Book Recommendations

Here are books I have read and would recommend. I have organized them by category to make it easier to find something that matches what you are looking for. I also write detailed book summaries for some of these.

Stoicism and Philosophy

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius -- A personal journal of the Roman Emperor, never meant to be published. It is fascinating to read the private thoughts of an emperor from two millennia ago and realize he faced the same struggles we face today. Aligned with the Stoic school of thought.
• Manual for Living by Epictetus -- An important text in Stoicism that emphasizes having a strong internal locus of control -- understanding what is in our control and what is not. A recurring theme across both this and Meditations.
• The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga -- A dialogue-based book on Adlerian psychology that challenges you to rethink how you approach relationships, self-worth, and happiness.

Productivity and Habits

• Deep Work by Cal Newport -- The case for focused, uninterrupted work in an increasingly distracted world. This book introduced me to the Eudaimonia Machine concept.
• Atomic Habits by James Clear -- The most practical book on building good habits and breaking bad ones. Small changes, remarkable results.
• Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven -- A really short book that packs a punch. Written by a retired Navy Commander, it distills life lessons into simple, actionable advice.

Product and Startups

• Inspired by Marty Cagan -- The bible for product managers. Covers how great tech companies build products that customers love.
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries -- The fundamentals of building products iteratively with validated learning.
• Zero to One by Peter Thiel -- On building something truly new rather than copying what already exists.

Writing and Creating

• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon -- Timeless principles for building your online presence. The key takeaway: you do not need to be a genius -- you just need to share your process.
• On Writing by Stephen King -- Part memoir, part masterclass on the craft of writing.
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott -- A warm, honest guide to writing and life. The title comes from the advice to take things one step at a time.

Personal Development

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl -- A Holocaust survivor's account of finding purpose in the most unimaginable circumstances. A book that shifts your perspective on suffering and meaning.
• The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson -- A collection of Naval's wisdom on wealth, happiness, and living a good life.
• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari -- A sweeping history of humankind that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about civilization.

How I Read

I try to read consistently rather than in bursts. I keep a running list of books I want to read, and I usually have one physical book and one audiobook going at the same time. You can find my full reading list on Goodreads.

The best book is the one you actually finish. Do not force yourself through a book you are not enjoying -- life is too short for that.