Book Reviews

Working Backwards - Colin Bryar, Bill Carr

Book given to me at my first FinTech startup job, masterclass in Amazonian efficiency, proving that customer obsession and avoiding PowerPoints can build an empire. Reads like a product roadmap for taking over the world - politely. Offers repeatable mechanisms for any organisation that wants to make better decisions and build products people actually want to use.

Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making - Tony Fadell

The guy who helped create the iPod, iPhone and Nest, a no-BS playbook for building stuff that doesn’t suck. Fadell's been though it: from crappy prototypes, to egos the size of data centres. Core message is: build things that matter, with people who care (it’s not all about skill) and never stop learning from both the wins and the failures. A lot of fundamental things to keep in mind, very helpful.

Range - David Epstein

Generalists thrive without clear rules or predictable outcomes. Turns out, the world isn’t a chessboard, it’s more like jazz, and the best performers can improvise. Emphasises the generalist mindset in a hyper-specialised world and why the “master-one-thing” crowd might be solving the wrong problems. Given I’ve never been the person to solely focus on one thing, I believe. I’m ranging…

Creativity, Inc. - Ed Catmull

Memoir and leadership manual, from a fellow computer scientist turned president of Pixar and later Disney Animation. Explores how to nurture creativity, manage fear, failure and create a safe space for innovation. Building something innovative isn’t just about having one brilliant idea, Catmull emphasises creativity isn’t just for artists, it’s essential in business, leadership and problem-solving. Love!

Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki

Basic “self-help” lessons. Vague sentiments which amount to “don’t be poor”, later discovered that Kiyosaki is a known scammer, typical financial guru who got rich off his book sales rather than investing. Quite a few juicy documentaries on YouTube about this fella. Can I get a refund?

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup - John Carreyrou

Wild tale of ambition gone wrong, where Theranos tried to revolutionise healthcare, but the only thing they truly mastered was deception. As someone who’s worked in pharmaceuticals, the disregard for science and safety is jaw-dropping. It's Silicon Valley's biggest scandal, filled with power plays, lies, and a shocking lack of blood tests.

The Lean Startup - Eric Reis

A manual for the perpetual experimenter. Learn how to fail quickly, pivot like your rent depends on it (because it probably does), and eventually succeed, or at least, collect some interesting post-mortem stories along the way. It's part startup bible, part survival manual for anyone launching something with more ambition than cash (like this website).

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson

Life sucks, bad things happen, and you’re not special. But hey, that’s okay! Just stop wasting your energy on stuff that doesn’t matter. Own your problems, because blaming your ex, your boss, or Mercury in retrograde won’t get you anywhere - even if it feels like a buzzkill.

Brutally honest, oddly comforting.

Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life - Helen Czerski

An invitation to fall in love with the physics of the ordinary. Science isn’t just something separate from daily life, it’s woven into the fabric of everything we do, with clarity and charm, she empowers readers to see the world differently, more thoughtfully, and more joyfully. Thank you Dr. Czerski.

Presence - Amy Cuddy

If you want to be confident, just fake it until your brain actually believe it, preferably in a “power pose” that makes you look like you’re about to deliver a TED talk, arms wide like you just won the lottery, not like you’re praying no one notices your nerves. Cuddy argues that your body language can convince your brain you’re a boss… even if you’re secretly dying inside. Does it work? I don’t fully know, but I’m willing to give it a try.