Book Notes

Anything You Want

by Derek Sivers

Entrepreneurship

A short, punchy book that explores Derek's time building CD Baby. He pushes the reader to focus on what makes the happy and excited, and avoid what drains them. He suggests that we should never do things for the money, or waste time fighting uphill battles.

God Explained In A Taxi Ride

by Paul Arden

Philosophy

A 15 minute read, so it's worth the time but it doesn't really convey much. It feels like cheap philosophy for someone who has never read anything philosophical, or has a shallow understanding of religions and the structure around them. The story of the Eskimo is the highlight for me. If one would go to heaven because they were unaware of God, then why ever educate them on religion? Only so that the individual can feel more validated by having more people with the same belief? Or because you have a needy God that requires worship?

Hell Yeah or No

by Derek Sivers

Philosophy

Derek provides some great insights into how our actions define us and how we should say no to most things. Sivers stresses that worrying and anxiety has little impact on the outcome, but heavily impacts our perceived effort in actions.

How To Live

by Derek Sivers

Philosophy

Derek proposes 27 completely different ways for how one could live their life. He takes each to the extreme, and it makes for a very interesting read. Many ways contradict one another. It's up to the reader to choose how they want to live their life, and leverage different ways at different points.

Legacide

by Richard Mulholland

Business

A short-read by one of my favourite authors that highlights the important of constantly innovating, improving and challenging how you do things. Imperative for any business owner to read.

Useful Not True

by Derek Sivers

Philosophy

No single book has had a larger impact on my life. Derek helps dissect the difference between useful and true, and how the overlap isn't as much as we think. He tackles subjects that are important to me like meaning, perception and they beliefs we hold. This should be required reading for anyone looking to expand their way of thinking, and grow as a person.

Your Music and People

by Derek Sivers

Entrepreneurship

This book is tailored towards artists and bands, but the lessons are applicable to any creative endeavour. There are so many beautiful one-line nuggets in here for being different or standing out, which is exactly what you want to live an exceptional life.