Last month was a productive reading month. I knocked out 4 books on my August book list. I’m not the strongest reader so hopefully I’ll be able to continue at this clip through the end of the year. The books in this month’s list are all across the map in terms of category. From biographies to science to business books, I covered the spectrum.
Shoe Dog
I loved this book.
As an avid user of Nike products, I was extremely interested to read this story.
Knight takes readers through the journey of starting the company right of business school and building it into the behemoth it is today.
The amount of challenges, sacrifices, and difficulties that he encountered is incredible.
I found myself rooting for him to pull off the impossible throughout the book.
The main drawback is that the story stops in the mid-90s. It left me wanting more. I wanted to know what happened to get the company to where it is today.
Recommend: Yes
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
I’m still not sure why I picked up this book, but I’m glad I did.
I have an unusual interest in astronomy and have watched countless Khan Academy videos on the topic.
deGrasse Tyson answers questions about space, energy, chemistry, earth, and light, among other topics in this book.
I continue to find astronomy mind-blowing, and this book provided an easy and relatable way for me to grasp incredibly complex topics.
Recommend: Undecided
Bitter Brew
I saw this book recommendation on Amazon after buying Shoe Dog.
Knoedelseder paints the picture of an entrepreneurial family that unravels after 5 generations of leadership.
Bitter Brew is a story of entrepreneurship, hard work, greed, and profit. I found the building of this iconic brand inspiring, but also a bit sad in the end.
Recommend: Yes
Elon Musk
Musk is an individual I admire because his work directly impacts the field that I work in.
Musk’s story is both inspiring and depressing. Musk is clearly one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time, but his personal life has suffered.
I’ve worked for companies that had CEOs with similar characteristics and it can be tough.
What you can’t argue with is how hard Musk works, how steadfast he is in his determination, and how much he has impacted industries no one thought could be touched.
Recommend: Yes
What’s In My Cart?
I have been on a biography/autobiography kick lately compared to the books I read last month. Based on the last two books I purchased, I’ll likely continue that trend into September.
I am currently eyeing the following books, which are all across the map:
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- How Google Works by Eric Schmidt,
- Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- Sam Walton: Made In America by Sam Walton
- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
- American Kingpin by Nick Bilton
- Capital Gains by Chip Gains
Conclusion
Reading is a skill I’ve continued to work on by focusing on books that pique my interest at the time. Hopefully, my August book list includes ones that you’ll enjoy too.
