RECOMMENDED READING 2021

2021 was a year of depth — fewer books, but each one substantial. Here are the three that stood out:

The Rational Optimist

by Matt Ridley

How prosperity evolves through exchange and specialization. Ridley makes a compelling case that things are getting better, not worse — and that trade and innovation are the engines of progress. A counterpoint to pessimism grounded in history and data.

In the Plex

by Steven Levy

How Google thinks, works, and shapes our lives. Levy had unprecedented access to Google’s inner workings. This book captures the culture, the algorithms, the ambition, and the conflicts that made Google what it is. Essential reading for understanding how tech giants operate.

Billion Dollar Loser

by Reeves Wiedeman

The epic rise and spectacular fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork. This isn’t just a story about a failed startup — it’s about the excesses of the unicorn era, the power of charisma, and what happens when vision detaches from reality. A cautionary tale for anyone building in high-growth environments.

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