Summer Reading List 2020

4 min readSep 19, 2020

I read quite a bit during the unusual summer of 2020. Over half of these were consumed as audio books, generally while jogging in Central Park. outdoors. Below are the majority of them, with minor commentary.

Entertainment

The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim

Recommended to me by a friend. This is a fictional story that’s packed with details that resonate deeply to those that have experience managing a technical project. Entertaining and useful. https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Project-DevOps-Helping-Business/dp/0988262592

The Making of Prince of Persia: Journals 1985–1993 by Jordan Mechner

I found this through Stripe Publishing and found it semi-interesting from a game developer’s perspective. My only critique is that I had hoped it had more focus on the development of the actual game itself. Still, this is a well-made and put together book that I enjoyed. https://www.amazon.com/Making-Prince-Persia-Jordan-Mechner-ebook/dp/B005WUE6Q2

Self-Improvement

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

A classic book on the importance of inside-out character development and the importance of principles. Must read. https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine

A great primer on Stoicism that I read after years of practicing Stoicism. If you have any interest in developing your toolbox for personal happiness and dealing with suffering, I highly recommend this. https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Good-Life-Ancient-Stoic-ebook/dp/B0040JHNQG

Making Sense: Conversations on Consciousness, Morality, and the Future of Humanity by Sam Harris

Packed with intriguing content in the form of interviews (and so best read as an audio book), I was most curious about the “Hard Problem” of consciousness, which is discussed in depth. Also, as a practitioner of Transcendental Medication (TM), I’ve become interested in other forms of meditation. I find mindful meditation with focus on consciousness to be effective and illuminating. https://www.amazon.com/Making-Sense-Conversations-Consciousness-Morality/dp/0062857789

Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life by Ken Robinson

I didn’t finish this book, but the first half resonated with me and reaffirmed how I approach my own life in terms of my life’s work and career development. https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Element-Discover-Transform-ebook/dp/B00ADNP8RE

Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin

Great read on the phenomenon of human mastery. Josh brings key insights backed by clear-eyed reasoning and anecdotal experience. This book reaffirms the art of going deep to develop your craft to the fullest extent. https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/0743277465

You Are a Badass: by How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

Entertaining and inspiring book written by a self-made success coach. Easy, insightful and fun to read. https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass%C2%AE-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

An inspirational guide to fighting and breaking through your inner resistance. https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/B002YNS0VC

Knowledge and Curiosity

The Room Where It Happened by John Bolton

Salaciousness and politics aside, I found this book to be an interesting account into the Trump Administration and foreign policy making in general. https://www.amazon.com/Room-Where-Happened-White-Memoir/dp/1982148039

Several short sentences about writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg

The second time I’ve read this book was even better. It’s both an entertaining and educational opinion on how to write effectively, starting with short sentences. If you’re interested in developing or rounding out your writing skills I recommend it. https://www.amazon.com/Several-Short-Sentences-About-Writing/dp/0307279413

Cognitive Surplus: How Technology Makes Consumers into Collaborators by Clay Shirky

Slightly dated given the rate of technological changes, but relevant and spot-on with respect to how to think about human cognitive capital. https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Surplus-Technology-Consumers-Collaborators/dp/0143119583

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull

This book was recommended to me back in 2014 during the saga of Secret, and I dismissed it. What a stupid move, this book brings to bear many practical ideas and anecdotes on how to organize and foster a creative working environment. https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Inc-Overcoming-Unseen-Inspiration/dp/0812993012