Over the past couple of years, I have been trying to read more. I used to think I was a non-reader until I came across this post by Naval - Read what you love until you love to read. I focus now on subjects I’m passionate about or that spark my curiosity and seek out recommended books in those areas.

Below, I have listed some of the books I have read recently. They cover topics such as business, startups, self-development, sci-fi, and personal narratives. If you have any recommendations in these areas, feel free to send me an email.

Zero to One

by Peter Thiel

Peter shares his insights on startups, innovation, and the importance of creating something new. He emphasises the idea of moving from “zero to one” - creating something unique rather than improving on existing products. He refers to this as vertical progress, compared to the globalisation of existing technologies as horizontal progress.

Key takeaways:

• Focus on creating unique value
• A Monopoly is better than competition for businesses
• Cultivate a contrarian mindset

Million Dollar Weekend

by Noah Kagan

A recount of Noah’s experiences and lessons learned while building successful online businesses. He provides steps and strategies for launching and growing a profitable business over a weekend. A great read for indie makers bootstrapping a startup.

Key takeaways:

• Speed and execution are crucial
• Validate ideas quickly before investing heavily
• Leveraging existing tools and platforms can save time and money early on

The Pathless Path

by Paul Millerd

This book explores unconventional career paths and the idea of creating a fulfilling life outside the traditional corporate world. Paul encourages readers to embrace uncertainty and follow their unique journey. Read my previous post to see how I’m taking the pathless path.

Key takeaways:

• Traditional career paths are not the only way to success
• Lean into uncertainty and explore new opportunities
• Prioritise personal fulfilment over societal expectations

Man’s Search for Meaning

by Viktor Frankl

Firsthand account from Viktor, a holocaust survivor, who shares his experiences in concentration camps and introduces logotherapy, a psychotherapeutic approach to finding meaning in life. His story is incredible and opens your eyes to the horrible experiences of Jews during World War II.

Key takeaways:

• Meaning in life can be found even in the most difficult circumstances
• Our primary drive in life is the pursuit of finding meaning
• Suffering can lead to finding a deeper purpose

Deep Work

by Cal Newport

This is a favourite amongst the tech community. Deep work, Cal argues, is focused, uninterrupted work on cognitively demanding tasks. It’s essential for achieving high levels of productivity and success in the modern world.

Key takeaways:

• Be exposed to new ideas in open environments, work deeply in closed environments
• Deep work is vital for mastering complex skills and achieving high-quality work
• Schedule dedicated time for deep work while minimising distractions

The Last Question

by Isaac Asimov

Not exactly a book but a short story which explores the theme of entropy and humans’ quest for ultimate knowledge in the future. It follows the progression of civilisation and their attempts to reverse the process of entropy. It’s crazy to think it was written in 1956…

Key takeaways:

• The quest for knowledge is endless
• Human curiosity drives progress