READING LIST

Books

A curated shelf of books on personal development, meaning, strategy, and the future - with a short note on why each one is worth reading.

Habits, Productivity & Self-Management

Atomic Habits / The 1% Method

James Clear

An excellent book for understanding how small habits compound into major long-term change. Especially valuable because it focuses on practical systems for behavior change rather than motivation alone.

Feel-Good Productivity

Ali Abdaal

A modern perspective on productivity that emphasizes energy, enjoyment, and sustainability instead of pure discipline. Useful for building a high-performance lifestyle without burning out.

Principles

Ray Dalio

A strong framework for decision-making, clear thinking, and personal accountability. Particularly relevant for business, leadership, and long-term personal growth.

Find Your Why

Simon Sinek

Helps readers clarify their deeper motivations, values, and direction in life. Especially useful for career decisions, leadership, and building a personal brand with purpose.

Meaning, Happiness & Life Philosophy

The Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle

A book about presence, awareness, and reducing mental noise. Worth reading for anyone trying to become more grounded and less consumed by constant thinking.

Authentic Happiness

Martin Seligman

One of the foundational works of positive psychology. It explains that lasting happiness comes not only from pleasure, but also from meaning, strengths, and engagement.

Flourish

Martin Seligman

An extension of Seligman's earlier work introducing the PERMA model of well-being. Particularly valuable for understanding happiness from a more scientific and structured perspective.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles

A simple but inspiring exploration of purpose, routines, community, and longevity. A good introduction to thinking about what makes life meaningful and sustainable.

The Cafe on the Edge of the World

John Strelecky

A short philosophical story about life priorities and personal purpose. Easy to read, but effective at prompting reflection on how one wants to live.

Character, Values & Inner Strength

12 Rules for Life

Jordan Peterson

A thought-provoking book about responsibility, discipline, and personal order. Particularly useful for readers interested in character development and psychological resilience.

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

A timeless Stoic classic focused on self-discipline, emotional control, and perspective. Valuable because its lessons on resilience and composure remain highly relevant today.

Money, Business & Strategic Thinking

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Robert Kiyosaki

A classic introduction to financial thinking, wealth-building, and the difference between assets and liabilities. Not every claim should be taken uncritically, but it strongly shapes financial mindset.

Poker Strategy / Learning Poker

Various

Interesting because poker teaches probability, risk management, emotional control, and decision-making under uncertainty. Many lessons transfer directly into business and life.

Communication & Social Skills

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie

A timeless book on communication, empathy, and interpersonal effectiveness. Despite its age, many of its principles remain highly practical and applicable.

Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle

How Not to Die

Michael Greger

An evidence-based guide to nutrition and disease prevention. Worth reading for anyone interested in understanding how diet affects long-term health and longevity.

One: Simple One-Pan Wonders

Jamie Oliver

A practical cookbook focused on simple, efficient, and enjoyable cooking. Great for building healthier eating habits without spending excessive time cooking.

History, Society & the Future

Sapiens

Yuval Noah Harari

A broad exploration of human history, culture, religion, and economic systems. Valuable because it helps readers understand modern society through a long-term historical lens.

Homo Deus

Yuval Noah Harari

A speculative look at the future of humanity, technology, data, and artificial intelligence. Especially relevant for thinking critically about the societal implications of AI and technological progress.

Co-Intelligence

Ethan Mollick

A highly relevant book on working effectively with artificial intelligence. Particularly useful because it frames AI not just as a tool, but as a collaborative thinking partner.