My 2021 Top Reads

1. Think Again (Adam Grant)

Adam Grant’s Think Again is a masterpiece about the power of rethinking our beliefs and cultivating confident humility. An enjoyable read throughout, the book explores how the humility to question ourselves and to admit ignorance is the key to lifelong learning. Think Again is a transformative must-read and arguably one of the most inspiring books of the year.

2. Homo Deus (Yuval Noah Harari)

A sequel to Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari’s Homo Deus is a brave exploration of the future we are heading toward as a species. The book delves into how the convergence of our understanding of human biology and our recent advancements in artificial intelligence positions us at the crossroads between building a utopian and dystopian future. Homo Deus challenges our most basic assumptions about human nature and presents us with the difficult choices we must make to ensure that we preserve our most cherished values for generations to come.

3. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (Bill Gates)

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster offers a comprehensive overview of where we currently stand in our efforts to solve the climate crisis and what it takes to achieve our goal of net zero by 2050. The author breaks down the impact of different sectors of the global economy on the climate and the technological breakthroughs we need to decarbonize our economy. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster is both fact-driven and optimistic in its approach to what it takes to tackle the most important issue of our generation.

4. Creativity, Inc. (Ed Catmull & Amy Wallace)

Creativity, Inc. tells the fascinating story of Pixar from its founding days to the creative powerhouse it has grown into. Co-founder Ed Catmull focuses on what it takes to build and sustain a creative culture that encourages divergent thinking and experimentation. Creativity, Inc. explores the role of honesty, failure, humility, and chance in establishing a high standard of creative excellence and pushing Pixar to continue adapting to a constantly changing environment.

5. The Future Is Faster Than You Think (Peter Diamandis & Steven Kotler)

The Future Is Faster Than You Think explores the convergence of multiple technological trends and their implications for our future. It describes cutting-edge innovations in education, healthcare, food, and commerce, alongside the threats and opportunities they pose to our society. The authors delve into the optimism and concerns surrounding complex issues such as genetic engineering, trans-humanism, and biological immortality. The book ends with a mind-expanding discussion of the five great migrations that will shape our future.

6. Range (David Epstein)

In Range, David Epstein examines the vital role generalists play in a hyper-specialized economy. Armed with fascinating anecdotes and rigorous studies, Range debunks the myth of early specialization and the pop psychology of the 10,000-hour rule in fields ranging from sports to arts to science. The book is a guide for generalists to navigate the complexities of today's specialized world by playing to their strengths. Criticizing the movement toward more specialization, David Epstein offers compelling arguments in favor of more collaboration between specialists and generalists to solve some of today’s greatest challenges.

7. Play Bigger (Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, Kevin Maney)

Play Bigger builds upon previous theories of disruptive innovation to create a new framework that decodes the secret behind some of the world’s most successful companies. Category leadership, the authors argue, distinguishes the dominant market players from the mediocre. The book describes the principles of category design and offers practical recommendations throughout. Beyond mere marketing ploys, Play Bigger guides readers in thinking through how their ideas can dominate markets and ultimately create the impact they merit.

8. Inspired by Marty Cagan

Marty Cagan’s Inspired is every product managers' must-read playbook specifying the fundamental principles of delivering world-changing products. The book thoroughly explores the complementary roles within a product team, the significance of a compelling product vision, and the keys to executing an effective product development process.

These are the 8 of my favorite books of the year. I hope that this shortlist inspires you to persist in your personal growth trajectory. If you are interested in having further discussions about these books or have solid recommendations for my reading list, I would be delighted to hear from you. Have a joyous holiday season and wishing you a wonderful year ahead!