10 books I recommend
I’ve picked 10 books that people who enjoy my video essays are likely to appreciate. I’ve included only books that are not only brilliant, but that I also genuinely enjoyed reading. That’s why I haven’t included, for example, David Graeber’s books. They’re brilliant and you should read them, but they’re not super enjoyable. I’ve also limited myself to one book per author. Any books you think I should read? Reach out!
Why We Worry: A Sociological Explanation
Roland Paulsen
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
Recommending Sapiens has become a cliché, I know. But I don’t care. This book is popular for a reason. It’s provocative, maybe partly wrong, and still brilliant.
Utopia For Realists
Rutger Bregman
Utopia for Realists is a masterclass in how to write engaging and persuasive nonfiction. Rutger Bregman is a star for a reason, he can really make big, radical ideas feel both obvious and achievable.
Exhalation: Stories
Ted Chiang
This is the only fiction book on the list. But, Ted Chiang’s short stories have actually made me rethink more about life and technology than most nonfiction ever has. It’s philosophy, economics and sociology disguised as storytelling.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
David Epstein
I read Range in my mid-thirties, right when I was supposed to double down on my career as a lawyer but was starting to realize I didn’t want to stay one. This book reminded me that it’s never too late to learn new things and change your life.
How Minds Change
David McRaney
I make video essays where I try to explain (and sometimes convince) people of ideas. So I went looking for a book about how persuasion actually works and wow, this book is a fun roller coaster to read. Unfortunately, it also made me realize that my video essays probably won’t change anyone’s mind.
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
Patrick Radden Keefe
This is the long-form story of the Sackler family (of opioid crisis fame). My jaw was constantly on the floor reading this. Combine greed, self-deception, and regulatory capture and you can end up with unimaginable amounts of suffering. Even if you’ve seen the HBO series, read the book.
The Finance Curse: How Global Finance Is Making Us All Poorer
Nicholas Shaxson
This book helped me see how things like financialization, neoliberalism, competition, and antitrust all tie together. It’s enormously information-dense, yet still a joy to read.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
Oliver Burkeman
This book forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about life that we too often repress. Like that it’s impossible to keep doors open in life. Or that the more productive we are, the more stressed we’re likely to be.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Elizabeth Gilbert
I read this when I was really struggling with my creative work. Somehow, this book managed to give me both a compassionate hug and a firm push to get my shit together. If you’ve ever thought about doing something creative, you should read this book.