ArmorBook John Steakley
loved
But otherwise, yes, absolutely. This is one of my favorite Sci-Fi novels I've read.
Eliason’s book note on Armor; the page records he finished it on October 11, 2024.
2024-10-11·nateliason.com ↗
Nat Eliason
Writer and novelist; publishes book notes and essays at nateliason.com and wrote the novel Husk and Crypto Confidential.
27 things
Finite and Infinite GamesBook James P. Carse
loved
It’s an oddly written, extremely concise, very thought-provoking book. It definitely needs to be re-read 2-3 times. Make sure you’re thinking on the plane of infinite play.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2023-08-23·nateliason.com ↗
Salt, Fat, Acid, HeatBook Samin Nosrat
loved
Such an incredible book on becoming a better chef, with little tricks and methods I use almost every day now. Plus the recipes in the back are delicious!
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-09-03·nateliason.com ↗
The Denial of DeathBook Ernest Becker
loved
Phenomenal book on how our fear of death is the core of our psychological disturbances, and our motivation for life. It will make you think about why we do things and behave in certain ways in an entirely new fashion, and the language within it is delicious.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
The Fish that Ate the WhaleBook Rich Cohen
loved
One of the craziest, most impressive stories of business smarts I’ve come across and from someone otherwise unknown. Like a real-life Francisco d’Anconia from Atlas Shrugged.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
Gödel Escher BachBook Douglas R. Hofstadter
loved
This book stretched my mind more than almost any other book I’ve read. It’s tough at parts, it’s long, but you’ll come out of it thinking about brains, minds, intelligence, and AI in an entirely new way.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
Letters from a StoicBook Seneca
loved
A massively influential work of philosophy, I've enjoyed this book every time I go back to it. Great entry point for anyone into virtue ethics.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
The Elephant in the BrainBook Robin Hanson and Kevin Simler
loved
A phenomenal book on understanding your own "hidden motivations in everyday life" and why we do what we do. Widely applicable to all parts of life, and the kind of explanations you can't stop thinking about after reading.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
Infinite JestBook David Foster Wallace
liked
It's incredibly written, deeply complex, confusing as hell, and you'll probably throw it at the wall when it's done. But then you'll kinda go "okay... I'm glad I did that" and maybe start it again.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2022-06-22·nateliason.com ↗
RecursionBook Blake Crouch
recommended
But for anyone who enjoyed Dark Matter, Inception, or any story that plays with perception and reality, Recursion is a must-read.
Eliason’s book note on Recursion; the page records he finished it on May 16, 2025.
2025-05-16·nateliason.com ↗
HuskBook Nat Eliason
recommendedtheir own
If you liked Husk , you'll also like Recursion!
Eliason cross-recommends his own novel Husk inside his book note on Recursion.
2025-05-16·nateliason.com ↗
AntifragileBook Nassim Nicholas Taleb
recommended
The book that’s had one of the greatest influences on my thinking. If you enjoy the content on this site, you’ll love Antifragile.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-11-23·nateliason.com ↗
Amusing Ourselves to DeathBook Neil Postman
recommended
Everyone needs to read this book. The observations were made in a pre-internet era, and they’re 10x as relevant today. Nothing will do more to help cure your information addiction that the healthy dose of reality provided in these pages.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
East of EdenBook John Steinbeck
recommended
Absolutely beautiful, a must read. No crazy plot, but there doesn’t need to be.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
The Effective ExecutiveBook Peter Drucker
recommended
The best book on getting your most important work done. Read this instead of every other “productivity” book.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
EnduranceBook Alfred Lansing
recommended
Holy shit what a ride! Absolutely amazing story of perseverance and leadership, a must read. Whatever struggles you think you are going through simply cannot compare.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
Seeking WisdomBook Peter Bevelin
recommended
Simply the best book on improving your decision making there is. It’s dense and hard to get through if you’re not truly interested, but it’s well worth it.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
PrinciplesBook Ray Dalio
recommended
Much better organized and fleshed out than the original PDF. It gets very slow in the work principles, definitely skim those based on your interest. The life principles are phenomenal, though. Would highly recommend.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
recommended
Fantastic, many similar ideas to Stoicism and Virtue Ethics, though with more mystical elements thrown in. Would highly recommend it as a “first taste” of eastern religion.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
recommended
Socrates remains the greatest foundational influence on philosophy, and to understand his method, you have to read his dialogues. The rhetoric is brilliant, and at times, even hilarious.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
A Random Walk Down Wall StreetBook Burton G. Malkiel
mixed
A fine intro to investing if you think you can reliably beat the market or that active trading is a good use of energy. If you're already bought in on index funds though, you won't find much here.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2021-12-01·nateliason.com ↗
The 12 Week YearBook Brian Moran
mixed
It’s okay, didn’t feel like there was anything groundbreaking here in the planning, productivity, or business space though.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
End the FedBook Ron Paul
disliked
It's a book by a politician, about what you expect. Some interesting tid bits on the history of the Fed but you could get it from Wikipedia.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2022-06-22·nateliason.com ↗
Tools of TitansBook Tim Ferriss
disliked
I was disappointed. I love Tim’s work, but this didn’t deliver in the way his past books have. There’s zero thematic organization, so you can’t reference certain topics you want to learn more about except in a few cases. While this has some interesting pieces, I doubt I’ll refer back to it like I have with Workweek, Body, and Chef.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
The First 20 HoursBook Josh Kaufman
disliked
This is basically a much worse version of 4-Hour Chef. Kaufman doesn’t bring nearly as much to the table as Ferriss, and it feels a little rushed and under researched. Wouldn’t recommend it if you’re trying to quickly develop skills, I’d read 4-Hour Chef instead.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
Perennial SellerBook Ryan Holiday
disliked
Fairly shallow marketing and writing advice, I’d recommend reading something else.
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗
Brain RulesBook John Medina
disliked
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
His book-notes index at nateliason.com/notes, where every book carries a star rating and his own one-line verdict; the index is undated (each book's own page prints only the date he finished reading it).
2020-02-07·nateliason.com ↗