Section 1.1: Book Summaries

Book 1: Will (2021) by Will Smith.

The most captivating audiobook I've ever listened to.

Book 2: Everything is F*cked (2019) by Mark Manson.

I appreciate a well-known author tackling themes of meaning and truth; in a decade, his insights on AI and religion could be seen as either absurd or remarkably insightful.

Book 3: Total Recall — My Unbelievably True Life Story (2012) by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This hefty hardback reflects Arnold’s larger-than-life persona, and I couldn’t help but hear every word in his iconic voice.

Book 4: Surrounded by Idiots (2019) by Thomas Erikson.

I picked up this book while grappling with the conflicting political views of those around me, amusingly enough!

Book 5: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (2018) by John Carreyrou.

It was a coincidence that I was reading this just as Hulu premiered The Dropout, both of which left me astonished and fascinated.

Book 6: The Power of Regret (2022) by Daniel Pink.

Utilizing decades of research, Pink illustrates how to leverage regret effectively in our lives.

Book 7: The Power of Fun (2021) by Catherine Price.

One of my resolutions for 2023 was to embrace more fun, which is why I chose to read this title.

Book 8: Greenlights (2020) by Matthew McConaughey.

The audiobook, narrated by McConaughey himself, is a treat in its own right.

Book 9: Grit (2016) by Angela Duckworth.

Her academic insights convinced me repeatedly of the critical role that grit plays in success.

Book 10: The Magnolia Story (2016) by Chip Gaines.

My wife and I recently started watching Fixer Upper on Discovery+, and I concluded from this book that Chip’s marriage would have faced many challenges without Joanna's incredible patience.

Book 11: Atomic Habits (2018) by James Clear.

This book offered numerous valuable insights, including one that resonated with me: “Life seems reactive, but it’s actually predictive,” meaning we act based on our expectations of happiness.

Book 12: How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question (2022) by Michael Schur.

This audiobook is a delightful follow-up to the enjoyable series I watched on Hulu, The Good Place.

Book 13: That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix (2019) by Marc Randolf.

It’s rare that a book inspires me to invest in stocks, yet that’s precisely what happened here.

Book 14: Designing Your Life: Build a Life that Works for You (2013) by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.

Stanford professors challenge common notions of happiness, urging readers to intentionally plan for health, meaningful work, love, and leisure.

Books 15 & 16: In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives (2011) by Steven Levy and Googled (2009) by Ken Auletta.

I found myself engrossed in a deep dive into Google, reading three related books within two months (not including Work Rules! by Laszlo Bock).

Book 17: The Ride of a Lifetime (2019) by Robert Iger.

Before his recent return to Disney, Iger shared poignant leadership stories, some touching and others revealing about the realities of corporate governance.

Book 18: Predictably Irrational (2008) by Dan Ariely.

Ariely, a behavioral psychologist, illustrates how we often misjudge our rationality through various financial examples.

Book 19: Nonviolent Communication (2007) by Marshall Rosenberg.

Renowned for mediating between conflicting parties, Dr. Rosenberg outlines his four-step process of nonviolent communication, applicable to personal interactions: observations, feelings, needs, and requests.

Book 20: 10% Happier (2014) by Dan Harris.

Harris, inspired by his journalistic experiences with spiritual leaders, shares how an atheist can find peace and a bit more happiness—about 10%—through meditation and mindfulness.

Book 21: The Last Lecture (2008) by Randy Pausch.

This moving lecture from a terminally ill computer science professor had me in tears several times; it was attended by many and recorded as a legacy for his young children.

Book 22: Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness (2018) by Napoleon Hill.

Listening to this audiobook, originally a series of 1920s radio talks, prompted me to reflect on Hill’s brilliance and dedication to teaching the "laws of success."

Book 23: Mega Deal Secrets: How to Find and Close the Biggest Deal of Your Career (2021) by Jamal Reimer.

As a sales professional, every time my wife spotted me reading this book, she would humorously exclaim “MEGA DEALS” in a booming voice.

Which of these 23 non-fiction works have you read? Will any make it onto your 2024 reading list?