On the Book Shelf — 2020

I like listening to podcasts. I like watching docs. I feel the most effective way to learn to is to learn from experts — that takes you from 0–80 really quickly (more on that on another essay).

But, I’ve never been a great book reader. I always wanted to. But, was never able to cultivate and build that habit. So, for 2020 I took a modest goal — one book a month; 12 books in the year ( I was able to do 16 — not bad huh!)

And, it has been phenomenal. I’ve read quite a bit, and I’ve learnt quite a bit. My most prominent learnings:

So, here’s my 2020 reading list (the one’s I could complete to a reasonable extent by no. of pages 80+% — the ones’ I couldn’t complete, I wouldn’t recommend anyways):

Biographies & Memoirs

1. The Promise of a Pencil by Adam Braun *

2. The Ride of Lifetime by Robert Iger *

3. I Love Capitalism by Ken Langone

4. Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood

Life and Philosophy

5. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom *

6. Ikigai by Hector Garcia

Leadership, Team and People

7. Build an A-Team by Whitney Johnson *

8. No Rules Rules by Hastings and Meyer *

9. The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo

10. Handling Difficult People by Jon P Bloch

11. The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins

Non Fiction

12. Rework by David Heinemeier Hansson *

13. God’s Own Kitchen by Rashmi Bansal *

14. Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie *

15. The Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam *

16. Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban

*~ Recommended