Book - Sunny Valley

Let’s Grab a Book.

Over the years, books have played a big role in shaping how I think and see the world. Here are some that truly stuck with me. Back when I was living in London, I co-founded a book club at the hedge fund where I worked—our little crew of sharp, funny colleagues always had great reads to share. I’ve pulled together a few favorites here, and I hope they inspire you too.

In “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” psychologist Carol S. Dweck explores how adopting a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—leads to greater achievement and fulfillment. She contrasts this with a fixed mindset, where individuals see their talents as innate and unchangeable, often hindering personal and professional growth.

In “The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph,” Ryan Holiday draws upon Stoic philosophy to illustrate how individuals can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and success. He emphasizes that by altering our perception, taking decisive action, and cultivating inner resilience, we can navigate adversity effectively and emerge stronger.

In “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Viktor E. Frankl reflects on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, illustrating that individuals can find meaning and purpose even amidst profound suffering. He introduces logotherapy, asserting that the primary human drive is the pursuit of meaning, and emphasizes that while we cannot avoid suffering, we can choose how to cope with it and move forward with renewed purpose.

In “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder,” Nassim Nicholas Taleb introduces the concept of antifragility, describing systems that not only withstand chaos and uncertainty but actually benefit and grow stronger from them. He argues that, unlike fragile systems that break under stress and robust systems that resist it, antifragile systems improve when exposed to volatility, randomness, and stressors.

In “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action,” Simon Sinek introduces the concept of the Golden Circle, emphasizing that successful leaders and organizations begin by clearly defining their “Why”—the core belief or purpose that drives them. He argues that by communicating this purpose before explaining “How” and “What” they do, they can inspire others and foster loyalty.

In “Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind,” neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran explores unusual neurological disorders—such as phantom limbs and Capgras delusion—to reveal insights into the brain’s architecture and the nature of human consciousness. Through these case studies, he illustrates how the brain constructs our body image, processes perception, and shapes our sense of self.

In “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that sustained effort and dedication toward long-term goals—what she terms “grit”—are more predictive of success than innate talent or intelligence. She illustrates how individuals who combine passion with perseverance can overcome challenges and achieve high levels of accomplishment across various fields.

In “The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work,” Shawn Achor argues that happiness is not merely a result of success but a precursor to it, demonstrating that a positive mindset enhances productivity, creativity, and resilience. He outlines seven actionable principles to cultivate this advantage, such as retraining our brains to recognize opportunities and investing in social support networks to achieve higher levels of performance and satisfaction.

In “The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill in Sports, Art, Music, Math, and Just About Everything Else,” Daniel Coyle explores how deep practice, ignition (motivation), and master coaching contribute to the development of talent. He emphasizes the role of myelin, a neural substance that insulates circuits and enhances skill acquisition, suggesting that targeted practice and the right environmental factors can significantly accelerate learning and expertise.

In “The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science,” psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., explores the revolutionary concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Through a series of compelling case studies, he illustrates how individuals have harnessed this adaptability to overcome neurological challenges, recover from injuries, and enhance cognitive functions, fundamentally altering our understanding of the brain’s potential.

In “Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain,” neuroscientist David Eagleman reveals that the majority of our thoughts, decisions, and behaviors originate from unconscious processes beyond our conscious awareness. He illustrates how these hidden mechanisms shape our perceptions and actions, challenging the traditional notion of a unified, conscious self.

In “The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are,” Robert Wright delves into evolutionary psychology to examine how our genetic inheritance influences behaviors ranging from sexual preferences to workplace dynamics, shedding light on the evolutionary strategies that shape our actions. By intertwining these insights with the life of Charles Darwin, Wright challenges readers to reconsider the foundations of morality and human nature.

In “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead,” Dr. Brené Brown challenges the common perception of vulnerability as a weakness, proposing instead that embracing vulnerability is a source of strength and courage. Drawing from over twelve years of research, she demonstrates how allowing ourselves to be vulnerable fosters deeper connections, creativity, and engagement in various aspects of life, including relationships, parenting, and leadership.

In “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” former SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin share leadership principles derived from their combat experiences, emphasizing that leaders must take full responsibility for their teams’ outcomes. They illustrate how concepts like “Cover and Move,” “Decentralized Command,” and “Leading Up the Chain” can be applied beyond the battlefield to achieve success in any organization.

In Sometimes You Win—Sometimes You Learn, John C. Maxwell emphasizes that life’s greatest lessons are often gained from our losses rather than our wins. He outlines principles such as humility, responsibility, and teachability to help readers transform setbacks into opportunities for personal and professional growth.

In No Death, No Fear, Thich Nhat Hanh offers a profound reflection on the nature of life and death through the lens of Buddhist philosophy. Drawing from personal stories, mindfulness practices, and deep spiritual insight, he challenges the notion of death as an end and instead presents it as a transformation—a continuation in a different form. Hanh emphasizes that by understanding the interconnection of all things and embracing impermanence, we can ease our fear of death and live more fully in the present moment.

In “Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds,” David Goggins recounts his transformation from a troubled youth facing poverty, prejudice, and abuse, to becoming a U.S. Armed Forces icon and elite endurance athlete. He introduces the “40% Rule,” suggesting that we often operate at only 40% of our potential, and shares strategies to overcome pain and fear to achieve greatness.

In The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell, in conversation with Bill Moyers, explores the enduring significance of mythology across cultures, illustrating how ancient narratives continue to influence our understanding of life, love, and society. The book delves into the universality of human experience, demonstrating that the themes and symbols found in myths provide profound insights into our collective consciousness and personal journeys.

In Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely delves into the irrational ways we often make decisions, revealing how our choices are influenced by hidden biases and external factors. Through engaging experiments, he demonstrates that understanding these patterns can lead to better decision-making in various aspects of life.

In “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment,” Eckhart Tolle emphasizes the importance of living fully in the present moment, free from the constraints of past regrets and future anxieties. He introduces the concept of the “pain-body,” a collection of old emotional pain, and offers guidance on how to dissolve it through mindfulness and presence, leading to a profound sense of peace and spiritual awakening.

Carol S. Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success highlights how embracing a growth mindset—believing abilities can be developed—fosters success, while a fixed mindset limits potential.

Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way applies Stoic philosophy to show how shifting perception, taking action, and building resilience can turn challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Viktor E. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning explores how finding purpose, even in suffering, empowers individuals to endure hardship and move forward with resilience.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Antifragile explores how certain systems thrive and grow stronger under uncertainty, volatility, and stress, rather than merely resisting or breaking under pressure.

Simon Sinek’s Start with Why argues that great leaders and organizations inspire by first defining their core purpose—their “Why”—before explaining “How” and “What” they do.

Ramachandran’s Phantoms in the Brain examines unusual neurological disorders to uncover how the brain constructs perception, body image, and our sense of self.

Angela Duckworth’s Grit emphasizes that passion and perseverance, rather than talent alone, are the key drivers of long-term success and achievement.

Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage argues that happiness fuels success by boosting productivity, creativity, and resilience, and offers seven principles to cultivate a positive mindset.

Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code reveals how deep practice, motivation, and expert coaching—along with myelin development—accelerate skill acquisition and mastery.

Norman Doidge’s The Brain That Changes Itself explores neuroplasticity, showing how the brain can rewire itself to overcome challenges, recover from injuries, and enhance cognitive function.

David Eagleman’s Incognito explores how unconscious processes shape our thoughts, decisions, and behaviors, challenging the idea of a unified, conscious self.

Robert Wright’s The Moral Animal explores how evolutionary psychology and genetic inheritance shape human behavior, challenging traditional views of morality and human nature.

Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly argues that embracing vulnerability, far from being a weakness, is a source of strength that fosters deeper connections, creativity, and engagement in relationships, parenting, and leadership.

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin teaches leadership principles from SEAL experiences, stressing that leaders must take responsibility and apply strategies like “Cover and Move” for success.

In Sometimes You Win—Sometimes You Learn, John C. Maxwell shows how losses can teach valuable lessons and foster personal growth.

In No Death, No Fear, Thich Nhat Hanh offers a profound reflection on the nature of life and death through the lens of Buddhist philosophy.

In Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins shares his journey from adversity to success, introducing the “40% Rule” and offering strategies to push past pain and fear to unlock our full potential.

In The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell explores how ancient myths continue to shape our understanding of life, love, and society, offering profound insights into the human experience.

In Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely reveals how hidden biases and external factors influence our decisions, showing that understanding these patterns can improve decision-making.

In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle emphasizes living in the present moment and dissolving emotional pain through mindfulness to achieve peace and spiritual awakening.