- Frankenstein, because you must understand the responsibility and hazard that comes with bringing something new into the world.
- The Road, because you must understand what it’s like to work on something that will likely never completely finish.
- Republic, because you must understand respectful discourse and how to think.
- The Upside of Stress, because you must understand how to leverage the neverending deluge of stress you’ll encounter.
- Chaos, to understand how complex systems work and the perils of reductionism.
- Moby Dick, to understand how costly and easy it is to pursue the wrong thing.
- Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, because you’re making stuff for humans, and you must understand what humans actually are.
- Lying, to understand why it’s necessary to be direct and honest.
- Maps of the Imagination, to understand how to guide through storytelling.
- The Myth of Sisyphus + The Life of the Artist by Albert Camus, to understand what it’s like to become intertwined with your work.
- Ender’s Game, to understand the importance of being ruthless.
- On Liberty, to understand why every opinion matters, even those you disagree with.
- Sapiens, to understand effective human order.
If you’re wondering Why Books Like These
