READING ROOM
Welcome to my favorite section.
Before losing my dad, I rarely turned to books—he was my source for advice, knowledge, and perspective. After his passing, I found myself searching for that same guidance and eventually turned to books to fill the gap. Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs, in particular, have become a way for me to learn from the experiences of others and gain direction.
I am not claiming to be a literary scholar—most of my reading happens while running or at the gym. But audiobooks have been a game changer, helping me absorb ideas and revisit the right lessons when I need them.
If you have a book recommendation that’s not on my list, let me know. I’m always looking for my next great read (or listen).
Favorite of the week is by far: The Gatekeepers. It's a book about Chiefs of Staff for the president.
What really surprised me is how much power the Chief of Staff actually holds. They decide who gets face time with the President, what issues get attention, and even how long conversations last. In a way, they shape what the President sees—and what gets filtered out. It made me realize the person behind the scenes might be just as important as the one in the spotlight.
More Than a Hobby
How a $600 Startup Became America's Home and Craft Superstore (The Inside Story of Hobby Lobby) By David Green , Dean Merrill
Of the four books in the last week, "Positioning" by Al Ries and Jack Trout stood out because it completely shifted how I think about branding.
The idea that perception matters more than reality was eye-opening, you don’t need the best product, just the clearest position in the customer’s mind.
Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A
How Faith, Cows, and Chicken Built an Iconic Brand By: Steve Robinson
The AI Edge
Sales Strategies for Unleashing the Power of AI to Save Time, Sell More, and Crush the Competition By: Jeb Blount, Anthony Iannarino
The Technological Republic
Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West By: Alexander C. Karp, Nicholas W. Zamiska
Everyone remembers Oprah’s legendary "You get a car!" moment. But almost no one remembers which car it was.
Why? Because people don’t connect with what you do—they connect with why you do it.
Oprah’s moment wasn’t about cars; it was about generosity and changing lives. Pontiac got a mention, but Oprah made history.
The Ride of a Lifetime
Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company By: Robert Iger
The House of Dimon
How JP Morgan's Jamie Dimon Rose to the Top of the Financial World By: Patricia Crisafulli
The Like Switch
An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over By: Jack Schafer PhD., Marvin Karlins Ph.D.
Poor Charlie’s Almanack
The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger By: Charles T. Munger
Behind the Cloud
The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-Dollar Company - and Revolutionized an Industry By: By Marc Benioff, Carlye Adler
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars
Tim Ferriss Book Club Selection By: Jim Paul, Brendan Moynihan, Jack
Becoming Trader Joe
How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys By: Joe Coulombe , Patty Civalleri
2025
Alchemy
The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life By: Rory Sutherland
Bubble in the Sun
The Florida Boom of the 1920s and How It Brought on the Great Depression By: Christopher Knowlton
The Hundred-Year Marathon
China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower By: Michael Pillsbury
The Art of War
The Art of War is a renowned ancient Chinese military treatise written by Sun Tzu
Million Dollar Weekend
The Surprisingly Simple Way to Launch a 7-Figure Business in 48 Hours By: Noah Kagan
