Life-changing Books
I've been getting into reading for the past couple of years and I enjoyed looking at some of the other book recommendation posts on here. I just noticed that there's a lot of finance/business-specific stuff, and I think some of the lifestyle/philosophy books I've read go under the radar. These are the most memorable books I've read and taken actual action from in improving my life:
- The Way to Willpower by Henry Hazlitt - first book I read from this guy was Economics in one lesson. very sharp thinker who writes without fluff and tells very interesting stories. When I read his books, I feel like I'm having a dialogue with him, and that's really refreshing. It is very unfortunate he didn't write more books on other self-improvement topics.
- Thinking as a Science by Henry Hazlitt - read this book like 3-4 times, goes into the systematic process in how to make decisions, think through arguments, it was one of those books that really open your mind and make you want to learn more. I also like how optimistic the guy is, one line about having complete control of your mind/what you think about during a day helped me think more about important or productive things. After reading both books got inspired to be more disciplined and I think I grew a lot as a person because of it.
- Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind - really interesting book with studies about the unconscious and how the mind works during the creative process. Remembered having to write a lot of papers and shit for school and this book giving me the confidence to write and think independently and creatively. (I think that good writing/communicating well is an underrated trait)
- Why we Sleep - came into the book very skeptical, I've always been the type of person who doesn't think they need that much sleep. Pretty much debunked every argument I had for sleeping less and then some. Got me to quit drinking coffee and get consistently more sleep. Took a few weeks to get used to sleeping earlier but have to say the cognitive and emotional benefits are worth it. If you have the time much better to give up trying to get an "edge" by sleeping less because less + better decisions = better outcomes
I think almost every great investor reads a lot of books, but I think that the quality of the book really matters because quality of thought = quality of life. Let me know if you guys have other life-changing books.
Wow thank you so much for sharing these. I always appreciate quality book recs.
Screwtape Letters and GKC's Orthodoxy literally changed my life, so I can recommend them without reservation.
I need to reread Orthodoxy, that was a lot to unpack.
How did you like the Screwtape Letters?
It is, simply put, the sharpest and concise work on ordinary Christian life ever written. It is also very humbling, witty, inspiring, and, in the end, nothing less than what I desire to see when I leave this world. While Lewis writes for a certain audience and time, and you can argue that he is theologically a bit vague, this comes out of necessity and doesn't take anything away from the sharpness of his insights on sin, human nature, and our relation to the Divine.
I would, however, only see it as a stepping stone, enticing with wit and beauty, and then go over to some classics such as Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life, which basically says the same thing, only more elaborate and less humorous.
This didn't exactly change my life 180 degrees because I was already given a new life in Christ, but I recommend 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius, and the other famous Stoic writings. Very practical meditations to fortify your mind and take life's challenges with grace and humility
What lol why did this comment get ms
Though the ultimate philosophy of Stoicism leaves a lot to be desired, its ethical foundation is generally sound and a great stepping stone. I enjoyed Meditations a lot when I first read it, but it left me yearning for more. I would recommend The Imitation of Christ.
Atlas Shrugged should be required reading for anyone in finance.
Anyone who likes that book or any of Rand's philosophy is probably a narcissist
So in some sense... you're right
Blood Meridian. It should be required reading.
My buddy swears that Infinite Jest changed his life, so that is on the list for me when I have the time.
The Bible
- 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
- Man’s Search for Meaning
+ SB for Man’s Search for Meaning. This should be a required text for every boy entering manhood.
+SB Agreed
Obviously there’s some nazis in this thread. Thanks for the MS
HBR at 100
also 50 Shades series
"Mindset" - by Carol Dweck
It's based on the premise that there are two mindsets present in all human beings: the Fixed Mindset and the Growth Mindset. People with the fixed mindset, according to the author, are people who would rather not challenge themselves because it may reveal to them inadequacy or weakness in their skill level or knowledge base. Conversely, people who possesses the growth mindset are people who, regardless if they fail, crave the opportunity to better themselves even if it means admitting that they do not know as much as they thought they did in a particular subject or discipline
One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to transform the way we perceive ourselves and our abilities. Dweck emphasizes that our mindset - whether fixed or growth - determines our response to challenges, setbacks and even criticism. By embracing a growth mindset, which focuses on the belief that our abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, we open ourselves up to greater possibilities for personal and professional growth
Sounds like you have a fixed mindset
Zero to One. I read it when I was 14, and it pushed me early on to think for myself.
If you have time to read, you need a staffing.
Fooled by Randomness
Yes
The art of living... Game changer in my life. Recommended by a co-investor. Already read it 3x and still learning. Can't recommend it enough.
Author? This is a pretty common title so there’s a lot of them.
I believe Thich Nhat Hanh! It’s a wonderful book!
You're absolutely right ! S.n, goenka
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Living-Vipassana-Meditation/dp/0060637242
Deep Nutrition - Catherine Shanahan - will redefine how you look at food
Tuesday’s with Morrie - Mitch Albom
hated her repetitive writing style, but yes overall great book. Learned a lot.
A Man for All Markets - Ed Thorpe
Crazy life story that I would love to finance into a biopic given the right opportunity
This book
changed even the way I eat cereals
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. It's even better if you haven't seen the movie yet.
If you are into how irreverent life is, I recommend the Three Body Problem and all subsequent books. (Genre: Sci-fi)
Singer
I'll second this one, but less for the irreverent reason. I just though that the ways they laid everything out was insanely clever.
The Bible.
I'm listening to Fr. Schmitz's Catechism in a Year podcast, I imagine the Bible in a Year he did before was also great.
.
Behold a Pale Horse
Mortality by Christoper Hitchens
Never Enough - Mike Hayes
Clicked on this with interest and was disappointed to see the top two recs were works by Henry Hazlitt... I admit, I used to be a fan of Hazlitt. My first exposure to him was in 8th or 9th grade through Economics in One Lesson. Only after taking an actual course in economics did I realize most of Economics in One Lesson was crap. The man fancied himself an economist, but he really was nothing more than a dilettante who took existing ideas of Mises and Bastiat and regurgitated them back (poorly, I might add) to the unsuspecting public who were naive enough to give him a chance. Economics in One Lesson is ideologically motivated sophistry that lacks any sort of empirical rigor. The book opens with a strawman representation of Keynesian economics using Bastiat's "Broken Window Fallacy" and then proceeds to offer unsound arguments for approximately two hundred pages, illustrating his "lesson" through inferential conclusions stated as if they are facts.
The broken window fallacy, as presented by Hazlitt, does not disprove Keynesian economics. Keynesian economics never suggests that destruction leads to overall welfare gains or stimulates economic growth through a multiplier effect. No Keynesian economist would ever advocate for measures such as causing destruction or initiating a world war to recover from an economic downturn. Ironically, the broken window fallacy aligns more closely with the concept of "creative destruction" which is predominantly associated with the Austrian economist Schumpeter.
Even if one were to accept Hazlitt's premises, many of his conclusions fail to logically follow, violating not only basic economic principles but also basic syllogism. Furthermore, there is no a priori reason to assume that the broken window fallacy is inherently fallacious; rather, it seems to be labeled as such based on Austrian thinkers' reflections without any connection to reality.
The vast majority of books under the 'economics' shelf of a popular bookstore are not economics
I don't fully understand everything you are saying, but it is incredibly well written. Bravo brother
I read economics in one lesson a while ago but I remember Hazlitt includes pretty lengthy quotations and in his preface he explicitly says that his ideas are nothing new and someone else prob thought of them earlier but I don’t that discounts how well he puts everything together. I don’t agree with everything he says in economics in one lesson and I think his other books like the way to willpower are a lot better.
I followed a similar path, having read economics in one lesson in high school and getting really into libertarian political philosophy and economics, and then I actually studied economics (and political theory) which more or less beat the libertarianism out of me.
Let's be real, economists facny themselves as economists. Much of economics is akin to best fit line after the fact.
- Edited out to move up to my previous post, meant to edit that comment. -
Market Liquidity Risk: Implications for Asset Pricing, Risk Management, and Financial Regulation
Distressed Debt Analysis
do you also make love to it?
Yes
Getting a trading book at citadel
How to win friends and influence people - the Bible to excel in business
Memos from the Chairman - after reading it I decided that an MBA --> management/executive is the way
Justice, what's the right thing to do - pushed me into philosophy
man's search for meaning - everything stop sucking in life, and never ever complained about any of my circumstances
the alchemist - keep going, even if you look delusional for others (but tf they know)
zero to one - there's no competition when you're unique, profesional and business-wise
your brain on porn - yeah, porn no bueno
educated - became extremely grateful to be well-educated
can't hurt me - conquered some of my physical limitations, I already was training hard but this changed my mindset to a whole new level.
Nietzsche in general - many of my life perspectives have some type overcoming/will to power foundation
I've seen you comment on other threads and liked what you've said. When I saw you also recommended man's search for meaning I decided to buy it and read it over the holiday. It is a very good book. It provides an interesting outlook on how one can shape their life's circumstances. Thank you!
Funny, I've seen restless' posts all too often and Ive always thought they were zero value add / borderline shitposts / bad takes.
While multiple of the books on his list can help reframe how you see the world or increase your motivation to go after your dreams, it couldn't be more of a basic bitch list of books.
1. Alchemist - highly regarded as an eye roll book from the literary community. Super intuitive, uses basic analogies, and is just a beacon of hope for all the lost 20-something boys out there.
2. How to win friends and influence people - mostly intuitive unless you're an autist
3. Can't hurt Me - Goggins is sharp and interesting but this is most likely a psuedo- Band-Aid for the lazy and obese. I doubt many people change their lives after reading this book.
FWIW, I've read all the books I commented on and the only one I would actually recommend is the Alchemist. Its a great read if you're in your 20s and trying to determine if you should take a leap of faith / material risk when it comes to selecting a new city to live in / a new job / any other risk you deem to be intimidating. There is a valuable life lesson in there that I think holds true as well, which is that when you start new endeavors, it is often much harder than you could ever anticipate and things get much worse than you could've thought possible before they get better. Then, when on the brink of failure and you're at the point where you think it is time to give up, hope comes in some form and you find that you are not only able to persevere, but to thrive in the otherwise challenging environment where you thought you were certainly doomed to fail in.
Might be cliche, but Atomic Habits really changed my mindset. It taught me the value of patience and consistency in reaching my goals. I think people these days give up far too fast and forget the power of delayed gratification far too often. A light, but meaningful read
Atomic Habits!
I added the age I was when I read the book to give context, but also your mind, wants, change, and maybe I wasn’t ready for the book before, but later I was. The most influential books were those I read within 5 years of graduating undergrad. Early to mid 20’s. I had time to read, and it was early enough in my life to influence me more.
Creativity, Inc - story of Pixar, for you finance types looking to maximize your creative side, and do things that capture hearts and minds (age I read: 39)
The Alchemist - listen to what the universe is telling you; if you are feeling lost, burned out, in shit creek (age I read: 39)
How to Make Friends and Influence People - classic, great especially if your parents are not around or not charismatic. (Age I read: 24)
Influence - classic, a tech guy in SF told me to read this when I talked to him at a party, 15 years ago (age I read: 40, bought the book at 25)
Think and Grow Rich - I read this twice, Classic, check out the chapter on The Mystery of Sexual Transmutation. Over 50% of what we do, is for sex. Learn to harness that power with productivity and mastery. (Age I read: 24)
22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - human brain doesn’t change (age I read: 41)
Vandals Crown - macro economics, arbitrage, George Soros, international, first finance book I read, if you have an investment thesis that is working, go big (age I read: 20)
Biography of Jefferson Davis - president of the Confederacy, read about him in high school on my own, why would you want to read about the loser of the Civil War? Main thing is to gain perspective. (Age I read: 16)
Freddy the Leaf - my mom died when I was young and this book came out a couple years before and it was meant to help me get through bereavement. (Age I read: 6)
Business Law Textbook (can’t find the exact book) - so important to know how legal works, a must take class in undergrad (Age I read: 21)
Negotiating Commercial Real Estate Leases By Martin I. Zankel - was a book in my analyst training program. I read the entire thing. Leases are contracts and l learned the difference between favorable, neutral, and unfavorable terms. Can be applied to all types of contracts. Develop your deal making mind. (Age I read: 24)
Term Sheets & Valuations - I was a young guy moving to San Francisco from Hawaii and I bought this book. I was moving to the land of VC, start ups, big finance. Similar to the Leasing book, hone your mind for dealmaking. (Age I read: 23)
I would say, I’ve used game theory a lot in my career. Although I didn’t read a book about it, I would recommend you to delve into this subject early in your life.
Furthermore,
Starting in your early to mid-30’s, I recommend you reading books on high conflict personalities (HCP). Bill Eddy is a great author on the subject of personality types of people who can ruin your life. “It’s all your fault”
https://www.continuingedcourses.net/active/courses/course093.php
You will find that your biggest downside risk to your sanity, happiness, net worth are people related. Learn about how to manage, deal with, and avoid these risks. You will become a better reader (of people).
A bit off the beaten path but Golf is a Game of Confidence by Dr. Bob Rotella. Was gifted to me by a friend and not just for the avid golfer. Emphasises the importance of positive mental frameworks through the lens of sports psychology/golf. Great quick read that still owns real estate in my mind after so many years.
Tolstoy, Death of Ivan Ilyich, War and Peace.
Some things in this world are inevitable. But that doesn't mean they are right.
Life Advice from Death Row
Really interesting and unique perspective on life advice from death row inmates at San Quentin.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (get the Gregory Hays translation): Its great to try to reframe your experiences and focus on what you can control and whats most important in life. Also its interesting to listen in to the thoughts of such a powerful and uniquely humble ruler.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: a study on the lives and best practices of industrial era titans (think Rockefeller, JP Morgan, etc), written during their time as a way to see what overarching best habits and mindsets extremely successful people have.
Seven Habits of Highly Successful People by Steven Covey: in the same vein as Think and Grow Rich, this book codifies many of the same conclusions that Napoleon Hill wrote about into seven habits. Very important book in my mind, a real must-read. I have made it a point to re-read it once every year, particularly the chapter on motivations to ensure that my goals/desires arent clouded by biases that will result in unhappiness (whether due to factors outside my control, or placing my happiness in the hands of others, etc). Change is a never ending process.
Too Big to Fail
Barbarians at the Gate
A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears
the fountainhead
Some thoughts.
1. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. It’s one of the most harrowing, brutal takes on western expansion. If it doesn’t change your perspective, then I’m not quite sure what to say
2. Sapians by Yuval Noah Harari. One of the most enjoyable and interesting reads on humanity’s rise to becoming the dominant species. The parts of the book about early man (homo sapian) wiping out many types of fauna and even other species of human blew my hair back
3. More Money Than God by Sebastian Mallaby. I read this right when it was released. The stories of those that built HFs and rose to power I find fascinating
4. Talent Is Overrated by Geoffrey Colvin. He narrows in on process and deliberate work over natural talent as the driving force behind success. It’s just great
5. 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. This one has been talked about, but it’s still valid today. Greene covers amazing historical accounts of those that learned the hard way to handle power. It’s a must read in my opinion
6. Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. Pretty insightful view on taking data and finding out human desire and thinking. Builds on the now antiquated Freakonomics
There are many others, but these stick out in my mind.
These books sound great! Thank you
No book is going to change your life.
I have to defer to the Alchemist in this instance. There are two things that will change your life:
- Books
- Experiences
Books and written text have inevitably been proven to teach. Why do you think they have books in middle school and college? To teach. To say no book is going to change your life is an ill-conceived idea.
I highly disagree. Most commonly, religious texts change peoples lives every day. Religion aside, there are PLENTY of books that can help you reframe your life, learn a new perspective, indenting and correct bad habits, and more. I’d recommend picking one of the books that multiple people mentioned in this thread and go into it with an open mind, ready to learn.
Die With Zero - Bill Perkins
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World: great history book and explanation of his tactics as well as his life. His tactics were ingenious and oftentimes he was pitted against overwhelming odds which he overcame with unorthodox practices.
The Cloud of Unknowing: my favorite writing on contemplative prayer and meditation. Trying to read other books in this vein.
Strong Towns and Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: 2 great books about the post-ww2 urban development paradigm in the US and globally that's focused on endless highways, sprawl, and suburbanization
Sidewalks in the Kingdom: in the same vein as above but focused on the Christian (though discussion about other religions would be great) element of urban planning
Orthodoxy
Reflections on the Revolution in France: great read about classical liberalism and the place of tradition
The Liturgy of the Hours, the Little Office, Divine Worship: Daily Office: Not novels but rather prayers books that I use basically daily and have found helpful for my spirituality
I met with my life coach a few years ago for a book exchange over dinner. She gave me a book called "A New Earth" by Ekhart Tolle. I still haven't read it yet, but look forward to reading it. I gave her a Viktor Frankl book about Logotherapy. She said she actually used some of the insight from the Viktor Frankl book with her clients.
The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts helped me out a lot when I was in my mid-20s and felt like I was drifting around.
It's basically Buddhism 101 written for Western audiences. It really helped me manage my anxiety much better and accept that the only thing constant is constant change.
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