Reading is one of the main ways I sharpen how I think.
I’m less interested in consuming a lot and more interested in returning to ideas that reward rereading. Some texts challenge how I see the world. Others help me articulate things I already sense but can’t yet name.
This page is not a comprehensive library. It’s a living record of works that have influenced—or are currently influencing—how I reason, build, and decide.
Currently Reading / Revisiting
These are books or essays I’m actively engaging with right now, often slowly and with notes.
- Works on systems thinking and complexity
- Essays on technology, power, and incentives
- Writing that explores discipline, ambition, and long-term focus
(This section changes often.)
Books That Shaped My Thinking
These are books I return to mentally, even when I’m not rereading them.
- Books about building durable systems
- Philosophy that emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and restraint
- Writing that values depth over optimism
I care less about whether a book is popular and more about whether it changes how I notice things.
Essays & Writing I Recommend
Short-form writing often has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than books.
I’m especially drawn to:
- Essays that explain complex ideas clearly
- Writing by builders who reflect honestly on trade-offs
- Pieces that question assumptions rather than reinforce them
When I recommend something here, it’s because it made me pause.
How I Read
I don’t read to collect opinions or quotes.
I read to:
- Refine my mental models
- Spot recurring patterns across domains
- Learn how good thinkers structure arguments
If a text doesn’t survive rereading, I usually let it go.
This page will evolve as my interests shift. When it no longer reflects what I’m reading or valuing, I’ll update it.
If you have a recommendation you think would genuinely challenge my thinking, feel free to reach out.
— Ebong Billy