The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle is a fun narrative telling of the stories of a number of hotbeds of talent across the world and how they tend to be hotbeds of hard work more than any kind of natural ability. The author is a reporter and not a practitioner himself, so the stories are mostly secondhand and the coverage of the “amazing discovery” of myelin can be a little breathless at times. Despite that, it’s an enjoyable read that might spark some ideas and give you some inspiration that skill isn’t born, it’s grown.
The Art of Learning
The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin is an entertaining story of his early life as a world-class junior chess player and later competing in Tai Chi Push Hands. The book includes a lot of his ruminations and analysis of mental problems he encountered and how he dealt with them. Well-written and likely to give you some ideas. Also includes some unfortunate stories of corruption and unfairness in other sports that makes any trouble we have in USPSA seem tame by comparison.
Mastery
Mastery by George Leonard is a very compact book that is package full of lessons learned over decades of practicing Aikido. This is a book about understanding people and yourself, dealing with the plateaus and valleys, and staying motivated through it all because walking the path of mastery is worthwhile, even if you never get to the end. The wisdom contained in the book takes years to appreciate. I re-read the book at least once a year, and every time, I walk away with a new look on my practice and matches.
Peak
Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool: If you only read one book on this list, read Mastery. But if you read a second one, read this one. It talks about what Ericsson has learned in 30 years of research on expertise, including the “golden standard” of good practice, how to overcome plateaus, and why the 10,000 Hour “Rule” isn’t what you think. Highly recommended.