21 Books Read in 2023

I enjoy reading and learning. Here are some of the books I've read and my takeaways from them. Currently, I am aiming to read or listen to 40 books a year.

  • Living with a SEAL

    Entrepreneur Jesse Itzler chronicles his month of living and extreme fitness training with a Navy SEAL in the New York Times and #1 LA Times bestseller Living With a Seal , now with two bonus chapters.

    Goodreads

  • Think Again

    In Think Again, Adam Grant challenges readers to rethink their assumptions and beliefs. He provides practical advice on how to develop a more open-minded and flexible approach to thinking, and how to overcome cognitive biases and blind spots. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their critical thinking skills and become more adaptable in a rapidly changing world.

    Goodreads

  • The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

    Getting rich is not just about luck; happiness is not just a trait we are born with. These aspirations may seem out of reach, but building wealth and being happy are skills we can learn.

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  • 100 Side Hustles

    In 100 Side Hustles, Chris Guillebeau profiles 100 people who have started successful side businesses. He provides practical advice on how to start a side hustle, find customers, and grow your business. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to start a side business or earn extra income.

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  • The Millionaire Map

    In The Millionaire Map, Jim Stovall provides a roadmap for achieving financial success and building wealth. He draws on his experience as a successful entrepreneur and investor to teach readers how to develop a millionaire mindset, set financial goals, and create a plan for achieving them. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their financial literacy and build wealth.

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  • Designing Your Life

    In Designing Your Life, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans provide a framework for designing a fulfilling and meaningful life. They draw on their experience as design professors at Stanford University to teach readers how to apply design thinking principles to their own lives. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to make a career change, find more meaning in their work, or simply live a more fulfilling life.

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  • Permanent Record

    In Permanent Record, Edward Snowden tells his story of how he became a whistleblower and exposed the US government's mass surveillance programs. He provides a detailed account of his life leading up to the leaks, and the events that followed. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in privacy, government surveillance, and the role of whistleblowers in society.

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  • Never Finished

    In Never Finished, David Goggins shares his personal story of how he overcame adversity and became one of the world's most accomplished endurance athletes. He provides practical advice on how to push through pain and discomfort to achieve your goals, and emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and resilience. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to unlock their full potential and achieve greatness.

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  • Can't Hurt Me

    In Can't Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.

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  • How Not to Die

    It's all about the quality of the fuel you put into your body. Not all foods are created equal. The food industry is incentivised to increase weight, and what animals eat impacts us. Many things you think are common knowledge is often clever marketing. If it's unprocessed and comes out of the ground, it's good fuel. Anything else has some negative impact on you. Moderation is key.

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  • Shape Up

    This book is a guide to how we do product development at Basecamp. It’s also a toolbox full of techniques that you can apply in your own way to your own process. Whether you’re a founder, CTO, product manager, designer, or developer, you’re probably here because of some common challenges that all software companies have to face.

    Goodreads

  • Good Power

    Former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty delivers a powerful combination of memoir, leadership lessons, and big ideas on how we can all drive meaningful change.

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  • Blitzscaling

    Blitzscaling is a specific set of practices for igniting and managing dizzying growth; an accelerated path to the stage in a startup’s life-cycle where the most value is created. It prioritizes speed over efficiency in an environment of uncertainty, and allows a company to go from “startup” to “scaleup” at a furious pace that captures the market.

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  • The Mom Test

    The Mom Test is a quick, practical guide that will save you time, money, and heartbreak. They say you shouldn't ask your mom whether your business is a good idea, because she loves you and will lie to you. This is technically true, but it misses the point. You shouldn't ask anyone if your business is a good idea. It's a bad question and everyone will lie to you at least a little .

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  • Purple Cow

    You're either a Purple Cow or you're not. You're either remarkable or invisible. Make your choice. What do Apple, Starbucks, Dyson and Pret a Manger have in common? How do they achieve spectacular growth, leaving behind former tried-and-true brands to gasp their last? The old checklist of P's used by marketers - Pricing, Promotion, Publicity - aren't working anymore. The golden age of advertising is over. It's time to add a new P - the Purple Cow.

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  • Creative Inc.

    This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how creativity works and how to foster it in a team environment. Ed Catmull, the co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, shares his insights on how to build a creative culture, manage creative teams, and navigate the challenges of bringing new ideas to life.

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  • Modern Software Engineering

    This book is a comprehensive guide to modern software engineering practices, covering everything from agile development to continuous delivery. Martin Fowler, a leading expert in the field, shares his insights on how to build high-quality software that meets the needs of users and stakeholders.

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  • How to Be a Founder

    This book is a practical guide to starting and growing a successful startup. David Cohen, the co-founder of Techstars, shares his insights on how to find a great idea, build a strong team, and raise funding. Whether you're a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, this book is a must-read.

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  • 12 Rules for Life

    This book is a self-help guide that offers twelve practical principles for living a meaningful life. Jordan B. Peterson, a clinical psychologist and professor, draws on his own experiences and research to provide insights on topics such as responsibility, discipline, and meaning. Whether you're looking to improve your personal or professional life, this book is a valuable resource.

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  • No Rules Rules

    In No Rules Rules, Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix, shares the unconventional management philosophy that has helped turn Netflix into one of the most innovative and successful companies in the world. He argues that traditional corporate policies and procedures stifle creativity and innovation, and that companies should instead focus on building a culture of freedom and responsibility. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in leadership, management, and organizational culture.

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  • Discipline Equals Freedom

    In Discipline Equals Freedom, Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL and leadership consultant, shares his philosophy on how discipline is the key to achieving freedom in all aspects of life. He provides practical advice on how to develop discipline through habits such as waking up early, exercising regularly, and taking ownership of your actions. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their self-discipline and achieve their goals.

    Goodreads