"The Black Swan" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a seminal work that explores the profound impact of rare and unpredictable events, termed "Black Swans." Taleb argues that these events, which are often overlooked or underestimated, have massive consequences on our world. He highlights the limitations of traditional forecasting methods and emphasizes the need for resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. Blending philosophy, economics, and personal anecdotes, Taleb provides a compelling critique of our understanding of risk and uncertainty. This book is essential for anyone interested in risk management, economics, and understanding the unpredictable nature of our world.

Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life is a nonfiction book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, published in 2018. Taleb’s main point is pretty simple: people should share in the risks of the decisions they make. If you benefit from something, you should also face the downsides if things go wrong. He calls this having “skin in the game.” Without that, people can make reckless choices that hurt others while staying safe themselves. The book covers everything from politics and business to religion and everyday life. Taleb doesn’t hold back on criticism. He talks about how some policymakers and financial experts make decisions that affect millions but don’t suffer when those decisions backfire. He uses examples like bankers profiting during booms but getting bailed out during crashes. Taleb also goes after what he calls “Intellectual Yet Idiot” types—educated people who, in his view, complicate things and give advice without understanding real-world consequences. He argues that real knowledge comes from doing and risking something yourself, not just sitting in a classroom or writing articles. One part of the book dives into how stubborn minorities—like people who strictly follow certain dietary rules—can influence the majority’s choices without even trying. There’s even a section where he talks about religion, saying that the idea of God taking human form (in Christianity) is the ultimate example of having skin in the game. Taleb’s writing style is direct, sometimes blunt, and he isn’t shy about calling out what he sees as nonsense. The book is part of his Incerto series, which looks at uncertainty and risk in modern life. Some people love his no-nonsense approach; others find him a bit too combative. Either way, Skin in the Game is about accountability—if you play the game, you should be prepared to take a hit when things go south.

"Fooled by Randomness" is a thought-provoking book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that delves into the role of chance in our lives and how we often mistake random events for meaningful patterns. Through a mix of personal anecdotes, philosophical insights, and statistical analysis, Taleb explores how randomness affects the world of finance, business, and daily life. The book challenges readers to rethink their perceptions of success, failure, and the forces that drive outcomes. This book is ideal for readers interested in finance, probability, and the philosophical implications of randomness.

Skin in the Game may be nice but The Black Swan is the OG Nicholas Taleb. Read this book to learn how to think and avoid biases and reread at least once very couple of years.

The best book about the best director in the world. It was such a great book it was adapted into a movie. Bet the other books on this list can't say that!

The great thing about this book is that it takes a big-picture view of human history. It attempts to explain the main themes of human history without getting bogged down in the details. Sapiens also debunks many popular myths about human history, including the one that people today live happier lives and have better diets than our hunter-gatherer predecessors. It comes with an epilogue about the future of humankind in light of ever-accelerating technological progress. With the recent advances in AI it is more relevant than ever. If you're going to read one book on history this year, read this one.

"Project Hail Mary" is a space adventure story written by Andy Weir, the same guy who wrote "The Martian." It's about a man named Ryland Grace who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he's there. He figures out he's on a mission to save Earth from disaster. The story follows him as he tries to remember his past and complete his mission, which involves a lot of science and problem-solving. Along the way, he meets an alien, and they form an unlikely friendship. The book is full of cool science stuff, suspense, and humor. It's like a mix of a mystery and a space adventure, with a lot of heart. The narration by Ray Porter is superb, with sound effects and excellent voice work.

Greek myths retold by Stephen Fry. He is both the author and the narrator of this book. His wit and sense of humor come across in both the text and in the delivery. Plus, you actually get to learn Greek myths.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life is William Finnegan’s story about growing up obsessed with surfing. It’s not just about catching waves—it’s about a whole way of life that’s demanding, addictive, and sometimes dangerous. Finnegan started young, learning to surf in California and Hawaii, and kept chasing waves into adulthood, traveling through places like Fiji, Australia, Indonesia, and Africa. Along the way, he mixes adventure with self-reflection, talking about friendships formed in the water, the culture around surfing, and how it all fit with the times—especially during the social changes of the 1960s and '70s. The book isn’t just about the thrill of surfing; Finnegan dives into the technical side of waves and the patience it takes to master them. He’s honest about his youthful recklessness—like taking LSD before surfing a massive wave in Maui—and the risks that came with his travels, from malaria scares to navigating shady markets. Still, surfing pulls him along, even when he’s juggling a career as a war reporter and later, family life. At its core, Barbarian Days is an old-fashioned adventure tale mixed with a thoughtful look at what it means to be hooked on something so completely. Finnegan’s writing captures both the beauty and the grind of surfing, making you feel like you’re right there with him—whether on a remote beach or paddling out into icy waves off Long Island.

By Mathew Walker - We sleep 1/3 of our life yet understand so little about it...

A book about the circadian rhythm. Apparently, it's really misunderstood, even by your doctor. Read this book to understand your body better. It helped me improve my sleep.

Modern healthcare is often reactive. This is part of the reason why preventative medicine is so key.

Discover the secrets to a long, healthy, and fulfilling life with "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. This insightful book delves into the Japanese concept of ikigai, or a "reason for being," which is believed to be a key factor in the remarkable longevity of the residents of Okinawa, a Japanese village known for having the world’s highest percentage of centenarians. Through interviews with these vibrant centenarians, the authors uncover how the principles of ikigai—where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect—contribute to their happiness and longevity. The book reveals the residents' daily practices, from their nutrient-rich diets and active lifestyles to their strong community bonds and purposeful work. "Ikigai" provides practical advice and tools to help readers discover their own ikigai, offering a blend of cultural wisdom and actionable steps towards a life filled with purpose, health, and joy. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing their well-being and finding deeper satisfaction in everyday life.

From wikipedia: Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Meditations are worth reading if only to get a glimpse at the thoughts of a man who lived a life in truly extraordinary circumstances of being a Roman Emperor. It's surprising how relevant the themes of his diaries are two thousand years later.

"Nicomachean Ethics," written by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, is a foundational text in Western philosophy. This work explores the nature of ethical virtue and the path to a good and fulfilling life. Aristotle delves into concepts such as happiness (eudaimonia), virtue (arete), and the importance of practical wisdom (phronesis). The text is a detailed examination of how individuals can achieve moral and intellectual virtues through habitual practice and rational deliberation.

Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious -- even liberating -- book, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization. The Design of Everyday Things shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time. The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how -- and why -- some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

This is the only audiobook I've ever listened to lol. But it is a very interesting story about Elon, arguably the most interesting person alive.

An electronics salesman who has been deserted by his wife agrees to deliver an enigmatic package— and is rewarded with a glimpse of his true nature. A man who views himself as the son of God pursues a stranger who may be his human father. A mild-mannered collection agent receives a visit from a giant talking frog who enlists his help in saving Tokyo from destruction. The six stories in this collection come from the deep and mysterious place where the human meets the inhuman—and are further proof that Murakami is one of the most visionary writers at work today.

A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami is a strange, offbeat novel that blends a detective story with surreal, dreamlike elements. It follows an unnamed, easygoing narrator who gets pulled into a bizarre search for a mysterious sheep with a star-shaped mark on its back. The story kicks off when a powerful figure in Japan’s underworld pressures the narrator into finding this sheep, which seems to hold some kind of mystical influence. The book is set in late 1970s Japan, moving from urban Tokyo to the cold, isolated landscapes of Hokkaido. Along the way, the narrator is joined by his girlfriend, whose unusually perceptive ears give the story an added touch of the weird. They meet a cast of quirky characters—a shadowy secretary, a reclusive professor obsessed with sheep, and a man in a sheep costume who speaks in riddles. What stands out is how ordinary things—bars, hotels, quiet towns—become strange and otherworldly. Murakami mixes humor, loneliness, and philosophical musings, all wrapped up in a plot that meanders like a road trip with no clear destination. The novel touches on themes like identity, power, and the search for meaning, but it never hits you over the head with them. Things just kind of unfold, sometimes making sense, sometimes not—and that seems to be the point. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, nor is it a typical mystery. The journey is more about the odd encounters and the narrator’s inner reflections than solving a straightforward puzzle. If you’re into stories where reality feels slippery and the line between the ordinary and the surreal is blurred, this one might stick with you.

A Gentleman in Moscow is a historical fiction novel by Amor Towles. It follows Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat who, after the Bolshevik Revolution, is sentenced to house arrest in the grand Hotel Metropol in Moscow. Instead of being imprisoned in a cell, he’s confined to the hotel, which becomes both his cage and his world. The story spans several decades, starting in the 1920s and running through key moments of Soviet history. Most of it unfolds inside the hotel, which is no ordinary place—it's a bustling, self-contained universe. Rostov, who begins the story living in a lavish suite, is forced to move into a tiny attic room. Despite this fall from grace, he navigates his new life with wit and charm, forming friendships with the hotel staff, guests, and unexpected visitors. The book isn’t just about the Count’s personal journey—it’s also about how time changes people and places, how history creeps in even when you’re standing still, and how small acts of kindness and loyalty can shape a lifetime. The setting, the Metropol, is richly described, from fine dining rooms to back corridors. There’s a good bit about food, music, and Russian culture, and plenty of philosophical musings, but it never gets too heavy. At its core, the novel is about making the best of what life throws at you. The Count is an old-world gentleman stuck in a new world that wants to forget people like him. How he handles that—sometimes with grace, sometimes with stubbornness—is what makes the book compelling. It's quietly dramatic, occasionally funny, and surprisingly heartwarming, all without needing big action scenes.