Recently did the Myer Briggs test and read "The INTP: Personality, Careers, Relationships, & the Quest for Truth and Meaning". Now I just need to read more criticism of the Myer Briggs test so I can have a more balanced view of it all, but the results/book seemed pretty darn spot on.
Also been loving "The Little Book of Talent" from the author of "The Talent Code" (which is another one of my favourite books).
And after reading a lot of Stoic philosophy over the years, I've finally got around to "A Guide to the Good Life". Very clear explanation of Stoic ideas so probably would have been the best place to start. :)
Well not all things startup related come from startups (if that makes any sense). A Guide to the Good Life sounds like a worthwhile read, added to my plan to read list!
Whoops. Missed the "when it comes to startups" part. Sorry. But yeah, I think all of the books help in the business world, even if they're not absolutely direct help. :)
You may have already come across it if you've read a lot of Stoic philosophy, but 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius is a good read.
Other books I've really enjoyed are:
Talent is overrated, by Geoff Colvin (short version: working hard is more than half the battle)
Drive, by Daniel Pink (short version: to be motivated, you need to have/be working toward purpose, autonomy, and mastery)
How will you measure your life, by Clayton Christensen (short version: just read it - very good)
For the win - how game thinking can revolutionize your business, by Kevin Werbach and Dan Hunter (Note: one of the authors offers a Gamification MOOC on Coursera)
And for fun:
Eastern Approaches, by Fitzroy Maclean (short version: a pseudo-biography about a british man who was a diplomat, politician, and special forces operator all in one lifetime. Incredible)
The Extended Phenotype: Richard Dawkins.
Applied Cryptography: Bruce Schiener.
Linear Algebra: Friedberg, Insel and Spence.
Steven Pinker: The Blank Slate
I've recently finished Dan Gilbert's: Stumbling on Happiness and I highly recommend it. It's witty and gives you a very different way of looking at what you think makes you happy.
I know these aren't start-up books, but unfortunately I haven't read any to recommend.
Winning Through Intimidation - Robert Ringer: This is old book but a classic. It's a fun and humorous read and the context is around real estate deals but surprisingly a lot of applies to start-ups (and real life). If I were to sum up this book, it's about showing you all the ways people can screw you and how to try to avoid getting screwed.
I advise reading good fiction, especially "hard sci-fi", to get your mind in a good place for the startup scene.
Like most people on HN probably would, I recommend reading Neil Stephenson's books, especially Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age and Snowcrash (in order descending order of subjective of relevance).
Also been loving "The Little Book of Talent" from the author of "The Talent Code" (which is another one of my favourite books).
And after reading a lot of Stoic philosophy over the years, I've finally got around to "A Guide to the Good Life". Very clear explanation of Stoic ideas so probably would have been the best place to start. :)