BOOKS 📚

Short summaries of books I've read & recommend

Business (1)

A phenomenal book on building & sustaining an organizational culture that fosters creativity. Catmull writes with modesty & wisdom, giving thoughtful examples & explanations of his take on company policies, rituals & mindsets that were key to Pixar's success. Insights into the learnings, challenges & failures in managing teams & people that's applicable to management & everyone else.   

About how the internet & technology has rewired our brains - shifting the way we read & process information. The online environment has shaped how our minds work - offering us great breadth of "shallow" knowledge, but at the price of "deep reading". This said, our brain's malleability (neuroplasticity), also means focused concentration can come with practice.

A science-based book about happiness! An easy read about the state of "flow" - how the "optimal experience" can be reached to make us experience happiness & why it is important. Csikszentmihalyi argues that happiness is not a destination to arrive at, but one that can be cultivated. Many activities can be turned into productive, rewarding experiences when one learns to control their consciousness regardless of external circumstances.

An exploration into the importance of emotional intelligence, detailing how our experiences & upbringing could mould our behaviours & habits as we grow older. Goleman gives explanations of how our emotions come to be & approaches for how we can better manage our emotions in times of difficulties. 

For learning how to identify red flags & clues that precede violence. The power of trusting your gut, and knowing that your subconscious intuition for danger can contradict your conscious assessment of danger.

Philosophy (1)

A thought provoking book on moral & political philosophy that makes you examine & reflect the inner workings of your moral decisions. Through controversial topics from euthanasia, surrogate pregnancies to national service, Sandel is able to break down extremely complex theories in a very engaging & comprehensible way. He provides a balanced critique on the different schools of thought that inform our perception of justice & morality.

Health (1)

Gawande shares his stories as a practicing surgeon & son of a dying father - exploring the limitations of medicine when it comes to ageing & mortality. He makes a point that while doctors try to do everything medically possible to prolong patient's lives, they often fail to take care of their wellbeing & individual preferences. An essential read to remind us of the importance of having end-of-life discussions & to respect one's autonomy, dignity & joy as the final days approach. 

Self Help (4)

Entertaining & practical read from the creator of Dilbert, with solid life advice on productivity, career, how to fail & thrive from it. I've read a handful amount of self-help books, but this is by far one of the better ones. It's encouraging, straightforward & overall an easy read! 

After experiencing the sudden loss of her husband, Sandberg writes about her journey through grief, providing practical advice for people navigating life after trauma. It's a forward-looking book about resilience, optimistim & how to move forward despite adversity. 

One of my favourite books of all time. Drawing on business concepts & case studies, Christensen offers wisdom & guidance on finding meaning & happiness in life. He draws interesting parallels between corporate & personal life, providing practical advice on how to make better decisions about career, relationships & integrity.

This book transformed my understanding of how people can differ in the ways they express & receive love (5 love languages: words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, physical touch, quality time). It encourages us to be more empathetic & helps us learn more about one another to improve communication & relationships. 

Biography (3)

Anthony's memoir of his wrongful imprisonment, having spent 30 years on the death row for murders he hadn't committed. A powerful account into the flaws of the U.S. criminal justice system & a true demonstration of resilience, the power of love, faith and forgiveness. Be ready for tears! 

Powerful storytelling from the former first-lady of her life from childhood, college years, to her time at the White House. She weaves together important issues seamlessly, from gender politics, education, to the realities of working motherhood. A captivating & empowering book that provides an intimate look into her thinking, major decisions, challenges & events in her life.

A huge fan of The Daily Show & Trevor's humour, I read the book to learn more about the man & his experiences as a bi-racial child growing up in South Africa. A collection of stories on topics such as the apartheid, racism, religion & gender roles, it offers earnest insights into the social & psychological aspects of South African culture. Despite diving into grim territories, Trevor is able to make you laugh through the darker realities of life. It's engaging, witty & candid!