My 20 Books and Takeaways for 2020!
I love to read. It is something I do religiously. It relaxes me, it allows me to witness someone else’s life/story/adventure/thought process and broadens my perspective.
I read 20 books in 2020 from cover to cover. I had 1 takeaway (at least from each) which I have tried to internalize. These takeaways have been quotes, a short story/anecdote, a fact, or just a thought. Below is a summary, hope you find some value in it.
1. Big billion startup — The Untold Flipkart Story (Mihir Dalal)
A good investigative piece of writing this book is a journey into the founding of the most successful e-commerce startup in India. From the backgrounds of the founders Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal to the founding of Flipkart in 2007 and its eventual sale to Walmart in 2018 — this book covers it all.
Key takeaway: The importance of being scrappy and customer-obsessed in the startup world. This story about one of the 1st sales Flipkart made will showcase how the founders did that.
2. Leonardo da Vinci (Walter Isaacson)
In 2019, I read my 1st book by Walter Isaacson on Steve Jobs and became a fan of his writing style. This book on Da Vinci gave me insights into the works of one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever seen.
Favorite quote: Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is a painting that is felt rather than seen.
3. Zero to One — Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future (Peter Thiel)
I have lost track of the number of times this book has been recommended to me by my entrepreneur friends and mentors — and it definitely lived up to the hype. Harping on Thiel’s philosophy that doing what someone else already knows how to do takes the world from 1 to n, adding more of something familiar. But when you do something new, you go from 0 to 1. If you are into entrepreneurship/VC this is a must-read.
A thought provoking question from the book: What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
4. A World of Three Zeros — The New Economics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment and Zero Net Carbon Emissions (Muhammad Yunus)
Written by the Nobel Peace Price winner and Founder of Microfinance, this book will open your eyes to a new world of capitalism where innovative social businesses are designed to serve human needs and not just accumulate wealth. This book will inspire readers to leave the world better than they found it and should be a must-read in every business school’s curriculum in 2021.
Mind-blowing stat: In 2010, Oxfam reported that the world’s richest 388 people owed more wealth than the entire bottom half of the world population — a group that included an estimated 3.3 billion human beings. In January 2017, Oxfam announced that the underprivileged group that owns wealth exceeding that of the bottom half of the world’s population has shrunk to just 8 people — even as the number of people in the bottom half has grown to 3.6 billion.
5. Hit Refresh — The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft’s Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone (Satya Nadella)
Narrated by the CEO of Microsoft — Satya Nadella tells the inside story of how a company rediscovered its soul — transforming everything from culture to the fiercely competitive landscape and industry partnerships. Talking about his early childhood in India, his obsession for cricket, immigrating to the USA, and his principle of leading with empathy— this makes for a very enjoyable read with lots of great anecdotes.
Favorite quote: Ideas excite me, Empathy grounds and centers me.
6. Liars Poker (Michael Lewis)
If you have worked in Finance in America, it is hard not to have heard about the many best selling books written by Michael Lewis. I read this after reading The Big Short by the same author in 2019 and before my co-op at Goldman Sachs. This book takes the reader on a thrilling and humorous ride as to what went down at Salomon Brothers, one of Wall Street’s premier investment firms in the 1980s.
Favorite quote: Those who know don’t tell and those who tell don’t know.
7. Pataudi: Nawab of Cricket (A collection of essays)
Coming from India it is hard not to be romantic about cricket. Yarns about one of the Captains of the Indian Cricket team, also known as the 9th Nawab of Pataudi who came back to captain the Indian cricket team after the loss of vision in one eye post a life-threatening accident (mind you he was a batsman, batting at a time when there were no helmets) this book will bring to life the allure of sports.
Key takeaway: The character-building nature of sports. Being a sportsman myself I always encourage people (especially the younger folks) to go out and play. It does only keep you fit but teaches many things about life and builds character for the tough times!
8. Mind Over Fear (Rajat Gupta)
A gripping story of a Kolkata boy: Rajat Gupta led McKinsey & Co. — the first foreign-born person to head the world’s most influential management consultancy. In this book, Gupta recalls his unlikely rise from orphan to immigrant to an international icon as well as his dramatic fall from grace when in 2011 he was charged and arrested for insider trading. This is one that is hard to stop once you get started and is a riveting story of successes, failure, resilience, and personal growth.
Key takeaway: At the end of the day the most important thing is always Family. Mr. Gupta went through the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but the people who were always there by him were his family. No matter how busy you are, take some time out for your loved ones. Kyon ki, kal kisne dekha hain? (translates to who has seen tomorrow)
9. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones (James Clear)
My most gifted book of 2020. I read this on the recommendation of a dear friend — Shivank Taksali and I cannot recommend this enough.
Key takeaway: Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress. Winners and losers have the same goals, it is systems they follow that lead to different outcomes.
10. The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google (Scott Galloway)
Written by one of the most popular business professors in the world this book takes a deep dive into how ‘The Four’ came to be amongst the most influential companies in the world. Galloway brings to light how these companies manipulate the fundamental emotional needs that have driven us since our ancestors lived in caves, at a speed and scope others can’t match. And he reveals how you can apply the lessons of their ascent to your own business or career.
Key takeaway: Failure and invention are inseparable twins. To invent you have to experiment, and if you know in advance that it’s going to work, it’s not an experiment. Many times we treat failure as a bad thing, whereas more often than not it is the opposite.
11. The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons in Creative Leadership from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company (Bob Iger)
From the former CEO of one of the most iconic companies in the world, this book will show you what a roller coaster it is leading a company with more than 200,000 employees and many business units. Up there with some of my favorite business autobiographies of all time, this came recommended from Bill Gates’ personal blog and is a must-read.
Key takeaway: If you’re ever wrong, do not be afraid to raise your hand up. People will respect you for it.
12. The Upstarts: Uber, Airbnb and the Battle for the New Silicon Valley (Brad Stone)
If you are reading this blog post, there is a high chance you have used Uber and Airbnb. As a regular user of both these companies, I decided why not spend a few hours to learn more about them. This book will take you from these company's origins and show you how they came to be where they are.
Key takeaway: The world is innovating at great pace. If we think we can or we think we can’t, we will be right either way. If we don’t innovate someone else will. Some great insights into learning about the sharing economy, the biggest players in the same, and the challenges faced by hypergrowth tech startups.
13. First: what it takes to win (Rich Froning)
I remember learning about the CrossFit Games and becoming intrigued by the competition and the 4-time world CrossFit champion Rich Froning. Written by the same person this book showcases what it takes to win at the highest level.
Favorite quote: The Crossfit Games is 70% mental and 30% physical. The human body is an incredible machine, but most people only get out of that machine what their mind allows them to.
14. Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds (David Goggins)
David Goggins is someone you need to follow. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller and a former record holder for the most number of pull-ups in 24 hours David Goggins is what he calls ‘Uncommon amongst Uncommon.’ Intensely motivational based on the true story of Goggins, this book will light a fire in your belly. I would also recommend watching this episode with Goggins from the JRE show.
Key takeaway: The 40% Rule. When you think that you are done, you’re only 40% into what your body’s capable of doing. That’s just the limits that we put on ourselves. Be uncommon amongst the uncommon and a disciple of discipline.
15. What It Takes: Lessons in The Pursuit of Excellence (Stephen A. Schwarzman)
From Blackstone Chairman, CEO, and co-founder Stephen a. Schwarzman, this book brings to life episodes from Schwarzman's life to show readers how to build, transform, and lead thriving organizations. A light read filled with actionable advice and reflective experiences, every business major should read this book in 2021.
Favorite takeaway: 8 rules to have a successful interview. Be on time, be authentic, be prepared, be candid, be confident, be curious, avoid discussing divisive political issues unless you are asked, and mention people you know at an organization only if you like and respect them. More context can be found in this article.
16. No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention (Reed Hastings)
Netflix is amongst the companies that have come to define the last decade along with the likes of Apple, Tesla, Facebook, Instagram, etc. We all knew that. But did you know that Netflix has one of the most unique work cultures in the world, and that did not happen by chance? Written by the CEO and Co-Founder of Netflix this book will talk about how and why the Netflix company culture is the way it is and is a must-read for any leader trying to build their company cultures
Key takeaway: Be intentional about building your company culture. If you don’t build it intentionally, it will build itself.
17. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products (Nir Eyal)
Filled with fascinating case studies and insights into consumer psychology — Hooked will keep you hooked. A short read backed by research and the writer's personal experience, this is a must-read for all startup founders and marketing enthusiasts.
Mind-blowing stat: 79% smartphone owners check their device within 15 minutes of waking up every morning. A recent study found that people check their phones 150 times/day.
18. Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art (James Nestor)
We take 25,000 breaths a day. Yet, few of us know how to breathe correctly and well. This book helped me dive deeper into the world of holistic living and the power of the human breath in improved function, performance and focus.
Key takeaway: If you are dealing with any negative emotions (anger, sadness, stress, etc.) just take a few minutes to do some deep breathing, 4 counts in, 4 counts hold, and 4 counts out. I promise you, you will feel a lot better and it will clear your head. Everybody breathes, few do it consciously.
19. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg Mckeown)
If you have ever felt overwhelmed with too much happening with and around you — this book is for you. In this thought-provoking read highlighting how one can be productive rather than busy, the author argues for why one needs to live like an Essentialist.
Key takeaway: Less is more. Discipline enables Freedom. Simple is beautiful.
20. Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day (Jay Shetty)
This book inspires and empowers. With many anecdotes from the author’s experience as a monk— it will help you make some positive changes in your life. It will inspire you to look within and connect with your spiritual self.
Favorite Quote: When you get stressed — what changes? Your breath. When you get angry — what changes? Your breath. We experience every emotion with the change of the breath. When you learn to navigate and manage your breath, you can navigate any situation in life.
I write this piece to share my love for reading with all of you. I write this piece to document my journey as a reader and learner. I write this piece to take myself back to the thousands of pages read this past year, summarizing them, and chronicling my learnings.
I hope this post inspires some young people to put their phones away for a bit and enjoy the beauty of books. But till then, Happy Reading! :)
If you’d like to learn more, I regularly share my reading list and more on Instagram @karan_k1998 .
