I didn’t slow down the pace after the last books post, but I did change the category. Last year was more focused on technical books, mostly catching up with classics. The first couple of months of this year, have all had a startup business theme by chance (at first, and then because I wanted to soak up more on the topic).
I wouldn’t endorse them as must-reads, but they are motivating, inspiring or relevant if you are pondering your next 5 year plan (which I finally understood you should have, because nothing happens without a plan and life just continues). So if you are looking for any of those things, consider:
Rework
Rework reminded me of the author’s company style, 37 signals. It takes common sense and truths about businesses, but presents them very clear without clutter or noise, allowing you to really take in the message.
Read this to get motivated about getting things done, does not contain very deep things to learn.
The 100$ Startup
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future is chuck full of experiences of other people to learn from. Despite the almost cheap sounding title, the book is really not a completely empty promise.
Read this to learn about tons of experiences of entrepreneurs bootstrapping a small time business.
Traction
Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers is an exhaustive list of all the ways to get customers.
Although they make a good point that you should start working on traction right from the beginning together with the product, I felt so overwhelmed with all the information, I would recommend reading it when you are ready to actually start going out to look for customers.
The 4-Hour Workweek
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich sounds douchy, and it is at times. It focuses a lot on outsourcing and exploiting lower living standards around the world, to increase your productivity and free up time. After checking out a couple of the author’s podcasts, you understand he’s not a bad guy, globalization is just a thing and he explains how to work it.
“Fun things happen when you earn dollars, live on pesos, and compensate in rupees.”
Tim Ferris
Escape from Cubicle Nation
Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur, I think I enjoyed the title more than the content of the book, it is catchy isn’t it. I didn’t hate it though and did learn things, but a lot of parts felt long-winded and seemed to be overly referencing other books just to pad the contents.
Read this to straighten your thoughts about whether being self employed is something for you.
Spare Time Code 