Reading List
In mid 2023, I began keeping track of my reading, and compiled the list here in order.
Each book includes its Description and Recommendation.
Currently Reading: The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge
2023
The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger
Desc. Great autobiography of Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney.
Rec. Recommended by former classmate, and Imagineer for Disney.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Desc. Steve Jobs's biography written by former head of CNN, Walter Isaacson.
Rec. Since Jobs was mentioned a lot in The Ride of a Lifetime, I decided to read this next.
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Desc. Story driven book about team building.
Rec. Recommended by a Virginia Tech professor.
Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Desc. Prequel to Hunger Games.
Rec. Wanted to read the book before the movie came out.
What It Takes by Stephen Schwarzman
Desc. The autobiography of the co-founder of Blackstone.
Rec. Recommended by former boss at AT&T.
Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull
Desc. The story of Pixar, from founding to its systemization of the creative process.
Rec. Important part of the stories of both The Ride of Lifetime and Steve Jobs.
2024
After Steve by Tripp Mickle
Desc. The story of Apple's transformation after Jobs's death, focusing on Tim Cook and Jony Ive.
Rec. ISE Classmate at Virginia Tech.
Sure, I'll Join Your Cult by Maria Bamford
Desc. Memoir about living with mental illness, which manages to be very funny at the same time.
Rec. Found it in book store.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Desc. I don't think I need to explain this one.
Rec. Recommended by every person I know, finally got around to it.
The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt
Desc. Story driven introduction to industrial engineering.
Rec. Required Reading for ISE class.
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
Desc. Biography of Elon Musk, from his very troubled childhood to his business career.
Rec. As a former stockholder in Tesla, I was interested to learn more about its CEO.
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
Desc. Story of the one of the largest frauds in history: Elizabeth Holmes & Theranos.
Rec. Recommended by friend, also the Mini Series "The Dropout" made me want to read it.
The Office by Andy Greene
Desc. Behind the scenes look of the show "The Office"... Carell didn't want to leave after Season 7!
Rec. Always liked the show and wanted to learn how it was produced.
The Power Broker by Robert Caro
Desc. The biography of Robert Moses, about his life and impact on New York City.
Rec. Greene's book mentioned this book as the inspiration of Mike Schur's "Parks and Recreation."
The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
Desc. Self-help book about energy and the effect is has on the people around you.
Rec. Recommended by former boss at AT&T.
1984 by George Orwell
Desc. A vivid authoritarian world from the view point of lonely man who has lost faith.
Rec. This book is referenced in so many different ways, thought it would be good to read.
Harry Potter, Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Desc. Second book in Harry Potter series.
Rec. Found some extra time to read the second book.
Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz
Desc. The very surprising history of how Starbucks was founded and changed in the early days.
Rec. Recommended by a fellow Google/YouTube Intern.
The Path to Power by Robert Caro
Desc. The story of Lyndon B. Johnson, from his childhood, to his first failed Senate campaign.
Rec. I loved The Power Broker, so I decided to read Caro's work about LBJ.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Desc. Fictional story of 3 friends who start a video game company, which comes with a big cost.
Rec. Recommended by the same Google Intern who recommended Howard Schultz's book.
Means of Ascent by Robert Caro
Desc. Second book about LBJ, covering 8 years, including his controversial senate election.
Rec. Enjoyed the first book.
Master of the Senate by Robert Caro
Desc. LBJ's time ruling the senate, covering his rise to power and use of it.
Rec. 3rd of 4 books in the series.
Passage of Power by Robert Caro
Desc. LBJ's transition to the presidency after JFK's assassination.
Rec. 4th of 4 books in the series, waiting for the 5th to come out!
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Desc. Covering the life of the United States's first Treasury Secretary
Rec. Liked the Hamilton musical for a while, and thought I'd learn more about him.