Reading List
I love reading. I think encouraging literacy and reading habits is one of the most important things we can do. Here are some books that had a positive influence on me that I wanted to share with you. What's a library without books?
Non Fiction
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936)
Obviously a well known classic in the self-help space. This book was enormously useful for me in learning how to be an effective conversation partner. If you are an awkward person looking to improve your social skills, this book provides an excellent starting framework.
Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (2001)
Taleb famously profited hugely from the 2008 financial crisis and has a way of thinking about randomness that I admire. I feel like he has really synthesized the philosophy and math of randomness and successfully distilled it into a very special anthology (Incerto). This book is the first of the series.
Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin (2008)
I first read this book sometime in high school. Prior to reading this book, I may have believed that skill level is sort of "baked in" to each person. But this book challenged that subconscious notion in me and deeply emphasized the importance of high quality practice.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson (2011)
Steve Jobs is 100% the GOAT. This is the best book on entrepreneurship I've ever read. I think Steve would have had harsh words to say about today's startup culture of "ship fast/early/slop." Jobs was so effective because he was a dictator with customer empathy, vision, obsession, and taste.
Lying by Sam Harris (2011)
This might be considered more of an essay, as it's quite short. Harris explores the ethical implications of lying and how even "white lies" can erode the integrity of our relationships. This book has led me to pursue radical honesty and come to view honesty as the ultimate meta virtue. I think it's the most important virtue.
Models: Attract Women Through Honesty by Mark Manson (2011)
Dating in the modern world was fucking hard man. I don't envy those who are still in that chapter of life and don't want to be. I think a lot of men and women could get a lot out of this book. Manson argues that true attractiveness stems from vulnerability (honesty) and building a life you are genuinely proud of. This book is a practical guide to dating for men that didn't feel sleazy to me. My advice to men looking to find a long-term partner is to get off the apps and read this book.
Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris (2014)
I grew up as a deeply religious individual and sometime in my 20s I admitted to myself that I made a mistake and thought I was wrong. This book served as a great starting place for me to rebuild an understanding of ethics and spirituality without any religious dogma.
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday (2014)
This guy Ryan is obsessed with an ancient philosophy called stoicism. I like reading stuff by people who are obsessed with something. Stoicism is a philosophy that provides a mental framework used to deal with adversity. I've read several Holiday books and enjoyed them, but if I had to pick one, it would be this one.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel (2014)
Big fan of Thiel's thoughts here. Peter argues that building a business with existing competitors is for losers. Instead, entrepreneurs should seek to create value in completely new and unconventional ways. So true, and yet it feels like this is somehow still a secret in the startup world. I also like how he didn't feel like he had to add fluff just to keep a typical page count (it's a short read).
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport (2016)
This book totally opened my mind to the importance of long uninterrupted sessions of focus. It's the ultimate tool of productivity. This matters more for some professions than others, but I find it especially relevant for software engineers. I haven't read his other books, but I'd like to think that Cal and I would agree on topics related to digital minimalism as well.
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright (2017)
Fun fact. The Wachowskis (creators of The Matrix) gave Keanu Reeves a reading list to ensure he understood the psychological underpinnings of the movie. Robert Wright's book "The Moral Animal" was on that reading list. I know this is a different book, but I think that serves as strong validation that Wright has a way of writing that can make one reconsider the nature of reality.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker (2017)
This book forced me to re-appraise the value of a good night's sleep. I had no idea that the brain was so active during the night. This book got me into sleep hygiene and optimizing the perfect night of rest.
Atomic Habits by James Clear (2018)
This book is definitely the most practical book on this list. Clear clearly was obsessed with the idea of habits and was able to write an incredible instruction guide on how to master them. Mastering your habits gives you the best possible chance of bending reality to your will.
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson (2023)
I was an Elon fan long before it became cool to dislike him, and I still think he's a product design genius. However you feel about him, this book was hella interesting. I loved reading about the rocket engineering, insane bets, tesla factory issues, and the maniacal sense of urgency. Both the Musk haters and lovers are likely to enjoy this book.
The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind and the Quest for Superintelligence by Sebastian Mallaby (2026)
This is the only book on the list that I added before I even finished reading it. Demis is literally going to be the guy that fucking solves AGI. That's insane.
Fiction
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (1950)
If we could bring a sci fi writer back to life, it would have to be Asimov. Asimov famously introduced the "Three Laws of Robotics" that was so before its time. I'd love to see him play with modern AI. His books are so charming and a great entry for me into the sci-fi space.
Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin (2006)
The trilogy shattered my brain. Cixin has a way of zooming out, invoking time dilation, and looking at the universe at a macroscopic level. It takes a bit of commitment to get to the really good parts, but it's so worth it.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021)
I read this book while on a silent meditation retreat. I don't know why I chose to read this one, but it holds a special place in my heart for that reason. The movie was good too. Good job Andy you fucking did it man.