Bookshelf

If you want to trip me up, the questions "do you have a good book recommendation?" or "what are you reading?" are good bets. And, yes, I do consider both more or less the same in casual conversation. Reading recommendations are often indistinguishable from virtue signaling, or overly specific to a single topic. For me, that topic is typically my latest craze, and virtue targeting is even harder than avoiding signaling altogether. None are particularly valuable to anyone.

Inspired by, among others, Patrick Collison's bookshelf, I think just listing what's on my shelf is a much better idea. It lets you see what has piqued my interest or wound up in my hands one way or another. But, it makes no assumptions about your interests, nor how I'm trying to impress you. It may not be for you, but I love the format.

I have not necessarily started – and certainly not finished – all the books on the list. There is no overarching theme to be gleaned, nor any order. I have tried to provide some context and opinion where valuable, but don't lean on it too much.

Great American Burger Book

Great American Burger Book

– or how I packed on the "Motz 20."

Feed Your People

Feed Your People

I was hoping to see more inspiration in this one, but it's not bad in a pinch, I guess?

The Flavor Matrix

The Flavor Matrix

Very light on actual methodology and science to the point of being just frustrating.

The Economists' Hour

The Economists' Hour

One of my favorite reads from 2019.

Young Money

Young Money

An absolutely hilarious tale of how virtually nothing has changed since The Recession.

Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables

Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables

Because I am now an adult.

Ama: A Modern Tex-Mex Kitchen

Ama: A Modern Tex-Mex Kitchen

The cookbook from the absolutely amazing restaurant where my wife and I hosted people for lunch after our wedding.

Investments

Investments (8th edition)

I'm Feeling Lucky

I'm Feeling Lucky

A fascinating story written by an impressive guy with an even more impressive case of imposter syndrome.

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

A somewhat honest look at a beacon of light for many a hopeful. I walked away both impressed and perplexed by this guy.

Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World

Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World

– in which Michael Lewis leaves the United States of America but doesn't understand that people can be different from him. Also, a great history of the present financial state of especially Europe.

Zero to One

Zero to One

– like I said, no virtue signaling here.

Know of a book, you think I would enjoy? Let me know about it!