Bookshelf - Tapan Desai

This is my book recommendation page. Books have played a huge part in broadening my perspective and expanding my mind.

I try to read at least 30 pages on a daily basis (follow me on GoodReads to stay updated). Let me just say, reading 30 pages a day is like trying to eat a whole pizza by yourself – it’s a big commitment but so worth it in the end!🍕

My selection criteria are based on multiple factors – subjects that intrigue me, the Lindy effect, the current environment, and topics I am currently curious about. So, whether you’re looking for a page-turner to escape reality or a thought-provoking read to challenge your perspective, I hope this list covers it all.

If this sounds interesting, let me also quickly plug in my bi-monthly newsletter where I share my thoughts, favourite lessons, and summaries of the books I have been reading. Go subscribe!👇🏽

Recommendations last updated on 17 December 2023.

🥇FAVOURITES

These books have shaped my approach to life and broadened my perspective. These are also some of my most gifted books.

Mahabharata by C. Rajagopalachari – I attempt to read this Indian epic at least once a year. I have read multiple translations but this one is my favourite (I have mentioned other translations below under the Philosophy section). “What is here is found elsewhere; what is not here is nowhere”.

Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger by Peter Bevelin – This book is a compilation of mental models from multiple disciplines. It’s not just one of the best books I have read but also a summary of all the ideas I have ingested in the past 3-4 years. It includes numerous insights and lessons from the legendary Charlie Munger, who, sadly, passed away this month at 99. His wit and wisdom, however, live on through his teachings.

How To Live by Derek Sivers – Derek has poured his heart out into this one and it shows. It talks about 27 ideas on how to live your life and one conclusion. Most ideas contradict each other and that’s the beauty. I started highlighting parts of the book and ended up highlighting 80% of the book!

Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life by Boyd Varty – Boyd, a life coach and lion tracker, uses the metaphor of a lion-tracking expedition to share life lessons. I believe this is one of those books that must enter your life at the perfect moment for you to fully appreciate its depth; otherwise, it’s just another story. I wrote about it in one of my previous newsletters which you can read here.

🧠 PRODUCTIVITY & PSYCHOLOGY

I have been interested in psychology for quite some time. The human brain is fascinating. I also developed my reading habit to be more “productive”. Turns out, I am not a machine.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari – This is my most gifted book including the graphic novel. It explains a lot of human constructs on a high level ranging from money to religion.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, Amor Tversky – The research done by Daniel and Amor have had such a huge impact on the field of psychology and economics that it is unprecedented. This book is a must-read if you like understanding human biases! The majority of my mental models and understanding of fallacies were a result of this book.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – It was one of my first non-fiction reads. If you’re learning about habit formation, Atomic Habits is the best book to pick up. But Charles explains the science of habits and how can you break habits in a lot more detail.

Atomic Habits by James Clear – It’s another book that will change the way you function. The reason it’s my favourite is that it clearly explains how to build good systems and get rid of bad ones.

Getting Things Done by David Allen – David helps you understand productivity and gives you actionable strategies to manage your time. Ideas such as batching, energy-based scheduling, and prioritizing tasks come from this book. I have detailed these ideas in my article on time management as well.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – Lindy Effect is strong with this one. It’s an old book and probably would have been recommended by one of your friends. It talks about the psychology of the rich.

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss – The chapters in this book are mainly divided into three categories – health, wealth, and wisdom. Tim has collated insights from top-performing individuals in each field.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – Ideas on how to communicate clearly with amazing stories. Warren Buffett says that his course in public speaking with Dale Carnegie is one of the most important investments in his life. This book has insights from the same course.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy – If you put your mind on something, you will most likely achieve it. This book gives you advice on how to harness the power of your subconscious.

Deep Work by Cal Newport – Cal is the author of one of my favourite newsletters and I found him because of this book. It talks a lot about focused work, productivity, and how to deal with distractions.

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – Robert Greene is one of the best authors of our generation and this book is recommended by people ranging from Obama to Kanye.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell – If you’re starting to read non-fiction, Malcolm is probably the best author to start with. Pick this book up alongside Blink and Tipping Point. Outliers talk about successes and the concept of luck behind those successes.

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss – Everything on the art of negotiation from a former FBI agent. Read my full article to get a better idea of the book.

Super Thinking by Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann – It’s a big book of mental models.

Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Taleb – Taleb’s books are heavy but really important. They are recommended by everyone in finance, including Howard Marks. Other books from Taleb that I would recommend are Black Swan and Anti-fragile. Essentially, his Incerto series.

Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley – An optimistic view on food, income, and life.

Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths – Human decision-making seen from the lens of computer science.

The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon – Initially published in 1895, one of the most famous books of social psychology in history, was instrumental in establishing this field of research by analysing crowd behaviour in great detail. Not only did the book have an impact on Freud, but it also had an impact on twentieth-century masters of crowd control like Hitler and Mussolini, who may have utilised the book’s observations as a guide to inflaming public passions.

Digital Zettelkasten by David Kadavy – This book demystifies how to transform your digital tools into an ‘external brain,’ enhancing memory and creativity, with practical steps and real-life examples to tailor it to your workflow. I have explained this in a lot more detail in my article on the Knowledge Pipeline.

A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes by Peter Bevelin – A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes by Peter Bevelin is a treasure trove for anyone keen on sharpening their thinking, served up in a breezy, engaging style. Distilling the essence of Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective, this book is a hit with Sherlock enthusiasts and critical thinkers alike, offering timeless insights applicable to life’s puzzles and business conundrums.

🤔 PHILOSOPHY AND SPIRITUALITY

Philosophy is an important subject and lets me reflect on important questions in life. I am in no way an expert but here are some recommendations from different schools of thought.

Mahabharata by C. Rajagopalachari – I attempt to read this Indian epic at least once a year. I have read multiple translations but this one is my favourite (I have mentioned other translations below). “What is here is found elsewhere; what is not here is nowhere”.

Mahabharata Unraveled by Ami Ganatra – Another translation of Mahabharata but instead of going chapter by chapter, the author debunks the myths and explains the facts from the epic. This book tries to answer controversial questions around the book.

Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik – Not the best retelling but a good read for beginners on the philosophy of Mahabharata. If you enjoy illustrations, you can pick this translation (by DK) as a starting point to read Mahabharata.

The Mahabharata by Bibek Debroy – The Mahabharata, more than just the tale of the Kouravas and Pandavas leading to Kurukshetra, is a rich tapestry of stories and emotions. Bibek Debroy’s masterful 10-volume translation, based on the Critical Edition, begins with the origins of the Kuru clan and takes readers through a myriad of sub-plots, making this epic accessible and captivating for today’s audience.

Excellent Advice for Living by Kevin Kelly – It’s a lifetime’s worth of advice compiled into short, memorable aphorisms. It’s easy read but extremely difficult to follow. Simple, good guidance for all aspects of life such as business, career, relationships, health, and wealth.

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday – If you’re just starting to learn about Stoicism, this is your book. It has 365 chapters for 365 days so that you can implement one philosophy daily.

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday (my favourite lesson from the book) – Another one of Ryan Holiday’s books on the Stoic philosophy of fighting through obstacles. Impediment to action progresses action, what stands in your way becomes the way. I would also recommend reading Ego is the Enemy.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Shri Swami Satchidananda – The book defines the core tenets of yoga as explained by Patanjali.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – This book is one of the most important philosophical books that you will ever read.

Inner Engineering by Sadhguru – Actionable insights on how to be mindful.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom – A man diagnosed with ALS talks about living while dying. I rarely tear up while reading and this book will have you contemplating a lot of decisions. My favourite lessons from the book are summarised here.

A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton – As the name suggests, it’s a quick summary of the history of philosophy. I love the “A Little History” series because it gives a good overview of the topic and allows you to dive deeper into sub-topics that you find interesting.

A Little History of Religion by Richard Holloway – I love understanding religions across the world as they all contain important philosophies. Another book from the “A Little History” series.

What Are You Doing With Your Life by Jiddu Krishnamurti – Krishnamurti offers his wisdom on many of life’s hurdles from relationships and love, to anxiety and loneliness.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl – A book that explores the resilience of the human spirit through the horrors of the Holocaust. Frankl’s insights, drawn from his experiences in concentration camps, offer a powerful perspective on finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the bleakest circumstances.

💼 BUSINESS

Some important lessons (and failures) in businesses.

Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull – A book by the founder of Pixar talks about running a business and creativity. Brilliant read.

Zero to One by Peter Theil – Peter Theil is part of the Paypal mafia and this book consists of his advice on starting a successful startup that is grounded in his experiences.

This is Marketing by Seth Godin – Lessons on marketing from the legend, Seth. This book has changed my views on marketing completely.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight – A memoir from the founder of Nike on what it takes to start a successful business.

Same as Ever by Morgan Housel – This book shifts focus from uncertain forecasts to the unchanging aspects of life and business. Through 24 insightful stories, Housel teaches us to recognize and embrace the constants, guiding us towards a more assured and grounded life.

Bad Blood by John Carreyrou – Book on the Theranos scandal and how to not run a startup.

Tao of Charlie Munger by David Clark – Charlie Munger, a self-made investment legend and Warren Buffett’s partner, is celebrated in ‘The Tao of Charlie Munger.’ This book compiles Munger’s sharp wit and wisdom, offering invaluable insights into successful investing and living.

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon – Every content creator should read this book. Period.

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon – Every content creator should read this book. Period.

Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson – This book flips the idea of what a business should be and discusses topics such as time management, culture, and leadership.

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder – Lessons from the greatest investor on running a business and living a good life.

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber by Mike Isaac – This book presents the dramatic rise and fall of Uber, set against an era of rapid upheaval in Silicon Valley. Backed by billions in venture capital dollars and led by a brash and ambitious founder, Uber promised to revolutionize the way we move people and goods through the world. This book provides important lessons on how to avoid business failures.

Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday – This book offers a blueprint for creating timeless classics in any creative field, blending insights from successful entrepreneurs and a deep study of enduring works.

💰 FINANCE AND ECONOMY

I have learned a lot about personal finance, budgeting, economics, and behavioural finance from these books. Investing is the single best way to build wealth and everyone should learn how.

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson – Naval is my permissionless mentor and this book consists of his lessons on wealth and happiness.

The Bogleheads Guide to Investing by Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, and Michael LaBoeuf – Everything I have learned and do to invest my money, I owe it to this book.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi – Ramit explains step-by-step how to start saving and investing

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey – This book is very much similar to “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” but also, shows you how to get rid of your debt.

Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner – A fun read on economics and the impact of economics on daily life.

Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan – Explains the difficult concepts of economics in simple terms.

The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks – A brilliant book on things that are important for any investments, written by Howard Marks!

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel – Housel, through the lens of history and personal tales, teaches us the most profound insights on the psychology of money – what it means to us, how we spend, save and invest, how we connect to who we are today to who we might be tomorrow.

The Dhandho Investor by Mohnish Pabrai – The super investor, Mohnish Pabrai, explains what it means to be a value investor. I did one-month research on the life of Mohnish Pabrai and came up with this article if you’re interested 🙂

Rule #1 Investing by Phil Town – Phil explains how you become a value investor. It’s a great read for beginner investors who are just getting started and don’t know how to value an asset.

Richer, Wiser, Happier by William Green – It’s a compilation of important lessons on life, finance, and investing from super investors.

The University of Berkshire Hathaway (Lessons from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s AGM) by Daniel Pecaut – I am a Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger fanboy. They have not only taught me investing but also, how to live. If you’re part of the investment community, you would know that the Berkshire Hathaway Annual General Meeting is an important event every year and this book captures the most important lessons from the last 30 years of these AGMs. We also did a CBM episode summarising the important lessons from the book.

The Education of a Value Investor by Guy Spier – Guy Spier is a student of Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Mohnish Pabrai. The important thing in life is to know who to be the batboy for says Warren Buffett and Guy Spier don’t mind being Mohnish Pabrai’s batboy. This book has important lessons about being a value investor. We also did a CBM episode on this book. If you like reading, here are my favourite lessons summarised in my newsletter.

Bulls, Bears, and Other Beasts by Santosh Nair – This book is a fictional account of real-life events in the Indian stock market from 1988 – 2015. IMO, learning from history is one of the best ways to learn any topic.

Billionaire Raj by James Crabtree – Another book focused on businesses in India. It will you better understand the Indian economy and the dominant players. The book also talks about India’s politicians and crony capitalists who work together to compound their own wealth at the expense of the poor.

India Unbound by Gurucharan Das – India Unbound chronicles the dramatic journey of India’s transformation from an impoverished state to a thriving free-market democracy, capturing the ideological battles from the 1940s to the early 2000s. It’s a vivid tale of a nation now making its mark in the global information economy.

😇 AUTOBIOGRAPHY, BIOGRAPHY, AND MEMOIRS

Inspiration and accounts from the source (well, in most cases).

Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance – Lessons from the richest man in the world. Musk’s mindset is what sets him apart from the competition and this is a deep dive into his mindset.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah – This is a really fun read and the origin story of Trevor Noah. The host of a late-night comedy news show has gone through a lot, all while smiling.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight – A memoir from the founder of Nike on what it takes to start a successful business.

Creativity Inc by Ed Catmull – A book by the founder of Pixar talks about running a business and creativity. Brilliant read.

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman – Adventures of the eccentric Richard Feynman. Read my book notes on this book here.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins – This book will motivate and scare you at the same time. David is mental. The whole idea behind the book is that humans can achieve anything they set their minds to.

When Breathe Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi – This is the first book that had me in tears. I finished the book in two sittings. The memoir reflects on what makes life meaningful through the lens of Paul, who were a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist diagnosed with cancer.

We Need To Hang Out by Bill Baker – This book will hit differently depending on where you are in life. Not everyone will enjoy it. The concept of “Velvet Hooks” was my biggest takeaway (summary here).

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari – Again, depending on where you are in life, you might or might not enjoy this book. Aziz investigates modern love and compares it to relationships in the 1950s-60s. The book covers situationships, dating apps, ghosting, modern cheating, and a lot more. It was a fascinating read!

Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master’s Insights on China, the United States, and the World by Graham Allison – LKY has been commended as one of the greatest statesmen of modern times. Regarded as Singapore’s founding father, he shows a clear thought process through his speeches and writing. He provides some useful insights into the current geopolitical landscape.

From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000 by Lee Kuan Yew – The story of Singapore’s amazing transformation told by it’s charismatic and controversial founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber by Mike Isaac – This book presents the dramatic rise and fall of Uber, set against an era of rapid upheaval in Silicon Valley. Backed by billions in venture capital dollars and led by a brash and ambitious founder, Uber promised to revolutionize the way we move people and goods throughout the world. This book provides important lessons on how to avoid business failures.

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – This is an essay. Through humour and relatable examples, Adichie crafts a unique and inclusive definition of twenty-first-century feminism, rooted in awareness and understanding.

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain – This book offers an unvarnished, insider’s look into the culinary world, as Anthony Bourdain reveals the exhilarating yet tumultuous life behind the kitchen doors. It’s a raw, witty, and candid memoir that changed our view of the high-stakes world of cooking.

🗝 HISTORY

Sometimes the best crystal ball is a rearview mirror.

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall – an incredible look at the history of different countries, their past conflicts, and how are they impacting the current world politics. I wrote an article about this as well, check it out.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari – This is my most gifted book including the graphic novel. It explains most human concepts on a high level ranging from money to religion. It changed my perspective about a lot of things in life. Highly recommend reading this book.

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman – By providing a new historical perspective of the last 200,000 years of human history, Bregman sets out to prove that we are in fact evolutionarily wired for cooperation rather than competition and that our instinct to trust each other has a firm evolutionary basis going back to the beginning of Homo sapiens.

The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant – Durant looks at human history to collect the most important lessons. Lindy Effect is strong with this one.

Genghis Khan and The Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford – This book led me to a history blackhole in 2021. Genghis Khan is one of the conquerors who changed humankind. He has such a huge impact on human history which was largely underplayed by western historians until now.

A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich – Another one from the “A Little History” series. My only complaint with this book is the focus on Europe and the Americas.

🇮🇳 INDIA

I am from India and thought it would be best to have a separate category for literature on India or from India.

India: A History by John Keay – A great overview of Indian history starting from the bronze age until Indian independence

Early India by Romila Thapar (5000BCE – 1300 CE) – Covers early India, the Indus Valley civilization, the Mauryan empire, and the socio-political conditions until 1300 CE

History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (800CE – 1700CE) – Covers India before Islam and covers the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals. They had a great impact on the country and it takes an unbiased look at this.

The Era of Darkness by Sashi Tharoor (1600CE – 1947) – Tharoor looks at the British raj and explains how it harmed the sub-continent of India while debating the most common arguments for the British raj.

India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha (1947 – 2016) – This book was honestly an eye-opener for me. There were so many complexities when India won its freedom and given the complexities, it somehow managed to remain a democracy!

Jugalbandi: The Bjp Before Modi by Vinay Sitapati – The book delves into the century-long evolution leading to Narendra Modi’s rise in Indian politics, tracing the roots of Hindu nationalism and the BJP’s journey. It intricately narrates the partnership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, whose ideological unity and synergy shaped the party’s past successes and current dominance.

The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma by Gurucharan Das – It delves into the complex tapestry of moral and ethical dilemmas, using the ancient epic Mahabharata as a guide. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges of living righteously in the modern world.

The Story of Our Food by K. T. Acharya – The book outlines a variety of cuisines, food materials, and dishes that collectively form “Indian food”.

The Ocean of Churn by Sanjeev Sanyal – Sanjeev tells the history of the world by diving deep into the history of the Indian Ocean. Indian history usually covers only the northern conquests and so, it was interesting for me to read the tremendous history of the southern states of India

Incarnations: India in 50 Lives by Sunil Khilnani – 50 Indians from the Buddha to Dhirubhai Ambani, some very famous, some more obscure, from the earliest records to the present day, and in a series of short chapters describe what makes them so surprising, curious or important.

Half Lion: How P.V. Narasimha Rao Transformed India by Vinay Sitapati – It’s the biography of India’s 9th Prime Minister, Narasimha Rao, and delves into his pivotal role steering India in two defining moments of modern Indian history: the 1991 economic reforms and the Babri Masjid demolition.

Bollywood: The Films! The Songs! The Stars! by DK – Get a whirlwind tour of Bollywood’s glitz and glamour, from ‘Mother India’ to ‘Sholay,’ in this visual feast. Packed with behind-the-scenes insights and star-studded tales, it’s a must-read for Bollywood aficionados and newcomers alike.

Written by Sailm-Javed by Diptakirti Chaudhuri – The book unfolds the riveting tale of the duo who revolutionized Bollywood, transforming screenwriting into an art form. Their iconic works like ‘Zanjeer’ and ‘Sholay’ not only reshaped cinema but also sparked the ‘Angry Young Man’ phenomenon, leaving a lasting cultural impact.

💭 FICTION

I am not much of a fiction reader but here are some of the books I have read and liked.

Harry Potter (Complete Series) by J. K. Rowling – I mean… just, read it.

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama – Five intertwined tales, all centred around the charming world of one public library. It’s a brief yet heartwarming journey through the pages.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – A classic.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – Plenty has been said about this book, yet it truly stood out to me as a compelling read. Skillfully navigating through sensitive themes, it tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a singularly remarkable single mother and chemist in the male-dominated world of 1960s America. It’s her journey to becoming an unexpected cooking show host and an inspiring role model for her daughter.

Remembrance Of Earth’s Past by Liu Cixin – This is a mind-bending sci-fi series and my favourite part of this book is how it uses philosophy to explain human ideas such as conflict.

Selected Stories by Rabindranath Tagore – This collection contains some of the best stories of Tagore who put India on the literary map of the world. Translated from Bengali to English, these stories depict the human condition in its many forms— innocence and childhood, love and loss, the city and the village, the natural and the supernatural.

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami – This book haunts you after every page. Each chapter felt like an episode of Black Mirror.

Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami: True to Murakami’s style, this book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of confusion, disgust, and a profound sense of depth. As you delve deeper, you’ll find yourself lost in his world and end the book brimming with questions. Definitely, a page-turner.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams – When Mukesh Patel pops into the local library, forgoing his routine of grocery shopping and David Attenborough documentaries, he has no idea his life’s about to change.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon – It’s written from a child’s perspective who is diagnosed with Aspergers and attempting to solve a murder mystery of a dog. I have been ignorant of the problems a person might face who is diagnosed with Aspergers until I read this book. This book is one of those which you finish in one sitting.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman – A botched bank robbery leads to an accidental hostage situation, where a diverse group of strangers discovers unexpected connections and shared humanity during a tense New Year’s Eve.

Books say different things to different people. They change as the person who reads them changes too.
Sara Nisha Adams, The Reading List

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