Books
A collection of books that have shaped my thinking and learning.
The SaaS Playbook
by Rob Walling
Read June 20, 2025
RATING
DESCRIPTION
Learn the framework for build Software as a Service companies in as short of a book as possible
MY THOUGHTS
Great read! It talks mostly about the development process of developing a software company and scaling it. I will be making a few blog posts about this books and more of my thoughts on business development!
Start Small Stay Small
by Rob Walling
Read June 3, 2025
RATING
DESCRIPTION
Start a small company by targeting a niche market and executing better than your competition
MY THOUGHTS
Loved it! This book teaches about how to manufacture revenue through the smallest sized markets that you can capture. From developing solid marketing strategies to executing at a small scale this book teaches you how to make shit happen in a very organized and iterative fashion.
The Lean Startup
by Eric Ries
Read March 20, 2023
RATING
DESCRIPTION
Understand how to make a startup in the modern era, focus on customers first and develop only after you have accounted for demand from a given market
MY THOUGHTS
This is the REAL entrepenurship bible. Most classes I have taken in technology entrepeneurship or internships I have had in Silicon Valley follow this books mentality to a T. The idea of developing with the customer in mind is key if you want to create scalable and impactful companies (or projects for that matter). The ability to move fast and develop prototypes at a rapid pace to communicate your ideas is very underrated and a very good technique now that AI has made development workflows 10x faster.
Head First Java: A Brain-Friendly Guide
by Kathy Sierra
Read January 4, 2021
RATING
DESCRIPTION
A very beginner friendly textbook to self-learn java programming language
MY THOUGHTS
This book holds a special place in my heart. It allowed me to self-teach Java over winter break in my mom's basement as I was attempting to switch into computer science at UIUC. Spoiler alert: it worked (lol). It teaches the importance of metacognition and problem solving using the programming language, basic data structures, and helpful libraries for making simple UIs. Wish I could read for the first time again.
Tax Free Wealth
by Tom Wheelwright, CPA
Read June 30, 2020
RATING
DESCRIPTION
Topics on basic tax incentive strucutures within economies throughout the world. Applicable to someone who either runs a company, or has high income/net worth
MY THOUGHTS
One of my favorite perspectives I gained from reading this book was the change in perspective I had after understansding that taxes are simply incentives from governments. As we align our investments with the government's goals, we pay less in taxes. It was a very good read, but it touches on topics which are ratehr advanced towards the end of the book and may not be the most applicable to a beginner in personal finance, thus 7/10. I need to reread this soon.
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy
by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
Read June 12, 2020
RATING
DESCRIPTION
A book about the study of 500 American millionaires from 1995 which documents their characterisctics and traits for us to learn from
MY THOUGHTS
This book explains primarily how to live below your means and secondarily how to achieve financial freedom. This book in combination with the stock series is the only actionable advice you would need to make a lot of money in investing, and how I am investing my way to financial freedom.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
by Robert Kiyosaki
Read May 3, 2020
RATING
DESCRIPTION
The most popular book in personal finance and business. Teaches readers the importance of changing their mentality from employees and self-employed to becoming investors and business owners.
MY THOUGHTS
I am not a fan of this book. It teaches valuable lessons in the mental shift from employment to investing in assets or owning a company, but it pushes a hidden conservative agenda that disregards the emphasis of things like time invested, risk levels, and actual skills. Someone with no skills and lots of debt will not benefit from this book whatsoever. The target audience is definitely for people who have just listened to their parents their whole life and are effectively running around with their heads cut off. If you disagree with me, then go read it again. You need to understand the context of your own situation instead of generalizing advice for the broader population. I do not want to be too harsh, but other books on this list allow for a much more actionable approach to financial freedom