Books I recommend
I read often, and I finish roughly 10+ books each year. "Read more" is advice that I give frequently. Thus, in light of reading's importance, I’ll share in this post a list of the best books I’ve ever read, as well as some brief thoughts on them. I hope you find some good ideas here.
Biographies
Warren Buffet: The Making of an American Capitalist. Reading this motivated me to take two levels of the CFA exams. (Which turned out to be a mistake, but I don’t regret reading this book.)
Shoe Dog (Phil Knight). The best story out of all the biographies I’ve read; it truly drives home the fact that startups generally become successful due to amazing early employees, the courage to bet everything on a vision, and an immense amount of luck.
The Ride of a Lifetime (Bob Iger). Mr. Iger is so likeable, he could run for president of the United States and win. Even Oprah thinks so. Anyone this likeable is worth learning from, if only to understand how he got to be the way he is.
Personal growth
The 4-Hour Workweek. The self-help book that started it all. The content is a little outdated, but I think it still effectively provides the unconventional perspective that we need to escape the rat race and live more freely.
The Simple Path to Wealth. Perhaps the only book you need for achieving financial independence. A bit US-centric, but the principles are solid.
Plan to finish, can't recommend yet: Principles; Atomic Habits
Business-related
Getting More. In my opinion the best book on negotiations, which is objectively one of the most important skills to optimize for in life.
Zero to One. Widely considered to be the best book on startups.
Special note: If Paul Graham’s essays were collected in a book (some of his early ones are), it would be on this list as well.
Miscellaneous non-fiction
Blink. A representative work by Malcolm Gladwell (I’ve read almost all of his books).
Physics of the Impossible. A fascinating look into science fiction and how it might intersect with the far future.
Plan to finish, can't recommend yet: Nudge; Why We Sleep
Fiction
Norwegian Wood. This might be the only novel that I’ve read more than once.
The Way of Kings. The first book of the best modern fantasy series (Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson). I prefer Sanderson over George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones) or Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind) because Sanderson will actually finish what he started.
Ready Player One. A very, very fun pop culture ride. (I recommend skipping Ready Player Two though.)
Plan to finish, can't recommend yet: Leviathan Wakes; Dune
Manga and graphic novels
Hikaru no Go. This might be the only manga I’ve read more than once.
Monster. If I try to be objective, this is probably the most well-written manga I’ve ever read. I think I like it less than I should because I remember it kept me up at night and it was quite depressing overall (I have a strong preference for happy stories).
V for Vendetta. Also depressing. Also just extremely well-written.
