Recommendations you can check.
Angel investor and co-founder of AngelList; writes and podcasts at nav.al.
59 things
Skin in the GameBook Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Beginning of Infinity, Rational Optimist, Skin in the Game are all amazing. If you want more eastern philosophy, try Siddhartha, I am That, Jed McKenna.
Replying on X to a request for book suggestions, split by subject.
2021-01-17·x.com ↗
The Order of TimeBook Carlo Rovelli
The Order of Time.
His one-line answer on X to “Best book you read on concept of time?”
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
NexusBook Ramez Naam
Nexus is fantastic.
Replying on X in a thread about prescient science fiction.
2018-06-06·x.com ↗
Snow CrashBook Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash, “Understand” (Ted Chiang), Ficciones (Borges), short stories by Vonnegut, Bradbury, Heinlein, Asimov, Greg Egan.
Replying on X to “what are your favorite sci-fi books?”
2017-12-16·x.com ↗
FiccionesBook Jorge Luis Borges
Snow Crash, “Understand” (Ted Chiang), Ficciones (Borges), short stories by Vonnegut, Bradbury, Heinlein, Asimov, Greg Egan.
Replying on X to “what are your favorite sci-fi books?”
2017-12-16·x.com ↗
The ProphetBook Kahlil Gibran
The Prophet is a beautiful book, enjoy :-)
Replying on X to a follower who had just started the book.
2016-02-15·x.com ↗
FablesBook Bill Willingham
V for Vendetta, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Sandman, Fables, The Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your top 10 graphic novels?”
2016-01-30·x.com ↗
The Dark Knight ReturnsBook Frank Miller
V for Vendetta, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Sandman, Fables, The Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your top 10 graphic novels?”
2016-01-30·x.com ↗
Waking UpBook Sam Harris
Loved "Waking Up." Also check the Raptitude blog.
Replying on X to a follower’s reading list.
2015-06-01·x.com ↗
Poor Charlie's AlmanackBook Charles T. Munger
Poor Charlie's Almanac, A Cultural History of Physics, Total Freedom (Krishnamurti).
Replying on X to “can u share some more of your favourite books please?”
2015-03-21·x.com ↗
A Cultural History of PhysicsBook Károly Simonyi
Poor Charlie's Almanac, A Cultural History of Physics, Total Freedom (Krishnamurti).
Replying on X to “can u share some more of your favourite books please?”
2015-03-21·x.com ↗
The Lifecycle of Software ObjectsBook Ted Chiang
Another masterpiece of SciFi by Ted Chiang: "The Lifecycle of Software Objects"
A post on X linking Chiang’s novella.
2013-01-19·x.com ↗
What is Life?Book Erwin Schrödinger
Current reading list. Most into “The Beginning of Infinity” and “What is Life?” at the moment.
Posting a photo of his current reading list on X.
2019-08-04·x.com ↗
V for VendettaBook Alan Moore
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
WatchmenBook Alan Moore
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
The BoysBook Garth Ennis
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
TransmetropolitanBook Warren Ellis
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
PlanetaryBook Warren Ellis
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
The SandmanBook Neil Gaiman
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
The UnwrittenBook Mike Carey
No single favorite, but I liked V for Vendetta, Watchmen, The Boys, Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Sandman, and The Unwritten.
Replying on X to “What's your favourite adulthood comic?”
2019-06-08·x.com ↗
Freedom from the KnownBook Jiddu Krishnamurti
Freedom from the Known is just as good.
Replying on X in an exchange about which Krishnamurti book to start with.
2018-03-30·x.com ↗
InfluenceBook Robert Cialdini
Influence was fundamental and had a lot to teach.
Replying on X to “Is Presuasion as good?” after a follower praised Influence.
2016-11-20·x.com ↗
A Soldier of the Great WarBook Mark Helprin
For historical fiction, I like "A Soldier of the Great War"
Replying on X in a thread about historical fiction.
2012-09-17·x.com ↗
Objective KnowledgeBook Karl Popper
The first thing I would do is start meditating, and then I would read, concurrently I would read Objective Knowledge by Karl Popper.
A thread on X setting out the reading he would prescribe as a “protocol” for himself.
2023-09-10·x.com ↗
The Beginning of InfinityBook David Deutsch
I’m currently stuck in a loop where, at least in science, I’m only going to read The Beginning of Infinity and The Fabric of Reality over and over again until I understand them fully.
Transcript of his episode “Read the Best 100 Books Over and Over Again”, a conversation with Brett Hall about Deutsch; he adds “You should buy the hardcover and electronic versions, so you have it all.”
2021-03-10·nav.al ↗
The Fabric of RealityBook David Deutsch
I’m currently stuck in a loop where, at least in science, I’m only going to read The Beginning of Infinity and The Fabric of Reality over and over again until I understand them fully.
Same episode: the two Deutsch books he says are the only science books he intends to re-read.
2021-03-10·nav.al ↗
Direct TruthBook Kapil Gupta
It moves around. Keep coming back to I Am That, Direct Truth, Vasistha's Yoga, Jed McKenna, and Ashtavakra Gita.
Replying on X to “Your best book on Enlightenment, spirituality and nature of reality?”
2021-02-16·x.com ↗
Vasistha's YogaBook
It moves around. Keep coming back to I Am That, Direct Truth, Vasistha's Yoga, Jed McKenna, and Ashtavakra Gita.
Replying on X to “Your best book on Enlightenment, spirituality and nature of reality?”
2021-02-16·x.com ↗
Ashtavakra GitaBook
It moves around. Keep coming back to I Am That, Direct Truth, Vasistha's Yoga, Jed McKenna, and Ashtavakra Gita.
Replying on X to “Your best book on Enlightenment, spirituality and nature of reality?”
2021-02-16·x.com ↗
I Am ThatBook Nisargadatta Maharaj
Beginning of Infinity, Rational Optimist, Skin in the Game are all amazing. If you want more eastern philosophy, try Siddhartha, I am That, Jed McKenna.
Replying on X to a request for book suggestions; the eastern-philosophy half of the answer.
2021-01-17·x.com ↗
The Beginning of InfinityBook David Deutsch
Start with The Beginning of Infinity.
Replying on X to a follower asking where to start reading; he then lists authors to follow.
2020-05-02·x.com ↗
UnderstandBook Ted Chiang
“Understand” by Ted Chiang is a brilliant revisit of “Flowers for Algernon.” Drop everything and read it.
Replying on X to a follower who mentioned Flowers for Algernon.
2018-07-17·x.com ↗
The Sun Rises in the EveningBook Osho
Check out “The Sun Rises in the Evening” by Osho. Bit mystical but he’s not wrong.
Replying on X to a follower asking for resources on being less hard on oneself.
2018-04-25·x.com ↗
The Compleat StrategystBook J. D. Williams
You may want to try The Compleat Strategyst, The Origins of Virtue, The Evolution of Cooperation, etc.
Replying on X to someone asking how to think strategically.
2018-01-15·x.com ↗
The Evolution of CooperationBook Robert Axelrod
You may want to try The Compleat Strategyst, The Origins of Virtue, The Evolution of Cooperation, etc.
Replying on X to someone asking how to think strategically.
2018-01-15·x.com ↗
The Sovereign IndividualBook James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg
Depending on your mood, either The Sovereign Individual, Sapiens, Siddhartha, Total Freedom (JK), The Untethered Soul, or the Rational Optimist. Books are cheap, buy all and skim them for the one that grabs you.
Replying on X to a follower who asked which single book to read over the holidays.
2017-12-22·x.com ↗
SapiensBook Yuval Noah Harari
Depending on your mood, either The Sovereign Individual, Sapiens, Siddhartha, Total Freedom (JK), The Untethered Soul, or the Rational Optimist. Books are cheap, buy all and skim them for the one that grabs you.
Replying on X to a follower who asked which single book to read over the holidays.
2017-12-22·x.com ↗
SiddharthaBook Hermann Hesse
Depending on your mood, either The Sovereign Individual, Sapiens, Siddhartha, Total Freedom (JK), The Untethered Soul, or the Rational Optimist. Books are cheap, buy all and skim them for the one that grabs you.
Replying on X to a follower who asked which single book to read over the holidays.
2017-12-22·x.com ↗
Total FreedomBook Jiddu Krishnamurti
Depending on your mood, either The Sovereign Individual, Sapiens, Siddhartha, Total Freedom (JK), The Untethered Soul, or the Rational Optimist. Books are cheap, buy all and skim them for the one that grabs you.
Replying on X to a follower who asked which single book to read over the holidays.
2017-12-22·x.com ↗
The Untethered SoulBook Michael A. Singer
Depending on your mood, either The Sovereign Individual, Sapiens, Siddhartha, Total Freedom (JK), The Untethered Soul, or the Rational Optimist. Books are cheap, buy all and skim them for the one that grabs you.
Replying on X to a follower who asked which single book to read over the holidays.
2017-12-22·x.com ↗
The Rational OptimistBook Matt Ridley
Depending on your mood, either The Sovereign Individual, Sapiens, Siddhartha, Total Freedom (JK), The Untethered Soul, or the Rational Optimist. Books are cheap, buy all and skim them for the one that grabs you.
Replying on X to a follower who asked which single book to read over the holidays.
2017-12-22·x.com ↗
Thinking PhysicsBook Lewis Carroll Epstein
"Thinking Physics."
Naming the physics book he had recommended, in reply on X to “What was the title of the physics book recommendation?”
2017-03-01·x.com ↗
Mastering the Core Teachings of the BuddhaBook Daniel M. Ingram
Core Teachings of the Buddha, free online.
Replying on X to a request for book recommendations on happiness from a Buddhist perspective.
2016-02-22·x.com ↗
Rick and MortyBook Zac Gorman
There are original Rick and Morty comic books by the same writers. Just as funny, different content. Must read!
Replying on X about the Rick and Morty comics as opposed to the show.
2015-08-18·x.com ↗
RaptitudeOther David Cain
Loved "Waking Up." Also check the Raptitude blog.
Replying on X to a follower’s reading list; the second half points at David Cain’s blog.
2015-06-01·x.com ↗
GenomeBook Matt Ridley
And everything by @mattwridley is worth reading - Genome, Red Queen, Origin of Virtue, etc.
Continuing his favourite-books reply on X with Matt Ridley’s work.
2015-03-21·x.com ↗
The Red QueenBook Matt Ridley
And everything by @mattwridley is worth reading - Genome, Red Queen, Origin of Virtue, etc.
Continuing his favourite-books reply on X with Matt Ridley’s work.
2015-03-21·x.com ↗
The Salmon of DoubtBook Douglas Adams
That article is also in his collected-essay book, "The Salmon of Doubt." Recommended.
Replying on X to Chris Dixon about a Douglas Adams essay.
2014-03-14·x.com ↗
Soon I Will Be InvincibleBook Austin Grossman
"Soon I will be Invincible" - Austin Grossman
Replying on X to a request for good humorous fiction.
2010-12-29·x.com ↗
Lord of LightBook Roger Zelazny
Highly recommend "Lord of Light" by Zelazny as well.
Replying on X to a blog post about Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber, which he calls formative.
2010-09-18·x.com ↗
The War NerdBook Gary Brecher
check out "The War Nerd" by Gary Brecker, or read one of his columns at The Exile.
Replying on X in a thread about writing on war (he spells the author “Brecker”).
2010-08-22·x.com ↗
Pre-SuasionBook Robert B. Cialdini
Presuasion is good but closer to a single-themed book.
Replying on X to “Is Presuasion as good?” — his verdict is qualified.
2016-11-20·x.com ↗
The Book of NothingBook John D. Barrow
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
Math, Better ExplainedBook Kalid Azad
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
12 Rules for LifeBook Jordan Peterson
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
The Path to LoveBook Deepak Chopra
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic FieldBook Nancy Forbes and Basil Mahon
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
The Gay ScienceBook Friedrich Nietzsche
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
Permutation CityBook Greg Egan
Vasishta Yoga, The Book of Nothing, Math (Better Explained), Skin in the Game, 12 Rules for Life, The Path to Love, Faraday Maxwell and the Electromagnetic Field, Direct Truth, The Gay Science, Permutation City, The Order of a Time, and many, many others.
Replying on X to “What are you reading right now?” — a list of what was on his pile, with no verdict attached.
2018-08-14·x.com ↗
The Macintosh WayBook Guy Kawasaki
his "The Macintosh Way" led me into tech!
A post on X noting the book that pulled him into the industry; a statement of influence, not a verdict.
2011-02-21·x.com ↗
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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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