|
2017 was great. I traveled a lot and that lead to a lot of reading on planes, buses, and boats. I set the goal of reading 40 books at the beginning of the year and fell short. Not a big deal. The high number was a way to be competitive with myself. I still bested last year’s total by four. I publish this list to elicit suggestions and hopefully inspire you to read more. It is in no way meant to boast or show off. Reading is not a competition. ← I’m still working on learning that lesson.
Here's a list of all the books I read in 2017; (1) Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman I’ve done a ton of interviews discussing cognitive biases, so I figured it was time to go straight to the source. Kahneman, and his partner Amos Tversky, created the field of behavioral economics and uncovered the shortcuts all our minds take to problem solve. You’ll never master them all, but understanding your blind spots is the first step towards improvement. (2) The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis Michael Lewis’ unparalleled ability to storytell and make big ideas accessible to average minds is on full display in his 16th book. He chronicles Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky’s exploration of cognitive biases and the idiosyncrasies of a powerful intellectual partnership. (3) Born a Crime by Trevor Noah The host of The Daily Show grew up right as apartheid was ending in South Africa. Embedded in his story is a history lesson in history and analysis of race relations, poverty, and family dynamics. (4) On the Road by Jack Kerouac A classic traveler’s tomb, as Sal follows Dean around North America. Themes of freedom and the open road are intertwined within this winding tale. (5) The Social Organism by Oliver Luckett Luckett has been influencing pop culture from behind the scenes for over a decade. In his first book, Luckett shares his thesis for how social media really works, drawing on his study of biology. (6) Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain If you are ready for a chef to pull the wool from over your eyes, then read Bourdain. He exposes the reality of what goes on in our restaurant’s kitchens and share his secrets from a multi-decade career. Never eat fish on a Monday. (7) Write Your Book on the Side by Hassan Osman A concise, focused book on how to complete and publish a book. (8) The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo This book is a significant breakthrough, sitting squarely between minimalism, stoicism, and personal psychology. Kondo’s lifelong obsession with clean spaces has led to breakthroughs in technique and philosophical insight. (9) Getting Things Done by David Allen I recommended this aggressively in my February newsletter. Like most skills, productivity can be boiled down to solid fundamentals and consistent habits. (10) The Essays of Warren Buffett The greatest investor of a generation has laid out a comprehensive business education through decades of letters to his shareholders. (11) Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Some members of society are invisible. How does that change? Ellison meditates on the bitter reality. (12) Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens Hitchens autobiography chronicles his formative years and evolution of political thought. Fascinating insight on a man who fought to think independently. (13) Born Standing Up by Steve Martin One of the biggest comedians of the 20th century chronicles his rise and departure from the world of stand-up. (14) Games People Play: The Basic Handbook of Transactional Analysis by Eric Berne One of my favorite concepts, stolen from my friend Mike Dariano, is the concept of a “lightbulb book”. As he described in our 2016 book review, lightbulb books seemingly illuminate a whole new part of your brain that you didn’t previously know was there. Games People Play is firmly in that camp for me. There is a risk with any psycho-analysis book to play ametuer therapist with your newly minted information. Despite falling prey to this, there are still a laundry list of actionable takeaways from just one reading. Appreciating how your past influences your present is crucial to success and GPP services this endeavor. (15) Nudge by Richard Thaler & Cass Sunstein This pairs with Thinking Fast & Slow perfectly, as Thaler spent time researching with Kahneman and Tversky. The biggest term Thaler introduces is Libertarian Paternalism. While it seems contradictory, Thaler explains that small nudges and suggestions, without making explicit rules or laws, maximizes health and outcomes for everyone. A perfect example is auto-enrolling employees in retirement accounts. (16) You're It!: On Hiding, Seeking, and Being Found by Alan Watts This one is a collection of public addresses in audiobook form. Alan Watts talks religion, spirituality, and how to be human. (17) On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder Yale professor Timothy Snyder wrote this in reaction to Trump’s election. He calls on historical precedent for signs that things in the US politics could get dangerous. (18) Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis Wall Street is oft-maligned for sins of greed and deception. However, the details, perhaps the banality of evil, are lost beneath the headlines. In Michael Lewis’ first book, he outlines the ascent from lowly trainee to geek to Big Swingin’ Dick at the hottest firm of the moment, Salomon Brothers. Amazing interviews, interwoven with personal narrative and vivid storytelling. (19) The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen Sam “the Banana King” Zemurray’s biography belongs right next to American tycoons like Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Ford. Zemurray’s tactics would fit perfectly in a 48 Laws of Power vignette and offer keen insight into disrupting existing businesses. (20) Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World by Bruce Schneier Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras got the most acclaim for facilitating Edward Snowden’s revelations about the obscene amount of data that the government collects on its citizens. Schneier was also involved and builds a compelling case for why we should be concerned with this massive invasion of privacy and how to protect yourself. (21) The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream by Tyler Cowen Tyler Cowen is one of my favorite modern thinkers on a broad range of topics. His newest book offers in-depth analysis of the trends of stagnation and complacency within America. Why don’t Americans riot anymore? How come less people move or travel internationally? Cowen identifies the problem, supports his views with evidence, and makes balanced prognostications on how things could play out. (22) Ca$hvertising by Drew Eric Whitman Exploring the secret techniques advertising agencies use to influence consumers and sell their clients’ products. (23) Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink True leaders are defined by their responses and actions in the highest intensity situations. Willinck translates his lessons from the battlefields of Iraq for those in the boardroom. (24) Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott Scott has worked at Apple and Google and personally learned from Steve Jobs, Sheryl Sandberg, Sergey Brin, and Eric Schmidt. Basic fundamentals of communication make all the difference. (25) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Decided to mix things up with some heavy fiction. The content was creepy and not sure I’ll be coming back to Nabokov anytime soon, but certainly written in vivid, precise prose. (26) The Underground History of American Education: A School Teacher's Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling by John Taylor Gatto John Taylor Gatto was named New York City Teacher of the Year in 1989, 1990, and 1991, and New York State Teacher of the Year in 1991 (Check Out My Interview with National Teacher of the Year, Sean McComb). This book is considered his Magnum Opus. A book like this could easily drift into the overtly conspiratorial. However, Gatto masterfully balances analysis of the incentives that drove the rise of mass schooling with the realities he has witnessed over decades in the classroom. This book fundamentally changed how I will approach parenting when I have a family of my own. (27) Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz I interviewed Seth about this book and found it to be a really fun read. Seth has used Google searches to measure racism, self-induced abortion, depression, child abuse, hateful mobs, the science of humor, sexual preference, anxiety, son preference, and sexual insecurity, among many other topics. (28) Casino Healthcare: The Health of a Nation: America's Biggest Gamble by Dan Munro The American healthcare system is confusing, complex, and bloated. I didn’t know the extent until I read this book and spoke with Dan. (29) King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette Do you have a strong male role model? Many don’t. This book can help with understanding what it means to be a mature male adult. Really good. (30) A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger Questions are really important. Having a deep reserve of questions ensures that you will stay creative and find opportunity for yourself. (31) Elephant in the Brain by Kevin Simler & Robin Hanson Two incredibly smart dudes break down why evolution has taught us to overlook the selfish motivations driving a lot of our actions and traditions. (32) Black Privilege by Charlamagne tha God Charlamagne the God is hilarious and I highly recommend the interviews he conducts on The Breakfast Club to learn about effective interviewing. His life story is equally candid and entertaining. (33) Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates I’m a white guy. I want to better empathize and understand what it means to be a minority. Coates taught me a lot in a short, poignant read. (34) Open by Andre Agassi Can you become one of the best in the world at something you hate? Apparently yes. Agassi chronicles his internal dialogue over the course of a transcendent career.
Recommendations
For Entrepreneurs The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen Best Book to Take with You on Vacation On the Road by Jack Kerouac Safest Bet for a Breakthrough The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo --- I'm always looking for suggestions for future reading, drop me a line if you have any recommendations. Here are my starting five for the beginning of 2017. Internet of Money by Andreas Antonopoulos Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne The New New Thing by Michael Lewis The Information by James Gleick The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac I set a goal of reading 40 books in 2016 at the beginning of the year. I ended up at 34, and I’m pushing for 45 next year. What will you be reading in 2018?
2016 was the first complete year I was able to dedicate to my blog and podcast, and I ended up doing a great deal of reading. I read A LOT of online articles/blog posts, but I also read a lot of books. For a review of my favorite book, blogs, and podcasts of 2016, check out my podcast with Mike Dariano. Here's a list of all the books I read in 2016. (1) The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield The book I’ve gifted the most in 2016. (2) Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson 500 pages flew by for this master entrepreneur’s autobiography. (3) A Wealth of Common Sense by Ben Carlson Practical advice on personal finance, clearly written. (4) Growth Hacker Marketing by Ryan Holiday Defining Growth Hacking from the marketing head of American Apparel. (5) Steal the Show by Michael Port A fantastic manual for building skills in public speaking. (6) $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau A lite version of Tim Ferriss’ 4 Hour Workweek. (7) Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman Physicist studied broadly and masterfully connected insights together. (8) Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why by Laurence Gonzales Stoic philosophy and Antifragile principles baked into tales of survival and “chance”. (9) The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries & Jack Trout Short, sweet, and timeless rules for marketing anything. (10) The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future by Kevin Kelly Kelly was a guest and went deep on all the research that went into his predictions. (11) Boys Among Men by Jonathan Abrams Abrams did a ton of interviews chronicling the prep-to-pro generation of NBA stars. (12) Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson An absolute classic. Unlike anything else I’ve ever read. (13) The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway If you haven’t read this, you need to read it. (14) #AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur's Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness by Gary Vaynerchuk Gary Vee’s broadest book on business, leadership, and family. (15) The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Often cited by leaders in politics, entertainment, and business. (16) How to Be Interesting by Jessica Hagy Derek Sivers recommended this short, easy read. (17) The Book In a Box Method by Tucker Max & Zach Obront Tucker is a multi-time bestseller and lays out the fundamentals of book creation. (18) Turning Pro: Tap Your Inner Power and Create Your Life's Work by Steven Pressfield Pressfield’s well-crafted sentences cut through the excuses and negative self-talk stopping creatives from producing. (19) Influence by Robert Cialdini One of the most oft-cited psychology books by business leaders. (20) Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb A “lightbulb” book with new ideas you won’t be able to ignore. (21) The Call of the Wild by Jack London Beautiful imagery and an exciting tale of unlocking the beast within. (22) Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Stoic philosophy classic. Should be in every high school curriculum. (23) Fast Forward: What Is Your College Degree Worth? by Tucker Matheson and Pichon Duplan Getting real about extracting maximum value from your degree. (24) How to Shoot Video the Doesn’t Suck by Steve Stockman Title says it all. (25) What Technology Wants by Kevin Kelly Founding editor of Wired magazine lays out the trends of technologies over many centuries and what to expect. (26) The Resilience Advantage by Richard Citrin Learning the resilience resides within all of us is key to developing confidence. (27) Chimpanzee Politics by Frans de Waal Analyzing chimps to better understand your fellow man. (28) The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida A masterclass on masculinity and one of Tony Robbins’ favorites. (29) Life Inc.: How the World Became a Corporation and How to Take It Back by Douglas Rushkoff Rushkoff obliterates assumptions baked into your everyday corporate lifestyle. (30) Enchiridion by Epictetus In the tradition of Stoic philosophers like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus offers practical short passages of advice. Recommendations For College Students & Job Hunters The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield Pressfield eloquently lays out the mental framework required to get shit done. Best Gift Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson Entertaining, well-written, and informative tales of business triumphs and near-death adventures. Top Intellectual Stimulation Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb I explained it in episode 171, but this just a powerhouse book. Your brain will never be the same.
I'm always looking for suggestions for future reading, drop me a line if you have any recommendations. Here are my starting five for the beginning of 2017. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis On the Road by Jack Kerouac The Social Organism by Oliver Luckett House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski I set a goal of reading 30 books in 2016 at the beginning of the year. I ended up nailing 30, so I’m pushing for 40 next year. I think I can do it. What will you be reading in 2017? The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing By: Al Ries & Jack Trout Life Skills: 4 out of 5 Entertaining: 2 out of 5  There are a number of rules that every marketer needs to know and Al Ries & Jack Trout have laid them out for everyone. While some of the references are a bit dated, each law is accompanied by clear, simple examples that everyone can understand.
Why do you know Charles Lindbergh’s name? Because he was the FIRST person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Bert Hinkler was second, but that was too late. If you are marketing a product or service, you need to know these laws. Who should read this; Anyone in business or writing. There are principles that transcend business into personal branding and politics. Major lesson learned; Marketing is very much a game of being first, best, and distinct. Big budgets and tricks can’t do much to change the product’s fundamental characteristics. Interesting tidbit; Kraft foods was called out for being a “weak” brand because it has it’s hands in so many different types of products. Buy it here and you’ll support the blog!
In the same vein as The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, $100 Startup pronounced a new age of business and entrepreneurship.
Guillebeau lays out the basics of finding customers, building a product, and managing a location independent business. As a practitioner himself, Chris shares his own story and how location independence has allowed him to travel the world. In a growing demographic of lifestyle design-minded entrepreneurs, $100 Startup is a 101 fundamental. Who should read this; Any aspiring entrepreneur or young person looking to learn the new basics of business. Major lesson learned; Modern times have drastically reduced the costs of getting a new venture off the ground. Interesting tidbit; After releasing the book, Guillebeau visited all 193 countries of the world. Buy it here and you’ll support the blog!  A Wealth of Common Sense By: Ben Carlson Life Skills: 4 out of 5 Entertaining: 2 out of 5 Being social animals, humans are adept at relying on experts to provide advice in areas of importance like law, medicine, and tax accounting. This pattern extends to the world of financial advice and investing, but can also get investors into trouble. In his book, Chartered Financial Analyst Ben Carlson draws from his years of professional investing experience to deliver straightforward advice to any investor, big or small. The fundamental truth that making investment decisions and philosophies focused on the long term (decades) instead of short term (week to week), will save people from themselves.
Most investing mistakes are either emotional overreactions or overconfident beliefs, fueled by the cognitive biases that plague our decision-making. Implementing Carlson’s practical advice will benefit readers young and old. Who should read this; Anyone who wants to start investing or is considering working with a financial advisor. Major lesson learned; Complexity in financial products and plans serves more to confuse (read: dupe) investors than elicit greater returns. Interesting tidbit; Carlson’s book is named after his blog. Buy it here and you’ll support the blog!
Richard Branson started was running a small student magazine in his late teens when he started fulfilling mail-in music record orders as a side project. Little did he know this would be the beginning of one of the greatest music companies and brands of all time.
Virgin now adorns airplanes, mobile phones, trains, hot air balloons and financial products, but it all started with a young man’s vision for a funner record buying experience for young consumers. Branson’s company grew to an international behemoth on the wings of his willingness to take risks, commitment to a strong ethical code, and an empowered, talented team. He recounts all this and more in a riveting biography that I devoured and loved. Who should read this; Anyone with an interest in entrepreneurship, lifestyle design, or autobiographies. Major lesson learned; One of the best capitalists in modern history credits his strong ethical code and willingness to take risks for his success. Interesting tidbit; Branson took part in the first successful hot air balloon flights to cross the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Buy it here and you’ll support the blog!
Blogging is beyond the throes of achieving mainstream acceptance. Columnists have blogs. Media institutions like the New York Times have blogs. Bloggers have blogs about making blogs. But, if you can imagine back to 2008, the path to business sustainability was uncharted and daunting. In came the Huffington Post to save the day. In a 101-level manual, the 225 page guide outlines how to get started, get noticed, and build a community. Unfortunately, the information baked into this book has become so ubiquitous that almost all this information can be found for free elsewhere. Sites like Smart Passive Income that are dedicated to explaining blogging give most of this away for free. The only residual value is the history of the Huffington Post, which I probably wouldn’t have been bothered to read otherwise. Who should read this; Folks interested in the history of the Huffington Post, or those who don’t like reading blogs. Major lesson learned; It is a completely different era of the internet and what worked in 2006 will not be enough in 2016. Interesting tidbit; I strongly considered deleting this whole post because it was too meta. I literally just wrote a blog post, that is a book review, of a book, written by a blog, about starting a blog. I think I’m gonna go lick some concrete. Don’t buy it.
Lewis Howes has officially entered the arena of “mainstream” podcast stars. The former arena football player and team handball star reached the NYT bestseller list with his breakout book.
How did it do so well? Lewis promoted the shit out of it. He shamelessly went from show to show, sharing his product with every audience he could reach. The book is a pretty average self-help book that will definitely impact some lives. But the biggest lesson you can take from this book is that hustle trumps talent. There are plenty of writers better than Lewis Howes out there, but they aren’t reaching #2 on the NYT bestseller list. He got there through tremendous networking, diligent content production, and relentless salesmanship. Kudos. Who should read this; Anyone stuck in a rut, particularly in business. Most of Howes’ advice focuses on the steps to rise from the ashes and redefine your path after you fall. Major lesson learned; Email lists and audiences sell product. Interesting tidbit; Howes’s brother Chris is a famous jazz violinist. Buy it here and you’ll support the blog! Wow, 2015 was wild. I launched a podcast and blog. I did more reading than any previous year of my life. I read A LOT of online articles/blog posts, but I also read a lot of books. Here's a list of all the books I read in 2015 and a one sentence summary of the experience.
Letter to a Young Contrarian by Christopher Hitchens Brazen intellectual refuses to conform, give directions for how to follow his lead. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse In search of zen and self-actualization, a young man is distracted by family and a young woman. This Book Will Make You Think by Alain Stephen There has been a lot of philosophizing over the years, a brief overview of the major players. To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink. Most jobs are evolving to include a larger sales component, adjust accordingly. On Advertising by David Ogilvy Advertising icon got ahead through clear communication and strong ethics. Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk There has never been a better time to build a personal brand The Game of Numbers by Nick Murray Every business is built piece by piece and a strong ethical code and willingness to ask hard questions will get you far. Purple Cow by Seth Godin Mass marketing is over, the best products and services are there own marketing machine. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut KV points directly into the face of America's worst traits and areas of denial. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo A young boy takes the adventure of a lifetime, propelled by belief in himself and the help of friends he makes along the way. Smart People Should Build Things by Andrew Yang We need more smart entrepreneurs and less lawyers. ReWork by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson Don't overthink work, keep it simple and don't waste anyone's time. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller Pastor starts a church in Brooklyn through a well-reasoned explanation for belief in his religion. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari Beautiful narrative on the history of our species. The Big Short by Michael Lewis A few people saw the 2008 crash coming and profited greatly. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk You have to give before you ask for something. The End of Jobs by Taylor Pearson Entrepreneurial skills are at a premium right now and you should nurture them as soon as possible. The Shift by Theresa Brown A nurse battles through a workday and rides a roller coaster along with her patients. Recommendations For College Students & Job Hunters The End of Jobs by Taylor Pearson A dose of reality for anyone entering the job market. Best Gift The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo A beautiful book that I've already gifted multiple times. Extreme Intellectual Stimulation Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari Anyone with a curiosity for where we came from and who we are will love it. 2016 I'm always looking for suggestions for future reading, drop me a line if you have any recommendations. Here are my starting five for the beginning of 2016 (aiming to read 30 books total). The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why by Laurence Gonzales What will you be reading in 2016?
This is my favorite thing that I read in 2015. I can hardly believe that I got through over 400 pages of relatively dense anthropological explanations in a month. It is a testament the author Yuval Harrari’s beautiful writing and engaging pace.
Harrari writes a compelling narrative about our species and how we managed to decouple from our common ancestors and eventually conquer the world. There is too much wisdom and insight baked into this book for me to possibly dispel in a few paragraphs. Read it. Seriously. You will better understand yourself. You will better understand your fellow man. And you will better understand the history of our species Who should read this; Everyone. It’s been translated into languages for a reason. Major lesson learned; Humankind has traveled a long and complicated road to where we currently stand. Most everything that has propelled us stemmed from our unique and unbridled imagination. Interesting tidbit; The book has been translated in 26 languages and is an international bestseller. Buy it here and you’ll support the blog! |
Topics
All
If you want to support this blog, buy your Amazon products through this link.
Archives
August 2020
|
RSS Feed