getty
Fall is a time to bundle up, go for long walks, finally start a fire in the fireplace, and read a good book. I’ve selected several that are either important to read from a popular cultural standpoint, brilliant and insightful, or just plain insightful for other reasons.
1. How to Lead: Wisdom from the World's Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game Changers
I’m endlessly fascinated by extremely smart people—what they do and how they approach life. This book focuses on leadership but also includes some salient details. (Warren Buffet plays 12 hours of bridge on a computer every week!) It’s a must read.
2. Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 1944-1945
There’s something about a robust, highly detailed non-fiction book that can transport you to another place and time. Twilight of the Gods does just that, writing with such vividness about WWII that you can picture the scene he is describing. It’s masterful.
3. Sid Meier's Memoir!: A Life in Computer Games
I’ve played video games since the 90s and still love to keep up on the latest innovations. Sid Meier is an elder statesman in the genre, and this account of how he helped birth the genre is a must read (even for those who don’t like video games).
4. Rage
I’m including this political book for a specific reason: Because it is so extremely well written. Bob Woodward conducted 18 interviews with President Trump for this account of internal turmoil. For anyone who likes good reporting, this is your fall read.
5. The Innovation Delusion: How Our Obsession with the New Has Disrupted the Work That Matters Most
A fascinating repudiation of the idea that disruption and a constant pursuit of “the new” actually works, The Innovation Delusion instead places a bet on actual hard work. I loved how the authors poke holes in some of the assumed strategies of business.
6. The 40-Day Social Media Fast
It might seem odd for someone like me who covers social media frequently to suggest a book about taking a break from the platforms. I like how author Wendy Speake challenges people to take a break and ponder what life is really all about.
7. The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life—and Saved an American Farm
One of the most important messages you will ever hear from any entrepreneur is: Stick with the plan. The Growing Season is a remarkable story about perseverance and innovation. Sarah Frey explains how she started her fresh produce business.
8. The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future
Two of my all-time favorite authors are on this fall reading list (the other one is Susanna Clarke). Chris Whipple writes about recent CIA directors with such careful precision, adding details that bring the person to life, that it’s as good or better than any fiction page-turner.
9. Piranesi
Any truly inventive work of fiction seems a bit startling at first. Piranesi is a strange tale from the author of one of my all-time favorite books. It’s inspiring and enlightening because the story—about a house with infinite rooms—is so unusual and multi-faceted.
10. No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
Written by the person who actually birthed Netflix, this account of the ideologies and practices of the media streaming company is inspiring in countless ways. Reading about some of their policies—such as no-filter feedback you can give to bosses—makes you want to adopt them.
