Reading

Books I Love

Where to start, what I’ve written about, and the rest of the books I keep coming back to. What I’m reading now lives on Goodreads, and I’m on a quest to read every Stephen King book.

Start here

If you read just one, make it one of these.

How to Win Friends and Influence People cover How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleDale CarnegieAll 30 principles in a one-page quick list, then each one explained.20 highlights and 10 of them insideRead my summary → The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People cover The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleStephen R. CoveyOne of my all-time favorites. All seven habits on one page, from being proactive to sharpening the saw.Read my summary → Essentialism cover EssentialismGreg McKeownThe Essentialist mindset and how to explore, eliminate and execute on what matters most.298 highlights and my margin notes insideRead my summary and highlights → Anything You Want cover Anything You WantDerek SiversThe CD Baby story and Derek’s big lessons, from “hell yeah or no” to giving the company away.75 highlights and 15 of them insideRead my summary →

Reviews & summaries

More books I’ve written up, newest first: full summaries of the classics, and the novels and philosophy I couldn’t stop talking about.

The Pathless Path cover The Pathless PathPaul MillerdThe default path, why it stops fitting, and how to redefine success, work and enough, chapter by chapter.116 highlights and my picks inside Bold cover BoldPeter Diamandis & Steven KotlerThe 6 Ds of exponential technology, the mindset for thinking big, and how to put the crowd to work. Abundance cover AbundancePeter Diamandis & Steven KotlerWhy the future is better than you think, the pyramid of abundance, and the four forces making it possible. Steal Like an Artist cover Steal Like an ArtistAustin KleonAll ten things nobody told you about being creative, from “nothing is original” to “creativity is subtraction.” The Happiness of Pursuit cover The Happiness of PursuitChris GuillebeauMy review, plus an interview with Chris on what makes a quest, how to choose one, and what comes after. Crush It! cover Crush It!Gary VaynerchukA quick overview, the big idea of building your own personal brand online, and why true success is living your passion. A Philosopher’s Notes cover A Philosopher’s NotesBrian JohnsonA Philosopher’s Notes by Brian Johnson: 100 of the best lessons from more than 100 great books on philosophy and positive psychology, and why I love his work. Sophie’s World cover Sophie’s WorldJostein GaarderWhy Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder, a novel that walks through the history of philosophy, is one I couldn’t put down. Ishmael cover IshmaelDaniel QuinnWhy Ishmael by Daniel Quinn is one of my favorite books ever: the idea of Leavers and Takers, and Instinct, the movie it inspired. How to Win at College cover How to Win at CollegeCal NewportHow to Win at College by Cal Newport: the book I wish I had written about college, and why I’ve given it to over a dozen friends. Goal-Free Living cover Goal-Free LivingStephen ShapiroWhat Goal-Free Living by Stephen Shapiro taught me about goals, success and ambition: seeing them less as goals and more as aspirations. Meditations, Book One cover Meditations, Book OneMarcus AureliusNotes on Book One of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: the seventeen thank-yous the emperor wrote to the family, friends, teachers and gods who shaped him.10 highlights and 7 of them inside

More books I love

The books that shaped me, with links to my notes and quote libraries where I have them.

“I cannot live without books.”— Thomas Jefferson

Follow along

One essay a week, every Saturday morning. New reviews go out with it.