A growing list of books I've read over the years.
186 of the 597 books I've read have a review here. The last one went up October 14, 2026.
Moderate read, 289 pages, read in 2017, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
Wow! What a life! (thus-far). Trevor Noah, shares stories of his childhood growing up in South Africa during the tail-end of apartheid. Being born, half black, half white, he was Born a Crime under the racist laws of apartheid. The lessons on the journey finding one's identity and cultivating craftiness and ingenuity…
Moderate read, 326 pages, read in 2015, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
One of the most impactful book's I've read. Stoicism is the guiding philosophy of life, I never knew I was in search of. This ancient philosophy which originated out of Greece, and evangelized by the Roman's has stood the test of time with many principles and relevant pieces of life advice. Irvine summarizes the core…
10out of 10
Moderate read, 416 pages, read in 2014, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
I think this book should be required reading for any business school student. Or even if you want to be more familiar with business, in general, The Personal MBA gives a good overview without scaring you off with too much technical detail. It was a pleasant surprise that this book was more than business; it included…
9.5out of 10
Light read, 208 pages, read in 2017, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
A defining trait in our species is the will to strive forward. Kalanithi captures that with his posthumously published book that he wrote while dying of stage IV lung cancer and through that journey trying to more deeply understand the purpose of his work, the life he has lived and has left to live, and the lives and…
9.5out of 10
Moderate read, 368 pages, read in 2016, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
It should come of no surprise that one of the founders of Pixar would be able to craft an amazing story with the book Creativity Inc. in collaboration with Amy Wallace. Halfway through, I knew this book would are my all-time favorites list. What stands out in this book compared to other business books is the…
Light read, 240 pages, read in 2015, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
In The One Thing, you learn the art of prioritization and how to train your mind to connect one goal with the next over time until you know the most important thing to do right now. If you don't have a goal in mind, great questions are a way to get you closer, by leading you to an excellent answer. The question you…
Dense read, 480 pages, read in 2015, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
The story of the human body by Lieberman, explores the transition of our lifestyle, diets and body from an evolutionary perspective. We have undergone a “cultural evolution” that has outpaced our “biological evolution”, resulting multiple “Mismatch diseases”, suffering from ailments and other conditions that were rare…
9.5out of 10
Moderate read, 318 pages, read in 2014, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
The only kinds of books I have trouble reading and finishing are fiction books. This was one fiction book, that was the exception and I couldn't put it down. It was well written and the flow of the story put my emotions through a slot machine. I felt a part of the Story and cheered Hazel (the main character) on all…
Dense read, 512 pages, read in 2016, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
Reading Poor Charlie's Almanac is like going on an adventure. Everything isn't always neatly organized. He goes on a tangent at times and later refines and re-emphasizes certain points as he revisits talks and other statements. The illustration added a lot of flavor to the book as well as the commentary and…
Dense read, 336 pages, read in 2025
An incredibly insightful book by a plastic surgeon who explores how our self-image shapes our behavior and success in life. Even if someone changes their outside appearance, real change begins with your changing your internal view and belief of yourself. Many people fail not due to a lack of ability but because their…
Dense read, 278 pages, read in 2025
The book critiques how societal policies are often crafted by intellectual elites lacking direct experience in the areas they legislate. This can lead to decisions that negatively impact those they're meant to help, without accountability or real-world feedback loops. There's a focus on self-serving moral narratives…
9out of 10
Moderate read, 166 pages, read in 2016, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
A look into the generational & psychological effects of slavery and misguided education in the African American community and the systemic injustices that still linger. Originally written in the 1930s, the tone and subjects of the book sadly remain relevant today. People are legally free persons, but can be…
9out of 10
Moderate read, 448 pages, read in 2025
The book is a story of a young woman who makes a deal with the devil to be fully free, and as a side effect becomes immortal. But there's a catch, she is given a curse that everyone she meets forgets her, when she leaves their sight. She lives on for hundreds of years traveling across the world and generations. It was…
9out of 10
Moderate read, 246 pages, read in 2017, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
Models encourages confidence through vulnerability and non-neediness, opening up yourself to share more while still holding onto your values and being self-reliant. Models is based on good intentions, as opposed to some other opportunities and manipulative dating books, so I resonated much more with Mark's principled…
Moderate read, 168 pages, read in 2015, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
The amount of wisdom packed into this small book blew my mind. I immediately knew it was making the list only halfway through. In the practicing mind, the author emphasizes the importance of process over product and results. Most of the anxiety we experience in life, and failure to finish what we start comes from this…
9out of 10
Light read, 152 pages, read in 2015, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
In Between the World and Me, Coates write to his fifteen-year-old son, Samori, about questions regarding the nation's history, culture, racial struggles and his experiences living in a black body in America. Forgetting about the past and the pain that comes with it is easy, but remembering and understanding is very…
Light read, 134 pages, read in 2015, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
The Inner Game of tennis is about reaching a state of peak mental performance, through the art of relaxed concentration. The author talks about two states within us, Self 1, the teller and Self 2, the doer. The key is improving the relationship between the conscious teller and the natural capabilities of Self 2,…
9out of 10
Light read, 240 pages, read in 2013, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
One of the few books I've been able to read completely through in one sitting, being on a 5-hour flight helps I guess. Even though this is a novel, Patrick paints a picture that makes you believe this is attainable today and uses the narrative to communicate his insights in what it means to be a true trusted advisor.…
Dense read, 251 pages, read in 2013, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
Pragmatic Thinking and Learning was an insightful journey into better understanding how the brain works and then using that knowledge to extend and get the most out of our minds. Although, the book it marketed towards programmers and uses some technical analogies, it still is a very engaging read for a wide range of…
9out of 10
Moderate read, 218 pages, read in 2014, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
The world is a complex system made up of many smaller systems all interacting, and we can benefit from viewing things from a bigger picture; seeing the connections. With that knowledge, we can design better systems and adapt and influence the systems in our communities and the world as a whole. This book was an…
9out of 10
Moderate read, 165 pages, read in 2014, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
Wow, what an inspirational read, in spite of all the tragedy. Dr. Frankl's story illustrates that even when one is at their weakest point they have the opportunity and a choice to be at their strongest. Reading this book has greatly impacted my life.
Light read, 160 pages, read in 2014, staying power: Lingering influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
"Grit is that mix of passion, perseverance, and self-discipline that keeps us moving forward in spite of obstacles." If you want to get better at getting better, The Little Book of Talent is a good start. This was a very fun read. I felt so excited to implement a good portion of the tips from the book of talent. It's…
9out of 10
Dense read, 452 pages, read in 2013, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
The lessons of history are your tools to use today. There are many forms of power and it is your responsibility to understand them, as to not fall victim to abuse or manipulation of power. When I was done, I felt like I now acquired 48 shields. The insights from this book are practical and will aid you in your freedom…
9out of 10
Light read, 291 pages, read in 2013, staying power: Lasting influence, whether it still shapes how I think, separate from the rating
This timeless book by Dale Carnegie is a story about respect and empathy. We all should take notice of the little things, showing our appreciation for others and commitment towards building a relationship. The lessons from this book are simple one's that we sometimes forget, if made awarer, we could have many more…