I like listening to podcasts. I like watching docs. I feel the most effective way to learn to is to learn from experts - that takes you from 0-80 really quickly (more on that on another essay).
But, I've never been a great book reader. I always wanted to. But, was never able to cultivate and build that habit. So, for 2020 I took a modest goal - one book a month; 12 books in the year (I was able to do 16 - not bad huh!)
And, it has been phenomenal. I've read quite a bit, and I've learnt quite a bit. My most prominent learnings:
- if I'm unable to read first 50+ pages of the book in one sitting, I won't be able to complete it
- if the books is over 250-300 pages, there's a high probability that I won't be able to complete it
- i like biographies & memoirs, and life & philosophies way more than any other genre
So, here's my 2020 reading list (the one's I could complete to a reasonable extent by no. of pages 80+% - the ones' I couldn't complete, I wouldn't recommend anyways):
Biographies & Memoirs
1. The Promise of a Pencil by Adam Braun *
2. The Ride of Lifetime by Robert Iger *
3. I Love Capitalism by Ken Langone
4. Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood
Life and Philosophy
5. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom *
6. Ikigai by Hector Garcia
Leadership, Team and People
7. Build an A-Team by Whitney Johnson *
8. No Rules Rules by Hastings and Meyer *
9. The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
10. Handling Difficult People by Jon P Bloch
11. The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins
Non Fiction
12. Rework by David Heinemeier Hansson *
13. God's Own Kitchen by Rashmi Bansal *
14. Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie *
15. The Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam *
16. Bottle of Lies by Katherine Eban
* ~ Recommended