Reading List

A growing list of books I've read, along with notes and takeaways. I love learning from a mix of technical, organizational, and philosophical works.

• The Geek Way

  Andrew McAfee · Read: 2025-02

  OrganizationalPhilosophy

  This book inspired me to embrace unconventional thinking and challenge the status quo, both in business and in life. I learned that building an organization with a strong, positive culture can be a force for good, and that being different is often a strength. The 'geek way' encourages curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to break from tradition.

• The Lean Startup

  Eric Ries · Read: 2024-04

  ProductProduct ManagementOrganizational

  I learned the value of building products iteratively and validating ideas early with real users. The book emphasizes the importance of learning from feedback, measuring progress, and being willing to pivot when necessary. It changed how I approach product development, focusing on outcomes and continuous improvement.

• Creative Confidence

  Tom Kelley and David Kelley · Read: 2023-10

  DesignPhilosophyLeadership

  This book helped me realize that creativity is a skill anyone can develop, not just a talent for a select few. I learned practical ways to build confidence in my design decisions and to approach problems with a designer's mindset. It also deepened my empathy for designers and encouraged me to collaborate more effectively across disciplines.

• Daring Greatly

  Brene Brown · Read: 2023-10

  PhilosophyLeadership

  I learned that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a source of strength and connection. The book taught me that being open about struggles and uncertainties can foster trust and authenticity, both in leadership and personal relationships. It encouraged me to lead with courage and empathy.

• The Gift of Imperfection

  Brene Brown · Read: 2023-09

  PhilosophyLeadership

  This book helped me accept that perfection is unattainable and that embracing my imperfections leads to growth and resilience. I learned that making mistakes is part of the journey, and that leading with authenticity and vulnerability can be a true superpower.

• The 6 Types of Working Genius

  Patrick Lencioni · Read: 2023-06

  OrganizationalManagement

  I discovered a practical framework for understanding team dynamics and individual strengths. The book helped me identify my own working genius and appreciate the diverse talents within my team. It sparked valuable conversations about how we can better support each other and maximize our collective potential.

• Thinking in Systems

  Donella H. Meadows · Read: 2023-05

  Systems ThinkingPhilosophyOrganizational

  This book introduced me to the fundamentals of systems thinking. I learned to recognize feedback loops, leverage points, and the interconnectedness of complex systems—skills that apply to both software and organizations. It changed how I approach problem-solving and design.

• Turn the Ship Around

  L. David Marquet · Read: 2023-04

  LeadershipOrganizationalManagement

  I learned that great leadership is about empowering others, not controlling them. The book's 'leader-leader' model showed me the value of giving people ownership and responsibility, fostering a culture of trust and continuous learning. It challenged my assumptions about authority and management.

• Switch

  Chip and Dan Heath · Read: 2023-03

  OrganizationalLeadershipPhilosophy

  This book taught me how to lead and manage change by appealing to both rational and emotional sides. The metaphor of the rider and the elephant helped me understand why change is hard and how to make it easier for myself and others. I learned practical strategies for motivating change in teams and organizations.

• Never Split the Difference

  Chris Voss · Read: 2023-03

  LeadershipManagement

  I gained valuable negotiation skills from this book, especially the importance of active listening and empathy. Chris Voss's real-world stories made the techniques memorable. I now approach difficult conversations with more confidence and a focus on understanding the other person's perspective.

• Lean UX

  Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden · Read: 2023-02

  DesignProductProduct Management

  I learned how to integrate user feedback into the design process and focus on outcomes rather than outputs. The book reinforced the importance of collaboration and experimentation in building products. I also picked up practical tips for organizing teams around shared goals.

• Creativity, Inc.

  Ed Catmull · Read: 2023-01

  OrganizationalLeadershipDesign

  The story of Pixar taught me about the power of creative culture and the importance of embracing failure as part of innovation. I learned that a strong vision, open communication, and trust are essential for building successful teams and organizations.

• Start with Why

  Simon Sinek · Read: 2022-12

  LeadershipPhilosophy

  This book emphasized the importance of purpose in leadership and business. I learned that starting with 'why'—the deeper reason behind what we do—can inspire others and drive meaningful action. It encouraged me to clarify my own motivations and communicate them clearly.

• Everybody, Always

  Bob Goff · Read: 2022-09

  PhilosophyLeadership

  I learned about the power of unconditional love and kindness. The book encouraged me to be more open, generous, and accepting of others, regardless of their background or beliefs. It reinforced the idea that leadership is about serving and uplifting those around us.

• The Power of Full Engagement

  Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz · Read: 2022-07

  PhilosophyLeadership

  This book taught me that managing energy—not just time—is key to high performance and well-being. I learned practical strategies for balancing work and rest, building positive habits, and sustaining motivation over the long term.

• An Elegant Puzzle: Systems of Engineering Management

  Will Larson · Read: 2022-06

  Engineering ManagementSystems ThinkingOrganizational

  I gained insights into the complexities of engineering management, from team structure to scaling organizations. The book provided practical frameworks for solving common challenges and helped me appreciate the value of systems thinking in leadership.

• The Manager's Path

  Camille Fournier · Read: 2022-02

  Engineering ManagementEngineering LeadershipManagement

  This book guided me through the different stages of a technical management career, from tech lead to CTO. I learned about the challenges and responsibilities at each level, and picked up actionable advice for mentoring, communication, and building effective teams.

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

  Patrick Lencioni · Read: 2021-03

  OrganizationalLeadershipManagement

  I learned to recognize and address the five key dysfunctions that can undermine teams: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. The book gave me practical tools for building healthier, more effective teams.

• Radical Candor

  Kim Scott · Read: 2020-06

  LeadershipManagement

  This book taught me how to give feedback that is both direct and caring. I learned the importance of challenging directly while showing personal care, and how this approach can build trust and drive better performance. It's a must-read for anyone in a leadership role.

• How to Win Friends and Influence People

  Dale Carnegie · Read: 2020-02

  LeadershipPhilosophy

  A timeless guide to building strong relationships and influencing others positively. I learned practical techniques for effective communication, active listening, and making people feel valued—skills that are essential in both personal and professional life.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

  Stephen R. Covey · Read: 2019-04

  PhilosophyLeadership

  This classic taught me the importance of personal responsibility, proactive behavior, and aligning actions with core values. The seven habits provide a framework for continuous self-improvement and effective leadership.

• The Power of Habit

  Charles Duhigg · Read: 2018-10

  PhilosophyLeadership

  I learned how habits are formed and how they can be changed. The concept of the habit loop—cue, routine, reward—helped me understand my own behaviors and gave me tools to build better habits in both my personal and professional life.

• Purely Functional Data Structures

  Chris Okasaki · Read: 2018-06

  TechnicalFunctional Programming

  A foundational book for anyone interested in functional programming. I learned about persistent data structures and how immutability can lead to elegant and efficient solutions. The book inspired me to implement these concepts in Haskell and PureScript.

• Clean Architecture

  Robert C. Martin · Read: 2017-09

  TechnicalSoftware CraftsmanshipPhilosophy

  This book reinforced the importance of designing software with clear boundaries and separation of concerns. I learned principles for building maintainable, flexible systems, and the value of keeping codebase architecture independent of frameworks and details.

• Chess Not Checkers

  Mark Miller · Read: 2017-03

  OrganizationalLeadership

  This book used a fictional story to illustrate key leadership lessons. I learned that leading an organization requires strategic thinking, adaptability, and a focus on developing people. The narrative made the concepts memorable and easy to apply.