Now that our commutes are nonexistent, we all have a little extra time in the day. To help you fill that time in a productive way, we asked some Talroo team members what they've been reading recently. We've gathered a list of twelve books worth your time.
Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
What Big Data can tell us about who we really are. We all know self-reported data isn’t always accurate. You tell your doctor you have one glass of wine with dinner... you tell your colleague what you read in the Wall Street Journal, but you leave out what you read on TMZ. But we tell Google our innermost thoughts, fears, and curiosities. And there’s enough of us doing this to draw some pretty strong conclusions.
Smacked by Eilene Zimmerman
This memoir tells the story of an extraordinarily successful Silicon Valley lawyer who develops a drug addiction that he keeps hidden – until it kills him. His wife recounts his story and explores the culture of “Big Law” that she believes is partially to blame for her late husband’s unraveling.
House of Kennedy by James Patterson
If you like The Kennedys, and documentary films, but you’re not sure you can slog through a whole presidential biography, you’ll enjoy this book. It covers Joe Sr., JFK, RFK, and assorted other Kennedys and their associates. Die-hard Kennedy fans won’t fin much they didn’t already know, but it’s an easy and enjoyable read that might inspire you to learn more about some of the players (Jackie fans: A must-read).
Conscious Capitalism by John Mackey and Raj Sisodia
An argument for the inherit good of both business and capitalism. How the two forces can work together to create value for stakeholders, employees, customers, investors, society and the environment.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
A study on greatness in business, what separates mediocre from outstanding, defining the flywheel and the doom loop, a culture of discipline, and the hedgehog concept.
Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love by Marty Cagan
If you ever find yourself wondering what is the right team, process, and culture for a successful product organization, and you only have time for one book, then this is THE book.
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow
Catch and Kill is written by journalist Ronan Farrow and recounts the challenges he faced while chasing the stories of alleged rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse of women by Harvey Weinstein. This reporting helped spark the #MeToo movement, which exposed sexual abuse of women (and some men) in many industries. Note: Listen to the audiobook. It is read by the author, Ronan Farrow, and is a great listen.
The Shack by William P. Young
A man’s spiritual journey in coping with great tragedy. This book will bring you to tears and lift you up as well.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It” by Christopher Voss
A former FBI hostage negotiator shares tips, practical examples, and surprising points about negotiating, all from real life examples. At the end of each chapter he ties together what worked, what didn’t, and key lessons learned. This is one of the few books that can be used in business, school, or any casual situation (even rent negotiation!)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
6 books following the adventures of Arthur Dent, who is forced to go on wild space adventures after the planet earth is destroyed by a bureaucratic race of boring aliens called the Vogons in order to make room for an interstellar space highway.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
We recommend a rereading of a childhood classic, Harry Potter, on audiobook. The narrator, Jim Dale, is incredible. He does voices for all the characters (about 300) that are flawless.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind by Yuval Noah Harari
The book surveys the history of humankind from the evolution of archaic human species in the Stone Age up to the twenty-first century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It definitely gives additional perspective as we respond to COVID-19 as societies and communities.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
This book depicts a dystopian United States in which private businesses suffer under increasingly burdensome laws and regulations.
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Fountainhead is about an individualistic young architect who designs modernist buildings and refuses to compromise with an architectural establishment unwilling to accept innovation.
Topics: Team Talroo
Updated May 4, 2020