consistent and certainly doesn’t come easy to some people, which is precisely what this recommendation addresses. Pressfield uses this book to help creators break through barriers and thrive in their medium.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Numerous self-help books claim to make every reader a success. Yet, within the Joe Rogan book recommendations, you’ll find Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Although the author promises sentiments similar to many other writers, he claims to unpack what we thought we knew about genius’. He shares the secrets of high-achievers from many backgrounds hoping it’ll inspire ordinary people to follow a path to success.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
First published in 1997, The Four Agreements is a hugely popular book within self-help and even spiritual communities. Rogan briefly discussed finding this book moving and relatable in an Instagram post. It aims to help readers unlearn beliefs that may limit them. Ruiz doesn’t hide behind frivolous language or complex ideas; instead, it is a simple and actionable guide to individual freedom.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Two former SEALs wrote this following Joe Rogan’s recommendation. From the outside, this is a book about leadership and succeeding as a team. However, Willink and Babin used their unique experience and applied their practice to business management. Upgrade your leadership skills with this Joe Rogan book recommendation.
Lifespan by Dr. David Sinclair
Lifespan is one of the book recommendations Joe Rogan suggests for fans of healthy living and reducing aging. Its author, Dr. Sinclair, is a highly-respected authority in genetics and argues that humans can live longer healthier lives.
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
As another guest on Rogan’s podcast, it’s no surprise that David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me made it onto the Joe Rogan podcast book list. This is a book about the mind and pushing through challenges. Goggins’ story has moved readers around the globe, Rogan included, who appreciated the honest and helpful nature of the book.
Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan
Although few call it a somewhat controversial read, Joe Rogan shouted about this book on Twitter. Sex at Dawn is a thought-provoking exploration of monogamy and sexuality in humans. Readers go on a journey to understand the history and relationship between humans and sex as it uncovers how monogamous the human race really is.
The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff
Once again, Jonathan Haidt makes it onto Joe Rogan’s favorite books list with The Coddling of the American Mind, co-written with Greg Lukianoff. The authors attempt to unpick social trends dating back to the 1980s and how these may have impacted young people today.
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
If you’re unsure where to start on the Joe Rogan favorite book list, The Talent Code is one exciting read he believes is for everyone. Coyle aims to break down the belief that talent is innate and instinctual. Taking a neuroscience approach, he discusses how people can nurture their skills and become incredible at something if they learn it correctly.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell’s debut book, The Tipping Point, was published in 2000. This is a mesmerizing book that attempts to highlight the moment when an idea goes from nothing to something. Gladwell is a familiar author amongst Joe Rogan’s favorite books, suggesting their work may have inspired the way Rogan approaches creativity and business.
Until the End of Time by Brian Greene
Lastly, Until the End of Time is a must-read in the science genre that examines humans’ search for meaning — particularly in an ever-evolving world. Published in 2020, this book is about finding purpose and understanding how the universe is developing.
Decide which Joe Rogan books to read on the Headway app
We’ve all been there; you start reading a book, hopeful for the contents but soon realize it’s just not for you. Whether the ideas are too complex or at odds with your learning goals, it’s tough to admit defeat and stop reading.
So, how do you decide what to read? Although you may be a fan of Joe Rogan, you may not become a fan of all of his favorite books. Here are some quick tips for choosing a Joe Rogan book that you’ll enjoy:
Research the book’s summary: You may have read the blurb of the book you’re researching, but why not take it a step further? Studying the summary gives you a clearer picture of what the book is about, what themes occur, and if the contents might interest you.
Understand the book’s core concepts: If the blurb and summary don’t provide enough detail, many readers take their research further. You can discover the book’s core learnings using an app like Headway. While it won’t provide the same level of detail as reading the entire book, it saves you time by making the key ideas easy to understand.
Choose your preferred format: Whether you’ve decided to read the whole book or you’re still researching, it can help to consume the information in a way that suits you. However you enjoy books, Headway allows you to listen to or read the book’s summary and concepts.
Researching the ideas discussed in a book can make the decision process much more manageable. Reading or listening to the key learnings might help you decide whether to dive deeper into that subject area or the book itself. It saves you the time you may have otherwise wasted on a book you don’t enjoy.
Final thoughts
Whatever your opinion is about Joe Rogan, there’s no denying that he’s become one of the most successful podcasters. Thus, understanding Joe Rogan’s favorite books might give us an insight into his mind and success.
Much of the material he recommends are self-help book recommendations Joe Rogan has read and loved himself. As with any genre, self-help doesn’t suit everyone, and there’s nothing worse than reading a book you’re not enjoying. Headway has bridged the gap to help you find more books you love, including your next favorite from this Joe Rogan book list.
Download the Headway app to view summaries and key concepts from your next book before you commit to reading the whole text.
FAQs
Who is Joe Rogan?
Joe Rogan is a famous public figure known for recommending books about humanity. You can read key points from the actor’s favorite books on the Headway app.
What does Joe Rogan read?
Joe Rogan reads many books, with self-help being a prevalent genre. While his reading is varied, much of his material seems to ask questions to understand humans better and improve well-being.
What are Joe Rogan’s favorite books?
It’s difficult to say which are Joe Rogan’s favorite books, but some of the ones he mentions regularly are The Greatest Stoic, Marcus Aurelius, 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Coyote America by Dan Flores, Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne, The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, The Immortality Key by Brian Muraresku, The Perfect Storm, War, and Tribe by Sebastian Junger, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John Allegro, Something Deeply Hidden by Sean Carroll, Fingerprints Of The Gods by Graham Hancock, Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler, Going Clear by Lawrence Wright and The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt.
