What I am Reading

I am embarking on a journey of reading as many books as I can this year! While I may juggle several reads at once to match my mood and schedule (think professional development on commutes, a light read for evenings, and industry insights for focused study), my goal is to explore a wide range of knowledge through roughly a book a week. Stay tuned for insights and recommendations along the way! I have begun recording what I have been reading each week below if you want to follow along

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr. Seuss

Non-Fiction (Mainly Business and Productivity)

• To Boldly Go: Leadership, Strategy, and Conflict in the 21st Century and Beyond. I have kept this in Non-Fiction due to its strategy and leadership slant (it just does this through ficticious stories). If you like Sci-Fi and also want to improve your leadership this is ´A strategy book like no other´. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐)
• Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead, Lazlo Bock. From Google´s people operations lead this book explains how Google´s culture is why it is and why they do the things they do. A great read, especially if you are lookin for a role there. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future, Peter Thiel. From the co-founder of Paypal, Palentier Technologies, and Founders Fund. Zero to One offers insight into launching a start up and creating your competitive advantage. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook and the World, Cade Metz. I really interesting, albeit tough-read, story about the scientists, inventors, and academics who worked over decades to create the AI solutions we see in the modern world today. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐)
• Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get it, Scott Kupor. An accessible explaination of what Venture Capital is, why startups seek it, and why Sand Hill Road is Silicon Valley´s dream street for entrepreneurs. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Weapons of Math Destruction, Cathy O´Neil. Cathy explains in this book that the models which should be improving our lives are often bias, to the detrimiment to certain groups. It is a little ranty at times, but quite interesting to learn how black box models can be unfair and dangerous. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐)
• The Digital Mindet: What it Really Takes to Thrive in the Age of Data, Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley. This books aims to teach you the 80% knowledge quickly so you know enough to know what you don´t know and how to upskill for the rest. I did not find this an easy read and although there were a few nuggets in there, it did not shake my world. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐)

Fiction

Spoiler alert: Most of these are going to be Fantasy or Sci-Fi. It is my escapism happy place - if it is not for you that is fine. I have read

• Slayer (Gotrek & Felix: Warhammer The End Times), David Guymer (Book 16). The final book. What a series. I will one day re-read the whole thing when I have forgotten the detail so I can experience it all over again.
• Kinslayer: Gotrek & Felik (The Doom of Gotrek Gurnisson), David Guymer (Book 15). I won´t put the others but the whole series, from Trollslayer to Slayer can be found here. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Dune, Frank Herbert. Now a major blockbuster this book goes beyond even the epic of the film. A cult classic that is about to be discovered by a new generation. ´Lisan al-Gaib´. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
• Pariah: A Bequin Novel, Dan Abnett. Wow, just wow! After the amazing Eisenhorn series I was slightly dreading reading this for fear of ruining this little universe. However, Pariah blew me away (and the follow on Bequin). I cannot wait for the third in the series Pandemonium. (Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)