I thought it would be fun for the bookworms of Nothing community to share their best reads, get some recommendations, and discuss reading in general. 

When asking around for pro tips for life, various people told me that the secret to becoming successful was picking the brains of successful people. But how would I do that? I don’t know all these people or learn how to reach them on the other side of the Atlantic. Early on, I was advised that books are the cheapest, fastest, easiest, and best way to get into someone’s brain, take part in their thought process, and transfer some of their knowledge without meeting them. As I got older, the books became a safe space for learning that I used to invest in myself to understand the world even more. I realized I had to do something about this and replace my behavior, going from useless social media scrolling to instead invest the time to expand my knowledge. This also sparked the idea to pursue an academic degree - learning from the frontiers of various domains. 

A couple of weeks ago, Carl shared an Instagram Story after meeting with Tony Fadell, co-creator of the iPod between 2001-2006 and the iPhone in 2007, working for Apple and Steve Jobs, among others. I had heard some great things about him, but his May book release passed me. I quickly read up on the book: “handbook for entrepreneurs”. Being an aspiring entrepreneur myself within the tech space, somehow wanting to make a dent in the world, I knew this was something I had to get my hands on. 

Amazon order placed. 

Delivery three days later. Oops, they accidentally sent me two copies instead of one. 

Some busy last weeks of University passed as I was finalizing my thesis. I had to keep it paused for now. Then, Carl posted on Instagram again. I really felt I needed to continue reading before the thesis was complete, even though I was under big-time pressure.

So far, it has been a great read, 80 pages in. A fascinating backstory, getting to know Tony a bit deeper before diving into the book’s core: his own insights. Right away, I realized I had to use a marker to quickly be able to skim through the book later for the best advice without having to re-read it, even though I’ll probably re-read it just for fun. I’m quite sure this will become my go-to book for guidance in the startup space as I launch my own ventures. 

I’m interested to know what books you’d recommend to the Nothing community to take a look at. This thread should not only focus on entrepreneurship. All genres are welcome!

What was your #1 read, and why would you recommend it?

This post is not in any way affiliated with Tony Fadell or the team behind Build. I’m sharing my own personal story.

    Related discussions

    FilipJacobson
    Thank you for the opening of this new theme which opens on another vision, which is reading.

    A book is a precious good that allows us to see, to understand the world in another form, another vision, to make our imagination work, to escape.
    I love reading, I read a lot. But I will come back to this later about my readings

    Thanks @FilipJacobson

      FilipJacobson Lovely thread @FilipJacobson - my latest fave is the below:

      (try and look past the fact that it has a quote from Zoo on the front 😆)

      It follows the illegal adventures of Alex Roy as he attempts to break the record for driving from New York to LA. It’s super suspenseful and unbelievable that it’s all true!

      There’s also a great documentary about the whole adventure on Amazon too.

      Check out all that old tech!

          @FilipJacobson
          As I already write to @Court, I just finished a techno-thriller written by a French writer, Christophe AGNUS, and there are many innovative technologies used to kidnap high level personalities like the President of the United States, a French CEO, a Chinese advisor, a Brazilian senator. All of this is to send messages mainly about respecting the planet and its maintenance, as well as respecting people. In short, the thread of the story is related to global warming. I don’t know if this book will be translated into English, but it is really exciting.

          Synopsis:
          The biggest manhunt in history begins…
          It could change the world.
          12:30 am (New York time), location unknown
          In the heart of a “war room”, young people, their eyes riveted to their screens, organise an unimaginable operation.
          8:04 am, Ubatuba, Brazil
          Fernando Pereira de Almeida, senator and businessman, mysteriously disappears while taking his morning swim.
          11am, Jupiter International Golf Course, Florida
          The President of the United States vanishes before the eyes of his bodyguards and a stunned crowd at the start of hole 1, as if the ground had opened up beneath his feet…
          On the same day, twenty prominent people - politicians, businessmen and women, rap and TV stars - suddenly and inexplicably disappear.
          Who is behind these abductions? What are the demands of this secret ’Edward’s army’? And what will happen to the disappeared?

            I’m currently reading Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer, it’s amazing so far, eager to reach the ending which seems promising. This book deserves its own TV series.
            Completed Verity and The silent patient before this.
            Song of Achilles is most probably going to be my next pick.

              Rob ⚡️ There’s also a great documentary about the whole adventure on Amazon too.

              Thanks for sharing. Sounds super interesting! Will take a look at this, as I am Amazon Prime member! 😀

              Court “The Space Barons” good book that gets into detail about the race to space/Mars

              Space I definitely one of my favorite topics, especially the Mars mission ones. Thanks for sharing. Will take a look!

              Sib64 I don’t know if this book will be translated into English, but it is really exciting

              I will look if there is an English version available. Thanks for the recommendation!

              Itssukrut Hail Mary

              Assuming the one written by Andy Weir? Would you say it is worth picking up a copy? I’m really interested in space generally.

              Haskah But actually, i dont have time to read again…

              I know the feeling… I almost only have time to read during the summer holidays.. generally, my semesters are jam-packed with little to no spare time…

              Renaud I’m currently reading Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer

              This one sounds interesting. I tend to trust reviews, and this book really has a high average score.

                            FilipJacobson
                            About “L’armée d’Edward” by Christophe Agnus, I looked for an English version to put a link, but for the moment, there is no English version available yet. I hope soon.
                            You’ll have to take time to read all these books 😄