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The Most Good You Can Do by: Peter Singer

This is a philosophy book, so I should disclose, that many of the pages I had to read out loud and re-read a couple times for clarity. In general, I disagree with everything Peter Singer puts forth in his book about Altruism. My main disagreement is with his mathematical and statistical analysis of human suffering and human happiness. He argues we should care shallowly for many thousands of people worldwide by giving money wisely and beyond that gift the impact will find its own depth and in order to give money we should work in the short term of our lifetime to make as a much money as possible. However, short term actions without vision will never end poverty.

Just about the ONLY thing I can agree with, goes something like this and may not actually, really be in the book, maybe just in my head: "when asking yourself what should I do with my life? and how can I do the most good? you should consider what are your unique talents and how can you leverage your strengths to do things in the world which have been neglected, have never been done, or never been thought up before? Outside of that, the best way to be an effective altruist is to take the highest paying job possible and donate all the income you can afford to give away.

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Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by: Evan Osnos

If you are anyone who wants to go to China, do business with China, or understand modern China, this book is now required reading. An expert journalist, Evan Osnos spent 8 years living in China and immersed in the stories of its government, artists, blue collar and white collar workers, the young, the old, the urban, the rural, the immigrants, and the locals. While some small things have changed after its 2014 publication under the rule of President Xi Jinping, on the whole his writing is accurate and up-to-date. Most importantly, Osnos describes how China has taken shape post-Mao and tenderly represents the relationships that pulse among its 1.35 Billion citizens. Through narrative he manages to tell many stories at once and it was a joy to read!

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Modern Love “by”: Aziz Ansari 

Because this book should be read by everyone born between 1981 and 2020, I’ll indulge your attention spans and write this post as a listicle. You’re welcome.  

The 8 Highlights of Modern Love 

♢ The book, written by a well-known comedian is actually backed by primary research and over 10 of the world’s leading social scientists 

♢ This book captures the zeitgeist (at least 2011 up to present day - in my experience) 

♢ Like any valuable work of anthropology, it acknowledges and dives into other culture’s current states of love and marriage (not just the USA)

♢ If you had to read this book in an hour instead of the 4 weeks given to you for your “love and sexuality” university course, skip to the conclusion but at least skim chapter 5… You’ll do just fine on the test

♢ But also, if you’re in college right now, you’d probably love this book (see point #2) 

Finally, I’ll end with 2 quotes from the book I hope everyone remembers: 

 “Technology hasn’t just changed how we find romance; it’s also put a new spin on the timeless challenges we face once we’re in a relationship” 

“Don’t think of online dating as dating–think of it as an online introduction service”

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Leadership and Self Deception by: The Arbinger Institute 

Welp. My boss recommended this one to me. What can I say about this book? Err… ... ...my boss recommended this book to me.. Okay, this book strives to teach a lesson in empathy. However, it’s authors fail to be empathetic to their readers. Maybe I was not the intended audience for this kind of book? But if you ask me, the authors lay out a very simple concept (the golden rule) in the most unnecessarily systematic way (think Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory trying to explain why humans make irrational decisions)--which also manages to belittle its readers intelligence (again.. Sheldon, not so good with the words). If this book had been edited properly, it should be approximately 2.5 pages long. But it is a quick read if you have to endure the whole thing.

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Superbosses by Sydney Finkelstein

This. is. one. of. my favorite. books on leadership and business. After 10 years of research, Sydney's identified what defines businesses with the greatest legacy; they revolve around 3 things: a visionary leader, talent, and the altruistic investment of the leader in their talent. Easily one of the most valuable books in my library, and useful to every businessman who aspires to spread love, joy, and success all around. 

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#Girlboss by: Sophia Amoruso

I’d like to dub this book “A Practical Guide to Handling Your Shit.” It really is just page after page of valuable lessons you wish your mother taught you about business (but business acumen isn’t something women are raised with these days, so… blame your dads… anyway…). Sophia Amoruso describes her rise from pseudo-homeless anticapitalist to her role as CEO of the $280 million company she started herself. Although recently her American Dream has taken a slight downward turn, you cannot miss some of her hilarious and inspiring stories and advice, no matter your age, sex, or tax bracket.

“Life is short, don’t be lazy” -Amoruso

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The Comeback by: Gary Shapiro

So let’s get one thing clear, does everyone hate lobbyists? Because I kind of like this guy. Well, at least we know for certain that we ALL love CES.

Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association (which brings us the Consumer Electronics Show: CES, each year) argues passionately in his book about American Innovation -which also seems to mean many missing counter-arguments. If you can get past that this book is written exclusively from his viewpoint, he actually has some interesting things to say about our infrastructure, our economy, the US immigration system, government spending, and global competition. Shapiro often reflects on the 2008 financial crisis which sets the stage -given the support from our government and citizens- for how the USA is poised for a period of great innovations despite, or in direct response to, our economic woes. Potentially, I've identified, I just like how this book, for being published in 2011, manages to be so optimistic without disillusionment.

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Ninety Percent of Everything by: Rose George

Rose George is a badass. She is a gritty field reporter who understands and uses every word at her disposal and “impossible” is not in her vocabulary. This woman spent 9 months on the dangerous high seas among anonymous tanker crew with the threat of pirates kidnapping for ransom, death, rape, and pillaging. She is what every journalist should be… globally aware, brave, committed to the truth, and -above all- thorough. True Story.