“A man is known by the books he reads.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I believe a good library is one of the greatest things someone could own.
Throughout my life, I’ve received many great book recommendations by numerous people.
This list is a small way of thanking all of those people.
Referencing the Benjamin Franklin adage (Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise), I have categorized my top books under the areas Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise (+ bonus category).
Enjoy.
My Top Books
Healthy
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Simple, profound, and to the point.
If I could only recommend one health related book, it would be this one.
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Basic premise: Rhythms govern life on earth. Align your body to these basic natural rhythms (eating, moving, sleeping) for enhanced lifespan and health-span.
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The author, Tom Rath, lost his left eye to a rare form of cancer as I did, so Tom has become one of my favorite teachers.
The key to great health isn’t complicated, it simply comes down to a consistency on the fundamentals: eating, moving, and sleeping.
Get these 3 in order, and you’ve solved 95% of the puzzle.
Because of the short, simple, and actionable chapters, I would recommend this book to anyone.
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Despite the title, this isn’t another diet book. Two Meals a Day distills some of Mark Sisson’s best information on crafting a sustainable life of wellness.
This is a great introduction to intermittent fasting and metabolic flexibility.
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I once heard someone call Boundless the “Biohacker’s Bible”, and I’d agree. The author, Ben Greenfield, is one of the most reputable biohackers in the space, and this book is the distillation of his life’s research.
While this is an incredible book, it’s dense and advanced. I’d only recommend it after reading fundamentals like Eat Move Sleep and The New Rules of Aging Well.
Wealthy
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The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
Naval is one of the clearest multidisciplinary thinkers I’ve encountered. His writing is a unique combination of depth and brevity.
This book is a collection of his Tweets and interviews on wealth, wisdom, and happiness.
This was easily my favorite read of 2023.
You can read it entirely free here.
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An autobiography of Dee Hock, the founder of VISA.
To me, it is beautiful blend of biography, history, and philosophy - ought to be read less for business lessons, and more for life philosophies.
Hock’s description of life: “Life is not about control. It's not about getting. It's not about having. It's not about knowing. It's not even about being. It is a magnificent, mysterious odyssey to be experienced.”
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The autobiography of James Dyson, founder of Dyson.
An account of James’ perseverance enduring years of rejection, ridicule, lawsuits, cash crises, and thousands of prototypes until the intrinsic excellence of the his product finally won.
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Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, is another incredible multi-disciplinary thinker.
Throughout the entire book, Balaji presents a very optimistic yet grounded, and iconoclastic yet rational outlook on the future of technology and humanity.
Easily my favorite read so far in 2024.
You can read the entire book for free here.
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Taking place around 450 B.C. in ancient Israel, Nehemiah decided to dedicate his life to an impossible task: rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem.
The most engaging commentary on the book of Nehemiah I’ve read - lots of insights for both business and leadership. The author sits down one-on-one with Nehemiah to have a personal conversation about his vision, challenges, and strategies for achieving his “Great Work.”
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The true story of Chuck Feeney, who made 10 billion dollars, then quietly gave it all away.
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The Sovereign Individual: Mastering the Transition to the Information Age
A book way ahead of its time.
Though written in the 90’s, this book has been very prophetic on things such as global economic trends, digital currencies, emerging technologies, and nation-state dynamics.
Drawing from historical events, the authors show how individuals now have unprecedented opportunities to protect their wealth, privacy, and personal freedom.
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Drucker’s definitive guide on getting the right things done.
It’s known as a business classic for good reasons, and I’ve always loved re-reading.
“First things first, second things, not at all.”
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Like a history textbook, business book, and biography all in one.
Could even be thought of as a modern Plutarch’s Lives.
Great overview of the lives of great men and women and the principles they lived by.
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A book full of principles and strategies of making great decisions and minimizing risk.
All the insights come in the form of quips; it’s like Poor Richard’s Almanac for business strategy.
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A lessor-known book by VC partner Ben Casnocha. One half story of his entrepreneurial journey as a high schooler and one half start-up ‘how to’ guide.
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Reads like a novel you can’t put down, but reveals business insights like an HBR report.
The memoir of Phil Knight, founder of Nike. Couldn’t recommend enough.
Wise
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No other book has influenced me to the degree of the Bible. It is the ultimate story of the Creator reaching out to his creation.
Abraham Lincoln once said: “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book that you can by reason and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. It is the best Book which God has given to man.”
Here is the one I personally use: Maxwell Leadership Bible
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Marcus Aurelius was both Emperor of the Roman Empire and a Stoic philosopher.
Meditations was written as a private journal during wartime; little more than thoughts to himself.
One of my all-time favorites and the book I’ve re-read the most throughout my life.
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What would you do if you only had 6 months left to live?
This was the question Eugene O’Kelly, CEO of KPMG, was faced with after a terminal brain cancer diagnosis. O’Kelly began writing this book upon his diagnosis, and the book was concluded by his wife 4 months after his death.
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The book of wisdom from the richest man who ever lived - King Solomon of Israel.
Full of wisdom covering nearly every aspect of life: wealth, career, relationships, health, and emotions.
There are 31 chapters. I recommend reading a chapter for each day of the month.
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An assorted gathering of Charlie Munger’s wisdom, ideas, thoughts, mental models, and life principles.
One of my all-time favorites.
You can read it entirely for free here.
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The sayings of Confucius, or 论语, carry insight on morality, humility, doing good work, and living a peaceful life.
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A principle book in Hinduism - it is a poem of 700 verse written allegorically as a conversation between Krishna and the warrior prince Arjuna.
Ghandi himself has said no other work had shaped his character as profoundly as the Gita.
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Enchiridion is Greek for "manual that which is held in the hand,” and that is what this is.
Another Stoic classic, written by slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus.
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A collection of practical life wisdom and advice (primarily on wealth, entrepreneurship, and ambition) written from father to son.
All told in the form of a well-written story.
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A great book and true story about a man named Mitch and his college professor from nearly twenty years ago, Morrie.
Knowing he was dying, Morrie met with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they did back in college. Morrie taught Mitch one final “class”: lessons on how to live.
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Succinct and witty, this one by Nassim Taleb is a collection of aphorisms and philosophical insights that challenge conventional wisdom.
Simply a great book to make you think.
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A beautiful book.
Khalil Gibran carried the manuscript of The Prophet with him at all times for 4 years, and kept refining it constantly before giving it to his publisher, just so it was pure art.
When he was interviewed by a journalist about his creative process, he said: “I wanted to be sure, very sure, that every word of it was the very best I had to offer.”
Other
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The quintessential book on coffee by William H. Ukers, a coffee expert who travelled across the world for his research. This work is often referred to as “the bible of the coffee trade,” and continues to be referenced to this day.
Often quoted by the founder of Blue Bottle Coffee James Freeman, a hero of mine.
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While written in 1932, Aldous Huxley paints a strikingly prescient picture of a modern dystopia ruled by mass-entertainment, pleasure, and technology.
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A beautiful, short book, similar to the Alchemist or an Og Mandino classic - but better in my opinion.
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I’m continually refining and adding to this list.
If you have a great recommendation, send me an email. I’d be happy to hear from you.