I’ve been asked a lot lately for recommendations on non-fiction reading.
To mark the solstice, I’ve decided to start a list of my favourite titles. I’ll update it annually going forward.
My quest whenever I read is to answer two fundamental questions:
How does the world work? What tools can I use to help the world work better?
If you’re interested in doing the same, this list is for you.
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Before we dive in, three pieces of non-fiction reading advice:
- Pick a book because you’re genuinely interested, not because you feel you ought to be interested.
- If you aren’t loving a book by 20% through, drop it and try something else. Unlike fiction, this kind of book rarely requires a long warming up period. If you’re bored by 20%, it probably won’t get better. Abandoning a book always comes with a feeling of sunk cost regret, but I find the pain is easier to ignore if you can find a way to ethically source the book for free. Libraries (physical and online) are a great option. Of course, if a book impacts you profoundly, I’d definitely encourage finding a way to support the author regardless.
- Don’t bother memorizing facts. You can always find them online. The purpose of long-form non-fiction reading (at least from my point of view) is to develop your capacity to see patterns and relationships. This is what makes access to facts a useful thing in the first place. How do you learn to see these patterns and relationships? Read slowly in a way that creates space to spot connections, and continuously summarize the text’s big ideas as you read along. After a few dozen books, a mental lattice will emerge that makes the collection worth more than the sum of its parts. If you read even the half of the titles I’m suggesting, this is an effect I’ll guarantee.
Now, on to this year’s list!
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30 non-fiction books worth reading:
Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull
As a founder of Pixar Animation Studios, Ed Catmull provides an inside look into the company’s culture of creativity and the methods they use to maintain it. He presents Pixar as a case study in nurturing creativity within a team, discussing the challenges, solutions, and leadership styles that promote innovation.
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates
This book outlines the massive challenge of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to zero and suggests practical, technology-driven solutions while explaining the science in plain language. Gates lays out a comprehensive plan, incorporating aspects like policy changes, technological innovation, and global cooperation, to combat the imminent climate crisis.
The Practice by Seth Godin
This book focuses on the importance of consistent effort in the work you do, advocating that passion and talent are secondary to the habit of simply doing the work. It emphasizes the value of regular practice in creative and professional fields, and pushes for shipping work, or making it public, to learn and grow.
The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
This memoir by Disney’s CEO Bob Iger recounts his journey at the company, sharing lessons he learned on leadership, vision, and managing large-scale enterprises. It provides behind-the-scenes insights on major acquisitions and the ongoing evolution of the media industry.
The Big Picture by Sean Carroll
The Big Picture presents an accessible exploration of how everything in the universe, from microscopic particles to expansive galaxies, are interconnected through the laws of physics. The book dives into the mysteries of existence and the nature of reality, balancing the insights of science with the big philosophical questions about meaning and purpose.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
This biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, written with his full cooperation, delves into his personal and professional life, revealing his innovative spirit and often controversial leadership style. The book sheds light on how his obsession with simplicity in design led to groundbreaking products that changed the world of technology.
Agile Project Management for Dummies by Mark C. Layton
This guide breaks down Agile project management into easily understandable concepts, providing practical advice for implementing Agile methods in projects. It covers the essential principles of Agile, from team building to project control, offering a step-by-step approach to improve project outcomes.
How to be Perfect by Michael Schur
Schur explores moral philosophy through a light-hearted and relatable lens, offering insights on how to lead a good and ethical life. It combines humor with profound philosophical concepts, making them more accessible and applicable to daily life.
Yes is More by BIG (Bjarke Ingles Group)
This graphic novel-style architecture book presents BIG’s early project portfolio, and demonstrates how embracing constraints can create opportunities to deliver exceptionally imaginative and sustainable solutions without making enemies of the stakeholders on which the project depends. It’s a book about trading dogma for accommodation in order to get everyone on board, and then get something built.
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Guidara shares his approach to hospitality, arguing that going above and beyond—even to the point of being ‘unreasonable’—can create unforgettable guest experiences. The book provides stories and insights from his career in the restaurant industry, focusing on the impact of exceptional service.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Bertrand Malkiel
This book offers a comprehensive guide to investing, arguing that a simple, low-cost, diversified portfolio following a ‘random walk’ is often the best strategy. It provides an overview of various investment options and market theories, debunking common myths and presenting the realities of risk and reward in the stock market.
Build by Tony Fadell
Fadell’s book is a mix of memoir and guide, detailing his journey from designing the iPod to selling his smart home company, Nest, to Google. Fadell shares his wisdom on crafting successful products, underscoring the importance of user experience, team collaboration, and iterative design.
The Genesis Machine by Amy Webb and Andrew Hessel
This book explores the potential of synthetic biology, the science of redesigning life, discussing the dramatic changes it could bring to society. It examines the ethical, social, and biological implications of such advancements and advocates for thoughtful regulation and open conversation about this revolutionary technology.
The 99% Invisible City by Roman mars and Kurt Kohlstedt
This book reveals the fascinating hidden aspects of urban design and architecture that shape our lives every day, yet often go unnoticed. It provides an insightful tour of the unnoticed yet essential elements of cities, illustrating how design influences our experiences and interactions within urban spaces.
Range by David Epstein
Epstein presents a compelling argument against early specialization, asserting that people who explore many interests and fields (have a broad ‘range’) often find more success and innovation. Drawing from various studies and stories, the book explores the value of multidisciplinary learning, adaptable thinking, and late specializations.
Never Split the Difference by Chriss Voss
Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, this book offers practical negotiation strategies and techniques, emphasizing empathy and active listening. Voss argues that the key to successful negotiation lies in understanding the other party’s emotions and motivations, turning apparent conflicts into opportunities for mutual benefit.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
This book argues that great leaders create environments of trust and cooperation, putting their team’s needs before their own. Sinek uses real-world examples to illustrate that the most successful organizations foster a culture where employees feel safe and valued, resulting in higher motivation and productivity.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
Jacobs critiques mid-20th century urban planning policies, advocating for a more community-centric approach. She emphasizes the importance of local nuances and mixed uses in cities, suggesting that vibrant urban life stems from the complex, unplanned interactions of people in diverse and dense neighborhoods.
The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton
Kelton introduces the concept of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), arguing that federal budget deficits are not inherently bad and can, in fact, be used to achieve social aims. She challenges traditional economic thinking, suggesting that a nation with its own currency, like the US, cannot go bankrupt and should use deficit spending to address issues like inequality and climate change.
The Upcycle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
This book expands on the concept of ‘Cradle to Cradle’ design, advocating for an approach where waste is virtually eliminated because every product is designed to become a resource for something else. The authors present case studies and innovative ideas that demonstrate how businesses can profit while also improving the environment and societal well-being, thereby ‘upcycling’ the entire industrial process.
My favourite 10:
Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows
Meadows presents systems theory, a way of understanding complex, interconnected phenomena, providing tools to analyze and solve problems in a holistic way. The book explains how everything is part of larger systems, urging readers to think beyond individual components to the larger patterns at play.
This is Marketing by Seth Godin
Godin argues that effective marketing isn’t about pushing products, but about creating value and making meaningful connections. The book presents a shift in marketing philosophy, focusing on empathy, storytelling, and creating change to build trust and loyalty.
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Sinek introduces the idea of business as an ‘infinite game,’ where the goal isn’t winning but continuing to play, and adapting to change. He emphasizes long-term thinking, ethical conduct, and the importance of purpose beyond profit.
Doing Good Better by William MacAskill
MacAskill introduces effective altruism, a philosophy and social movement that uses evidence and reasoning to determine the most effective ways to benefit others. The book provides practical guidance on how to make a significant positive impact on the world.
Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth by Buckminster Fuller
Fuller uses the metaphor of Earth as a spaceship to explore how humanity can survive and thrive, focusing on sustainability, interdependence, and efficient resource use. He argues for comprehensive, anticipatory design as a solution to global challenges.
Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
Raworth proposes a new economic model – the Doughnut – which balances meeting basic human needs with protecting the environment. The book critiques traditional economic thinking and provides a vision for an economy that works for all within planetary boundaries.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Ries introduces a new approach to business that encourages rapid, iterative testing of ideas to reduce waste and increase success rates. The book offers methodologies for managing uncertainty, learning from failures, and continuously adapting to change.
Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley
The authors argue that everyone has creative potential, and through stories and methods, they guide readers on how to unlock their creativity. The book promotes design thinking and a culture of innovation, equipping readers with the tools to solve complex problems creatively.
Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
Tegmark explores the future of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on life as we know it, addressing both the opportunities and challenges. The book urges society to shape the development of AI, discussing philosophical and ethical considerations for this transformative technology. It predates image generators and mainstream use of GPT, but the general concepts remain relevant.
The One World Schoolhouse by Sal Khan
Khan, founder of Khan Academy, discusses the shortcomings of traditional education and suggests implementing a self-paced, mastery-based approach. He advocates for utilizing technology to create a global classroom where anyone, anywhere can learn.
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