Knowledge is abundant and, for me, one of the most enjoyable ways to shape our understanding of the world
and our character. The books listed below have had a profound impact on how I think and perceive life -
some to a great extent, while others sparked a deeper curiosity. I want my friends to understand who I am,
not just through my personal experiences (which you can read about elsewhere on the site), but also through
the ideas and lessons I have gathered from the experiences of others.
I have come to realize that almost everything we go through in life has been lived by someone before us.
Books offer a shortcut to gaining those insights. By sharing this collection, I hope to provide a window
into how these works have influenced me and invite you to explore them too.
Recent Reads
A snapshot of books that have shaped how I think and see the world.
If you have any book recommendations or want to share thoughts, there is a form below.
From American Kingpin
Biggest Takeaway
Building something extraordinary requires obsession, relentless learning, and the willingness to pursue a vision
long before anyone else believes in it.
Reflection
This is one of those books that completely pulled me in. Few books have immersed me like this one.
One thing that stood out was Ross Ulbricht’s ability to build something from nothing. Although Silk Road was
illegal, the technical challenge and entrepreneurial spirit fascinated me. It made me want to build a successful
product of my own, one that creates value instead of breaking the law. Looking at the technology behind Silk
Road today, I find myself thinking, “I could build the front end in a day, and with enough focus, probably have
the back end with payments and storage finished within a month.” That realization was surprisingly motivating.
The book made software feel attainable. Instead of looking at Silk Road as something impossibly complex, I found
myself thinking about how I would build it. That shift in perspective was surprisingly motivating.
Beyond the technology, I found myself fascinated by the history surrounding San Francisco and by the
relationships throughout the story. While Ross built his life around secrecy, it reinforced something I want for
my own future. If I ever build something meaningful, I want to build it alongside the person I love. Success
would mean far less if I couldn’t share the journey with them.
Quotes That Stuck With Me
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
“Everyone has an idea. But it’s really about executing the idea and attracting other people to help you with the
idea.”
From The War of Art
“It was easier for Hitler to start World War II than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas.”
— Steven Pressfield, The War of Art (2002)
Biggest Takeaway
The work that matters most is often the work I feel the most resistance toward. Waiting until I feel motivated
only gives Resistance more control.
Reflection
This book gave a name to something I’d experienced countless times but never understood. Every meaningful goal,
whether building a business, exercising, reading, or becoming a better person, comes with an invisible force
pulling me toward comfort and distraction.
The biggest lesson wasn’t to eliminate Resistance, but to expect it. If I only act when I feel inspired, I’ll
rarely accomplish what matters most. Progress comes from showing up consistently, even on the days when I don’t
feel like it. Discipline isn’t about feeling motivated; it’s about refusing to let Resistance decide who I become.
Quotes That Stuck With Me
“The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing
it.”
“The professional shows up every day.”
From The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Biggest Takeaway
Hurry isn’t just moving fast. It’s a state of mind that keeps us from fully experiencing the present moment and
from noticing God, other people, and even our own lives.
Reflection
What made this book different was John Mark Comer himself. He doesn’t write as someone who has life completely
figured out. Instead, he openly shares his own struggles with hurry, distraction, ambition, and the pressures of
modern life. That honesty made his message feel genuine and relatable.
One of the ideas that stayed with me most was how Jesus was never in a hurry. Even with endless demands on His
time, He was fully present with the people in front of Him. He regularly withdrew to pray, made time with the
Father even during His busiest days, walked instead of rushed, and never seemed controlled by urgency. It
challenged me to realize that being busy isn’t the same as living well.
The book also gave me a new appreciation for the Sabbath. The idea of intentionally setting aside time to rest,
worship, and simply be present with God feels incredibly meaningful in a culture that celebrates constant
productivity. I hope to make that a reality in my own life someday.
This book made me question how often I’m physically present but mentally somewhere else, thinking about what’s
next instead of appreciating where I am. Slowing down isn’t about accomplishing less; it’s about becoming more
present with God, with others, and with the life I’ve already been given.
Quotes That Stuck With Me
“Love, joy, and peace are at the heart of all Jesus is trying to grow in the soil of your life. But all three are
incompatible with hurry.”
“Who are you becoming?”
From Dopamine Nation
Biggest Takeaway
Pleasure and pain are part of the same system. The more I chase constant stimulation, the harder it becomes to
enjoy ordinary life.
Reflection
This book completely changed how I viewed my own habits. I always thought my struggles were about nicotine or my
phone individually, but I came to realize they were all expressions of the same reward system. It explained why I
could quit one habit only to immediately crave another.
Instead of asking, “How do I avoid discomfort?” I’ve started asking, “What kind of discomfort is actually helping
me grow?” Working out, staying busy, and resisting constant stimulation have become ways of retraining my brain
rather than simply exercising discipline. The goal isn’t to eliminate discomfort; it’s to choose the kinds of
discomfort that make life richer and more rewarding over time.
Favorite Quotes
“The relentless pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, leads to pain.”
“Pressing on the pain side, resets our balance to the side of pleasure.”
From The Road Less Traveled
Biggest Takeaway
Growth is not about becoming more successful or comfortable. It is about becoming more disciplined, more present,
more loving, and more devoted to truth. Every difficult choice shapes the kind of person I am becoming.
Reflection
This book brought together ideas that had been quietly building through the other books I had read. Dopamine
Nation taught me not to let pleasure govern my life. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry taught me to become
present. The Road Less Traveled showed me why those things matter: because discipline is the foundation that
allows love to endure.
One of the ideas that changed me most was realizing that love is not primarily a feeling. Feelings come and go,
but love is a choice. Love is the willingness to continually extend yourself for the growth of another person,
even when the emotions aren’t carrying you.
Peck also challenged me to see discipline differently. It isn’t simply self-control or self-denial. It is the
quiet strength that allows us to face reality, choose truth over comfort, and become dependable enough to
genuinely serve others.
As I finished the book, I realized it wasn’t teaching something completely new. It was pointing toward truths
that appear across many traditions and throughout history. Whether viewed through psychology, philosophy, or
faith, they all seem to point toward the same direction: growth requires surrendering comfort, embracing reality,
and becoming more fully the person we were created to be.
Over the past few weeks, I have noticed these books quietly changing my own life. They have changed the way I
think about pleasure, hurry, relationships, discipline, and even prayer. My goal is no longer simply to avoid
unhealthy habits. My goal is to become someone whose energy, peace, joy, presence, and love are the result of how
I live rather than what I consume.
That has become the question I want to keep asking myself:
Can I become someone whose energy, peace, joy, presence, and love are the result of how I live rather than what
I consume?
I don’t think growth ends with answering that question. I think it begins there.
Quotes That Stuck With Me
“Life is difficult.”
“Love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.”
“The perception that we are loving when we fall in love is a false perception. Real love does not have its roots
in a feeling of love. Real love often occurs when the feeling of love is lacking.”
“We cannot be a source of strength unless we nurture our own strength.”