Current Reads
The best ideas come from the most unexpected places, so I make it a point to read as broadly as possible to find answers. I’m an avid reader and love talking books. Hit me up if you enjoyed any of these books or have a good recommendation for one.
Reads by year: 2023
2024 Reads… so far
1. Endurance by Alfred Lansing
An epic journey of adventure becomes a bitter fight for survival.
Endurance is a fantastic book. Shackleton and his crew were remarkable, not because they were extraordinary, but because they were ordinary men doing the extraordinary.
2. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
An old fisherman catches a giant fish, and it’s a struggle.
It meandered much for me. But at the same time, I enjoyed taking the scenic route. It left me in a reflective state, wondering what it all means.
3. The Forever Witness by Edward Humes
An amateur genealogist and a cold case detective team up to hunt down a murderer.
Using genetic genealogy and good old-fashioned detective chops to solve decades-old cold cases is an incredible combination.
4. Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
A practical guide to repairing your relationship with productivity.
This book is not a rigid framework or to-do list, but rather a practical productivity philosophy. Abdaal comes across as pragmatic and approachable.
5. The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert W. Bly
An introduction to writing copy that sells.
I started reading about copywriting to learn how to produce compelling copy. And I inadvertently opened myself up to a new world of direct-response advertising. I’m hooked!
6. Scientific Advertising by Claude Hopkins
Written in 1923 about advertising that’s as relevant today as it was then.
This book kept coming up constantly as I delved into copywriting and marketing. It’s only 120 pages, but it packs a punch.
7. Converted by Neil Hoyne
A how-to guide on using data to identify your best customers so you can attract more of them.
This book sparked ideas on combining my interest in copywriting with my existing skills as a developer. Super insightful!
8. Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
A sensible guide on launching a business quickly.
This book makes launching a business seem easy. Kagan provides practical steps to generate, validate, and launch an idea. And a good chunk of the book is dedicated to marketing, too.
9. This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
An introduction to an ethical philosophy of marketing.
I wanted a high-level book that would help me think like a marketer. Godin’s thoughts on the essence of marketing deeply resonated with me.
10. Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
A guide to better, more effective conversations.
Good conversations lead to good relationships. This book breaks down the different conversation types and shows you how to navigate them toward establishing meaningful connections.
11. On Writing Well by William Zinsser
A remarkable book on writing nonfiction.
Good writing requires more work than just writing, and this book does a fantastic job covering much of that work.
12. The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
Homicide detective Harry Bosch solves the murder of someone he knew from the war.
I love detective shows and recently discovered that one of my favorite detectives is based on a series of over twenty books. This first one is fantastic!
13. The Second Mountain by David Brooks
An argument against excessive individualism.
Though preachy at times, it shows how extreme individualism can fragment society and make us feel miserable. I have mixed feelings about it, but it offered some interesting insights.
14. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
An epic Western that follows the adventures of two retired Texas Rangers.
This might be my new favorite book–it’s absolutely incredible. I went into it expecting perfection, and it delivered. Do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece.
15. A Crack in Creation by Jennifer Doudna
This book delves into genetics, gene editing, and the rise of CRISPR, questioning humanity’s worthiness of such power.
While the writing could have been sharper, the ideas presented kept me hooked. Can society handle this newfound power?
16. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
A classic sci-fi that gives a gripping account of a Martian invasion of Earth.
It’s hard to believe it was written over 120 years ago! The social commentary added some unexpected depth that I absolutely loved.
17. $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi
Learn how to craft offers that are too good to refuse.
This was the first marketing book that really made everything click for me. I’ve got a ton of new ideas that I hadn’t considered before. Now let’s see what I can do with them!
18. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
An alien race from an unstable planet makes its way toward Earth to make it their own.
The hype surrounding this book is well-deserved–it surpasses expectations. I highly recommend picking this one up.
19. Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish
It’s like Atomic Habits but for your thoughts and the decision-making process.
The book helps you identify and overcome behavioral defaults, enabling you to live more intentionally.
20. Stoner by John Williams
A beautifully written cradle-to-grave story about an ordinary man leading an ordinary life.
This novel offers a profound lesson in existentialism and stoicism I never knew I needed. I was drawn in from start to finish. It is the perfect book.
21. A Brief History of the Female Body by Deena Emera, PhD
Explores the evolutionary origins and health impacts of the female body.
I struggled with the writing in the first half, but I’m glad I read it because it’s a fascinating topic.
22. All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
A terrible crime leads Charon County’s first Black sheriff on a hunt, searching for a serial killer hiding in plain sight.
This thrilling, gritty, and violent story was intense. Cosby’s perspective added a level of depth I appreciated.
23. $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi
This book teaches you how to make strangers interested in what you’re selling.
Leads have been my biggest challenge in business. After reading this, I’ve got an arsenal of ideas. Now, it’s time to put them into action!
24. Ask the Dust by John Fante
A young, aspiring author moves to 1930s Los Angeles and falls in love with the wrong person.
It’s a well-written story that hits like a punch to the gut. Arturo and Camilla are wrong for each other in every way–and yet, they keep coming back.
25. The Wager by David Grann
Shipwrecked and stranded, survivors face a bitter battle with nature and themselves.
Shipwrecks can reveal what men are made of, but you may not like what you see. This haunting tale exposes the dire consequences of failed leadership.
26. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
A man stumbles into a boatload of money. Evil comes after him.
This was my first Cormac McCarthy book, and I loved it. The writing was incredible, and the story was gripping.
27. The Socratic Method by Ward Farnsworth
Socratic questioning is an antidote for stupidity.
This book discusses Socratic philosophy while providing some history. I have been quite interested in philosophy and history lately, and this was a great read!
28. This Boy We Made by Taylor Harris
It is a touching memoir about raising a child with a genetic condition.
This book reminded me why I love reading: to see the world through another person’s eyes and step inside their lives.
29. Hacking Growth by Sean Ellis
A high-level view of growth strategy.
While I enjoyed parts of it, the book fell flat toward the end. The writing could have been tighter, but some ideas here were worth exploring.
30. Writing to Learn by William Zinsser
Writing reaches corners other teaching tools can’t.
I wish it had been more practical–too much show, not enough tell. While I appreciate Zinsser’s style and ideas, this one’s mostly for fellow writing nerds.
31. Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
A writer returns to his hometown only to find a dark presence has taken hold.
I can’t believe I waited until October to read my first Stephen King of the year. Shame! Salem’s Lot was excellent–and spooky. What a ride!
32. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
A man wakes up as a bug and becomes a burden to those around him.
It’s a story of struggling to get out of bed, of feeling like nobody understands you, and believing you’re of no use to anybody. It’s incredibly powerful for just a hundred pages.
33. American Midnight by Adam Hochschild.
A gripping account of a dark time in American history.
The focus is on America before, during, and after The Great War–everything from the decline of civil liberties to the all but state-sanctioned murder and abuse on the streets.
34. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.
A heartfelt story about a grumpy old man who’s both endearing and tragic.
This book hit me hard with all the feels. Equal parts funny and moving. It left me with one of the biggest book hangovers of my life.
35. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.
A fictionalized memoir that blurs the line between fact and fiction.
This book showcases the raw power of storytelling like few others. O’Brien pulls you in from the first page, taking you on a journey with Alpha Company and the haunting memories of a Vietnam veteran.