A Reading List for What's Left of 2021

5 great books to round off your year

OK, so we're already halfway through July, but it's still close enough to edit those reading lists for the second half of 2021.

So much to read and so little time! Here is what I hope to read over the next few months.

Empowered by Marty Cagan

Marty Cagan is a relatively new discovery for me, but everyone I know with an interest in product management raves about his take on how to build great products.

I've read and shared one or two of his articles on LinkedIn before, but this will be the first of his books that I read. My understanding is that Empowered is aimed primarily at what's required to be a good leader of product teams, whereas his other book, Inspired, is specifically for product owners.

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

I have listened to numerous podcasts where Michael Pollan was the guest (the most recent is "This Is Your Mind on Plants" on the Tim Ferriss Show) and I’ve watched his Netflix series, Cooked.

I am yet to find something of his that I don’t like, and yet I've never read any of his books.

This needs to be rectified.

Leadership is Language by L. David Marquet

I like his style and I like how his personality comes through in his talks. I heartily recommend watching Intent-Based Leadership at CMX Summit West 2015 (I've watched it multiple times. In fact, getting the link to stick into this post has caused me to press play again, it's running on the side as I write this).

I loved Turn the Ship Around and I have high hopes for this one.

Natural Born Heroes by Christopher McDougall

His book Born to Run was an easy read, a great story, and started my love-hate relationship with running a decade ago.

I hope that reading this will be the catalyst to starting something else that's beneficial to me but that I'll probably dislike.

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (translated by Gregory Hays)

Last on the list, but only because I want it foremost in your mind as you leave.

Both Shane Parrish (here) and Ryan Holiday (here) recommend this version, which made the decision on which translation to go with that much easier.

Stoicism is becoming fashionable at the moment and as a natural sceptic, I am always a little wary of trends and fads, particularly as they relate to  "self-help" systems.

However, the pragmatism and focus of stoicism on taking personal ownership of one's life appeal to me.

I have flirted with the ideas of this philosophy, it’s time to take a deeper dive.

Happy reading!

Will

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