Recommendations you can check.
Former options market maker who writes Moontower, a newsletter about trading, volatility and decision-making.
19 things
The 5 Love LanguagesBook Gary Chapman
The lesson is that connecting with others starts with recognizing that people are so different, especially in how they communicate. But there’s a much broader lesson embedded in this book if you read between the lines.
Abdelmessih’s answer to a reader who asked for his favourite books "regarding the grander questions", one paragraph per pick.
2020-02-09·moontowermeta.com ↗
The RoadBook Cormac McCarthy
This is a sad, depressing love story of a father to his son. It’s pure sacrifice. The narrator’s melancholy mindset and recognition of impossible odds never derails his duty to his boy. It’s the pinnacle of grace.
Abdelmessih’s answer to a reader who asked for his favourite books "regarding the grander questions", one paragraph per pick.
2020-02-09·moontowermeta.com ↗
Invest Like the BestPodcast Patrick O’Shaughnessy
Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’ Shaughnessy. This is the best business podcast out there.
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
The Knowledge ProjectPodcast Shane Parrish
The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish. This is a great interview style podcast for trying to level up your thinking.
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
The FountainheadBook Ayn Rand
Naysayers will have a lot to object about Rand. But Roark embodied integrity. Integrity is more complicated than Rand presents. I don’t think the hardest questions are in here. But Roark is a good guide for many decisions life will throw at you even if he is an incomplete (or possibly just unfinished) hero.
Abdelmessih’s answer to a reader who asked for his favourite books "regarding the grander questions", one paragraph per pick.
2020-02-09·moontowermeta.com ↗
The PostmortalBook Drew Magary
Imagine a pill that can give us all immortality. If you read this book that idea will fill you with dread.
Abdelmessih’s answer to a reader who asked for his favourite books "regarding the grander questions", one paragraph per pick.
2020-02-09·moontowermeta.com ↗
PlayerFMSoftware
I use the PlayerFm app to manage my podcast playlists. It’s easy to organize, it’s free, and most importantly it lets you listen to podcasts at 2x speed (though my default is 1.5x).
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
Market JiujitsuOther Ari Pine
I wrote a post on why you should read this letter. https://moontower.substack.com/p/breakeven
Kris Abdelmessih's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Market Jiujitsu, on their Substack's recommendations page.
2025-01-22·moontower.substack.com ↗
Risk of Ruin Premium NewsletterOther John Reeder
Super smart and honest
Kris Abdelmessih's own recommendation blurb for the newsletter Risk of Ruin Premium Newsletter, on their Substack's recommendations page.
2024-09-25·moontower.substack.com ↗
Steal Like an ArtistBook Austin Kleon
If you want a push I strongly recommend Austin Kleon’s short book Steal Like an Artist. I read it on New Year’s Day 6 years ago and just re-read it on vacation (twice!) last week.
An essay on moving from consuming to making; he offers the book as the push to start.
2019-07-15·moontowermeta.com ↗
Eat Stop EatBook Brad Pilon
I read Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat which gives a comprehensive survey of the research around IF. It’s my go-to rec for people interested in the topic.
Abdelmessih uses intermittent fasting as an example of removing future excuses, and names the book he points people to.
2019-06-10·moontowermeta.com ↗
NotionSoftware Notion Labs
I use Notion but this guide can help you choose one if interested.
An aside in his "design your own engine" essay, on keeping a personal knowledge management system.
2022-08-30·moontowermeta.com ↗
The Meb Faber ShowPodcast Meb Faber
Regular Rotation Investing Focused Interviews The Meb Faber Show Master in Business with Barry Ritholz Capital Allocators with Ted Seides Bloomberg’s Odd Lots with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
Masters in BusinessPodcast Barry Ritholtz / Bloomberg
Regular Rotation Investing Focused Interviews The Meb Faber Show Master in Business with Barry Ritholz Capital Allocators with Ted Seides Bloomberg’s Odd Lots with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached. The page spells it "Master in Business with Barry Ritholz".
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
Capital AllocatorsPodcast Ted Seides
Regular Rotation Investing Focused Interviews The Meb Faber Show Master in Business with Barry Ritholz Capital Allocators with Ted Seides Bloomberg’s Odd Lots with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
Odd LotsPodcast Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway
Regular Rotation Investing Focused Interviews The Meb Faber Show Master in Business with Barry Ritholz Capital Allocators with Ted Seides Bloomberg’s Odd Lots with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
Conversations with TylerPodcast Tyler Cowen
Economics or Business Interviews Conversations with Tyler with Tyler Cowen EconTalk with Russ Roberts General Interviews North Star Podcast with Dave Perell The Tim Ferriss Show
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
EconTalkPodcast Russ Roberts
Economics or Business Interviews Conversations with Tyler with Tyler Cowen EconTalk with Russ Roberts General Interviews North Star Podcast with Dave Perell The Tim Ferriss Show
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
The Tim Ferriss ShowPodcast Tim Ferriss
Economics or Business Interviews Conversations with Tyler with Tyler Cowen EconTalk with Russ Roberts General Interviews North Star Podcast with Dave Perell The Tim Ferriss Show
Moontower’s curated podcasts page. "Can’t Miss" carries a verdict; "Regular Rotation" is the list he actually listens to, with no verdict attached.
2018-10-28·moontowermeta.com ↗
Every entry is a verbatim quote and a link to the public post it came from. Nothing is paraphrased. If it is not on record somewhere public, it is not here.
The verdict is what they actually said: loved and liked are explicit; recommended means they told others to get it; uses means they only say they use it; read is a book on their public shelf with no verdict; mixed and disliked are kept too.
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The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is for its kind of thing.
The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is, for its kind of thing. Fully green is recent. It drains a quarter at a time as the post gets older, and is empty once it reads as dated.
What counts as old depends on the thing. A laptop praised four years ago has been replaced twice; a book loved twenty years ago is probably still loved. The shading is gone after about:
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