Inspiration

Over the years, certain books have stayed with me—not just because they were well-written or popular, but because they shifted something in me. Some helped me grow as an engineer or a leader. Others changed how I see the world, how I manage my emotions, or how I relate to those around me.

This page is a curated list of those books. Each one has made a meaningful impact on my thinking, my work, or my life. If you’re looking for something new to read—or a new way to think—I hope you’ll find something here that resonates with you too.

Tao Te Ching

Author: Lao Tzu
Summary: A foundational Taoist text that explores harmony, simplicity, and the paradoxical strength of non-action.
Personal Note: I discovered this book in high school during my search for spiritual grounding and my obsession with martial arts. Its teachings are foundational to who I am, what I believe, and how I live. It gave me my connection to the universe.

Book of Five Rings

Author: Miyamoto Musashi
Summary: A timeless treatise on discipline, strategy, and mental clarity—offering lessons that extend beyond combat into every part of life.
Personal Note: The discipline and strategies I learned helped me navigate much of my life’s hardships. It taught me strength and principles I still carry with me.

Eloquent Ruby

Author: Russ Olsen
Summary: A guide to writing expressive, idiomatic Ruby code. It teaches the beauty of simplicity and the elegance of powerful design choices.
Personal Note: Recommended by a Rubyist early in my career, this book showed me that code can be simple, powerful, and beautiful. It laid the foundation for the technical design principles that have supported my career.

JavaScript: The Good Parts

Author: Douglas Crockford
Summary: A brutally honest take on JavaScript that cuts through its quirks to reveal a usable, efficient core.
Personal Note: The cynicism and humor in this book taught me not to take coding too seriously—while also giving me a deeper understanding of JavaScript’s inner workings and madness.

The Lean Startup

Author: Eric Ries
Summary: A modern business classic introducing the build-measure-learn loop, validated learning, and agile experimentation.
Personal Note: Recommended when I joined my first startup, this book gave me the foundation for understanding agile and the philosophies that help you deliver real value.

Atomic Habits

Author: James Clear
Summary: A system-based approach to building better habits through small, meaningful actions that compound over time.
Personal Note: Amazing practices for manifesting real change in your life—and doing it in a way that actually feels doable.

How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: Effective Strategies for Stressed Out Parents

Author: Carla Naumburg, PhD
Summary: A compassionate, practical book that helps parents manage emotional triggers and respond instead of react.
Personal Note: Great insights for managing stress and reactions. While it’s aimed at parenting, I found it just as helpful for workplace interactions—especially during tense moments with colleagues.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*

Author: Mark Manson
Summary: A blunt, funny guide to letting go of what doesn’t matter and living more intentionally.
Personal Note: This book reminded me what it means to just be—and offered the kind of permission and forgiveness I needed at the time.

The Collaboration Book: A Guide to Achieving Great Things Together

Authors: Mikael Krogerus & Roman Tschäppeler
Summary: A visual, no-fluff guide to teamwork. Packed with models and mental tools to help teams navigate decisions, conflict, and communication.
Personal Note: Amazing bite-sized lessons and a quick-reference companion for navigating team dynamics.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Author: Stephen R. Covey
Summary: A timeless framework for personal and professional effectiveness, split into internal mastery, external effectiveness, and renewal.
Personal Note: Eye-opening in how it simplifies the path to being more effective—without being preachy. The habits are grouped logically, with a seventh I won’t spoil here.

Creating Superfans

Author: Brittany Hodak
Summary: A guide to turning customers into loyal fans by telling stories, creating emotional resonance, and delivering standout experiences.
Personal Note: I read this mostly with my team in mind. Even though we have a captive audience, we’re supposed to be improving the developer experience—and this book was a great reminder that we should still aim to make superfans.

Comfort in Darkness: The Invisible Power of Jiu‑Jitsu

Authors: Rickson Gracie & Peter Maguire
Summary: A deeply personal book about the spiritual and philosophical power of martial arts—written with humility, wisdom, and vulnerability.
Personal Note: I connect deeply with the lessons martial arts taught him. This book reinforces the quiet strength and presence that jiu-jitsu can bring into all parts of life.

Scattered Minds (currently reading)

Author: Gabor Maté
Summary: A compassionate, research-based exploration of ADHD that links it to early life experience and trauma. Offers practical ways forward for healing and understanding.
Personal Note: This one hits home. My family has ADHD, and I’m beginning to realize just how much of it runs in my lineage. The book is helping me face both present challenges and past wounds with more clarity and grace.