Books Recommendations
Below is a collection of books that have shaped my values, fueled my purpose as a lifelong learner and guide (coach/mentor/consultant/advisor), and influenced my thought process for every new topics or interest that I come across.
Some of them were pivotal at specific phases of my career and life, some are great foundational knowledge to have, and some reflect passions I’ve developed in recent years as a professional guide (coach) and aspiring healer. For example, “The Making of a Manager” and “Radical Candor” helped me define the kind of leader I wanted to become in my analytics career; “Atomic Habits” is one that I recommend to anyone who struggles to stay on track with their goals; and everything in the “Body, Mind, Soul” category comes from my ongoing quest to help myself and others to feel “whole” in this ever-changing world.
Personal Growth
Atomic Habits
James Clear
The golden loop of cue, craving, response, and reward. And the identity-based method to make habits last and create greater rate for accomplishment.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Susan Cain
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Mark Manson
As a first-gen Taiwanese American immigrant, I used to spend a lot of time ruminating about the presentation I did the day before or the conversations I had at happy hour with coworkers. But then I came across this book, and it was liberating. Coupled with years of learning about myself and healing, now I am giving ways less fxck to things that don’t energize or bring me joy, or helping me move closer to the life I want. Same for the mantra “If it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a no.”
Nonviolent Communication
Marshall Rosenberg
A book that helped me be more effective in giving feedback and fulfilling my emotional needs, either with my direct reports at work or with my husbands and parents at home.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
Nedra Glover Tawwab
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Leadership
The Making of a Manager
Julie Zhuo
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Brené Brown
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Radical Candor
Kim Malone Scott
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups
Daniel Coyle
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job
Sally Helgesen, Marshall Goldsmith
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Career
Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life
Bill Burnett, Dave Evans
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It―Unlock Your Persuasion Potential in Professional and Personal Life
Chris Voss, Tahl Raz
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
The Concise 48 Laws Of Power
Robert Greene
I don’t recommend to follow these “laws” most are seen as manipulative and deceitful. It’s more of a “defence-against-the-dark-arts”. This book has helped me understand other’s actions, cultivate empathy & compassion, and informed my responses.
Analytical & System Thinking
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions
Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals
Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Financial Independence
The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life
JL Collins
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness
Morgan Housel
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Body, Mind, Soul (aka Neuroscience, Psychology, and Mindfulness)
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Michael Pollan
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
Peter A. Levine
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Gabor Maté MD
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: The Workbook: A Toolkit for Editing Your Story and Changing Your Life
Lori Gottlieb
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma
Stephanie Foo
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness for a Regenerative World, Personal Growth, and Inner Peace
Thich Nhat Hanh
[TEXT TBD] The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog.