
<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome Adam Fayed - a financial consultant who runs an Online Financial Advisory Firm - for the latest installment in our My Life in Books
  series.
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
 We asked Adam to tell us about some of the non-fiction books that have significantly impacted his life. Read on to discover which books made his list!
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Daniel Priestley - Oversubscribed</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="daniel-priestley-oversubscribed_tzbkb6"
  altText="Daniel Priestley - Oversubscribed"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

One of the most underrated modern business books is Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley.  The book explains why some businesses, and people, have customers lining up to do business with them.

This is usually without forcing things on people by pushing. In comparison, the majority of businesses struggle or just do OK.  What is significant about the book is something which I have always believed in; you don't have to be all things to all people. 

A successful vegan restaurant doesn't care if meat eaters are offended, and an all-you-can-eat BBQ restaurant which has "crude" competitions also doesn't care if they cause offence.

What matters is that enough people want to do business with you. Not clearly defining your ideal client also causes problems long-term, so it is better to reject some clients, than be everything to everybody. 

As an example, if somebody doesn't want to work with me due to one typo on my website, I am glad I don't need to work with such a character, as they clearly aren't my ideal client in terms of their character. Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides, as Margaret Thatcher said.  

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Oversubscribed-How-People-Lining-Business/dp/0857088254/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Daniel+Priestley+-+Oversubscribed&qid=1607861938&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=08f68a20aba1ce4562329ef498159a01&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Fooled By Randomness - Nassim Taleb</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="nassim-taleb-fooled-by-randomness_quhnqw"
  altText="Fooled By Randomness - Nassim Taleb"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This is perhaps less famous than his best-selling book [The Black Swan](https://www.amazon.com/Black-Swan-Improbable-Robustness-Fragility/dp/081297381X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The.+Black+Swan&qid=1607862065&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ef21083aa4630da6a4adac45f9b2b805&language=en_US). This work focuses on random events. What is significant about Taleb's work is he studies probability rather than statistics. 

This led him to getting the coronavirus pandemic correct. When countless "experts" in masks and statistics were telling us all in March and April that masks only made a 0.1%-1% difference, Taleb made the point that compound probability would result in "mask wearing countries" seeing an 85%+ reduction in cases. 

What is also significant about Taleb's work is how he shows that many so-called experts, especially in government, have less (useful) knowledge than the average granny about risk. This is perhaps due to the fact they don't have skin in the game, and giant corporations often influence the regulatory procedure, creating moral hazard in the process.

So, despite being a risk specialist, Taleb is anti most regulations, unless the regulators are very targeted and create a system where players have skin in the game. This is a good read for any academic, regulator or politician.

These people Taleb calls 'faux experts' - people that don't pay for their actions. These thoughts have influenced how I run businesses and do investments, alongside my huge scepticism of government and regulators.   

One of my favourite recent quotes from Taleb is "Millennials think that joining an NGO is a great way to save the world. ... We did not pull 2 billion people out of poverty thanks to NGOs and bureaucrats — we pulled them out thanks to capitalism, by generating economic growth." Reading his books will make you realize how he came to these conclusions.

Although my scepticism of conventional norms far predates reading books like this.

It started from business school and later studying politics, and seeing how academia works.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Fooled-Randomness-Hidden-Markets-Incerto/dp/1400067936/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1607862229&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=049fae4029a11a0d20c7fdab57948c91&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Your Money and Your Brain - Jason Zweig</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="jason-zweig-your-money-and-your-brain_hvxkah"
  altText="Your Money and Your Brain - Jason Zweig"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Most people think that the best investors have better technical knowledge. That can be sometimes true, yet in reality, controlling your emotions is often more important.

What is more, many of the smartest people, including financial professionals, can get lower returns due to emotional impulses. We see that on a regular basis whenever stock markets crash. People assume that "this time is different."

This book, alongside [Chris MacKay's Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds](https://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Popular-Delusions-Harriman-Definitive/dp/0857197428/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Extraordinary+Popular+Delusions+and+the+Madness+of+Crowds&qid=1607862466&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=9d7b7605556290222eb15e4ef8a2a4f1&language=en_US), is a good read when it comes to behavioural finance, even though MacKay's book is less financially focused.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Brain-Science-Neuroeconomics/dp/0743276698/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Your+Money+and+Your+Brain+-+Jason+Zweig&qid=1607862556&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=dd93475c87371532fc525774cdec823d&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="dale-carnegie-how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people_walswc"
  altText="How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This book might surprise you, as most of the other books listed here aren't conventional books. Yet there can be no doubt that this classic is one of the best books on human nature, and that human nature itself is more emotional than rational.  

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=How+to+win+friends+and+influence+people.&qid=1607862597&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=f14bfbd48529cde6fe743d0b9e3c43b9&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="robert-kiyosaki-rich-dad-poor-dad_y9az2n"
  altText="Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I don't like this book for the obvious reasons. In fact, technically speaking, it is perhaps a weak financial book. [I have criticized some aspects of this book online](https://adamfayed.com/rich-dad-poor-dad-review/).

However, this book is important for two main reason - it shows that being universally popular isn't important, nor is having great technical knowledge in all situations.

Kiyosaki is hated and disliked by many, and there are some factual errors in his book, but that hasn't stopped him earning more money than countless PHDs in portfolio theory, and he has sold more copies of his book than even Warren Buffett has.  

There is a lesson in that. There is still no such thing as bad publicity, it is a myth that social media has changed that. Moreover, being known by hundreds of millions, and being hated by some and loved by others, is far more effective than being popular amongst the residents of your local village.  

Being unknown is a far bigger problem for most businesses. We see similar things with social media influencers like [Tai Lopez](https://www.youtube.com/user/tailopezofficial). 

Most are hated, or disliked, by the majority of people that see their content, but they have built great businesses regardless of how many "scandals" there have been - today's scandal is tomorrow's fish and chip paper anyway.

The market isn't always fair early. Is it fair that a man with little technical knowledge (like Kiyosaki) has sold more books than people that know far more than him? 

No, but life isn't always fair.  If Kiyoasaki had written a dry academic book, and boasted about his financial qualification, he would have sold a handful of books. Instead, he sold emotion, and benefited from that.

Yet so many financial professions think people care about the acronyms put after your name on LinkedIn. A case in point. I once did a YouTube video where I criticized financial qualifications and said most were BS.

Most of my clients loved it, as did many potential ones. Yet most advisors that saw it thought it was scandalous. 

The point being, successful books like this one taught me not to be "in the bubble".   

What the market wants (in this case Kiyosaki's book) isn't always the same as what people "in the bubble" think is correct. 

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680178/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Rich+Dad+Poor+Dad&qid=1607862836&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=f29d31cdd9d7c38a715211ce8ab25523&language=en_US" />

## About Adam

Adam is a financial consultant in the fields of wealth management and financial planning. His [money advice service](https://adamfayed.com/#three-service-areas) aims to help his clients achieve financial independence, regardless of location.

As well as offering individualised services, Adam actively shares his knowledege online. One of the reasons for reaching out to Adam in the first place was because we love reading his answers on [Quora](https://www.quora.com/profile/Adam-Fayed). You can also find more content from Adam [on his website](https://adamfayed.com/), on his [Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChK5TMy_Yhae6vnyvIDbL7g) 
and you can [buy his book - 6 Steps to Financial Freedom - on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Steps-Financial-Freedom-Marketers-Independence-ebook/dp/B07DLY168X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=adam+fayed&qid=1607864466&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=656d06c98ac8bee4d3893617f6719a9c&language=en_US
).



Read our interview with Adam Fayed - a financial consultant in the fields of wealth management and financial planning - in which he shares five books that impacted his life.

My Life in Books: Adam Fayed


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We asked Brian Schæfer Dreyer - a travel writer from Denmark - to tell us
  about five books that have had a significant impact on his life.
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="jon-krakauer-into-the-wild_qwr1wp"
  altText="Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I bought Into The Wild after having watched the brilliant movie adaptation by
the same name. A true story about the adventures of the American student Chris
McCandless that leaves his family and his privileged life behind to pursue the
ultimate freedom in the wilds of Alaska.

The story has been a huge inspiration for many people who dream of stepping out
of the hamster wheel of ”normal life” and people who have already done it.
Personally, it has inspired me to go all-in on my own dreams and to pursue a
life as a freelance writer, as well as I agree with the most important lesson
the protagonist learn along the way: Happiness is only real when shared.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0385486804/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Into+the+Wild&qid=1599073027&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ce229678d19ed75de27cf7535850bed0&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Time Was Soft There - Jeremey Mercer</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="jeremy-mercer-time-was-soft-there_fs5gkm"
  altText="Time Was Soft There - Jeremey Mercer"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I love Paris and the bohemian wonderland of Shakespeare & Co which is the
legendary Parisian bookstore where this story takes place. It is written by the
Canadian author Jeremy Mercer that ended up living in the bookstore for a while
just like hundreds of other aspiring writers that were hosted by the original
shop owner, the late George Whitman.

This book makes me dream of living in Paris and tugs at my bohemian sleeve and
the part of me that would have loved to do something like that. It's a story
that combines my love for Paris and with my love for writing and therefore hits
the jackpot on my bookshelf.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Time-Was-Soft-There-Shakespeare/dp/0312347405/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Time+Was+Soft+There&qid=1599072992&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=64c24847d521171a664383fb48c84a24&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Yes Man - Danny Wallace</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="danny-wallace-yes-man_rfkcjo"
  altText="Yes Man - Danny Wallace"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Many people have probably watched the movie hit 'Yes Man' where comedian Jim
Carrey plays the leading role, but many don't know the movie's origin is a book
by the British author Danny Wallace – a true story about saying yes.

While the movie is rather exaggerated, the book certainly has its crazy moments,
but it's a real story about being open to all the opportunities that offer
themselves to us daily – from saying yes to grab a drink with a friend to embark
on a big adventure. I am personally trying to live like that and act on dreams.
Also, Wallace is a brilliant writer and observer of human behaviour and presents
it in a humouristic way that makes his books highly entertaining to read and
puts a smile on your face.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Man-Danny-Wallace/dp/1416918345/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Yes+Man&qid=1599072955&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=f04477a5d3f6b0576acf3c2361fe2475&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Voluntourist - Ken Budd</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="ken-budd-the-voluntourist_dgvneb"
  altText="The Voluntourist - Ken Budd"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This book combines the afterthoughts of losing a close family member with the
quest for doing something meaningful with your life – and both themes are close
to me these days, as well as the passion for travelling and meeting new people
that are also essential parts of this story.

In the wake of losing his father, author Ken Budd sets out to find meaning in
his own life while dealing with the dilemma of not having kids of his own and it
takes him around the world in different stages while volunteering with
everything from teaching special needs kids in China to rebuilding homes for
people in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

I have volunteered myself while travelling and would love to do it again one
day, and the search for doing something meaningful with your time and life is
something that I can identify with a lot.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Voluntourist-Six-Country-Fatherhood-Singing-Bethlehem/dp/006194646X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Voluntourist&qid=1599072904&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=73320b95b019268038bf0abaf21c5664&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Twitchhiker - Paul Smith</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="paul-smith-twitchhiker_qtfbfx"
  altText="Twitchhiker - Paul Smith"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

As the title might reveal, Twitchhiker combines Twitter with hitchhiking in a
very unique way as radio personality Paul Smith sets out to travel as far around
the world from his home in 30 days. He does so solely by the generosity of his
followers on Twitter who in turns offer him everything from lifts to tickets and
accommodation.

It's an inspiring story about being opportunistic, about 'creating something out
of nothing' and about how far you can make it with the help from strangers.
Despite not being a big tweeter myself, I love the concept of this adventurous
journey and I find many similarities in the story to my own journey of becoming
a travel writer.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Twitchhiker-How-Travelled-World-Twitter-ebook/dp/B003ZSHRUU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Twitchhiker&qid=1599072850&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ae967226054d1c3e6d878367729753b0&language=en_US" />

## About Brian

Brian is a self-taught travel journalist, blogger and photographer who have
lived in Wales, England and Spain besides his home country of Denmark. He
currently calls Madrid home while working for Danish newspapers and magazines as
well as on several online projects.

Learn more about Brian's experiences and see examples of his works on his
[professional website](http://www.travelooney.dk/) and also check out his
[personal travel blog](http://www.travelooneyblog.com/) (in English).


Read our interview with travel writer Brian Schæfer Dreyer in which he shares five books that have impacted his life.

My Life in Books: Brian Schæfer Dreyer


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome Jackie Bavaro - author of two books and a former Head of Product Management at Asana - for the latest installment in our My Life in Books
  series.
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
Jackie has picked out four books that have had a big impact on her life. Have you read any of them?
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Getting Things Done - David Allen</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="david-allen-getting-things-done_qtpdxx"
  altText="Getting Things Done - David Allen"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

As a kid, my report card always said “needs improvement” on neatness and organization. I knew I was disorganized, but I honestly couldn’t understand how anyone else was organized. 

It seemed like an impossible task. Luckily, at my first job someone recommended this book to me and it changed my life. I finally became an organized and reliable person.

This tiny book is filled with advice, but the most important concept for me was the idea of writing everything down in a single place. Instead of stressing over remembering all of my tasks, I started writing them down and relaxing. 

I stopped feeling ashamed about my “bad” memory, and decided to accept myself and work with what I had. It felt like a huge weight was lifted.

Most self improvement is a slow process, but this book helped me overnight. I’d recommend it to absolutely everyone.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563?dchild=1&keywords=Getting+Things+Done+-+David+Allen&qid=1612299404&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=54921be2eb1c342d6273189af0beb349&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="dan-ariely-predictably-irrational_ainsti"
  altText="Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

One of my econ teachers told us, “Economics is the study of unintended consequences.” 

History is filled with examples of policies that had precisely the opposite of the intended effect, as in the time farmers reacted to “We’ll pay you not to produce corn” by producing more corn. 

They wanted to raise their baseline corn production so that they could be paid more the next year for not producing corn.

This book, along with [Thinking Fast & Slow](https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555?dchild=1&keywords=Thinking+Fast+%26+Slow&qid=1612299557&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=a0fa9c137ff4ed0a3a941fc7d4b6d6a0&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl), [The Design of Everyday Things](https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded/dp/0465050654?dchild=1&keywords=The+Design+of+Everyday+Things&qid=1612299591&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=1e2b3049c6ac1a1fcc9dfad8acba1621&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl), and [Nudge](https://www.amazon.com/Nudge-Improving-Decisions-Health-Happiness/dp/014311526X?crid=39Z2BIQ84ZKEP&dchild=1&keywords=nudge&qid=1612299617&sprefix=Nudge%2Caps%2C376&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=23c7b9321fb58ef4acb6edbc20736e20&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl), illuminates various ways that while human behavior isn’t always straightforward, it can be understood, predicted, and accommodated. 

The deeper we understand how people think, the better we can design successful solutions.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Predictably-Irrational-Revised-Expanded-Decisions/dp/0061353248?dchild=1&keywords=Predictably+Irrational+-+Dan+Ariely&qid=1612299449&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=8f3245f401e7a8907693d9916bf884fc&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="malcolm-gladwell-outliers_irwban"
  altText="Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I love all of Malcolm Gladwell’s books. He’s able to bring important lessons to life with memorable stories. This book introduces the “10,000 hours of practice” concept for achieving excellence. 

This drills into the fascinating question of how people get better at things. It’s inspired me to pick up new hobbies and attempt to develop skills in places where I previously thought I had no chance.

If you like the topic, [Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise](https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/0544947223?dchild=1&keywords=Peak%3A+Secrets+From+the+New+Science+of+Expertise%5D%28&qid=1612814582&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=3eefea8a9c573212353b3546451ee8b0&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl), goes even deeper into the science of deliberate practice and developing strong mental models.

I also love Gladwell’s TED talk on [choice, happiness and spaghetti sauce](https://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_choice_happiness_and_spaghetti_sauce?language=en).


<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017930?dchild=1&keywords=Outliers+-+Malcolm+Gladwell&qid=1612299487&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=913d497bf3713b0c382edee3eb886bf5&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="milan-kundera-the-unbearable-lightness-of-being_ixztvd"
  altText="The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I’ve read several books by Milan Kundera over the years, and by some kind of magic, each one seems to speak directly to my life at the moment.

*"We can never know what we want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come."*

This quote resonates so strongly with me. We can’t A/B test life. We go through life, making decisions, and we can’t be sure which ones are right. It’s tough, but there’s some comfort in remembering that this applies equally to everyone. We’re all just winging it.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Unbearable-Lightness-Being-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061148520?dchild=1&keywords=The+Unbearable+Lightness+of+Being+-+Milan+Kundera&qid=1612299522&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=fdd09e5492a2399d88be8d1e34fb7a4e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

## About Jackie

Jackie Bavaro is the author of [Cracking the PM Career](https://amzn.to/36wvS8B) and [Cracking the PM Interview](https://amzn.to/2NWnRDv). Previously, she was Head of Product Management at Asana, and earlier a Product Manager at Google and Microsoft.


Check out our interview with author and Product Manager Jackie Bavaro where she tells us about some of the books that have made an impact on her life.

My Life in Books: Jackie Bavaro


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome Jose Barros as our new interviewee. Jose describes
  himself as a family man with a regular job as a middle-manager in a global
  company. He likes books, spending time with his kids, cooking and travelling
  to new locations. But that's just on the surface... As you will see from this
  interview underneath this surface you find a revolutionary, an agitator, a
  free mind, a complex bundle of beliefs and values.
</p>

We asked Jose which books have most influenced his life and he chose four
extremely powerful and impactful works:

- The Gulag Archipelago - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
- Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets - Svetlana Alexievich
- The long walk to freedom - Nelson Mandela
- The Trial - Franz Kafka

No room for 'Bridget Jones's Diary' on this list!

"The common undertone of all these tremendous books is one of the less valued
qualities inherent to human nature: **resilience**. It's present in the
overwhelming pressure of a brutal social engineering exercise, exposed in "The
Gulag Archipelago". It's featured in "Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets"
by the agonizing voices of those that lived through a broken promise of a better
future. It's described perfectly in "The long walk to freedom", that glorifies
the power of the mind over body. And finally, resilience is one of the many
interpretations that can be found in "The Trial": the ability to survive our
self-created monsters."

"That's what those books gave me: they made me more resilient. More capable of
dealing with change, adapt to it, embrace it and learn from it. The notion that
there are no limits to what the human spirit can endure and the strong belief
that, like a flower that is capable of growing in the inhospitable stone of a
cliff, humans can and will thrive as a race, regardless of what the future holds
for us."

> Like a flower that is capable of growing in the inhospitable stone of a cliff,
> humans can and will thrive as a race, regardless of what the future holds for
> us.

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Gulag Archipelago - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="aleksandr-solzhenitsyn-the-gulag-archipelago_jc9qqj"
  altText="The Gulag Archipelago - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

By far the most powerful, epic, brutal and revealing work I have read to this
day. As a literary work and historical document it is absolutely insurmountable.

Solzhenitsyn takes us on an unforgettable trip to the core of the Soviet terror
and its punishment system: a network of forced labour camps known as GULAG.
Relentlessly, the author reveals the nuts and bolts of a regime that was
dehumanized and ruthless in its path to engineer a new classless society. The
arrests, the torture, the trials, the unbearable life in the camps.

There is no logic, no common sense, no reasoning. The system devours human lifes
and reduces their importance to mere numbers. Disposable numbers. Nonetheless,
the biggest achievement of the book is to show the resilience of the human
spirit under the most harsh circumstances. They can punish the body as much as
they like, but they cannot punish and incarcerate the spirit.

This is a book about the boundaries of human nature and the resistance of the
soul. It's not a read, it's a challenge.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061253715/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paperbacktrav-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0061253715&linkId=89b2e2a4ca63f4c26598e2a543979cf2" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets - Svetlana Alexievich</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="secondhand-time-svetlana-alexievich_efs246"
  altText="Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets - Svetlana Alexievich"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

It's a "tough" book to read, full of disenchantment and frustration. An ideal
complement to "The Gulag Archipelago" by Solzhenitsyn - The Archipelago reports
exhaustively on the construction of the "Soviet man". Alexievich's work tells of
its end and how people are still dealing with their disappointment.

The book is not a nostalgic compendium of interviews, but a crude, realistic
account of time and life after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Soviet
project was much more than a political regime. It was literally a gigantic
social engineering venture. The "Soviet man" survives the end of the regime and
tries to adapt to a new world. There are no complex theories or deep thoughts on
how that transformation is happening. People speak, the "common people”, filling
the pages with their soul and feelings.

The book is painful, I would not consider it an object of entertainment. It is a
dip in a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, soul spills. It tires us, draws energy
from the reader, envelops us in a scenario without a light at the end of the
tunnel. It is a book of modern times but about a reality that most of us cannot
even start to imagine.

Is the book worth the "sacrifice"? Of course, only the masterpieces are able to
move the individual so much. In fact, this is an unmissable piece of literature.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399588825/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paperbacktrav-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0399588825&linkId=6944e4fb20cf2b30b1ac995ec57dd492" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="nelson-mandela-the-long-walk-to-freedom_deg1q6"
  altText="The Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

A remarkable autobiography of a remarkable man.

There are questions raised about the fact that a historical character with the
dimension of Mandela followed, at a certain point in his life, a path of armed
struggle. For purists, this is unacceptable, especially for a Nobel Peace Prize
winner. However, given the political and social context of South Africa at that
time, by reading the book, you realize that this option was not only
understandable but also an inevitable consequence of the fight against the
apartheid regime.

Mandela conveys his personality in the way he writes: a practical man, of an
unusual intelligence, with a disarming simplicity and a set of absolutely
unshakable convictions. The vast majority of ordinary mortals would have given
up along the path of this long walk to freedom. Mandela resisted and prevailed,
therefore winning a place in the gallery of the righteous icons of Humanity. By
doing so he also created the greatest tragedy of his life: his political
struggle had a happy outcome but his personal life never brought him the joy he
hoped for. The great price that Mandela paid for his political ideals was the
loss of strong family bonds and that sorrow accompanied him until the end of his
days.

A book to learn that, even the greatest figures of Human History, suffer from
the common problems and tribulations that all of us face in daily life.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316548189/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paperbacktrav-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0316548189&linkId=40720f5633043f56f8c506d526ef3068" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Trial - Franz Kafka</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="franz-kafka-the-trial_s1dkka"
  altText="The Trial - Franz Kafka"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Kafka leaves no one indifferent: you either love it or hate it.

The Trial is an unfinished book. Unfinished by the author and unfinished in the
interpretation that each of the readers can make of the story. Is it an
allegory? Is it ultra-realism? Could it be that the main character (Joseph K) is
all of us?

I understand those that may not have patience for this book. That doesn't make
someone less intelligent or less cultured. The digestion of this “process” is
not easy: the narrative is dense, sometimes disconnected, the characters
stereotyped. The book seems to want to go everywhere and nowhere at the same
time. But Kafka makes us think, awakens minds, rejects indifference (even if in
the end you only want to insult the author for “wasting your time”). Those are
precisely the merits of this “novel”: it questions and makes us question.

Kafka is a subversive read. I dare you to try it.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805209999/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=paperbacktrav-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0805209999&linkId=e713c7e9fc2c4711ac359f9d5819041b" />

## About Jose

Jose Barros likes to agitate the waters, to bring disruption where consensus is
the norm. He hates people because he spends too much time analyzing their
behaviors and their social interactions. He thinks he knows too much about them,
so it's better to distance himself. But he is a good guy. He really is.

Jose is also a writer. You can find more information about his debut book
**"Corporates: The Censored Stories: The book they don't want you to read"** on
his [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/HangingManThe) and purchase a copy
on [Amazon](https://rb.gy/kkpmtd). We thoroughly recommend you do. Be careful
though, you will never look at corporate life in quite the same way!


Read our interview with Jose Barros - Jose Barros is a family man, with a regular job as a middle-manager in a global company. He likes books, spending time with his kids, cooking and travelling to new locations.

My Life in Books: Jose Barros


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome the extremely talented Nirvanna Lildharrie for the
  latest in our My Life in Books series. We asked Nirvanna to describe three
  books that have had a major impact on her life.
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="sheryl-sandberg-lean-in_mzq2lm"
  altText="Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

When I attended college in the early 2010’s, I had a very misconstrued view on
feminism. Like many, I was also under the impression that feminists were people
who hated men and burned bras. Then through my Sociology major, I took classes
about race, the media, and, of course, _gender_. I learned that the distribution
of power in a society is completely arbitrary. And once I saw the inequality, I
could not unsee it.

While all this was happening, my seven female cousins on my dad’s side were all
working to empower each other. We started a book club and the first book we
wanted to read was “Lean In.” Lean In helped reinforce what I was beginning to
understand about women in society. It spoke about how the higher you climb in
the corporate ladder, the fewer the women there are. In the book, Sandberg
highlighted the systematic structures that prevent women from gaining positions
of power.

People who have not read the book will criticize it as anti-housewife, which is
not the case. Sandberg invites women who’d prefer to lean in at work to do so
guilt-free, and for men to lean in at home. This balances gender in the private
and public spheres. Doing so would allow for the world to have better access to
the best talent, rather than the best male talent alone.

I read this book during my senior year of college, right before entering the
workforce. Throughout my career thus far, Sandberg’s words have encouraged me to
“have a seat at the table” at meetings. She popularized the term “imposter
syndrome." Being able to identify those feelings of self-doubt have made them
easier to overcome.

I’ve also seen the world change since this book came out.

In college, a meme of my face went viral with the caption “Gender is a social
construct.” The joke was that Tufts kids said complicated academic stuff that no
one understood. Since graduating, I've heard the phrase used more and more. I’ve
also seen feminism become more mainstream in the media. Movies, shows, and books
now have complex female characters. Lingerie companies make their products for
women’s comfort and confidence first. The #MeToo movement publicizes sexual
abuse and harassment committed by men.

I’m happy to say I tried to reread “Lean In” recently and it felt outdated.
While there’s still much progress to make, the world entered a new era for women
right around the time that I became one.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Women-Work-Will-Lead/dp/0385349947/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1AZGMVRWJGJKW&dchild=1&keywords=lean+in+sheryl+sandberg&qid=1602534065&sprefix=lean+in,aps,351&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=cfb73d456d9c47081838815a8f685b95&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="marie-kondo-the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up_exrijl"
  altText="The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

People think this book is about giving away all your belongings. I love this
book because it taught me about what I should keep.

In the KonMari method, you take out all your things within a single category
like clothing or books. Then you hold each item one-by-one and notice the
instant implicit response the item gives you. What she tells you to look for is
what “sparks joy.” She compares this feeling to what you may feel when you see a
puppy (love, perhaps?).

I’ve heard some people say that they don’t feel attachment to things. i.e. When
they pick up a pair of pants, their gut doesn’t guide them in any specific
direction. To those people, I’d say: Listen closer. It’s not about the thing
itself; this method is all about you. It’s about recognizing how you feel about
something. It’s about asking yourself what you want and realizing that you
already have all the answers you’re looking for.

This book helped me take cognizance of what _I_ want. It helped me slow down
before I buy something new. I now put more consideration into what I want to
bring into my home. This has helped me transform my home into a real haven that
warms me with gratitude every single day. The positive energy of my home is what
keeps me going on the hardest of days.

The other major concept it taught me was how to let things go.

When you’re using the KonMari method, if an object no longer sparks joy, it can
still be difficult to part with it. Kondo’s advice is to thank the object before
discarding or donating it. I can’t tell you how many times I now say thank you
before I throw something out. Once you get the hang of it, this method
translates well beyond physical objects. You can assess opportunities, grudges,
relationships and other intangible things that burden us.

The TV show they made is definitely fun, but I urge you to read the book. You
could read the whole thing in a day, but you’ll likely want to savor it for
longer.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Life-Changing+Magic+of+Tidying+Up&qid=1602534373&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ba0a0894df3ecccb3cae1e321e4fa18b&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="elizabeth-gilbert-eat-pray-love_slx0vt"
  altText="Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Before I turned 27 last year, I had this crippling anxiety about who I am and
what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. As a classic over-sharer, I brought
it up on a casual intro lunch with a colleague when he asked, “How are you?"

And he (emphasis on the “he”) then asked me if I ever read Eat, Pray, Love. I
wasn’t sure if he was serious because, well, “Eat Pray Love” is often a
punchline. I never in a million years thought that I would ever read that book.
Now, I was speaking to this straight, white male colleague who was quite serious
when he said it was great. Impressed, I asked, “You read books written by
women?”

Desperate for resolve, I ordered it right away and pored over every word. It
feels good to read this book. Gilbert writes exquisite prose. While it’s a
memoir, there’s magical realism on every page. I found the book to be
delightful, comforting, and even indulgent.

She was someone who did everything in life by the book and then scrapped it all
because she wasn’t happy. Gilbert was someone who had structure, control, and
rigorous plans. But she desired momentous change. I reveled at her bravery as
she took control of her life and left to enjoy her own company for a bit.

This book created a space to get in touch with my spiritual side and gave me
permission to enjoy life on my own terms. Its beauty brought me plenty of
moments of quiet and internal peace. It taught me it's okay to let go of control
and trust my own intuition.

Best of all, I ordered the 10 year anniversary book, which was a happy accident
because it included a foreword by Elizabeth Gilbert 10 years later speaking to
the virality of the book and its global impact. Pro tip: If you get the 10 Year
Anniversary version, read the foreword at the end. And, whatever you do, don’t
watch the movie (it’s trash).

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Everything-Indonesia/dp/0143038419/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Eat+Pray+Love&qid=1602534502&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=f326fb46555ee60c641e7b8e5cca8597&language=en_US" />

## About Nirvanna

Nirvanna is a cosmopolitan Scrabble genius who runs 5Ks and sings alto. She
makes appearances as a local artist where she lives in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
During the day, she works in sales with Robin, the Workplace Experience
platform. Nirvanna holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Communications
from Tufts University. Connect with her on
[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirvannalildharrie/) or
[view her artwork here](https://www.nirvannalildharrie.com/portfolio).


Read our interview with Nirvanna Lildharrie in which she shares three books that have had a significant impact on her life.

My Life in Books: Nirvanna Lildharrie

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
Professor Rashid Khalidi is one of the world's leading scholars of Middle Eastern history. In The Hundred Years' War on Palestine - 
the history of a century of Israeli-Palestinian conflict - he describes and critiques a series of seismic 'declarations of war' 
against the Palestinian people that culminated in the creation of the state of Israel and the progressively-worsening situation in 
the region that sadly shows no sign of abating anytime soon. 

We asked Professor Khalidi to tell us about why he decided to write The Hundred Years' War on Palestine when he did, the audience he 
was aiming to reach and his hopes for the future. We are grateful to Professor Khalidi for taking the time to respond to our questions. 
For anyone who would like to educate themselves on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this book is a good place to start.

</p>

> "What is most needed in order to change US public discourse is to make widely known the actual nature of realities on the ground in Palestine." 

**How would you characterise your intended audience for The Hundred Years' War on Palestine?**

I hope to reach a general audience, including people with some knowledge, as well as those who are unfamiliar with a Palestinian perspective because another narrative has been so pervasive in public discourse.

**Please can you explain why you decided to frame the book with the concept of six declarations of war against the Palestinian people?**

I was trying to shatter the false notion that this is simply a conflict between two equal sides, or that it is solely between Palestinians and Israelis, whereas it has always been an externally supported assault intended to dispossess the Palestinians.

**Which of the declarations of war had the biggest impact on you personally and why?**

Probably the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and siege of Beirut. This is because of its traumatic nature (17,000 Lebanese and Palestinians were killed), and because I was living in Beirut with my family at that time.

**Why did you decide to write and publish this specific book - articulating the creation of Israel as a history of settler colonialism - when you did?**

I felt that the moment was appropriate, and that this essential nature of the sustained assault on the Palestinian people had been obscured in most treatments of the topic.

**What do you consider to have been the biggest turning point or missed opportunity in the fortunes of the Palestinian people during the time period covered in the book?**

There were several: the 1939 St. James Palace conference was one; the first intifada and subsequent negotiations that culminated in the disastrous Oslo accords was another. In these and other cases, however, the utlimate result was probably overdetermined.

**What makes you hopeful about the future for the Palestinian people?**

Because they have not given up their struggle for their rights in spite of setbacks and imposed and self-inflicted divisions of their ranks, and because they are facing a discriminatory colonial settler regime that is completely out of step with the norms of the 21st century.

**What criticisms has the book faced since its publication and how do you respond to them?**

There have only been a few: they essentially boil down to whining that the book is one-sided, coming mainly from those unused to seeing a serious challenge to their largely false narrative of this history, which has heretofore been hegemonic in Western public discourse. 

**You have talked about the importance of building a unified Palestinian movement. What do you see as the main obstacles to achieving this?**

A decrepit, bankrupt generation of leaders, Palestinian political movements with no strategic vision, and external meddling by powers, notably Israel, determined to keep the Palestinians divided.  

**You have also emphasised the importance of achieving equality for all people living in Israel/Palestine. How do you envisage this being achieved?**

I cannot presume to predict the future, but there is no alternative if the awful current situation is to change for the better. It will require those with privilege -- mainly Israelis -- being confronted with the fact that this is an unsustainable situation. And it will require both peoples devising an equitable, just way to share one small country.

**You have said that the project to create Israel was a century or two centuries too late. Why?**

This derives from an insight of the late Tony Judt. He said it because a European colonial settler project like this might have succeeded fully in the 18th century or a bit later, when this form of domination and dispossession was still acceptable. It no longer is.

**You have said that American support for Israel actually harms American interests. Please can you explain why this is the case?**

Because of the opposition to the biased US position in favor of Israel that is engendered all over the world, especially in Arab and Islamic countries, and because this position is in contradiction with values the US supposedly espouses in terms of democracy and human rights. Where these countries have democratic regimes, this opposition is a serious hindrance to the US. Where they have dictatorial regimes that can suppress public opinion, this is less of a problem. 

**If you could take one quote from the book and have every child in schools around the world read it, what would that quote be and why?**

I really cannot think of one. Perhaps the words of an ancestor of mine, Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi, in an 1899 letter to Theordore Herzl,  the founder of modern political Zionism: "in the name of God, let Palestine be left alone."

**How can Palestine win the public relations war in the US and do you believe that the Palestinian movement needs a popular cultural work to captivate public imagination in a similar way to how Leon Uris’ Exodus (and the subsequent film of the same name) became the average American's reference point to the story of Israel?**

What is most needed in order to change US public discourse is to make widely known the actual nature of realities on the ground in Palestine. Also crucial is a revival of the Palestinian national movement around a clear strategy that offers both peoples a secure future in Palestine/Israel, and that can be effectively communicated.

Artistic and cultural works, whether novels, poetry, movies, TV, theater, or other forms, were hugely important in creating a positive image of Zionism and of Israel. This is changing as such works are beginning to better reflect the realities of oppression and discrimination in Palestine/Israel.

Rashid Khalidi is the author of [The Hundred Years' War on Palestine](https://paperbacktravels.com/book-summaries/history/rashid-khalidi-the-hundred-years-war-on-palestine), [Palestinian Identity](https://www.amazon.com/Palestinian-Identity-Construction-National-Consciousness/dp/023115075X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Palestinian+Identity&qid=1622882073&sr=8-1), [Brokers of Deceit](https://www.amazon.com/Brokers-Deceit-Undermined-Peace-Middle/dp/0807033243/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Brokers+of+Deceit&qid=1622882120&sr=8-1), and [The Iron Cage](amazon.com/Iron-Cage-Palestinian-Struggle-Statehood/dp/0807003093/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Iron+Cage&qid=1622882143&sr=8-1), among others. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and many other journals. He is the Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University in New York and co-editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies.







<Image266x400
  src="rashid-khalidi-the-hundred-years-war-on-palestine-for-interview_xxtxlz"
  altText="The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: Professor Rashid Khalidi."
  imageCategory="articles"
/>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Palestine-Colonialism/dp/1250787653/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+100+years+war+on+palestine&qid=1622960855&sr=8-1" />
</Box>

We interviewed Palestinan historian Professor Rashid Khalidi about his book The Hundred Years' War on Palestine. 
Read on to learn about why Professor Khalidi decided to write this book for a general audience, what he considers to have been the major turning points in the fortunes of the Palestian people and why he is hopeful about the future.

Interview with Rashid Khalidi


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to have Richard Palethorpe - who works as a Software Engineer
  at Suse - for the latest installment in our My Life in Books series.
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We asked Richard to tell us about the non-fiction books that have had a major
  impact on his life, and he went deep!
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>How To Solve It - George Polya</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="george-polya-how-to-solve-it_jvnr2q"
  altText="How To Solve It - George Polya"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

There are a number of great misconceptions about mathematics. One is that it is
accurate, neat and tidy. In fact only the final proofs and techniques, refined
over many years or centuries are concinse, neat, logical steps.

In school you are generally given a set of problems to solve and a set of
procedures to solve them. Not much is said about the meta-procedure of applying
specific techniques. I have taken many courses in mathematics and now read text
books as a hobby, but it was only when I read "How to Solve It" was I explicitly
introduced to the heuristics of mathematical problem solving.

Unlike famous mathematical proofs themselves, the process of creating a proof is
messy, unstructured and an often random search for a solution. I wondered for a
long time if I simply was missing something or just had the wrong type of brain
for maths, but Polya's book helped me to understand, that no, it really is a
fucking mess.

It is also a practically useful book, even if you are not interested in
mathematics. If you study enough problems you will figure out the techniques for
yourself, but it's a potentially very large shortcut and demystifies
mathematics.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/How-Solve-Mathematical-Penguin-Science/dp/0140124993/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0140124993&pd_rd_r=c9645569-ca94-4661-b799-8841ff493ab4&pd_rd_w=1Qb3L&pd_rd_wg=rVlmm&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=NYSKBP4DX21GH0TKFPT5&psc=1&refRID=NYSKBP4DX21GH0TKFPT5&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=6210041e9b78c5479aaf89e3eed2e4a2&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid - Douglas R. Hofstadter</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="douglas-hofstadter-godel-escher-bach-an-eternal-golden-braid_bjy2fo"
  altText="Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid - Douglas R. Hofstadter"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This is the most sacred book of the programmers. When I was beginning my studies
in hackery, I read an article, similar to this one where all the prophets of
computing were asked "what are your favorite books?". Almost all answered "1.
GEB!". I now proudly continue that tradition.

Like any true masterpiece this book defies any attempt at creating a summary. It
is irreducible; only a lossy compression is possible. It both educates you on
the power of symbolic computation, in a way accessible to the uninitiated and at
the same time shows its boundaries. There is a lot of abstract stuff in this
book, but thanks to the mighty computer it also contains practical knowledge.

I have bought at least two copies of this book.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/G%C3%B6del-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden/dp/0465026567/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=G%C3%B6del,+Escher,+Bach:+an+Eternal+Golden+Braid+-+Douglas+R.+Hofstadter&qid=1606387942&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=4282c800cafab0ef202a3f169e64cdb2&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Incerto Series - Nassim Taleb</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="nassim-taleb-the-incerto-series_t2d6ha"
  altText="The Incerto Series - Nassim Taleb"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This is cheating because it is actually a series of books, but Nassim meanders
about and the chapters of one book could be transplanted to another. Like GEB,
these books defy compression and it is Taleb himself who points out that it is a
bad sign if a book can be summarised.

In recent years both Taleb's books and his
[book recommendations](https://fs.blog/2012/02/book-recommendations-from-nassim-taleb/)
have drastically altered my thinking. He ties together many domains under a
framework of probabilistic reasoning and time tested philosophy.

It's joked that Taleb's acolytes become experts on everything. There is fair
criticism in this joke, but also I think many miss the point. Taleb only claims
expertise in probability, yet provides insights into many areas, by providing
tools for dealing with uncertainty.

You can not know everything about everything, in fact I don't even know
everything about software I have created. The set of possible behaviors my code
is capable of, vastly exceeds what I can compute in my head or even formally
verify. Taleb can tell you the same thing despite not being an expert in my
area\*. He points out that people often suffer from domain blindness and despite
being aware of phenomena leading to dangerous randomness in one domain, can not
see it in another. This is despite the fact the same mathematics and other forms
of reasoning apply to both.

In one book he quips that adding randomness (or stochasticity) to a process
often improves the result. Indeed I used some stochasticity in
[a library I created for reproducing bugs in the Linux kernel](https://richiejp.com/a-rare-data-race).
This was much simpler than other possible solutions and more robust. He gives
examples in completely different domains.

It takes a great deal of expertise to create a rocket ship, but only common
sense to decide whether you should take a ride on one. Note that the less you
know about rockets the simpler answering this question becomes. Let's say you at
least know the history of this ship's safety, so you know there is some chance
you might die. Then it's a question of what you will get for riding on it.

However the type of randomness described above is not what Taleb is most
concerned about, although it is important when deciding whether to go skiing off
piste or smuggling cocaine. The most dangerous type of randomness is modeled by
fat-tailed probability distributions. It is characterised by exponential growth
and/or violent non-linear changes which vastly exceed what was previously seen.

Taleb goes off on many tangents, but it usually comes back to how to act, both
morally and successfully. It's easy to misinterpret what he is saying as he
switches mental models depending on the phenomena being dealt with. He's not a
simpleton with an absolutist view of the world and also a bit of a character who
sees it as his moral duty to attack dangerous bullshitters. This puts him at the
center of a lot of controversy and creates noise around his work.

I have bought the Incerto series twice (another of Taleb's favourite aphorisms
is never to read a book you wouldn't read twice) and many of the books by
authors he takes his inspiration from. So far it has been the gift which keeps
giving.

\*Of systems coding in particular, he is a finance quant which requires
considerable coding abilities.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Incerto-Fooled-Randomness-Procrustes-Antifragile/dp/0399590455/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Incerto+series&qid=1606388038&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=de2d091e28a11dfb021ccb89f8fe013b&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Peak - Anders Ericsson</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="anders-ericsson-peak_b0qw7s"
  altText="Peak - Anders Ericsson"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Over the years I have come to believe that all human beings have roughly the
same "natural intelligence", whatever that means. This comes from my own
experience of learning, mathematics, computer science and languages as an adult,
when as a child I was, for the most part, a certified idiot. Definitely there
are people with disabilities, however I believe everyone else hovers around an
average.

That is to say I think the raw computing power of human brains are normally
distributed. To use a phrase from The Incerto, they exist in Mediocristan rather
than Extremistan. You may get people who, for example, are able to store 1.1x to
1.5x of the average in short term memory. However you will not get someone with
the innate ability to store 100x or a 1000x the average.

However we do see in the world that there are people who are 100x better at even
simple tasks such as memorising numbers. Anders does a beautiful job of
explaining how this can happen. Some of the book is merely hypotheses, but he
also gives a concrete example of how people have achieved 10-100x performance.
Essentially while short term memory can only store so many symbols and genetics,
exercise, diet etc. may only increase this incrementally, there are tricks which
allow one to achieve many multiples the performance.

Anders also speculates that the abilities of high performers who are identified
as natural geniuses, can in fact be explained by environmental factors. For me,
in my daily life, it doesn't matter too much how true this is. What matters is
that whatever effect genetics has on intelligence it is less important than
factors which we can control. This is an empowering and useful belief, or
perhaps it would be better to say it is a useful assumption which leads to
better courses of action.

On the other hand, and somewhat ironically given the front cover of the book, I
think elite sports are limited completely by physical strength and therefor
genetics. It's only where pure thought is concerned that you can achieve
multiple times the performance.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Peak-How-Achieve-Extraordinary-Things/dp/0099598477/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Peak+-+Anders+Ericsson&qid=1606388173&s=books&sr=1-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=2a492902fcdea3e920762ebf4259b3c4&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Dune - Frank Herbert</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="frank-herbert-dune_kecj51"
  altText="Dune - Frank Herbert"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Dune, of course, is a work of fiction and therefor is expressed in a way that
allows for more meaning to be imposed upon it than a work of non-fiction
expressing the same concepts. With that in mind, every time I read Dune, I find
more profound philosophical, socio-political-theological-economic-ecological
commentary for which the narrative of Dune is merely a backdrop, an allegory.
Perhaps it would be better to call it religious fiction because it is perhaps
religion for secular nerds.

Out of the books listed here, I probably read this at the youngest age and so it
may be the most formative despite being fiction. It introduced the idea that in
order for some things to get stronger, they must endure hardship strong enough
to remove the weaker components, but not so strong it destroys or cripples the
whole. This should not be an unfamiliar concept given natural selection is
taught in school, however people are still surprised by it and fail to see all
the places it applies. It can be seen in hormesis and antifragile processes (a
term coined by Taleb).

I don't know how much I really learnt from Dune and how much I am layering on
top of it with more recent knowledge. Ultimately though I think it tipped me
towards seeking out harder paths that in the long run have made my life better.

Unfortunately a new film is being made and while it does look like a good film;
the themes of Dune are not things which can be expressed in film. The film will
be a collection of attractive people riding CGI sand worms occasionally uttering
simplified dialog designed to reach the widest audience possible. I will
probably enjoy the film, because I like special effects, but will then have to
endure people discussing "Dune", after only watching the film.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Dune-Chronicles-Book-1/dp/0441013597/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Dune+-+Frank+Herbert&qid=1606388316&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=b7f9320dbbf4212b20db1862da890cf0&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The True Believer - Eric Hoffer</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="eric-hoffer-the-true-believer_wkjvos"
  altText="The True Believer - Eric Hoffer"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

People often like to wave 1984 around in the air at every available opportunity
while calling their opponents fascists or leftists. Which is good (except that
1984, Animal farm etc. suffer from the same issue as Dune), but in the other
hand they should have a copy of The True Believer. It's a travesty that this
book isn't slapped in people's faces every time mass movements begin their
descent into radical nonsense.

Eric points out that Stalin and Hitler did not worry so much about their
followers defecting to the Allies, but instead to each other. For a number of
reasons, but largely because extreme ideologies offer mostly the same things to
the extremist. Your moderate progressive is less likely to switch to
conservative, than a hardline leftist to a fascist.

The reason being the moderates have genuine differences in beliefs whereas the
extremists both just want the same thing: to burn it the fuck down in an
orgasmic flurry of violence and end their own painful existence in the process.
Whether they are fighting for God, against religion, in some race war or against
racism doesn't matter so long as their is the opportunity for pandemonium.

What amuses me about this book is how I found it; it is mentioned by
[Theodore Kaczynski](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kaczynski) in his
manifesto which he committed acts of terrorism in order to achieve circulation.
If you have ever wondered "What would happen if a highly technical and erudite
person, who completely rejected society and had zero fear of repercussions
developed an idealogy", then check out
[Industrial Society and Its Future](https://www.amazon.com/Unabomber-Manifesto-Industrial-Society-Future/dp/1595948155/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=10de9ee683167f382dc598a2dafd2a84&language=en_US)
(needless to say the content requires some emotional detachment). Unfortunately
for Theodore's movement, there is nothing man-made more powerful than
technologie, it co-opted religion and now there is nothing left to stand in its
way. I'll leave it as an open question as to whether Theodore himself is a True
Believer.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/True-Believer-Thoughts-Movements-Perennial/dp/0060505915/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+True+Believer+-+Eric+Hoffer&qid=1606388434&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=50d85372d9f4aebe360e90e8702a03aa&language=en_US" />

**Other notable mentions**
_[Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson](https://www.amazon.com/Hells-Angels-Strange-Terrible-Saga/dp/0345410084/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Hell's+Angels+by+Hunter+S.+Thompson&qid=1606388505&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=96a164c22d69ab9c6f1beaa8d50e68c5&language=en_US)
_[Against Method by Paul Feyerabend](https://www.amazon.com/Against-Method-Paul-Feyerabend/dp/1844674428/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Against+Method+by+Paul+Feyerabend&qid=1606388529&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=8507ff7eff6e3e87fe743be92c8c1be2&language=en_US)
_[The Dao of Capital by Mark Spitznagel](https://www.amazon.com/Dao-Capital-Austrian-Investing-Distorted/dp/111834703X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Dao+of+Capital+by+Mark+Spitznagel&qid=1606388554&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=f9a802fe70b3c5b13ad87729d6ea3250&language=en_US)
_[Complexity: A Guided Tour by Melanie Mitchell](https://www.amazon.com/Complexity-Guided-Tour-Melanie-Mitchell/dp/0199798109/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Complexity:+A+Guided+Tour+by+Melanie+Mitchell&qid=1606388580&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=174713f41a0f6187f6ac5901d3c12fb0&language=en_US) \*[The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan](https://www.amazon.com/Silk-Roads-New-History-World/dp/1101912375/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=the+silk+roads+by+peter+frankopan&qid=1606388602&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=43a294297c62a707646c644961d03f28&language=en_US)

## About Richard

Software priest in the church of Operating Systems, enthusiast of discrete
mathematics, complexity theory, lifting weights and sprinting, classical
architecture, mountains, oceans, conspiracy theories, mindaltering substances...

Find out more by
[connecting with Richard on Twitter](https://twitter.com/jichiep),
[visiting his website](https://richiejp.com/),
[checking out his Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngqLRY7iFw0r8n_hyGBn3g)
or [sending him an email](https://richiejp.com/).


Read our interview with Richard Palethorpe - a Software Engineer at SUSE - in which he shares six books that have had a significant impact on his life.

Life in Books: Richard Palethorpe


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome Sam Beckwith - a journalist and the founder of
  PraguePig.com - for the latest installment in our My Life in Books series.
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We asked Sam to tell us about some of the non-fiction books that have
  significantly impacted his life. What follows is a list of books you have
  probably never heard of but Sam's descriptions will definitely make you laugh
  and may well prompt you to read them yourself.
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>
    The Book of Lists - David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace
  </h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="david-wallechinsky-the-book-of-lists_nqayyi"
  altText="The Book of Lists - David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I was obsessed with reference books as a child. My parents bought me the new
edition of the Guinness Book of Records every Christmas, and I used to read
Halliwell’s Film Guide and Pear’s Cyclopedia for fun. That, inevitably, led me
to my dad’s copy of The Book of Lists.

Compiling a book made up purely of lists isn’t, in itself, a mind-blowing idea
but it’s the eclecticism of the project that really grabbed me. And as an added
bonus, some of it’s a bit mucky.

You get everything from “9 Most Unusual Monuments in the World” to “Gen. George
Patton's 6 Past Lives” to “Sexual Curiosities About 9 Well-Known Women” (in
which we learn that Princess Anne “was the only female competitor at the 1976
Montreal Olympics not to be given a sex test”).

It inspired a lifelong love of useless information.

An equally good sequel,
[The Book of Lists 2](https://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Almanac-Presents-Books-Lists/dp/0688035744/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=the+book+of+lists+2&qid=1608723976&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=809fe0e181274b419ab6d3691ee96bf1&language=en_US),
followed, and contains a list that’s stuck with me ever since. It’s the result
of a survey of American soldiers’ favourite and least favourite foods that, as a
control, includes three fictional dishes: Funistrada, Buttered ermal, and
Braised trake. Every now and then I like to slip “Braised trake” into an article
and see if anyone notices.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Lists-David-Wallechinsky/dp/1841956619/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Book+of+Lists+-+David+Wallechinsky,+Irving+Wallace+and+Amy+Wallace&qid=1608725490&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ae4323e05757bac698afd99e3d6d4091&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Jane Jacobs</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="jane-jacobs-the-death-and-life-of-great-american-cities_hr9dqc"
  altText="The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Jane Jacobs"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Another book from my dad’s bookshelf.

He’s a retired town planner, and this is a 1961 book about urban planning. It
doesn’t sound like a fun read but, beyond the portentous title, The Death and
Life of Great American Cities is a warm and wise book, with implications that go
far beyond the main theme.

That theme is a rebuttal of the idea that cities somehow need to be tamed and
organized and beautified by central planning, which was mainstream thinking at
that time. Jacobs, a journalist, argues that people are a force for good -- that
great cities draw strength from being crowded, diverse, complicated and a bit
messy.

One of her big ideas is the value of “mixed use” -- the idea that a
neighbourhood in which homes, shops and workplaces rub shoulders won’t just be
more vibrant than a neighbourhood that’s purely residential, or one that’s
solely dedicated to retail or business, but will also be safer. Again, it’s the
idea that people solve more problems than they cause.

Jacobs wasn’t just a writer, she was also a campaigner. In the 1960s, she helped
stop an expressway being built through lower Manhattan, which would have
destroyed New York City’s SoHo and Little Italy neighbourhoods.

I now live in a vast Communist-era housing estate that, in some ways, is the
sort of project that Jane Jacobs might have campaigned against. It’s interesting
to look at my neighbourhood through her eyes and see how it does and doesn’t
measure up to her ideas of a “great city”.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/American-Cities-Anniversary-Modern-Library/dp/B006XEAHO6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Death+and+Life+of+Great+American+Cities+-+Jane+Jacobs&qid=1608725528&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=af1da8aa190e5d07fbf1e2e3f3e9745b&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Alternative London - Nicholas Saunders</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="nicholas-saunders-alternative-london_akxyip"
  altText="Alternative London - Nicholas Saunders"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

In my late teens and early twenties, I had a slightly unhealthy obsession with
psychedelia and the counterculture of the 1960s and ‘70s, so this book -- bought
at a second-hand shop in Blackpool -- was a great find.

Alternative London is a handbook for people finding their way in the kind of
groovy-but-grimy underground scene captured in Withnail & I.

Most of the advice, on topics like squatting, phone-phreaking and
“self-development”, now seems incredibly dated, to the extent that much of
Alternative London reads like a relic of a bygone era. (My copy was the fifth
edition, published in 1977, by which time London’s counter-culture must have
already been on the wane.)

In the late 1980s, however, the sections on psychedelic drugs were, besides a
few wild claims (“the milky sap from lettuce is said to be similar to opium”),
the most reliable information my friends and I could lay our hands on and
probably kept us from doing more damage to ourselves than was strictly
necessary.

Alternative London was the work of an interesting-sounding guy called Nicholas
Saunders, who also wrote about rave culture and turned Neal’s Yard in Covent
Garden, London, into a haven of alternative culture. (I used to go there a lot
when I was at university, by which time it was much more respectable and dull.)

Some further reading
[here](https://hatfulofhistory.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/from-alternative-london-by-nicholas-saunders-1974/)
and
[here](https://hqinfo.blogspot.com/2011/04/archive-alternative-london-1970-1982.html).

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Alternative-London-Nicholas-Saunders/dp/0704502879/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Alternative+London+-+Nicholas+Saunders&qid=1608731510&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=7fa72dfc0b06f4da1bc4f43688ad47b5&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Football Against the Enemy - Simon Kuper</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="simon-kuper-football-against-the-enemy_ezrcls"
  altText="Football Against the Enemy - Simon Kuper"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I moved to Prague in 1996 with dreams of becoming a football journalist. When I
read Football Against the Enemy, a year or two later, it was a source of both
inspiration and profound envy. In the book, Kuper -- a young journalist himself
at the time -- travels to 22 countries looking at the influence of politics
(particularly nationalism) on the sport.

It was exactly the kind of thing I wanted to write, especially the early
chapters about post-Communist Europe.

Kuper describes Sparta Prague as the rudest club he dealt with (along with South
Africa’s Orlando Pirates) and mentions a Sparta player asking him for £300 for
an interview. Despite, or maybe because of this, there isn’t a chapter on Czech
football but Kuper’s experiences working and travelling in Central and Eastern
Europe in the 1990s all seemed strangely familiar.

Unusually for a football journalist, Kuper puts a bit of himself into the story
too, and shares some of his own insecurities, and the indignities of the job.

His account of moving in football circles on a severely limited budget was
something I could easily relate to: “Football directors, managers and players
are rich, and they respect wealth in others. They were always asking me which
hotel I was staying in, and wondering whether my jacket was ripped across the
seam because I liked it that way.”

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Football-Against-Enemy-Simon-Kuper/dp/0752848771/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Football+Against+the+Enemy+-+Simon+Kuper&qid=1608731541&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=e56f31edd231eb4c3496ca0aa30bce6a&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Black Postcards - Dean Wareham</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="dean-wareham-black-postcards_rhmncg"
  altText="Black Postcards - Dean Wareham"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

Rock memoirs that draw back the curtain on life in one of my favourite bands
generally disappoint me. The behind-the-scenes accounts of crappy tours, boring
recording sessions and incessant squabbling inevitably undermine the carefully
built-up mystique, and musicians are rarely as good at writing prose as they are
at writing songs.

One happy exception is Dean Wareham’s Black Postcards, which is as gracefully
written as it’s painfully honest, and only reinforces the author’s urbane but
slightly frazzled public persona. It’s a perfect complement to the music of
Galaxie 500, Luna, and Dean & Britta, Wareham’s ongoing duet with wife and
former Luna bandmate Britta Phillips.

The sections detailing Wareham’s affair with Phillips, and the breakdown of his
marriage to first wife Claudia Silver, are particularly powerful. I broke up
with my partner of many years not long after reading Black Postcards and the
book became a sort of companion during that time.

On a lighter note, there’s also an excruciatingly awful anecdote about sleeping
with a Spanish air hostess, and a lot of Ecstasy-taking.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Black-Postcards-Memoir-Dean-Wareham/dp/0143115480/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Black+Postcards+-+Dean+Wareham&qid=1608731580&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=61dc952adeb1838e93bf136e0f46ef43&language=en_US" />

## About Sam

Sam is a journalist and technical writer who has written for many different
publications over the years including The Prague Post, World Soccer and When
Saturday Comes.

He is well known in Prague as the founder of
[PraguePig.com](https://praguepig.com/) which (in Sam's own words) "gives expats
in Prague the Czech news that nobody else wants to tell them — the WTF
weirdness, tabloid sleaze and creepy crime stories that don’t normally get
translated into English." Check it out, it's brilliant (whether you live in
Prague or not).

To hear more from Sam, [follow him on Twitter](https://twitter.com/sambeckwith)
or
[hire him as a freelance writer](https://praguepig.com/about-praguepig/about-sam-beckwith/).


Check out our interview with Sam Beckwith - a journalist and the founder of PraguePig.com - in which he shares five books that have impacted his life.

My Life in Books: Sam Beckwith


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome Thaisa Fernandes - a program manager at Twitter and host/producer at the Latinx in Power podcast - for the latest installment in our My Life in Books series. We asked Thaisa to tell us about the non-fiction books that have had a major impact on her life, and we now have even more books on our ever-growing reading list!
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
Thaisa mentioned that she hasn't been a big reader for most of her life, and also that books are still expensive in Brazil, her home country. She started reading regularly after moving to the United States 7 years ago. She says that it was a life changer - professionally and personally - because she’s been learning a lot with books ever since.</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Stephen King</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="stephen-king-on-writing_eaqt9k"
  altText="On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Stephen King"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I'm a big fan of Stephen King's work and I was really impressed with On Writing because it’s totally different from what he usually writes. When I bought it, I was looking for a book about writing, and I came across this one. 

I learned so many details about King’s life that makes total sense because now I understand better his writing through his life.

I read a review on Goodreads once saying that this book is half memoir and masterclass, and I couldn’t agree more. As English being my second language and the language I work with, I truly value the power of communication written and verbal. 

I’m always trying to find ways to improve my writing skills as much as possible. Also because at my work, I write a lot, and my hobby is to share everything I know about product and program management in my blog.

I think this book can bring a lot of value to aspiring but also non aspiring writers. Stephen King talks about the importance of reading and also writing everyday. Especially when you have personal projects, I liked to see his perspective of being able to write and read anywhere he could. 

No matter where you stopped, it’s an interesting skill to develop that is the ability to pick up where you stopped. 

It was super inspiring to learn the details about the process when he wrote Carrie for example, where we wrote most of it while working in a laundry. King brought this sense that if you want to write well, you’ll need to read as much as you write, and consistency is the thing that will make the difference. 

It’s really interesting to read his thoughts and the fears that almost made him not publish his first books. 

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Writing-King-Stephen-Paperback/dp/B00NYI71B6?crid=HWK33LXXQB0Y&dchild=1&keywords=on+writing+stephen+king&qid=1614066932&sprefix=on+writing%2Caps%2C312&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=32d7cb265f2053815a3b4ad68cf7061f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Lean Startup - Eric Ries</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="eric-ries-the-lean-startup_d57tsi"
  altText="The Lean Startup - Eric Ries"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This is an older book but I think the Lean Startup framework is still super relevant nowadays. Eric Ries tells what happened with his startup and why they failed. I think it’s so powerful when people share their failures and the learnings they got in this process, and what could have been done differently. 

The main thing to me is that the Lean Startup framework enables a startup to shift directions with agility and validation. This book is definitely worth reading!

I like how he mentions some interesting techniques like the [Five Whys](https://medium.com/pm101/learn-about-the-five-whys-technique-78283d75800f?source=search_popover-------------------------------------). Ries also suggests breaking the problem into small and tactical chunks. 

For example, it may be possible to shorten the product development in a non-polished app, where it’s possible to gather metrics, measure the progress, adjust, and adapt while learning what the users really want before it’s too late.

What was a game changer for me was this sense of it’s ok to fail as long you’re learning, but it’s always important to validate your learnings because if you spend time only learning and not going anywhere, what’s the point? 

Eric Ries defines a startup as a company that is dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty, and he addresses a lot of questions people might have since he created the Lean Startup framework after some failures, and it’s really interesting when he shared his perspective and how a lot of mistakes they committed are preventable. 

In the Lean Startup framework, he also covered the idea of rapid scientific experimentation rather than wasting time planning the whole project with lots of uncertainty. Think about startups and how nimble they are and how we should be creative and capital efficient. 

I truly believe in this idea if you have the right framework to operate and work, you’ll be on the right path for sustainable business. 

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Eric-Ries-Lean-Startup/dp/B00N4E616Q?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614066892&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=7c52a7142b7ef95478c9c71031c0454a&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Nonviolent Communication - Marshall B. Rosenberg</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="marshall-b-rosenberg-nonviolent-communication_gslt9r"
  altText="Nonviolent Communication - Marshall B. Rosenberg"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

This book is a must read in my opinion if you are a designer, product manager, engineer, and I’m actually rereading it. My first thought when I heard about the term nonviolent communication was actually confusing because I had no idea of those different ways to communicate your message.

This drills into the fascinating question of how people get better at things. It’s inspired me to pick up new hobbies and attempt to develop skills in places where I previously thought I had no chance.

Violent communication is communicating in a way that may hurt or harm other people. This means that you might be judgemental, defensive, or even preventing the other person from fully expressing themselves. 

Nonviolent communication can help increase your ability to live based on connection and meaning. It also helps you to have more empathy, and better relationships. 

Rosenberg shows us in detail how we might take action with pre-established concepts to unintentionally not fully listen to the other person. Non-violent communication is the sum of four different things: consciousness, language, communication and means. 

- Consciousness is the set of principles that support our life and bring us empathy, a sense of courage that makes us feel responsible for the words and language we use.
- Language means the responsibility we have for what we say and the way we speak. It’s understanding that the way we communicate can bring or distance the other person.
- Communication is the sense that we’re responsible for the way we speak, and we need to know how to ask for what we desire and how to react in case there’s a disagreement. 
- Means is the use of our influence or power to bring people together, share the power, and become stronger together.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Changing-Relationships/dp/189200528X?dchild=1&keywords=Nonviolent+Communication+-+Marshall+B.+Rosenberg&qid=1614066967&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=bce66cce74e66c53ceaab5dda59c9f28&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Art of Asking - Amanda Palmer</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="amanda-palmer-the-art-of-asking_nz5kw8"
  altText="The Art of Asking - Amanda Palmer"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I watched Amanda Palmer's [TEDTalk](https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking?language=en) and I was blown away, I guess not only me since it seems 12,516,632 people watched it too. I was a fan of her work already, reading her book made me think a lot about the art of asking and how quite often we don't ask for what we need. 

Amanda shares so bravely her story, fears, challenges and humbleness that I love to recommend this book to people.

This book made me think a lot about my culture too, I think Latinx struggles with this idea of accepting help and especially asking for help which is interesting because we love to help those in need. 

Another interesting concept she brought in the book was this sense of vulnerability when you ask for help, because the other person has a choice, they can say yes or no, and the possible no might be the most difficult part of it.

I definitely felt more connected to Palmer reading her memoir, I loved how she shared how difficult it’s to look into someone else’s eyes, be real and ask for help when needed. Why are we so afraid to look at someone's eyes? What are we afraid to see? Ourselves? 

Why do we expect a yes when we ask for help? Amanda says that when we expect for a yes all the time, it doesn’t mean it was an ask, it was a demand instead. The art of asking is an instructive book to anyone who is not getting what they need. 

This is a mandatory book to start being more comfortable with no’s and being humble about your life.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Asking-Learned-Worrying-People/dp/1455581097?dchild=1&keywords=The+Art+of+Asking+-+Amanda+Palmer&qid=1614067047&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ec54f5d715b53649ac112a08aaf92322&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="patrick-lencioni-the-five-dysfunctions-of-a-team_ipbl1y"
  altText="The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I read this book 7 years ago when I was studying at UC Berkeley and it really changed me. Patrick Lencioni wrote about a leadership fable where Kathryn Petersen is the Decision Tech’s CEO and her company is facing some challenges. 

I love how easy to read it is and how it makes you want to know more about what’s going to happen with this dysfunctional company. What was more intriguing for me was the fact that her team was extremely competent and the conflict wasn’t necessarily always there.

Patrick Lencione talks about how you can discover the problems your organization or team has, and also how to analyze and solve them. In this book, Kathryn Petersen has a team extremely competent with a good product but they’re not moving in the right direction. 

Her team is having problems, and a lot of them are not easily perceptible. For example, the team might be agreeing with others, not because they believe in the message but because they’re afraid to disagree. That was something super interesting to hear, because he is right, consensus might not mean anything. 

During this CEO journey, she immerses herself in the complex world of her company and finds the five dysfunctions of a team that are inattention to results, avoidance of accountability, lack of commitment, fear of conflict and absence of trust. 

I loved this sense that leadership means courage and openness, even the best teams with great products can struggle. Lencioni outlines a model and actionable steps that can be used to solve team problems and help you to foster a collaborative and strong team. 

My key takeaway and big lesson is that even with lack of conflict, you and your team can fail. Another key takeaway is that conflict is not necessarily something bad, the existence of conflict can mean you and your team have the opportunity to clarify misunderstandings, brainstorm new solutions, and agree to a common goal. 

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Fable/dp/0787960756?dchild=1&keywords=The+Five+Dysfunctions+of+a+Team+-+Patrick+Lencioni&qid=1614067126&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=2deb314a3dfe986262cdb07a3113893f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" />


## About Thaisa

Thaisa Fernandes helps businesses create awesome products and programs. She’s a Program Manager at Twitter and a podcast host and producer at [Latinx in Power](https://latinxinpower.com/). Proud Latina in tech who lives in the San Francisco bay area for almost a decade and loves to road trip. 

In her free time, she enjoys reading books, of course, writing in her blog [PM101](https://latinxinpower.com/), biking and finding vegan friendly places around the world. If you want to chat more and recommend her a book, feel free to [send Thaisa a tweet](https://twitter.com/thaifernandes).

Check out our interview with Program Manager and podcast host Thaisa Fernandes as she introduces us to some of her favourite nonfiction books.

My Life in Books: Thaisa Fernandes


<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We are delighted to welcome Victoria Chardon - a manager at Google and founder
  of Rising Star Leadership - for the latest installment in our My Life in Books
  series.
</p>

<p style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>
  We asked Victoria to tell us about the non-fiction books (and fiction in this
  case!) that have had a major impact on her life, and we now have even more
  books on our ever-growing reading list!
</p>

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Into Thin Air - John Krakauer</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="john-krakauer-into-thin-air_mgycrj"
  altText="Into Thin Air - John Krakauer"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

John Krakauer’s haunting bestseller provides an insider account of what happened
during the fateful Everest expedition in May 1996, in which 8 climbers lost
their lives.

As well as providing fascinating detail on what an Everest expedition is really
like, it explores the fallibility of mankind against the power of nature.
Something about this book really got under my skin.

I found myself thinking about how the decisions we make, whether selfish or
selfless, often have unforeseen consequences. I was also captivated by the
stories of men and women who are willing to push themselves to the absolute
limits of their physical and mental capacity in order to reach the top of the
world. I have reflected so much on this book since I read it, I’ve even reread
parts of it again.

It sparked a fascination with both Nepal and mountaineering, and led me down a
deep rabbit hole reading similar stories. Would I be so willing to gamble my
life to see what I’m capable of? I’m not sure, but I do know one thing - after
reading Krakauer’s descriptions of Nepal, trekking in the Himalayas to Everest
Base Camp is top of my bucket list.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/0385494785/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=into+thin+air+-+jon+krakauer&qid=1603977477&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=ff9cf3e05575657f5bbab1e41733039e&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Daring Greatly - Brené Brown</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="brene-brown-daring-greatly_utcm4h"
  altText="Daring Greatly - Brené Brown"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

As a female leader in Tech, I always thought I wasn’t allowed to be vulnerable.
I would put on my armour and show up with my game face on. I thought this was
bravery.

Brené Brown is a researcher in shame. Shame is the thing that has us putting on
the armour every day, distancing ourselves from vulnerability. We’re so afraid
of someone noticing a chink in our armour that we build a wall to protect
ourselves from shame, and cut off our access to feeling pure joy and creativity.
I realised at some point last year that I was never able to truly feel joy or
tap fully into my creativity, because I didn’t want to be vulnerable.

I also realised that being afraid of vulnerability was holding me back from
being the powerful leader I could be. This book really helped me on my journey
to reclaiming vulnerability. Since I let go of the fear, I have felt a shift in
how I show up across all areas of my life, and especially in my professional
life. It’s a book I find myself recommending often to clients.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Daring+Greatly+-+Bren%C3%A9+Brown&qid=1603977549&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=5a43179d93aa58a52b79c7cdd046a1e8&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Positive Intelligence - Shirzad Chamine</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="shirzad-chamine-positive-intelligence_mtkwza"
  altText="Positive Intelligence - Shirzad Chamine"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

As both a professional coach and a business leader, I often work with people
struggling with their confidence, or holding themselves back from what they’re
truly capable of. Much of what holds us back revolves around our inner critics,
or saboteurs. Shirzad Chamine, a Stanford lecturer with a background in
neuroscience, has gifted the world with this brilliantly accessible work on
saboteur mindsets and how to overcome them.

The psyche of the human mind is a complex and fascinating thing; much of what
our inner critic tells us comes from childhood and learned behaviours. In the
book, Shirzad examines each of the classic saboteurs with compassion, but points
out how they’re also detrimental to success.

He also argues that as well as IQ and EQ, there’s a third pillar we need to
truly be successful - PQ, or positive intelligence. Not only has this book been
fundamental to my understanding of my own saboteurs and how they hold me back
(hello, high-achieving perfectionist!), I’ve used a lot of his theories and
methods with clients in my coaching practice to great effect. I even went on to
complete his 6-week PQ programme, which uses daily exercises via an app to build
mental fitness. It’s a work I return to again and again, and a concept that I
truly believe is really important.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Intelligence-Individuals-Achieve-Potential/dp/1608322785/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Positive+Intelligence&qid=1603977619&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=57a43ded55b8fe7f4d47a479664fd1bc&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>An Elephant in My Kitchen - Francoise Malby Anthony</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="francoise-malby-anthony-an-elephant-in-my-kitchen_xad3ro"
  altText="An Elephant in My Kitchen - Francoise Malby Anthony"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I have had a lifelong obsession with Africa, ever since I had a penfriend from
Kenya as a young child. We used to send each other drawings via my aunt, who
visited her village frequently. I especially love the nature and wildlife that
can be found throughout the continent. The first time I went on safari and saw
elephants roaming in the bush, I was so overwhelmed I cried!

Like many animal lovers, I worry about the effects that poaching and climate
change will have on all of these remarkable creatures. This book, written by the
wife of famed late conservationist
[Lawrence Anthony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Anthony), is as
heart-warming as it is heart-breaking. Lawrence Anthony, who wrote
[The Elephant Whisperer](https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Whisperer-Life-Herd-African/dp/125000781X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=The+Elephant+Whisperer&qid=1603996221&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=31343800b58724444d3630f24fbebfbe&language=en_US),
did a phenomenal amount of work to protect elephants and rhinos via his lodge,
Thula Thula, as well as creating job opportunities for the local tribespeople in
KwaZulu-Natal. Sadly he died of a heart attack aged just 61.

An Elephant in My Kitchen is his wife’s story of what happened next. Left with
little money, a safari lodge and little knowledge on conservation, not to
mention the fact she was a foreign woman in a somewhat hostile environment,
Francoise Malby Anthony could have been forgiven for packing up and going home
to France. Her story of how she fought through grief to continue Lawrence’s work
is truly inspirational.

If I could leave my life behind tomorrow and do anything at all, I would go and
volunteer at Thula Thula or somewhere similar. There’s so much work to be done
to protect these animals and create livelihoods for the local population to
reduce poaching. It’s an effort I donate to frequently and one day I hope to
donate my time, too.

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-My-Kitchen-Courage-Survival/dp/150986492X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=An+Elephant+in+My+Kitchen+-+Francoise+Malby+Anthony&qid=1603977684&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=063c7e2973ce58fb2e5bbb50fecbf917&language=en_US" />

<Box textAlign="center">
  <h2>Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts</h2>
</Box>

<Image266x400
  src="gregory-david-roberts-shantaram_eyfcip"
  altText="Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts"
  imageCategory="book-summaries"
/>

I’m sneaking a fiction book in, but it’s loosely rooted in a true story, so
presumably there’s some fact in it! Shantaram is a book that did the rounds some
years ago. The story of a convicted robber who escaped prison and fled to India,
where he lived in the slums of Bombay, joined the mafia, founded a medical
centre, acted in Bollywood and several other incredible things besides, is
definitely an adventure.

There’s also a love story at its heart. Roberts’ rich descriptions really bring
India alive and as someone who is obsessed with travel, I enjoy armchair
travelling when I can’t do the real thing. But although I found Shantaram
entertaining, I’m including this book on my list for a very personal reason.

In 2015, I was in Mexico with my then-boyfriend, where he was planning to
propose to me. However the pressure of planning a proposal and saying the right
thing was making him nervous, and he kept putting it off. He was reading
Shantaram whilst we were there, and Gregory David Roberts finally gave him the
inspiration he needed.

On the last night of the trip, he borrowed some beautiful words from the book to
propose to me. Sometimes books impact our lives in unexpected ways, and not
because we loved them for their content. Shantaram is one of those books, and it
will always be special to me!

<AmazonCta link="https://www.amazon.com/Shantaram-Novel-Gregory-David-Roberts/dp/0312330537/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Shantaram+-+Gregory+David+Roberts&qid=1603977747&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=paperbacktrav-20&linkId=4ad0183188b041cd08e13818f714e09a&language=en_US" />

## About Victoria

Victoria is a manager at Google, where she leads an international team of
technical specialists. She is also an ICF-accredited coach and is the co-founder
of [Rising Star Leadership](https://risingstarleadership.com), a coaching
consultancy offering tailored 1:1 coaching programmes as well as group
workshops. Although she’s British by birth and culture - her favourite thing is
tea! - she currently lives in the north of Germany. She’s always happy to talk
about books and coaching, so feel free to connect with her on
[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriachardon).


Read our interview with Victoria Chardon - a manager at Google and co-founder of Rising Star Leadership - in which she shares five books that have had a significant impact on her life.

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