Reading List

1. The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

by Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman

Three years after a very good friend recommended this to me during a (slightly drunken) conversation on a train, I still read it every day!

“The Daily Stoic” serves up ancient wisdom in modern, bite-sized pieces, offering 366 meditations on Stoicism’s core principles; emphasising virtues such as courage, self-control, wisdom, and justice as the path to true contentment.  A daily gym session for the mind, with each page providing a workout to strengthen virtue, self-control, and rational thinking.  It helps us be mindful of how we see the world, how we act, and how we accept things we cannot change.

2. The Personal MBA

A World-Class Business Education in a Single Volume

by Josh kaufman

One of my most quoted and revisited books, and I would say required reading for many Product Managers.

“The Personal MBA” by Josh Kaufman is a crash course in business essentials, bypassing the classroom to provide practical, hands-on knowledge, arguing that real-world business skills trump formal education, offering insights that are both accessible and actionable.  It covers five core processes of a business: value creation, marketing, sales, value delivery, and finance and highlights the significance of mental models required to grasp complex business concepts.

A great condensed guide for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals looking to deepen their understanding in the mechanics of business without the hefty tuition fees.  For me, it also had a surprising and welcomed focus on working with yourself and with others (which is really what it’s all about!).

3. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck & Everything Is F*cked

Collection 2 Books Set

by Mark Manson

Ok, I’m cheating with 2 books in one entry, but who gives a f*ck? These books go together and I love them!

One of the first self help books I read was “F**k It: The Ultimate Spiritual Way” by John C. Parkin, and it made a lasting impression. So, when I saw the Netflix documentary based on The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (of the same name), I immediately cleared some time in my schedule to watch it, i.e. I told my beloved it was my turn to do the ironing (doubling-up timesaving tekkers)! 

In “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,” Mark  advises us to focus on what truly matters by giving fewer f*cks about trivial things and more about values that align with personal beliefs.  It emphasizes the importance of accepting limitations and choosing where to invest concern and energy.   “Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope” takes a philosophical dive into handling emotions and finding meaning amidst the chaos, suggesting that hope is not the cure but part of the problem.  Both books challenge conventional self-help narratives, urging readers to find real meaning and satisfaction in life through a candid and often counterintuitive approach.

Note: give the second book some time.  I started thinking it was not as good as the first but ended it thinking it was ten times better.

4. Getting Things Done

The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

by David Allen

Upon realising how much I loved being organised, lean, and (ironically) getting things done, my Coach introduced me to someone who trains out GTD.  We met for a coffee, he was a great guy, and somewhat inspirational in his serenity.   So I read this book and the rest is history… 

“Getting Things Done” by David Allen is a comprehensive guide to enhancing productivity and efficiency.  The book highlights the importance of capturing all tasks and commitments, ensuring nothing is forgotten, reducing stress, and freeing the mind and focus on action. The result is a more organized and controlled approach to your personal and professional life.

This was a game changer.  I’m even more organised, productive, and ‘chill’ these days.

5. The Body

A Guide for Occupants

by bill bryson

If you’re a bit geeky, a quizzer, or like boring guests at dinner parties, this book is for you! I jest, its fascinating and full of interesting facts. Well, facts for now. Many times the book highlights all the times we’ve been wrong –  We’re never really right, just a little less wrong (See The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck). 

“The Body: A Guide for Occupants” is a fascinating tour through the human anatomy, explaining how our bodies function, heal, and sometimes fail. It combines facts and anecdotes to illuminate the complex workings of the body. From the skin’s protective role to the skeleton’s structural support, the book delves into the marvels of the human body with Bryson’s trademark wit. It’s an enlightening read that brings to light the unsung heroes of medical research and the incredible machinery that is the human body.

The sections on the head and brain blew my mind…   Pun-tastic.

6. The Courage to be Happy
The Courage To Be Disliked

2 Book Collection Set

by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

Newsflash: I never really liked reading!  Then The Courage to be Disliked was recommended by a colleague back in 2021 and I loved the sound of it. Searching it out online, I discovered a sequel and eventually purchase both as part of a set also containing The 10 Types of Human, and The Miracle Morning.  So a pretty influential book purchase if look down this list.

Both these books (cheating again!) inspire a journey towards self-fulfilment, challenging readers to change their lives by changing their mindset.

“Courage to be Happy” is a hands-on guide for shaking off the negativity and embracing a meaningful life, inspired by Alfred Adler’s psychological theories. It blends love, self-reliance, and a dash of ‘stop worrying about what others think’ as foundations for happiness.

Meanwhile, “The Courage to Be Disliked” explores how happiness is a choice independent of past traumas, advocating for personal freedom and the acceptance of being disliked in the pursuit of true happiness.  Now, I’m not saying I want you to dislike me but I’m certainly not that bothered what other people think, as my dress sense and car that I drive will demonstrate!

7. Made to Stick

Why some ideas take hold and others come unstuck

by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Recommended in a Product Management journal produced by Product Focus  “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath had me hooked after just a few pages.  The book delves into why some ideas thrive and others fade and outlines six principles for creating ‘sticky’ ideas that are memorable and influential, summarized by the acronym SUCCESs: Simplicity, Unexpectedness, Concreteness, Credibility, Emotions, and Stories.  These principles guide you to craft messages that make an impact and stick in the memory.  Amusing side note: Ironically, the mid-section is a long and slow making it difficult to connect with some of the call-backs made to the start of the book. This was confirmed by a professional book club that reviewed the book based on my recommendation!

All-in-all, a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to get their messages across and make it memorable, and one to go back to for inspiration when presenting, not just ideas, but anything that requires conveying information with impact!

8. Phoenix Project

A Novel About It, DevOps, And Helping Your Business Win

by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, & george spafford

Although the subtitle to this book is “A Novel About It, DevOps, And Helping Your Business Win”, for me, this book is a stand out example of the “power of reuse and getting out there and observing the world to learn and make improvements”.

“The Phoenix Project” is a novel that spins the tale of an IT department’s heroic journey from the brink of disaster to a streamlined, efficient machine. The story follows Bill Palmer, who’s thrust into the role of IT saviour, navigating a maze of tech disasters with the wisdom of a modern-day tech guru, Erik Reid. Together, they tackle the chaos of outdated systems and processes with the finesse of a surgeon, transforming the company much like a phoenix rising from the ashes. It’s a tale of transformation, triumph, and the power of DevOps to turn even the direst IT blunders into victories.

9. The Ten Types of Human

Who We Are and Who We Can Be

by Dexter Dias

One of the few books that I’ve found hard to put down, a problem when you’re running a timeboxed Miracle Morning (see The Miracle Morning)!

“The 10 Types of Human” by Dexter Dias is a profound exploration into human nature, categorizing people into ten distinct psychological profiles. These profiles range from the Alpha, driven by ambition, to the Omega, who seeks meaning in life. The book delves into how these types influence our decisions and behaviours, particularly in extreme situations. It’s a blend of neuroscience, psychology, and real-life stories, offering insights into the complexities of the human psyche and our potential for growth and change.

This is a somewhat harrowing and bleak, but ultimately uplifting, read. Also, it’s written by a human rights lawyer so keep a dictionary handy, especially during the Intro and Prologue!  And at 800+ pages, perhaps one for that 3 month trip around Europe you’ve been promising yourself.

10. The Miracle Morning

The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8am

by Hal Elrod

All books on this list are the result of reading as part of my ‘miracle morning’.

“The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod is a guide to transforming your life by establishing a morning routine that fosters personal development and success, dedicated time each day to growth and self-improvement. The book outlines a 6-step ritual, known as Life S.A.V.E.R.S. (Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing). This routine is designed to help you start your day with focus, energy, and a positive mindset, leading to increased productivity and well-being.  “The 5am Club” and “The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” spring to mind.

Ok, so here’s the thing…  This book isn’t amazing! It basically tells you to get up in the morning and do 6 things, and most of the book’s focus is on how to get out of bed early, and join their community/movement.  “Then why’s it on your top 10?” I hear you ask. Well, …

I’ve been getting up early every (week) day for the past 3 years practicing my ‘miracle morning’ and it’s had a hugely positive impact on both my personal and professional life, as well as my mental health. If you’re already good at getting out of bed in the morning, make a checklist, get up earlier, and it’ll be onwards and upwards for you. Otherwise, check this out.