Derek Sivers

Books I’ve read

Tiny summary but detailed notes for each. Use the ISBN number to find it from your local library or anywhere else. This page will constantly update as I read more, so bookmark it if you want to check back in a few months.

Sorted with my top recommendations up top. Sort by title, newest, or best.

And please read this FAQ page about these notes, if you have any questions. You can also email me.


Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives - by David Eagleman

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives - by David Eagleman

Date read: 2017-09-27. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Awesomely creative think-piece. 40 very short fictional stories about what happens when you die. The framework is inspiring for anyone: coming up with 40 different answers to any one question. But they’re also just brilliant ideas and powerful little fables. I just read it a 2nd time and love it even more now.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

On Writing Well - by William Zinsser

On Writing Well - by William Zinsser

Date read: 2015-08-01. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Great blunt advice about writing better non-fiction. So inspiring.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want - by Nicholas Epley

Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want - by Nicholas Epley

Date read: 2014-10-01. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Many new brilliant insights, especially about over-estimating the differences between you and others, thereby separating into us-vs-them tribalism. Scan to the end of my notes, to see. If you know more books like this, please recommend them to me. I adore this subject.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The War of Art - by Steven Pressfield

The War of Art - by Steven Pressfield

Date read: 2012-01-05. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Have you experienced a vision of the person you might become, the work you could accomplish, the realized being you were meant to be? Are you a writer who doesn’t write, a painter who doesn’t paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what “Resistance” is. This book is about that. Read it.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Thinking, Fast and Slow - by Daniel Kahneman

Thinking, Fast and Slow - by Daniel Kahneman

Date read: 2011-12-08. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

If you liked “Predictably Irrational” or “Stumbling on Happiness” or any of those pop-psychology books, well, this is the Godfather of all of their work. Huge thorough book gives a great overview of much of his work. Read the other quotes on Amazon about it.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy - by William Irvine

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy - by William Irvine

Date read: 2010-09-26. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Almost too personal for me to give an objective review, because I found when reading it that the quirky philosophy I've been living my life by since 17 matches up exactly with a 2000-year-old philosophy called Stoicism. Mine was self-developed haphazardly, so it was fascinating to read the refined developed original. Really resonated.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Time Paradox - by Philip Zimbardo and John Boyd

The Time Paradox - by Philip Zimbardo and John Boyd

Date read: 2009-04-03. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Profound idea that everyone has a primary time focus: either Future-focused, Present-focused, or Past-focused. Fascinating implications of each. Because I'm so future-focused, reading this book helped me understand people who are very present-focused. Also great advice on shifting your focus when needed. I read it 7 years ago, but still think about it almost every day.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Stumbling on Happiness - by Daniel Gilbert

Stumbling on Happiness - by Daniel Gilbert

Date read: 2007-07-11. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Not at all new-agey, as the title might suggest. Harvard professor of psychology has studied happiness for years, and shares factual findings that will change the way you look at the world.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

E-Myth Revisited - by Michael Gerber

E-Myth Revisited - by Michael Gerber

Date read: 2004-02-26. How strongly I recommend it: 10/10

Absolutely everyone who is an entrepreneur or wants to be one needs to read this book. I first read it after 10 years of successfully running my company, and was still blown away and totally humbled by its wisdom. Re-reading it today, I'm amazed how my view of business was completely changed by this one little book. See my notes for examples, but definitely read the book itself to get the real impact.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

This Is Marketing - by Seth Godin

This Is Marketing - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2019-08-02. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

A must-read for every entrepreneur. A holistic, generous, human, emotional, long-term, story-driven approach to your business. The world would be a much better place if businesses were led this way. You'll have a competitive advantage if you do this, since so few do.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Life 3.0 - by Max Tegmark

Life 3.0 - by Max Tegmark

Date read: 2019-03-15. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

A deep, bold, and visionary dive into Artificial Intelligence and its many implications. One of the most interesting books I've ever read. If you haven't read much of AI yet, start with “Surviving AI” as an intro, then read this as a deep-dive. His perspective is amazingly thorough. Defining terminology was a great way to start. For example life is a “process that can retain its complexity and replicate”. Intelligence is the “ability to accomplish complex goals”. That keeps it broad enough to define future technology as alive and intelligent.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Atomic Habits - by James Clear

Atomic Habits - by James Clear

Date read: 2018-12-29. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

I was doubtful, but everyone kept telling me it’s awesome, so I reluctantly read it. Holy crap! It’s GREAT! Feels like the definitive masterpiece on the subject of how to make good habits and break bad ones. Very focused on helping you take action. Very relatable and inspiring.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Courage to Be Disliked - by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

The Courage to Be Disliked - by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

Date read: 2018-07-25. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler - a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Thinking in Bets - by Annie Duke

Thinking in Bets - by Annie Duke

Date read: 2018-06-02. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Amazing point: Would your belief in something stand up to the question, “Wanna bet?” If you had to gamble significant money on that belief, would you still feel 100% about it? Or maybe more honestly 60%? This creates healthy skepticism encouraging you to seek the best information instead of just defending your belief. Now objective accuracy wins instead of argument.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

12 Rules for Life - by Jordan Peterson

12 Rules for Life - by Jordan Peterson

Date read: 2018-04-10. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

A unique thinker with strong opinions presented as indisputable fact. More surprisingly interesting ideas than almost any book I've ever read. Extremely thoughtful, but occasionally abruptly concludes with an unsupported point. It has a conservative “this is how it is” certainty. It’s a broad collection of thoughtful insights on life, mixed with a lot of Bible interpretation.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Sapiens - by Yuval Noah Harari

Sapiens - by Yuval Noah Harari

Date read: 2017-08-15. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

I resisted reading this popular history of mankind, because it came out when I had just finished “Guns, Germs, and Steel” and “Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches”, on the same subject. But wow - this book is at its best when the author is sharing his personal perspective about binding myths, humanism, and other ways that “truths” are not true. And you get an interesting history of the world along with it. Strange mix of history and philosophy.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Happy - by Derren Brown

Happy - by Derren Brown

Date read: 2017-03-05. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Brilliant and profound yet totally entertaining philosophy book by one of my favorite people. Gives an approachable overview of past philosophies and shows how they apply to your life today better than the harmful pop-self-help-positivity stuff. Amazing perspectives on desires, death, relationships, anger, and how being present doesn’t matter as much as the story you tell yourself afterwards. He has a fun writing style that’s not reflected in my notes here. Get the book.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Au Contraire: Figuring Out the French - by Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron

Au Contraire: Figuring Out the French - by Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron

Date read: 2016-10-11. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

The absolute best book I've ever found on explaining the mindset of a country. (Runner-up is “Watching the English” by Kate Fox.) I wish every country had a book this deep. Not just what but why! Also appreciate the bold writing, skipping caveats.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck - by Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck - by Mark Manson

Date read: 2016-09-26. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

The opposite of every other book. Don’t try. Give up. Be wrong. Lower your standards. Stop believing in yourself. Follow the pain. And oh yeah, kill yourself. Each point is profoundly true, useful, and more powerful than the usual positivity. Succinct but surprisingly deep, I read it in one night, then read it again a month later.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Ego Is the Enemy - by Ryan Holiday

Ego Is the Enemy - by Ryan Holiday

Date read: 2016-08-01. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Forget yourself and focus on the work. Be humble and persistent. Value discipline and results, not passion and confidence. Be lesser, do more. This message is crucial, but the opposite of almost every other book. I wish everyone would read this. I need to re-read it each year. It's that important. It's easy to read this and say “oh yeah I've got my ego under control”, but the problem is deeper than that.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Total Recall - by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Total Recall - by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Date read: 2016-05-05. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

I was not expecting to love this so much! I'm not a fan of his, but MAN his ambitious mindset, especially in his early days when he first moved to America, is so inspiring. Both on the movie-star side and real-estate side. If you need a role model or inspiration for thinking big, this is it. (Skip the final section on his governor days.) I was telling friends stories and thoughts about this book for weeks afterwards.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now - by Gordon Livingston

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now - by Gordon Livingston

Date read: 2016-04-26. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Powerful and profound life lessons from a psychiatrist who's been listening to people's problems for decades.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Zero to One - by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters

Zero to One - by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters

Date read: 2016-03-10. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Brilliant, bold, and clear thoughts about how to make a big Silicon Valley size company. Other great insights like definite/indefinite optimism/pessimism.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches - by Marvin Harris

Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches - by Marvin Harris

Date read: 2016-02-19. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Mind-blowing anthropology. Great argument that the reasons that religions worship cows or hate pigs, that tribes wage wars, or Europe's 200 years of witch hunts, are all very practical economic reasons usually unknown to the participants or washed out of history. But they're revealed here in zoomed-out hindsight. My notes here can't describe it. You have to read the whole book. Riveting.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Truth - by Neil Strauss

The Truth - by Neil Strauss

Date read: 2015-11-22. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Deep look at romantic relationships. Neil’s autobiography of transformation from being a womanizing sex addict, through therapy, concluding with commitment to his girlfriend. But interlaced in his story are powerful lessons about relationships.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster - by Darren Hardy

The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster - by Darren Hardy

Date read: 2015-08-01. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Rar! My heart rate is racing as I tear through this riveting book. Darren captures and spreads the entrepreneurial spirit better than anyone I know. I've been a successful entrepreneur for 25 years but The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster just got me more excited and enlightened than I've been in a long time. You must read and USE this immediately!

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Wisdom of No Escape - by Pema Chödrön

The Wisdom of No Escape - by Pema Chödrön

Date read: 2015-04-16. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Powerful thoughts on not running, distracting, or escaping, but sticking with something all the way through.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

When Things Fall Apart - by Pema Chödrön

When Things Fall Apart - by Pema Chödrön

Date read: 2014-11-30. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Profound philosophy on facing the negative emotions head-on and getting to know them well, instead of trying to avoid them or escape.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Compound Effect - by Darren Hardy

The Compound Effect - by Darren Hardy

Date read: 2014-07-17. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Classic self-help book, in the best sense. Inspired the hell out of me. Mostly fundamentals I had heard before, but put in a very energetic go-do-it way. As he says, “You already know all that you need to succeed. You don’t need to learn anything more. If all we needed was more information, everyone with an Internet connection would live in a mansion, have abs of steel, and be blissfully happy.”

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

When Cultures Collide - by Richard D. Lewis

When Cultures Collide - by Richard D. Lewis

Date read: 2014-07-16. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Masterpiece of cultural observations. I wish there were more books like this. My Wood Egg books were created with the same goal. Insights into different countries' cultures. Some amazing, like the reason for American's lack of manners, or Japanese procedures. My detailed notes don't do it justice because I practically underlined the entire book, I loved it so much.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Antifragile - by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Antifragile - by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Date read: 2013-05-15. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Bold perspectives, unusual ideas, and surprisingly wise advice around an interesting subject of the “opposite of fragile.” Looking through that lens at health, education, governments, business, and life philosophy. Very inspiring, and sparks a lot of further discussion.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Willpower Instinct - by Kelly McGonigal

The Willpower Instinct - by Kelly McGonigal

Date read: 2013-02-05. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Amazing book about willpower from Stanford psychology professor who teaches just this. Killer first point: The best way to improve your self-control is to see how and why you lose control. This is a better book than the other book on Willpower here on my list, because it's more actionable, better written, better presented. Really amazing (IF you act on it!)

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Turning Pro - by Steven Pressfield

Turning Pro - by Steven Pressfield

Date read: 2012-10-25. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

In the same vein as his other books “Do the Work” and ”War of Art” - but a message that needs to be said again and again to really get through. It's all about the resistance, avoiding distractions, getting serious. Here he dives more into the mindset shift of thinking of your art as a hobby versus a real career. This stuff shakes me to the core, every time.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Quiet - by Susan Cain

Quiet - by Susan Cain

Date read: 2012-09-22. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Any introvert should like this book. Wonderful info and insights about introversion. It'll help you defend your preference for low-stimulus environments. Since reading it, I feel better about insisting on my quiet/alone time.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Do the Work - by Steven Pressfield

Do the Work - by Steven Pressfield

Date read: 2011-10-25. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

A true manifesto. A call to action. A kick in the butt for any creative person. Great thoughts on overcoming the resistance to creating.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

What Got You Here Won't Get You There - by  Marshall Goldsmith

What Got You Here Won't Get You There - by Marshall Goldsmith

Date read: 2011-08-22. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Aimed at already-successful people. The personality traits that brought you to success (personal discipline, saying yes to everything, over-confidence) are the same traits that hold you back from going further! (Where you need to listen to lead, and don't let over-confidence make you over-commit.) Stinging counter-intuitive insights that hit very close to home for me. Great specific suggestions for how to improve.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Personal MBA - by Josh Kaufman

The Personal MBA - by Josh Kaufman

Date read: 2011-02-16. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Wow. A masterpiece. This is now the one “START HERE” book I'll be recommending to everybody interested in business. An amazing overview of everything you need to know. Covers all the basics, minus buzz-words and fluff. Look at my notes for an example, but read the whole book. One of the most inspiring things I've read in years. Want proof? I asked the author to be my coach/mentor afterwards. It's that good.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Switch - by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Switch - by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Date read: 2010-05-10. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Great great great great GREAT psychology book about real ways to make change last - both personal and organizational. So many powerful insights, based on fact not theory. Inspiring counterintuitive stories of huge organizational change against all odds. Highly recommended for everyone.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Happiness Hypothesis  -  by Jonathan Haidt

The Happiness Hypothesis - by Jonathan Haidt

Date read: 2010-05-01. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Psychology professor's digestible but deep insight into how our minds work, around the topic of happiness. Great metaphor of a rider on the back of an elephant. Rider is reasoning, elephant is emotions. Rider has limited control of what the elephant does. Surprising insights into ethics and morality. See my notes for great quotes, but read the whole well-written book.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Influence - by Robert Cialdini

Influence - by Robert Cialdini

Date read: 2009-08-15. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Classic book on the psychology of persuasion. I read it 15 years ago, thought about it ever since, and re-read it now. How to get a 700% improvement in volunteers. How to sell more by doubling your prices. How to make people feel they made a choice, when really you made it for them.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Management of the Absurd - by Richard Farson

Management of the Absurd - by Richard Farson

Date read: 2009-04-14. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Counter-intuitive lessons about management. Highly recommended for managers and leaders, but also teachers and parents.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Predictably Irrational - by Dan Ariely

Predictably Irrational - by Dan Ariely

Date read: 2008-08-11. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

My favorite type of book: pointing out and understanding all of the counter-intuitive things people do.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Ultimate Sales Machine - by Chet Holmes

The Ultimate Sales Machine - by Chet Holmes

Date read: 2008-06-12. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

After reading E-Myth Revisited, this is the best book I’ve seen on how to turn it into real results, step-by-step. Not ambiguous. Very “do it like this”.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The 4-Hour Work Week - by Tim Ferriss

The 4-Hour Work Week - by Tim Ferriss

Date read: 2008-05-15. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Brilliant reversal of all of the “how to manage all your crap” books. This one tells you how to say “no” to the crap, set expectations on your terms, and be just as effective in a fraction of the time. This is perfect for musicians with other responsibilities (day jobs) that need more free time to actually make music!

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read - by Daniel R. Solin

The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read - by Daniel R. Solin

Date read: 2008-05-14. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

An itty-bitty quick-read no-fluff book with the wisest succinct advice to investors: You can't predict the future, and neither can anyone else. Determine your asset allocation, stick with cheap broad indexes, and rebalance occasionally.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Wisdom of Crowds - by James Surowiecki

The Wisdom of Crowds - by James Surowiecki

Date read: 2008-04-16. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Mind-blowing examples of how groups of diverse people acting independently are smarter than any one person in the group. Has huge implications for management, markets, decision-making, and more.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Paradox of Choice - Why More is Less - by Barry Schwartz

The Paradox of Choice - Why More is Less - by Barry Schwartz

Date read: 2007-07-11. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Faced with many options or decisions in your life? This will change the way you look at them. We feel worse when we have too many options.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Made to Stick - by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Made to Stick - by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Date read: 2007-03-12. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

Actually analyzing what makes certain ideas or stories more memorable than others! Fascinating. Apply this wisdom to your songs, bio/story, communication with fans, etc.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Art of Profitability - by Adrian Slywotzky

The Art of Profitability - by Adrian Slywotzky

Date read: 2005-12-02. How strongly I recommend it: 9/10

25 different models of profitability presented in examples you can relate to your own business, making you realize profit-sources you’d never thought of before.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Everything Is Fucked - by Mark Manson

Everything Is Fucked - by Mark Manson

Date read: 2019-07-27. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Philosophy made relatable. Great points about taking feelings seriously, pain as the speed of light, humanity as an ends not means, and democracy acknowledging human nature. Sections on Nietzsche and Kant are fascinating, not academic. The second half grabbed me the most.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Stubborn Attachments - by Tyler Cowen

Stubborn Attachments - by Tyler Cowen

Date read: 2019-04-15. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Subtitle “A Vision for a Society of Free, Prosperous, and Responsible Individuals” gives a hint of its contents. I love these kinds of books: full of well-considered, smart, rational and surprising ideas from an economist.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Consolations of Philosophy - by Alain De Botton

The Consolations of Philosophy - by Alain De Botton

Date read: 2018-08-28. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

How can the lessons of philosophers change your life? Thoughtful, unique, and funny book (cute illustrations) with some insightful ideas around that.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Story of Philosophy - by Will Durant

Story of Philosophy - by Will Durant

Date read: 2018-07-20. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Profiles of some top philosophers: Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Voltaire, Kant, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche. But wow - Durant’s writing steals the show. A hundred various thoughts to digest.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Innumeracy - by John Allen Paulos

Innumeracy - by John Allen Paulos

Date read: 2017-10-09. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Why are so many people so mathematically illiterate? (Hence the title: illiteracy → innumeracy.) I wish I was an expert at this. I love it when someone is able to blow apart a claim in a minute, or know a good versus bad deal, just by running the numbers. I’d love to get great at this, then re-learn almost everything in life, but now with this additional lens.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Dip - by Seth Godin

The Dip - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2017-03-15. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Tiny quick read with a punchy point: Anything worth doing has a painfully-hard middle period, which is where most people quit. But knowing this in advance, ask yourself seriously if you really have the dedication to stick it through that hard time. If not, then don’t begin! Quit in advance! But if so, then expect that dark dip, and don’t quit when you’re in it. Read the whole book if this applies to you. There’s not a wasted page.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Guns, Germs, and Steel - by Jared Diamond

Guns, Germs, and Steel - by Jared Diamond

Date read: 2016-07-25. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Why did the people of certain continents succeeded in invading other continents and conquering or displacing their people? Fascinating world history. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. See the notes.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Steal Like an Artist - by Austin Kleon

Steal Like an Artist - by Austin Kleon

Date read: 2016-05-10. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Short, inspiring insights into creativity and the creative life: the day job, the mindset, etc. Also read his other book “Show Your Work”.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

A Mind for Numbers - by Barbara Oakley

A Mind for Numbers - by Barbara Oakley

Date read: 2015-03-03. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Thought I was getting a book about math, but ended up being a surprisingly good book about learning in general. Main points are about diffused thinking vs focused thinking.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Smartcuts - by Shane Snow

Smartcuts - by Shane Snow

Date read: 2014-11-20. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Inspiring study of how successful people took smart shortcuts and bypassed the long-slogging dues-paying process. Great insights on momentum. Read the whole book for specific stories of Jimmy Fallon, Skrillex, Elon Musk, David Heinemeier Hansson, and Michelle Phan.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Superhuman by Habit - by Tynan

Superhuman by Habit - by Tynan

Date read: 2014-10-10. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Great little manifesto about habits. Very well thought-through practical applications, tips, and philosophies on creating and sustaining the habits you want.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Obstacle Is the Way - by Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle Is the Way - by Ryan Holiday

Date read: 2014-06-30. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

A succinct adrenaline-generating call to clear thinking and rational action. Many historical examples. Incredibly inspiring.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking - by Oliver Burkeman

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking - by Oliver Burkeman

Date read: 2014-06-28. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Surprisingly deep and philosophical. The first book I've read in years that makes me want to read it twice. The title and cover make it seem like light pop, but it's a wonderfully-cynical British journalist diving into Stoicism, meditation, death, etc.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Decisive - by Chip and Dan Heath

Decisive - by Chip and Dan Heath

Date read: 2014-06-27. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Interesting and insightful dive into the subject of how to make big decisions. Specific useful advice.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

5 Elements of Effective Thinking - by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird

5 Elements of Effective Thinking - by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird

Date read: 2013-08-30. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Short and brilliant book with tips on being a better thinker. Being persistent, thorough, rooted in fundamentals, creative, and a more active learner. Surprisingly inspiring.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Icarus Deception - by Seth Godin

The Icarus Deception - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2013-01-11. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

VERY interesting. Seth is moving from talking about business to talking about being an artist in the broad sense of anyone who creates (and ships!) something daring and new. I loved the distiction between the industrialist and the artist, as it helped me give a term for something I'd experienced: not being able to relate at all to those who just want to grow business for business' sake, whereas I always saw my business like a creative art project. The book stays very high-level, so don't look for “TO-DO” type tips.

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So Good They Can't Ignore You - by Cal Newport

So Good They Can't Ignore You - by Cal Newport

Date read: 2012-10-07. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Shockingly smart thoughts about your career. A must-read for anyone who is not loving their work, wanting to quit their job, and follow their passion, or not sure what to do next. I'm recommending this many times a week to people who email me with these kinds of questions. Best book I've ever read on the subject. See https://commoncog.com/blog/so-good-they-cant-ignore-you/ for a better summary.

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Mastery - by George Leonard

Mastery - by George Leonard

Date read: 2012-10-01. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

A description of the path to mastery in any field: to enjoy regular practice for its own sake, to push your capabilities but to accept the plateau, to surrender to the path and exercises your teacher gives you. Stay focused, not distracted like the dabbler, impatient like the obsessive, or complacent like the hacker.

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The Little Book of Talent - by Daniel Coyle

The Little Book of Talent - by Daniel Coyle

Date read: 2012-09-08. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

First he wrote The Talent Code, which I also highly recommend, then he distilled all that research about deliberate practice into 52 actionable tips. Amazing and inspiring, you can read the whole thing in 90 minutes, then get to work!

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The Developing World - by Fredrik Härén

The Developing World - by Fredrik Härén

Date read: 2011-12-28. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

This is a wonderfully one-sided book that shows how exciting the big growth of China, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, and Korea are. He's found great examples of people and companies doing really innovative things, but most of all it's a mindset.

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Willpower - by Roy Baumeister and John Tierney

Willpower - by Roy Baumeister and John Tierney

Date read: 2011-09-09. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

You have a finite amount of willpower that becomes depleted as you use it. Two traits that consistently predict “positive outcomes” in life: intelligence and self-control. Most major problems, personal and social, center on failure of self-control. When people were asked about their failings, a lack of self-control was at the top of the list. So let's talk about self-control....

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Power of Full Engagement - by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

Power of Full Engagement - by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

Date read: 2011-09-03. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

The authors worked with the best athletes and executives for years, and found that the best ones knew how to push themselves, then recuperate, push, recuperate. Take this same approach to your emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual life, and it's a powerful metaphor. Think of sprints, not marathons. Be fully in whatever you're in, then give time to recuperate. But push futher each time, past your comfort zone, like a good exercise plan.

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Moonwalking with Einstein - by Joshua Foer

Moonwalking with Einstein - by Joshua Foer

Date read: 2011-06-18. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

For those fascinated with memory. Riveting page-turner about a journalist (with no particularly good memory) who went to cover a memory championship event. Intrigued and befriending some competitors, he starts practicing, and a year later wins the U.S. memory championship event himself. Inspiring dive into the subject of memorization.

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Practicing Mind - by Thomas Sterner

Practicing Mind - by Thomas Sterner

Date read: 2011-05-27. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Great simple philosophy: Life itself is one long practice session. Everything in life worth achieving requires practice. Practice is not just for artistic or athletic skill, but practicing patience, practicing communication, practicing anything you do in life. The process/practice itself is the real goal, not the outcome.

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Mindset - by Carol Dweck

Mindset - by Carol Dweck

Date read: 2010-11-27. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Crucial distinction: People in a “fixed” mindset believe that you *are* great or flawed. People in a “growth” mindset believe your greatness (or flaws) are because of your actions. The fixed mindset is very harmful in every area of life (work, art, relationships, business, etc.) We get our initial mindset from our environment. When parents say, “You are great,” instead of ”You did great work,” they accidentally create the “fixed” mindset.

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Art and Fear - by David Bayles and Ted Orland

Art and Fear - by David Bayles and Ted Orland

Date read: 2010-11-23. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

For artists and musicians only: beautiful insights into the creative process.

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Drive - by Daniel Pink

Drive - by Daniel Pink

Date read: 2010-09-01. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Essential for all managers. Deep surprising study of motivation at work. Extrinsic vs intrinsic. Work vs play. When money is used as an external reward for some activity, the subjects lose intrinsic interest for the activity.

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On Writing - by Stephen King

On Writing - by Stephen King

Date read: 2010-05-05. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Great thoughts about writing (mostly books) from one of the most successful writers ever. Oddly doubles as an autobiography, telling many stories about his life from childhood.

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The Geography of Bliss - by Eric Weiner

The Geography of Bliss - by Eric Weiner

Date read: 2010-01-20. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Cranky NPR reporter dives deep into Iceland, Bhutan, Qatar, Holland, Switzerland, Thailand, India and Moldova to find out why people are happy (or not) in each. So beautifully written with astounding insights into culture and happiness. Amazing. Been thinking about it for weeks afterwards.

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The Investor's Manifesto - by William J. Bernstein

The Investor's Manifesto - by William J. Bernstein

Date read: 2009-11-12. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Absolutely my favorite author and advisor on the subject of investing. Anyone with any money to invest (or already invested) please read this book. Such clear thinking, using only facts, and using numbers not guesses. Modern portfolio theory: use passive indexes of the entire market, no speculation, no stock picking, and avoid the entire fee-sucking financial industry.

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How We Decide - by Jonah Lehrer

How We Decide - by Jonah Lehrer

Date read: 2009-11-10. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Brilliant book with one clear message: our emotional brain is faster and usually smarter than our logical brain. Our emotions are trained by years of logic and experience, retaining it all for real wisdom. Many decisions are better made by going with the gut feeling. Gets a little too technical with deep brain/neuro/cortex talk, but brings it back to usable points.

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The Talent Code - by Daniel Coyle

The Talent Code - by Daniel Coyle

Date read: 2009-08-22. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

A great book showing that deep practice - (struggling in certain targeted ways - operating at the edges of your ability, where you make mistakes - experiences where you're forced to slow down, make errors, and correct them) - is what really makes you improve at anything.

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Ignore Everybody - by Hugh MacLeod

Ignore Everybody - by Hugh MacLeod

Date read: 2009-06-28. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Brilliant succinct wisdom on creativity from an artist. Seth Godin says, "Hugh harangues and encourages and pushes and won't sit still until you, like him, are unwilling to settle." I highly recommend this to all musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs. Even those that prefer not to read much. :-)

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Tribes - by Seth Godin

Tribes - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2008-11-17. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Inspiring look at what it takes to organize and mobilize groups of people.

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How to Talk to Anyone - by Leil Lowndes

How to Talk to Anyone - by Leil Lowndes

Date read: 2008-09-12. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Wonderful considerate book about conversational people skills. (Warning: it’s written in an extremely flowery style, but try to see past that to get to the good stuff.) Gives specific instructions that are really useful for people who are not naturals. Just do what this book says, and people will warm up to you.

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Brain Rules - by John Medina

Brain Rules - by John Medina

Date read: 2008-08-26. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

New scientific insights into why our brains work this way, and how to use what we now know to learn or work better.

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You, Inc -  The Art of Selling Yourself - by Harry Beckwith

You, Inc - The Art of Selling Yourself - by Harry Beckwith

Date read: 2008-07-26. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

One of my favorite authors, and a massive inspiration for my e-book. This is his newest, but read anything he’s done. It’s all top-notch insights on making life easier by being more considerate, whether you call that marketing or just life.

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How to Get Rich - by Felix Dennis

How to Get Rich - by Felix Dennis

Date read: 2008-06-18. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Shockingly honest thoughts from a filthy rich bastard.

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The Innovator's Solution - by Clayton Christensen

The Innovator's Solution - by Clayton Christensen

Date read: 2006-09-21. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Required reading for business-owners and investors. Shows how technology improves faster than people's ability to use it, so when someone says a technology is “not good enough”, add “yet” and prepare for disruption.

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Small is the New Big - by Seth Godin

Small is the New Big - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2006-09-08. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

I’m a massive fan and disciple. A collection of his short insightful posts from his blog, all thought-provoking and inspiring for anybody marketing anything, even music.

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Getting Things Done - by David Allen

Getting Things Done - by David Allen

Date read: 2005-04-30. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Classic book with near-cult following. How to manage every last itty bitty tiny thing in your life. Keep your inbox empty.

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The 48 Laws of Power - by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

The 48 Laws of Power - by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

Date read: 2003-05-06. How strongly I recommend it: 8/10

Warning: some think this book is pure evil. But power exists, so it can only help to understand it better, even if you choose not to wield it.

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Prisoners of Geography - by Tim Marshall

Prisoners of Geography - by Tim Marshall

Date read: 2019-10-15. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

The world's cultures and politics are this way because of geography : oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts, farmable land, etc. Fascinating for me because I'd never looked at this world this way before.

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Finland Culture Shock - by Deborah Swallow

Finland Culture Shock - by Deborah Swallow

Date read: 2019-10-05. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Surprisingly insightful. Much better than expected. An outsider’s insights into Finnish culture. I read it on my way to Finland, and swooned at the description of what sound like my kind of people. My experience in Finland mostly matches the book’s description, except I was in louder central Helsinki, so the anti-social silence was not on display. The book has a list of spectrums of culture which could be a good framework to categorize various countries’ cultures.

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Watching the English - by Kate Fox

Watching the English - by Kate Fox

Date read: 2018-10-01. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

The first book I read about a country’s philosophy, and still one of the best. (Au Contraire, about the French, is the other.) I re-read it now 11 years later, and loved her insights and writing. Active anthropology. A must-read if you’re spending time in England.

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The Lessons of History - by Will and Ariel Durant

The Lessons of History - by Will and Ariel Durant

Date read: 2018-04-25. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

They wrote the massive 11-volume 10,000-page “Story of Civilization” covering Western history, then wrote this tiny 100-page book succinctly summing up its lessons for our present day.

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When - by Daniel Pink

When - by Daniel Pink

Date read: 2018-04-17. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

A quick, entertaining, and informative book focusing on the effects of timing on your life. All points are kept extremely practical and applicable to life and job/work.

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Getting the Love You Want - by Harville Hendrix

Getting the Love You Want - by Harville Hendrix

Date read: 2018-03-17. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Legendary book about making relationships work, recommended by many. Main point is that we're looking for our partner to heal childhood wounds. A must-read if you're near the start of a serious relationship.

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Perennial Seller - by Ryan Holiday

Perennial Seller - by Ryan Holiday

Date read: 2017-12-06. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Great thoughts on creating a timeless masterpiece (whether music, book, or any art) - and then promoting it. Very inspiring for any creator.

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Principles - by Ray Dalio

Principles - by Ray Dalio

Date read: 2017-10-07. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative group-stuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably re-read this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so high-level — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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How to Read a Book - by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer Adler

How to Read a Book - by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer Adler

Date read: 2017-06-10. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Light? No. Serious. Very serious and scholarly. Advises to read books that are above your current ability. A very specific methodology is given. Read books twice, ask questions while reading, answer those questions, then summarize and criticize afterwards. The point is to grow up to the level of the author.

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The Road Less Traveled - by M. Scott Peck

The Road Less Traveled - by M. Scott Peck

Date read: 2016-10-26. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Profound truths and bold opinions on discipline, life, and love, written by a psychiatrist in 1978. It's been a best-seller all these years for a good reason.

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Grit - by Angela Duckworth

Grit - by Angela Duckworth

Date read: 2016-09-10. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice.

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How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk - by Adele Fabe and Elaine Mazlish

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk - by Adele Fabe and Elaine Mazlish

Date read: 2016-08-17. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Great thoughts on acknowledging kids' feelings.

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The Gardener and the Carpenter - by Alison Gopnik

The Gardener and the Carpenter - by Alison Gopnik

Date read: 2016-08-10. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Great philosophy of parenting.

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The Inevitable - by Kevin Kelly

The Inevitable - by Kevin Kelly

Date read: 2016-06-30. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

What are today's technologies inevitably going to lead to? Great predictions. Half of it was super-inspiring, painting a vision of the future that made me want to jump on it. Half felt like “well, duh, obviously!” maybe because I'm already deep in it.

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Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise - by Anders Ericsson

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise - by Anders Ericsson

Date read: 2016-05-20. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

After being quoted in many books, the guy who coined “deliberate practice”, and spent his career studying just that, finally writes his own take on it. But I've already loved “The Talent Code”, “The Little Book of Talent”, “Moonwalking with Einstein”, “Talent is Overrated”, and “Little Bets”, which are all about this same field. So I didn't get much new out of it, but if you haven't already read those, maybe start here at the horse's mouth.

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Deep Work - by Cal Newport

Deep Work - by Cal Newport

Date read: 2016-04-10. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Crucial subject, dear to me: shutting out distractions for deep productive concentrated work. No huge surprises but great supporting thoughts. I liked the point of considering the downside of the internet, instead of only the positives.

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The Geography of Genius - by Eric Weiner

The Geography of Genius - by Eric Weiner

Date read: 2016-02-02. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

What made Athens, Florence, Hangzhou, Vienna, Calcutta, and Silicon Valley such creative centers? Author goes to each to find out, and dives into the subject of creativity in general. He's such a great writer, so insightful, and finds so many great points of view from the people he interviews. See his other book here “Geography of Bliss”. Equally brilliant.

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Fluent Forever - by Gabriel Wyner

Fluent Forever - by Gabriel Wyner

Date read: 2014-08-18. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Forget Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, and the rest. I really believe this is the best way to learn another language, by far. Using the most up-to-date techniques and insights, and a unique emphasis on getting the sounds correct first. It's not easy, but it's much more effective than any other program or guide. Highly recommended if you're serious, and ready to do it.

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Geography of Time - by Robert Levine

Geography of Time - by Robert Levine

Date read: 2014-08-03. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Interesting look at how different cultures consider time in different ways.

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Show Your Work - by Austin Kleon

Show Your Work - by Austin Kleon

Date read: 2014-06-15. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Short inspiring book about sharing your work online. Really healthy perspective. Makes me want to do it much more.

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How to Learn a Foreign Language - by Paul Pimsleur

How to Learn a Foreign Language - by Paul Pimsleur

Date read: 2014-06-05. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Short, punchy, incredibly insightful and useful book about learning another language, especially for a first-timer. I've read a few books on the subject now, but this is the only one that spoke directly to my issues. Especially loved his points on the importance of sounds over words. Hint: a language that is written but not spoken is called a dead language.

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Man's Search for Meaning - by Viktor Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning - by Viktor Frankl

Date read: 2014-06-04. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Powerful, deep, etc. First half describes life inside Auschwitz. Second half has powerful succinctly-said insights into the universal struggle. There's a reason this book has sold a billion copies.

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Choose Yourself! - by James Altucher

Choose Yourself! - by James Altucher

Date read: 2014-04-10. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Anyone who likes my writing will probably LOVE his writing. We've got a very similar style and approach. I was smiling most of the way through, reading things I could have (and wish I would have) written myself. His vulnerability is so endearing.

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Self Reliance - by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self Reliance - by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Date read: 2013-11-08. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Pow! This punched me in the gut from page one. Takes a tiny effort to read the English of the 1840s, but what a reward. A masterpiece essay (manifesto?) on independence, non-conformity, and trusting oneself.

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How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big - by Scott Adams

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big - by Scott Adams

Date read: 2013-10-28. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Random assortment of life tips/hacks from the creator of Dilbert. Interesting common thread of making your life a system for increasing your odds at success. But I liked the random tips, too.

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No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs - by Dan S. Kennedy

No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs - by Dan S. Kennedy

Date read: 2012-10-05. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Repeated message: Your time is precious. Know its value and don't work for less. Defend it against time-vampires. Be hard to reach. Make every minute count. Do only the valuable tasks. Good conventional wisdom.

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What Technology Wants - by Kevin Kelly

What Technology Wants - by Kevin Kelly

Date read: 2012-04-26. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Fascinating historical and philosophical perspective on technology, where it's come from, where it's going.

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The Power of Habit - by Charles Duhigg

The Power of Habit - by Charles Duhigg

Date read: 2012-03-01. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Great dissection and analysis of what creates habits, and the power of changing just one of three steps in the habit loop.

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The Passionate Programmer - by Chad Fowler

The Passionate Programmer - by Chad Fowler

Date read: 2012-01-15. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Wonderful book about the art, craft, and passion of being a great computer programmer. Loved the analogies to being a musician: sight-reading, being the worst member of the band, understanding new styles of music, practicing just for improvement, etc.

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Fail-Safe Investing - by Harry Browne

Fail-Safe Investing - by Harry Browne

Date read: 2011-04-21. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Its main point is the “Permanent Portfolio” - a beautiful simple idea to have 25% of your savings each in investments that do well during boom (stocks), bust (bonds), inflation (gold), deflation (cash). Then just rebalance when they get too far out of 25% each. No predicting the future. No worrying about the news. Just 25% each and rebalance.

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Poke the Box - by Seth Godin

Poke the Box - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2011-03-15. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Awesome short manifesto about getting into the habit of starting things. Inspiring as hell. Go go go!

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The 4-Hour Body - by Tim Ferriss

The 4-Hour Body - by Tim Ferriss

Date read: 2010-12-18. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Amazing book for anyone wanting to improve their body. Core concept is the “minimum effective dose”: the smallest dose that will produce a desired outcome. Anything beyond that is wasteful. This documents Tim's years-long pursuit of the minimum effective dose of everything, from weight loss to muscle-building. Related subjects include orgasm, sleep, and medical tourism.

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Hackers & Painters - by Paul Graham

Hackers & Painters - by Paul Graham

Date read: 2010-08-20. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

A collection of essays from one of the best. Loosely about intelligence, entrepreneurship, programming, and questioning norms. Many brilliant ideas and insights.

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I Will Teach You To Be Rich - by Ramit Sethi

I Will Teach You To Be Rich - by Ramit Sethi

Date read: 2010-03-23. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

An amazing book about consumer finance and a healthy approach to managing your money. If you are age 18-35, this is a must-read! My notes are scarce, so get the book. Even if over 35, you might find some good tips on lowering your fees on various services, and a good reminder of good savings practices.

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Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes - Gilovich and Belsky

Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes - Gilovich and Belsky

Date read: 2009-10-19. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

My favorite genre of book lately: clear examples of bugs in our brain: where our intuition is wrong. But this one focuses just on money issues. Loss aversion. Sunk cost fallacy. Confirmation bias. Anchoring. Etc. I love this stuff.

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CrowdSourcing - by Jeff Howe

CrowdSourcing - by Jeff Howe

Date read: 2008-08-27. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Great look at a different way of getting a project done: not outsourcing it to a person, but developing a system where thousands of people can contribute a little bit.

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The Magic of Thinking Big - by David Schwartz

The Magic of Thinking Big - by David Schwartz

Date read: 2008-07-26. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

A classic self-help book. Exactly what you'd expect. But very good.

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The Art of Learning - by Josh Waitzkin

The Art of Learning - by Josh Waitzkin

Date read: 2008-05-30. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Chess master becomes Tai Chi master, realizes his real genius is learning, and shares his insights and stories.

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Wikinomics - by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams

Wikinomics - by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams

Date read: 2008-04-23. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Lessons learned from Wikipedia can be applied to most other businesses. How can you harness the spare-time or self-interest of thousands to build something better for everyone?

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Meatball Sundae - by Seth Godin

Meatball Sundae - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2007-12-30. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

Instead of asking how to use the new internet tools to support your existing business, ask how you can change your business to take best advantage of the new tools.

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Don't Make Me Think - by Steve Krug

Don't Make Me Think - by Steve Krug

Date read: 2007-08-08. How strongly I recommend it: 7/10

The classic book of web usability. Required reading for anyone who makes websites.

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Pre-Suasion - by Robert Cialdini

Pre-Suasion - by Robert Cialdini

Date read: 2019-07-23. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

An interesting look at a single topic: what someone encounters beforehand greatly affects the influence of what comes after. Priming.

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Surviving AI - by Calum Chace

Surviving AI - by Calum Chace

Date read: 2019-03-05. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A good overview of Artificial Intelligence. If you know nothing about it, start here, then read “Life 3.0” afterwards.

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How Not to Be Wrong - by Jordan Ellenberg

How Not to Be Wrong - by Jordan Ellenberg

Date read: 2019-02-01. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Mathematics as an extension of common sense. I'd like to go through this again, doing and thoroughly understanding all the examples. On the first read, I let it pass over me.

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Die Empty - by Todd Henry

Die Empty - by Todd Henry

Date read: 2018-12-01. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Motivating thoughts on doing your work. Your work is the expression of your priorities. “Work” = creating value where it didn't previously exist. An interesting definition of three kinds of work: mapping, making, and meshing.

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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! - by Richard Feynman

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! - by Richard Feynman

Date read: 2018-08-25. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Autobiographical stories. Fun anecdotes. But they give a great glimpse into an approach to life: Doubt, challenge, and most importantly: test everything. Experiment. See what happens in the real-world, not in-theory. Applied not just to science, but how ants find food, talking to strangers in bars, sketching portraits, and playing a shaker in a Brazilian band.

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Never Split the Difference (Negotiating) - by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

Never Split the Difference (Negotiating) - by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz

Date read: 2018-07-04. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Advanced book about negotiating. Serious hostage type stuff. For a lighter book on negotation, read “You Can Negotiate Anything” by Herb Cohen.

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Homo Deus - by Yuval Noah Harari

Homo Deus - by Yuval Noah Harari

Date read: 2017-10-22. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Very interesting alternative perspective on life from a historian. Anti-religion, anti-humanism, pro-animal. Seems detached, but is quite opinionated. Much to think about, regardless. My notes here give a taste. A lot to think about.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

How to Live - by Sarah Bakewell

How to Live - by Sarah Bakewell

Date read: 2017-10-02. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A great biography of the original essayist Michel de Montaigne from the 1500’s, it also explores his philosophical questions. I loved learning about Pyrrhonian Skepticism.

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Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit - by Steven Pressfield

Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit - by Steven Pressfield

Date read: 2016-07-28. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

About the technique of writing stories. Good for what it is, but note it's not part of the War of Art series.

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Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change - by Pema Chödrön

Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change - by Pema Chödrön

Date read: 2016-04-20. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Everything she writes is wonderful. All a similar theme. See the other books here for other (maybe better) examples.

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Give and Take - by Adam M. Grant

Give and Take - by Adam M. Grant

Date read: 2014-02-10. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

If you feel you are too generous, or too greedy, or are wary and insist on reciprocation, consider reading this research-based look at the subject of these different personality types. Counter-intuitive findings.

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The Bed of Procrustes - by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

The Bed of Procrustes - by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Date read: 2014-01-15. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

I'm thrilled if I get a few counter-intuitive thought-provoking ideas from any source. This book is filled with his usual cocktail party sprezzatura bravado, but refreshingly succinct, minus his usual blowhard explanations of his superior scholarly approach to life.

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Making Ideas Happen - by Scott Belsky

Making Ideas Happen - by Scott Belsky

Date read: 2013-12-20. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

The full title - “Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality” - describes its contents perfectly. Great book on that subject.

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A Short History of Nearly Everything - by Bill Bryson

A Short History of Nearly Everything - by Bill Bryson

Date read: 2013-08-25. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Fun read of everything from the big bang to tectonic plates to the evolution of early man.

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Ikigai - by Sebastian Marshall

Ikigai - by Sebastian Marshall

Date read: 2013-07-06. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Essays on history, power, self-discipline, negotiation, and the hustle. I especially liked his philosophy on luck, building universally valuable skills, and producing/shipping something from even fleeting interests.

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Wired for Story - by Lisa Cron

Wired for Story - by Lisa Cron

Date read: 2012-11-18. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

If you've read other books on how to write a great story, this probably won't hold much new for you. But this was my first book on this subject, and I loved it. Changed the way I pay attention to movies and novels. Makes me want to write a novel.

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Pragmatic Programmer - by Andy Hunt and David Thomas

Pragmatic Programmer - by Andy Hunt and David Thomas

Date read: 2012-09-27. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Classic book for computer programmers. I read it first in 2003 before I was taking book notes, so I read it again now to take notes. Great wisdom in here. Amazing to see how much of its advice was adopted as norms by Ruby on Rails.

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Meditations - by Marcus Aurelius - translation by C Scot Hicks and David V Hicks

Meditations - by Marcus Aurelius - translation by C Scot Hicks and David V Hicks

Date read: 2012-02-04. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A true classic, filled with stoic wisdom mostly about being your best rational self, doing good for its own sake, and not letting other people upset you.

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You Are Not So Smart - by David McRaney

You Are Not So Smart - by David McRaney

Date read: 2011-11-15. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Great summary of 46 cognitive biases. Much of it covered in other books like Predictably Irrational, but if you haven't read those, this is a great starting book. Otherwise, just a good reminder, and worth reading.

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The Lean Startup - by Eric Ries

The Lean Startup - by Eric Ries

Date read: 2011-10-23. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

The methodology here is the one I recommend the most. The stuff I preach is like a cute casual intro to the real deal: the Lean Startup methodology. (As an aside: this book is the one that pushed my book out of the #1 slot on Amazon's Entrepreneur charts. Quite an honor.)

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Seeking Wisdom - by Peter Bevelin

Seeking Wisdom - by Peter Bevelin

Date read: 2011-01-03. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A great overview of the lessons of Charlie Munger (partner of Warren Buffett) - and his approach to checklists of multi-disciplinary models to guide clear thinking. Main point: if you can just avoid mistakes, you're doing better than most. So it's a catalog of the most common or important mistakes. Focused on investing, but can be applied to life.

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Start Small, Stay Small - by Rob Walling and Mike Taber

Start Small, Stay Small - by Rob Walling and Mike Taber

Date read: 2010-11-16. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Great how-to guide about being a micropreneur: an entrepreneur running many small but profitable businesses.

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Making a Good Brain Great - by Daniel G. Amen

Making a Good Brain Great - by Daniel G. Amen

Date read: 2010-07-28. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

About the care of the physical brain - the goo in your skull - from a doctor who scans brains and has linked specific behavior to brain chemistry.

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Business Stripped Bare - by Richard Branson

Business Stripped Bare - by Richard Branson

Date read: 2010-02-17. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A real and specific description of the inner workings of the Virgin companies. Every entrepreneur, investor, and manager should appreciate this detailed account of practices, philosophies and stories from the core.

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Talent Is Overrated - by Geoff Colvin

Talent Is Overrated - by Geoff Colvin

Date read: 2009-11-16. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Talent is not innate - it comes from thousands of hours of deliberate practice: focused improving of your shortcomings. That's it. If you can get past the first 20% of the book that just asks questions, the next 60% is quite good.

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Overachievement - by John Eliot

Overachievement - by John Eliot

Date read: 2009-07-04. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Performance coach, with a bent towards sports, surgery, and executive performance, gives his thoughts on being a top performer. The key is the "Trusting Mindset": like a squirrel runs across a telephone wire. Just doing it, without thought, because you've trained yourself plenty until that point.

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The How of Happiness - by Sonja Lyubomirsky

The How of Happiness - by Sonja Lyubomirsky

Date read: 2009-06-01. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Since I loved Stumbling on Happiness, I was prepared to love this, but the big difference is that Stumbling on Happiness showed tests and experiments to prove their points, whereas this book only presents conclusions. Maybe equally accurate but less convincing.

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Personal Development for Smart People - by Steve Pavlina

Personal Development for Smart People - by Steve Pavlina

Date read: 2008-12-27. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A broad look at all different aspects of self-improvement. Some unique insights. But it's based on this abstract pyramid of power/love/oneness stuff that I couldn't relate to. Though inbetween those lie some great concrete ideas.

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The Culture Code - by Clotaire Rapaille

The Culture Code - by Clotaire Rapaille

Date read: 2008-11-01. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Weird look at how different cultures (mostly Europe versus U.S. in this book) see things differently. Example: British luxury is about detachment whereas U.S. luxury is about rank.

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The Four Pillars of Investing - by William Bernstein

The Four Pillars of Investing - by William Bernstein

Date read: 2008-06-07. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

If you've already read and loved The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read, above, then read this more in-depth book next.

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Here Comes Everybody - by Clay Shirky

Here Comes Everybody - by Clay Shirky

Date read: 2008-04-06. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Like Wikinomics and Crowdsourcing, required reading if interested in harnessing the collective power of people online.

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The Culting of Brands - by Douglas Atkin

The Culting of Brands - by Douglas Atkin

Date read: 2008-02-08. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

Unique fascinating dissection of cults and why they work. Then how to apply those lessons to marketing your business.

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Maximum Achievement - by Brian Tracy

Maximum Achievement - by Brian Tracy

Date read: 2006-11-12. How strongly I recommend it: 6/10

A classic self-help book. Exactly what you'd expect. I don't agree with all of it.

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Brain Rules for Aging Well - by John Medina

Brain Rules for Aging Well - by John Medina

Date read: 2019-01-05. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

I recommend this 10/10 if you're over 60, 8/10 if you're over 40, 4/10 otherwise. Current research on brain aging, and how to slow or reverse its effects. Be very social. Read 3+ hours per week. Intensely learn something new, especially a new language. Take dance lessons. Practice gratitude and mindfulness. Flood your mind with nostalgic memories.

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The Artist's Journey - by Steven Pressfield

The Artist's Journey - by Steven Pressfield

Date read: 2018-09-16. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

I love this series of books from him, from War of Art to Turning Pro. This is worth reading if you need a nudge on this subject, but if you've read the others, it only offers a little more.

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Swiss Watching - by Diccon Bewes

Swiss Watching - by Diccon Bewes

Date read: 2018-07-08. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

About the culture of Switzerland, written by a Brit. I love these kinds of country culture books, and have always been curious about Switzerland, so it scratched my itch, and has good insights. The description of how the government works was most interesting.

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Mindfulness in Plain English - by Henepola Gunaratana

Mindfulness in Plain English - by Henepola Gunaratana

Date read: 2018-05-25. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Thoughts and instruction on Vipassana meditation, explained clearly.

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How Music Works - by David Byrne

How Music Works - by David Byrne

Date read: 2018-01-30. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Some interesting historical perspectives I hadn't thought of, like how the venue's reverberation changed composition. Highlight for me was the Byrne/Eno creative thoughts on their approach to writing and recording music, which I've always loved.

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The Way of the Linguist - by Steve Kaufmann

The Way of the Linguist - by Steve Kaufmann

Date read: 2017-09-30. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Written by someone who has learned many languages, he shares his story and advice. Useful recommendations.

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How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life - by Russ Roberts

How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life - by Russ Roberts

Date read: 2015-05-07. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Adam Smith wrote “Theory of Moral Sentiments” in the 1700s. Now Russ puts it into modern language and times. Main point is that our morality comes from imagining being judged by our fellow man.

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Daily Rituals: How Artists Work - by Mason Currey

Daily Rituals: How Artists Work - by Mason Currey

Date read: 2014-08-15. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Collections of the creative routines of famous writers, artists, musicians, and scientists. Some interesting insights, but mostly reinforcing proof that it's important to keep a daily routine to put aside time for your creative work.

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The Story of French - by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow

The Story of French - by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow

Date read: 2014-02-02. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Just an interesting history and present look at the French language. I had no idea what an influence French was on English, and didn't understand its role in current Africa. Makes me want to learn French.

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Island - by Aldous Huxley

Island - by Aldous Huxley

Date read: 2013-12-14. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

This book totally changed my life at a key moment, when I was 22. It made me quit my job and pursue a life of variety. Some great ideas inside, especially the ones about family and healthy child-rearing. I just re-read it now, 22 years later, and it didn't hit me as hard as it did back then, maybe because I've internalized its philosophies so completely.

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Ready for Anything - by David Allen

Ready for Anything - by David Allen

Date read: 2013-11-28. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

I read this in 2004, before Getting Things Done (same author), and liked it more, because it's more philosophical than instructional. It made a big impact on me then. I was just re-reading now for a little refresher.

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Starting Strength - by Mark Rippetoe

Starting Strength - by Mark Rippetoe

Date read: 2013-11-01. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

For those who ever considered getting fit, this is the way to do it, and the best book on the subject. Not sure if I should put this in my book list, because it's not something you read, but something you do.

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The Now Habit - by Neil Fiore

The Now Habit - by Neil Fiore

Date read: 2013-04-05. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Good book with insights and advice on overcoming procrastination.

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Mastery - by Robert Greene

Mastery - by Robert Greene

Date read: 2012-12-06. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Mostly detailed historical biographical tales of ”masters” like DaVinci, Darwin, Mozart, Proust, Goethe, Wright Brothers, Einstein, Coltrane, Martha Graham, etc. Lessons dissected from their successes, and categorized. Similar format to his great book “48 Laws of Power”, but a little less effective here. The biographies were interesting, but lessons were mostly conventional wisdom.

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Meditation for Beginners - by Jack Kornfield

Meditation for Beginners - by Jack Kornfield

Date read: 2012-01-12. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Just some nice thoughts on meditation.

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Linchpin - by Seth Godin

Linchpin - by Seth Godin

Date read: 2010-12-11. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

For someone who has a job at a company, I would call this essential reading with my highest recommendation. Since I haven't had a job since 1992, I couldn't apply many of his great points to my life. Still I loved his reminder of the value of the brilliant workers instead of systemized workers. The opposite of E-Myth (another book reviewed here).

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Cognitive Surplus - by Clay Shirky

Cognitive Surplus - by Clay Shirky

Date read: 2010-12-10. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

I always love Clay Shirky's insights into the internet culture. This is about how all the spare time people are using to add to Wikipedia or create YouTube videos is previously time they were passively watching TV. Perhaps passive watching was a temporary habit that lasted 80 years, and now we're going back to a more participatory culture?

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The Selfish Gene - by Richard Dawkins

The Selfish Gene - by Richard Dawkins

Date read: 2010-09-18. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

About evolution and the theory of natural selection, proposing the idea that it's not creatures that are looking to replicate, but individual genes.

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Nudge - by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein

Nudge - by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein

Date read: 2010-08-15. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Introducing the idea of Libertarian Paternalism: influencing people's behavior for their own benefit, without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives.

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Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking - by D.Q. McInerny

Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking - by D.Q. McInerny

Date read: 2010-03-15. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

World getting too fuzzy and unreasonable? Watching too much TV? A good book on logic is a great antidote. I'd never read one before, so I don't know how to compare it to others, but I really loved the clear thinking and deep insights here.

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Pragmatic Thinking and Learning - by Andy Hunt

Pragmatic Thinking and Learning - by Andy Hunt

Date read: 2009-11-03. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

A great curated collection of facts about how to learn effectively and think clearly. Since it's written by a programmer, it makes many computer analogies that fellow programmers will appreciate. Non-programmers might feel a little left out.

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The Great Formula - by Mark Joyner

The Great Formula - by Mark Joyner

Date read: 2009-06-06. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Create an irresistable offer. Present it to people who need it. Sell them more afterwards. Lots of examples of this.

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Outliers: The Story of Success - by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers: The Story of Success - by Malcolm Gladwell

Date read: 2009-04-23. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Deep study of why some people are so much more successful. Often due to circumstances and early opportunities, but really comes down to the fact that it takes about 10,000 hours of hard work to master something.

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Lucky Or Smart? - by Bo Peabody

Lucky Or Smart? - by Bo Peabody

Date read: 2009-04-23. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Tiny book by an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur telling his tales and lessons learned.

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The China Study - by Campbell and Campbell

The China Study - by Campbell and Campbell

Date read: 2009-04-23. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Biggest study ever on the effects of diet on health. The multiple health benefits of plant-based foods, and dangers of animal-based foods, including all types of meat, dairy and eggs.

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The Power of Less - by Leo Babuta

The Power of Less - by Leo Babuta

Date read: 2009-01-21. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest. Set limitations. Become incredibly effective. Written by someone who's been successfully living this way for years.

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Cut to the Chase - by Stuart Levine

Cut to the Chase - by Stuart Levine

Date read: 2008-07-26. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Tips on more effective communication.

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Know-How - by Ram Charan with Geri Willigan

Know-How - by Ram Charan with Geri Willigan

Date read: 2007-02-12. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

Acquired expertise in big business. Subtitle: 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't.

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The Art of Project Management - Scott Berkun

The Art of Project Management - Scott Berkun

Date read: 2006-11-19. How strongly I recommend it: 5/10

The best book on how to oversee projects to completion.

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The New York Nobody Knows - by William Helmreich

The New York Nobody Knows - by William Helmreich

Date read: 2019-10-20. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Fascinating if you want to get to know NYC better. Author walked every single block of every borough in New York City. 6000 miles. Talked with everyone he could along the way. Shares his experience and insights here.

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The Alter Ego Effect - by Todd Herman

The Alter Ego Effect - by Todd Herman

Date read: 2019-06-15. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Great idea: that you should create an inner hero that you bring out when performing. Athletes do this: when they compete they are “The Ghost Panther” (or whatever) in their mind, not their normal self. I've done and prescribed this for 20 years, so it's cool to read a book on the subject. The point is simple. The book is filled with many anecdotes.

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Barking Up the Wrong Tree - by Eric Barker

Barking Up the Wrong Tree - by Eric Barker

Date read: 2017-11-04. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Some thoughts on success.

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Tools of Titans - by Tim Ferriss

Tools of Titans - by Tim Ferriss

Date read: 2017-08-30. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

A very useful collection of notes from hundreds of hours of Tim's podcast interviews. It's definitely a mix of thoughts and advice from a mix of people. A real collage. The first quarter of the book, full of milligram measurements of things you could be ingesting, almost made me quit, but the 2nd half of the book had some great ideas.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need - by Andrew Tobias

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need - by Andrew Tobias

Date read: 2016-05-02. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Hm. Highly recommended, so maybe you'll love it. I've read many like this, so I only got a few good ideas from it. I preferred “The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read” also here in my book list, for more punch per page.

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Germany: Unraveling an Enigma - by Greg Nees

Germany: Unraveling an Enigma - by Greg Nees

Date read: 2016-02-10. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Written by an American who's lived in Germany for 20 years. Published in 2000, (and so probably written a couple years before), it's a little dated. The Berlin Wall was a fresh memory. So I'm assuming the current (for then) observations have changed a bit. But the historical perspective helped explain some core aspects to the culture.

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Never Let Go - by Dan John

Never Let Go - by Dan John

Date read: 2014-08-22. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Some thoughts and advice on weight lifting and strength training.

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In Pursuit of Silence - by George Prochnik

In Pursuit of Silence - by George Prochnik

Date read: 2013-11-13. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Interesting thoughts and findings on the search for peace and quiet in the modern world.

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The Laws of Subtraction - by Matthew May

The Laws of Subtraction - by Matthew May

Date read: 2013-01-09. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

I'm biased. I'm in it. This is a subject I live. So I flipped through a little fast, thinking, “Yep. I know. Got it. Living it. Yep.” But for those who need some minimalist inspiration, this has some great thoughts in it.

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Drop Dead Healthy - by A. J. Jacobs

Drop Dead Healthy - by A. J. Jacobs

Date read: 2012-05-22. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Funny and informative book by the always-brilliant A.J. Jacobs - about trying every health remedy and suggestion. Some surprising ones are effective.

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Little Bets - by Peter Sims

Little Bets - by Peter Sims

Date read: 2011-05-10. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Examples of the fact that much success or creativity comes from trying many things, failing fast, getting feedback, trying more things, and deliberate practice. Stories from Pixar, Chris Rock, Silicon Valley, Frank Gehry.

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One Simple Idea - by Stephen Key

One Simple Idea - by Stephen Key

Date read: 2011-04-29. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Good introduction into the world of licensing your ideas to companies that manufacture products.

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Focus - by Leo Babauta

Focus - by Leo Babauta

Date read: 2011-01-17. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Nice short reminder of the importance of solitude and focus. Single-tasking. Only doing your most important things, and let the rest go.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Upside of Irrationality - by Dan Ariely

The Upside of Irrationality - by Dan Ariely

Date read: 2010-07-05. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

First read his amazing book “Predictably Irrational.” But if you read and loved it, then this is a continuation with some more examples - mostly organizational. He also catharticly details his own painful injuries in every chapter.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Confessions of a Public Speaker - by Scott Berkun

Confessions of a Public Speaker - by Scott Berkun

Date read: 2010-06-28. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Best book on public speaking. A must-read if you do this at all. Great concrete advice and personal tales.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Profit Zone - by Adrian Slywotzky

The Profit Zone - by Adrian Slywotzky

Date read: 2009-10-14. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Dryer but deeper prequel to the great “Art of Profitability” book, also recommended here. Start with that one. Only read this if that one fascinated you.

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Never Eat Alone - by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

Never Eat Alone - by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

Date read: 2009-07-26. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

A good book that's mostly about networking, but also some general business smarts. Definitely read if you need more work being social.

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What Would Google Do?  -  by Jeff Jarvis

What Would Google Do? - by Jeff Jarvis

Date read: 2009-03-05. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Great think-piece about lessons learned from Google's approach to things, and how they might approach different industries like airlines, real estate, education, etc.

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Speaking of India - by Craig Sorti

Speaking of India - by Craig Sorti

Date read: 2008-09-30. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Required reading for anyone doing business in India, with detailed analysis of cultural and communication differences. Example: in India a lack of emphatic “yes!” means “no”. Teaches Westerners to adapt to this.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

Richard Branson - Losing My Virginity

Richard Branson - Losing My Virginity

Date read: 2008-06-01. How strongly I recommend it: 4/10

Autobiography of his life from childhood through 2004. Interesting how he was always over-leveraged and how that drove him forward. Amazing how he negotiated Necker Island from £3 million down to £180k.

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The Complacent Class - by Tyler Cowen

The Complacent Class - by Tyler Cowen

Date read: 2019-11-06. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

America’s dynamic ever-changing past is slowing into a complacent stagnation. People don’t move as much or expect change. This hurts class mobility, and eventually needs to change. Inspired by his visit to China, which has grown 10% every year for 30 years, meaning every 7 years it’s like a whole new country is built. America is relatively halted.

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Lying - by Sam Harris

Lying - by Sam Harris

Date read: 2018-02-10. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

A tiny booklet, like a long article, about why lying is bad. Not as many insights as I expected.

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The Daily Stoic - by Ryan Holiday

The Daily Stoic - by Ryan Holiday

Date read: 2016-12-10. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

This would be great as a daily email, and I think that's how it was intended. But as a book, with 365 tiny chapters, each point feels too shallow. Like reading nothing but blog posts for days. Still, great thoughts inside, so go to dailystoic.com to subscribe to that daily email.

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Leading an Inspired Life - by Jim Rohn

Leading an Inspired Life - by Jim Rohn

Date read: 2016-08-24. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Great beginning. Absolutely adored the opening of this book, about discipline. Loved it so much it made me jump out of bed and go work for a few hours in the middle of the night, totally inspired. But then the rest of the book was ridiculously generic, with the occasional great sentence. Still, worth getting for that first chapter alone.

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The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives - by Leonard Mlodinow

The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives - by Leonard Mlodinow

Date read: 2016-04-12. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

I thought it was about the philosophy of randomness, but turned out to be about the math of probability. Might read again some day when in the mood for that.

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How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World - by Harry Browne

How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World - by Harry Browne

Date read: 2016-01-03. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Some fun "fist in the air" thoughts on freedom, from 1973. Includes related thoughts on parenting and honesty.

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The Sense of Style - by Steven Pinker

The Sense of Style - by Steven Pinker

Date read: 2015-09-01. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Advice on being a better writer. But compare to the book “On Writing Well”, also listed here. That one is punchy and immediately useful. This one is a more verbose, in-depth analysis of the use of language. Also useful, but, well, I wish it was shorter.

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A More Beautiful Question - by Warren Berger

A More Beautiful Question - by Warren Berger

Date read: 2015-07-07. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

A fine book, but maybe because I've been around professional creatives instead of corporate-types for most of my life, I already knew this subject too well, so it wasn't very useful to me.

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Make It Stick - by Peter Brown

Make It Stick - by Peter Brown

Date read: 2014-12-20. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Great core point: that effortful learning - not easy - is more effective. Also the importance of self-testing as a learning tool.

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The Power of No - by James and Claudia Altucher

The Power of No - by James and Claudia Altucher

Date read: 2014-11-01. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Quite scattered book, but inside the mess was a nice reminder of the importance of saying no to anything that doesn't serve you well.

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How to Learn and Memorize French Vocabulary - by Anthony Metivier

How to Learn and Memorize French Vocabulary - by Anthony Metivier

Date read: 2014-04-08. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Only interesting if you haven't read anything else about the “loci” / “memory palace” method of memorization. Had almost nothing to do with French. Obviously made from copy-n-paste with his other books about German, Spanish, Russian, etc. Just change a few words, and voila! New ebook.

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The Checklist Manifesto - by Atul Gawande

The Checklist Manifesto - by Atul Gawande

Date read: 2011-12-25. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Like Malcom Gladwell, a book that could and should have been an article, but puffed up with 200 pages of supporting stories, mostly great detailed tales of his surgeon experiences where a checklist would have come in handy. Here's the book in one sentence: You should make checklists for any complex procedures or decisions.

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Hiring Smart - by Pierre Mornell

Hiring Smart - by Pierre Mornell

Date read: 2011-08-07. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Good advice on hiring. No big surprises, but some useful tips.

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A Gift to My Children - by Jim Rogers

A Gift to My Children - by Jim Rogers

Date read: 2011-07-15. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

A nice short book of unconventional wisdom, mostly about investing.

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Pomodoro Technique Illustrated - by Staffan Nöteberg

Pomodoro Technique Illustrated - by Staffan Nöteberg

Date read: 2010-01-11. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Pretty cool technique of working in 25-minute chunks. Better to start with a simple article about it, then read the book after if you love it. I do, so far.

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Discover Your Inner Economist - by Tyler Cowen

Discover Your Inner Economist - by Tyler Cowen

Date read: 2009-10-19. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

The book title is misleading. It ends up being mostly the author's recommendations for the transactions of life. When to give to charity, what restaurants to choose, what insurance to buy, etc. He makes a rational case for these, that is often very interesting, but still feels like just his opinion.

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Causing a Scene - by Charlie Todd

Causing a Scene - by Charlie Todd

Date read: 2009-08-18. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Fun tales from the guy that invented Improv Everywhere. Not really educational as much as just fun, and I'm a huge fan of their “missions”.

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Born to Run - by Christopher McDougall

Born to Run - by Christopher McDougall

Date read: 2009-06-21. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Gripping story of a man who was trying to find out why his feet hurt while running. This led him to the story of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyon, the greatest distance runners in the world. If you like running, you'll love this book! My favorite quote: "No wonder your feet are so sensitive. They’re self-correcting devices. Covering your feet with cushioned shoes is like turning off your smoke alarms."

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How to be a Billionaire - by Martin Fridson

How to be a Billionaire - by Martin Fridson

Date read: 2009-04-23. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Biographical look at billionaires from the last 200 years, and lessons learned from how they did it. Some lessons aren't really applicable to the rest of us, like changing government laws to protect your monopoly. But some are.

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Enough - by John Bogle

Enough - by John Bogle

Date read: 2009-04-23. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Legendary investor, now 80, looks back with long-view wisdom on investing, living, and giving.

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Reality Check - by Guy Kawasaki

Reality Check - by Guy Kawasaki

Date read: 2009-03-08. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Great collection of essays about entrepreneurship from his blog at blog.guykawasaki.com

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Fooled by Randomness - by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Fooled by Randomness - by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Date read: 2008-04-05. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

Mr Black Swan sure does love the sound of his own voice. Interesting thoughts on investing and misjudging randomness inside lots of blather.

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The Obsolete Employee - by Michael Russer

The Obsolete Employee - by Michael Russer

Date read: 2007-10-01. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

How to run a company without employees, but with a loose network of work-from-home freelance agents. Very instructive, but also good perspective like how until the industrial revolution, there were no employees: everyone was freelance.

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Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - by T. Harv Ecker

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - by T. Harv Ecker

Date read: 2007-06-12. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

If you suspect that your mindset is holding you back from making more money, read this. Identifies and dissolves the mental baggage we've built up that believes money is evil and those who have it are greedy.

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Execution - by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan

Execution - by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan

Date read: 2007-02-12. How strongly I recommend it: 3/10

In-depth look at the dirty discipline of getting things done in a large organization.

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Indistractable - by Nir Eyal

Indistractable - by Nir Eyal

Date read: 2019-10-22. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

A specific guide for how to avoid distraction in your life. 95% of it was how-to stuff I didn't find useful because I'm already doing all of it. If you're not, this book is much more useful to you. It had two interesting points for me: about dissatisfaction driving motivation, and filling your daily calendar with a template of how you want to spend your day.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Tao of George Carlin - by George Carlin

The Tao of George Carlin - by George Carlin

Date read: 2019-01-03. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

I liked the description - that great comedians are like philosophers - but the contents were just some quips.

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21 Lessons for the 21st Century - by Yuval Noah Harari

21 Lessons for the 21st Century - by Yuval Noah Harari

Date read: 2018-12-15. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

His book “Sapiens” was amazing, so I read this new one. It’s just some thoughts on our present and near future. Not so different from what you find in every-day articles. I’m personally averse to news commentaries, so I shouldn’t have read this. Still, some interesting ideas, and the last chapter was great.

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The Geometry of Wealth - by Brian Portnoy

The Geometry of Wealth - by Brian Portnoy

Date read: 2018-09-10. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

I was expecting something more philosophical. Instead mostly just got advice to protect the downside.

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Peak Performance - by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness

Peak Performance - by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness

Date read: 2017-09-02. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

A fine summary of the other books on the subject of performance, deliberate practice, mastery, willpower, etc. But I’ve read all the books that this one references, so this had nothing new for me. If you haven’t read those others, this would be a good starting book for you.

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Simple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex World - by Donald Sull

Simple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex World - by Donald Sull

Date read: 2016-03-20. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Not a book that gives you simple rules. Instead it's on the meta-topic of simple rules. Gives examples from medicine, crime, gambling, investing, etc.

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Quirkology - by Richard Wiseman

Quirkology - by Richard Wiseman

Date read: 2016-03-02. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Cute stories about surprising research on curious aspects of everyday life. I loved these stories the first time I heard them : in everyone else's books. If I would have read this book first, I might have loved it. This author is the one who did the original studies, but his work has been so quoted by others that I found myself quickly skimming through, too familiar.

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Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking - by Richard Nisbett

Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking - by Richard Nisbett

Date read: 2016-02-07. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Damn I wanted to like this. And even looking at my notes, I see there are some good points about clear thinking, especially by keeping context in mind. But maybe something in his writing style put me off. Not sure why. Found it very hard to finish.

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Wilde in America - by David M. Friedman

Wilde in America - by David M. Friedman

Date read: 2015-09-20. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

A fine biography of Oscar Wilde's unique approach to America. Best quote: “Other Europeans came to learn about America; Wilde came so America could learn about him.”

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Complexity: A Guided Tour - by Melanie Mitchell

Complexity: A Guided Tour - by Melanie Mitchell

Date read: 2014-09-01. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Great for what it is. I'm embarrassed to admit most of it went over my head. I'm not interested enough in the subject to give it my full concentration. I might read it again some day when it's more applicable to my life.

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Your Memory - by Kenneth L. Higbee

Your Memory - by Kenneth L. Higbee

Date read: 2014-04-11. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Read the book “Moonwalking With Einstein” instead. Most of the same info, but this is more academic than entertaining. Written for students taking exams.

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The Philosophical Baby - by Alison Gopnik

The Philosophical Baby - by Alison Gopnik

Date read: 2013-11-21. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

A good friend highly recommended this as one of his favorite books on baby-hood. I just didn't connect with it, after a few attempts. You may love it.

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Hire With Your Head - by Lou Adler

Hire With Your Head - by Lou Adler

Date read: 2010-12-15. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Great advice on hiring, but insanely repetitive. Maybe this was an editing mistake - that the exact same points are made over and over and over and over - often with the exact same words, sentences, even paragraphs. But those key points are great.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work - by Alain De Botton

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work - by Alain De Botton

Date read: 2010-12-12. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Thoughtful rambling observations on different lines of work. Personal tales of his time spent observing different industries like fishing, counseling, shipyards, or walking along electric towers. Some tangential insights along the way.

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Born Standing Up - by Steve Martin

Born Standing Up - by Steve Martin

Date read: 2010-01-09. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

A simple autobiography of his early years. Interesting tale, though no usable lessons for me.

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Committed - by Elizabeth Gilbert

Committed - by Elizabeth Gilbert

Date read: 2010-01-07. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

If listening to someone think out loud about marriage for 12 hours interests you, you will like this. Since I was newly engaged, I did.

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What the Dog Saw - by Malcolm Gladwell

What the Dog Saw - by Malcolm Gladwell

Date read: 2009-12-05. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

A pretty-good collection of his articles from the past few years. While most are somewhat interesting, it felt a little like surfing the net or TV. Lots of “huh”, but no lasting insights. More entertainment than education.

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China Road - by Rob Gifford

China Road - by Rob Gifford

Date read: 2009-06-02. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Not a business book, unless you want to understand China a bit more. Journalist who's worked in China for 10 years decides to move back to London, but takes one last cross-country trip and gets first-time insights into rural Chinese life and how the country has changed.

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Hot Commodities - by Jim Rogers

Hot Commodities - by Jim Rogers

Date read: 2008-08-11. How strongly I recommend it: 2/10

Very specific book about understanding the commodity markets.

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Poking a Dead Frog - by Mike Sacks

Poking a Dead Frog - by Mike Sacks

Date read: 2019-01-02. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

I thought it was going to be about the craft of comedy, but it was mostly about the business: TV staff writers talking shop.

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And Never Stop Dancing - by Gordon Livingston

And Never Stop Dancing - by Gordon Livingston

Date read: 2016-08-03. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

His other book, “Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart” was brilliant. Read that one. This is the weak sequel. Skip this one.

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Writing Tools - by Roy Peter Clark

Writing Tools - by Roy Peter Clark

Date read: 2015-11-05. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Otherwise a good book about writing technique, but unfortunately I found myself wincing at the author's writing style! It strongly violated my favorite Elmore Leonard suggestion: “If it sounds like writing, rewrite it.” Read “On Writing Well” instead.

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The Future of Almost Everything - by Patrick Dixon

The Future of Almost Everything - by Patrick Dixon

Date read: 2015-10-10. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

On the plus-side, he's focused on future predictions that are most likely to happen. On the down-side, that means there are no big surprises. An interesting read, but not much I needed to take notes on.

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Me, Inc. - by Gene Simmons

Me, Inc. - by Gene Simmons

Date read: 2015-05-01. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

I shouldn't have read this. I believed someone else's rave review about it. Slightly interesting to hear the quick thoughts of someone who's hyper-focused on money. But that's all.

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Bird by Bird - by Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird - by Anne Lamott

Date read: 2013-11-11. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

So many people love this book, but it just wasn't my style. Aiming to be funny and describing a crazy mindset, but I couldn't relate to either. Mostly about writing novels.

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Program or Be Programmed - by Douglas Rushkoff and Leland Purvis

Program or Be Programmed - by Douglas Rushkoff and Leland Purvis

Date read: 2011-07-20. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Maybe I'm just too immersed in this, but everything said here seems to be the most conventional wisdom - nothing I haven't heard. Shame, because I thought it was going to be about teaching the lay-person the importance of programming.

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The Four Filters Invention of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger - by Bud Labitan

The Four Filters Invention of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger - by Bud Labitan

Date read: 2011-01-21. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Another overview of the investment approach of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.

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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running - by Haruki Murakami

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running - by Haruki Murakami

Date read: 2010-12-27. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

This novelist runs every day, including many marathons. This book is his thoughts about running and how it relates to other things in work and life.

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Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur - by Stuart Skorman

Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur - by Stuart Skorman

Date read: 2010-12-24. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Personal tales, almost an autobiography, of someone who created a wide range of businesses, both successful and not. Some insights along the way, but not many surprising ones. I'd recommend “How to Get Rich” by Felix Dennis instead, also reviewed on this website.

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Life Without Lawyers - by Philip K. Howard

Life Without Lawyers - by Philip K. Howard

Date read: 2010-04-24. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

I really liked his TED talk (search ted.com), and this book elaborates on the idea. Makes a good point, but should just be a long article - not a whole book.

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The Productive Programmer - by Neal Ford

The Productive Programmer - by Neal Ford

Date read: 2009-11-01. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

I thought it was going to be more general or philosophical tips, but seemed to be more about IDE-specific tips instead. Then it crashed my Kindle (and still does). Oh well.

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Crash Proof 2.0 - by Peter Schiff

Crash Proof 2.0 - by Peter Schiff

Date read: 2009-10-25. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Opinion on what to do if the dollar crashes, as the author is strongly speculating that it will. I highly recommend reading the Investor's Manifesto after or instead of this, for a strictly fact-based non-speculative approach instead. But still this is interesting to hear this point of view.

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Rapt - by Winifred Gallagher

Rapt - by Winifred Gallagher

Date read: 2009-07-26. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Well-intentioned book I couldn't stomach because of her awkwardly flowerly writing style. Also I've read a lot about focus and flow, so this was mostly a repeat covered better in other books.

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Radical Honesty - by Brad Blanton

Radical Honesty - by Brad Blanton

Date read: 2009-06-20. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

First read the great article in Esquire magazine: http://www.esquire.com/features/honesty0707 This book just elaborates on that philosophy.

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A Bull in China - by Jim Rogers

A Bull in China - by Jim Rogers

Date read: 2008-08-06. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Very specific book about investing in China's stock market.

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Founders at Work - by Jessica Livingston

Founders at Work - by Jessica Livingston

Date read: 2008-02-12. How strongly I recommend it: 1/10

Long in-depth interviews with company founders, telling their tales of how they started. Lots of stories with a few usable gems.

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Seeing What Others Don't - by Gary Klein

Seeing What Others Don't - by Gary Klein

Date read: 2014-11-10. How strongly I recommend it: 0/10

I really wanted to like this book, but couldn't stomach the writing style. Instead of presenting his conclusions, you have to slog forever through his tales of how he went about his research, and how he felt about each step along the way to writing this book. I couldn't finish it.

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Flex: Do Something Different - by Ben Fletcher and Karen Pine

Flex: Do Something Different - by Ben Fletcher and Karen Pine

Date read: 2014-09-15. How strongly I recommend it: 0/10

I give the basic idea a 9-out-of-10 rating: that we shouldn't declare and hold to a personality type (“I'm an introvert! I'm adventurous!”), but rather should adapt to the situation. Halfway through the book I gave up because I got the idea and didn't like the writing style.

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Cambodia's Curse - by Joel Brinkley

Cambodia's Curse - by Joel Brinkley

Date read: 2011-10-05. How strongly I recommend it: 0/10

Cambodia's political history from 1978 to 2009 or so. Appalling, horrible, infuriating, disgusting, etc. I hated this book. I was hoping to learn more about Cambodia and its culture, but this only gives chapter after chapter detailing the horrible things the people in goverment did, and nothing else. No bright side. No other insights. Just horror.

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Conspiracy of the Rich - Robert Kiyosaki

Conspiracy of the Rich - Robert Kiyosaki

Date read: 2009-11-24. How strongly I recommend it: 0/10

Yet another Rich Dad book shat out for the usual audience of those who don't read. Often so bad it hurts, but with the occasional useful sentence. He always seems to go out of his way to avoid giving any usable info - only generalities. Does he care? Is he trying to write great books? Are these things just machine-generated or something?

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The Think Big Manifesto - by Michael Port and Mina Samuels

The Think Big Manifesto - by Michael Port and Mina Samuels

Date read: 2009-05-12. How strongly I recommend it: 0/10

One of the few books I've actively disliked. Ever read the introduction to a book? Where they say “what you hold in your hands here is something that could change the world”, and blah blah blah? I kept reading, wondering when the introduction was going to be over. Over halfway through the book, I realized this was it: just broad general encouraging unuseful nothings for the entire book.

Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
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