Favorite Books

As a young entrepreneur, I only read business, leadership, and non-fiction books.

As I’ve matured, I mostly read fiction and re-read the greats.

The best leadership, strategy, and business boks can be found in fiction, stories, and essays.

I once locked myself in a 25sqm apartment without wifi(!) for a year and a half to level up my thinking (my own training arc) without wifi to just read books. I’m a bit intense and obsessive.

1. Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (HPMOR.com) - the premise is that it’s easier to teach rationality & critical thinking through the mode of narrative so imagine Harry as a budding experimental scientist armed with college level education & a rational mind as he enters the world of wizardry. This is probably the most fun read I’ve had as an adult.
2. Incerto Series by Taleb (Black Swan & Antifragile) - I opened up intellectually because of Taleb, he gave words to my intuitive thinking and decision making. I would be nowhere in my life without his clear thinking.
3. All works by Robert Greene - my favorites are mastery & 33 strategies of war. I credit these 2 books for “early success” professionally.
4. Poor Charlie’s Almanack - constantly re-read the G.O.A.T.
5. Worm by Wildbow - Longest book i've ever read (I think it’s the longest book ever publish). Probably one of the greatest pieces of rational fiction ever written where you see c level super villain team with weak powers take on God level superheroes and villains through aggressive offensive strategy, presence of mind, creativity, and of course, friendship.The constant escalation & evolution of conflict is unmatched by any other piece of content i've consumed.
6. Napoleon a life - resonate so much with the Corsican bastard. A mind & spirit stuck in the islands unleashed onto the global stage. I resonate more with Napoleon’s early life up to his first 10 years as Emperor and will do my best to avoid post 10 years as Emperor Napoleon.
7. Titan (John D Rockefeller) - resonate with Rockefeller’s early life & wish to employ his general strategies.
8. The Fish that ate the Whale - I am a fish eating a whale in many ways. I have an immigrant’s spirit in a digital age.
9. Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson - a huge inspiration for me to write fiction because the plot is resource driven.
10. Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson - i prefer the first trilogy than second era. I recommend this to adults all the time to get them hooked into fiction.
11. Ender’s game & Ender’s shadow series - i prefer Shadow Series because I love the learning from former comrades and fellow generals fighting each other rather than an army fighting aliens.
12. The Lies of Locke Lamora - Ocean’s 11 but in a fantasy mercantile setting with humor.
13. Greenlights by Matthew M - best audible I’ve listened to in my life. I listen to a lot.
14. All works by Ryan Holiday - my favorites are conspiracy & obstacle is the way
15. High output management - G.O.A.T for Product Managers
16. Seeking Wisdom from Darwin to Munger - G.O.A.Ts for Clear thinking
17. Kitchen Confidential by Bourdain - business & leadership book wrapped in restaurant biography
18. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - I attempt to read daily but I read mostly when I feel overwhelmed.
19. The name of the wind series - the two books that beautifully explores and captures the wandering and aimless nature of a hero’s journey while doing nothing and going nowhere.