https://speedrun.substack.com/p/the-a16z-speedrun-summer-reading-list
What are they actually reading?
| Book Title | Author | Recommended By | Year | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Conflict | Amanda Ripley | Alec Daughtry | 2021 | Explores why people get stuck in deeply entrenched conflicts and how they can escape them. Ripley presents real-life case studies, psychological insights, and practical advice. The book aims to provide a roadmap to transform high conflict into healthy debate. |
| Wrong | Dannagal Goldthwaite Young | Alec Daughtry | 2023 | Analyzes how media, politics, and identity contribute to misinformation in the U.S. Young explores the psychological roots of belief and the role of tribalism. The book critiques modern media and offers ideas for improving civic discourse. |
| Freedom’s Forge | Arthur Herman | Andrew Chen | 2012 | Tells how American businesses mobilized to produce war materials during WWII. Focuses on industrialists like William Knudsen and Henry Kaiser. Argues that private enterprise, not government, was the key to success. |
| The Making of the Atomic Bomb | Richard Rhodes | Andrew Chen | 1986 | Chronicles the history of nuclear physics leading to the atomic bomb. Combines science, biography, and political history. Features figures like Oppenheimer and Fermi with moral and ethical reflections. |
| Stranger in a Strange Land | Robert A. Heinlein | Andrew Chen | 1961 | A human raised by Martians returns to Earth and critiques society through alien eyes. The novel blends science fiction with countercultural philosophy. It introduced terms like ‘grok’ and themes of polyamory, religion, and freedom. |
| Oh Crap! Potty Training | Jamie Glowacki | Andrew Lee | 2015 | Provides a step-by-step guide to potty training young children. Focuses on communication, consistency, and ditching diapers quickly. Known for its no-nonsense tone and practical advice. |
| The Sovereign Individual | James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg | Andrew Lee | 1997 | Predicts how the information age will change society, governance, and economics. The book argues that digital technologies will undermine the power of governments. It’s both visionary and controversial, inspiring many in tech. |
| Art & Fear | David Bayles & Ted Orland | Andrew Lee | 1993 | Discusses the challenges artists face in the creative process. Encourages perseverance, authenticity, and understanding fear in making art. Widely recommended for creators in all fields. |
| Mark Twain | Ron Chernow | Doug McCracken | 2023 | A biography detailing the life of Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, focusing on his impact on American culture and literature. Chernow explores Twain’s contradictions and creativity. The book provides historical context on Twain’s life and work. |
| The Art of the Short Story | Dana Gioia & R.S. Gwynn (editors) | Doug McCracken | 2005 | An anthology featuring major short stories with critical essays. It includes classics from diverse voices and provides tools for literary analysis. Ideal for understanding the mechanics and history of the short story. |
| A City on Mars | Kelly & Zach Weinersmith | Doug McCracken, Shrikala Kashyap | 2023 | Explores the feasibility of living on Mars, covering science, law, ethics, and economics. The book debunks common myths about space colonization. A witty and thorough examination of humanity’s interplanetary future. |
| The Let Them Theory | Mel Robbins | Emlyn Thompson | 2023 | A motivational book encouraging readers to release control over others’ perceptions. Robbins teaches strategies to reduce anxiety and people-pleasing. It blends personal stories with practical advice. |
| The Mountain Is You | Brianna Wiest | Emlyn Thompson | 2020 | Focuses on self-sabotage and how to overcome it using emotional intelligence and inner growth. Wiest explores trauma, habits, and healing. A popular read in the self-help genre. |
| Gilgamesh | Emily Wilson | Jonathan Lai | 2024 | A poetic retelling of the ancient Mesopotamian epic, focusing on friendship, mortality, and heroism. Wilson modernizes the language while staying true to the story’s spirit. It’s a fresh take on humanity’s oldest recorded myth. |
| Reality is Not What It Seems | Carlo Rovelli | Jordan Carver | 2014 | Rovelli explains modern physics concepts including quantum theory and time. The book is a philosophical and scientific journey into the nature of reality. Written in accessible prose, it’s ideal for science enthusiasts. |
| The Devils | Joe Abercrombie | Jordan Carver | 2024 | A dark and thrilling fantasy novel full of violence, wit, and rich world-building. Abercrombie continues his tradition of morally complex characters. It’s a fast-paced read for fans of grimdark fiction. |
| Harrow County | Cullen Bunn | Jordan Carver | 2015 | A horror graphic novel series about a girl with a mysterious past in a haunted rural town. Features eerie art and Southern Gothic themes. Combines folklore, magic, and coming-of-age drama. |
| The Most Human Human | Brian Christian | Josh Lu | 2011 | Explores what it means to be human through the lens of the Turing Test. Christian blends AI, philosophy, and psychology. Offers insights on human uniqueness and machine intelligence. |
| Man’s Search for Meaning | Viktor Frankl | Josh Lu | 1946 | Frankl recounts his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and introduces logotherapy. The book emphasizes finding purpose even in suffering. A profound psychological and philosophical work. |
| Norwegian Wood | Haruki Murakami | Justin Paine | 1987 | A nostalgic and melancholic coming-of-age novel about love, loss, and memory. Set in 1960s Tokyo, it follows a college student through emotional turmoil. Known for its lyrical prose and depth. |
| The Power Broker | Robert Caro | Justin Paine | 1974 | A biography of Robert Moses, the master builder of mid-20th-century New York. It examines power, urban planning, and politics. Widely regarded as one of the greatest political biographies. |
| The Path to Power | Robert Caro | Justin Paine | 1982 | Covers the early life and political rise of Lyndon B. Johnson. The first of a multi-volume biography, it details ambition and manipulation. Rich in historical detail and political insight. |
| The Creative Act | Rick Rubin | Karishma Laungani | 2023 | A meditative book on creativity blending philosophical insights and practical reflections. Rubin, a legendary music producer, offers a spiritual and reflective approach to making things. It encourages creators to connect with their authentic voice. |
| Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow | Gabrielle Zevin | Karishma Laungani | 2022 | A novel about friendship, love, and video game development. It follows two friends who collaborate on building games over decades. The story explores creativity, ambition, and emotional connection. |
| Darius the Great Is Not Okay | Adib Khorram | Katia Ameri | 2018 | A young adult novel about a Persian-American teenager struggling with depression and cultural identity. Darius visits Iran and deepens his understanding of self and family. It’s heartfelt, humorous, and widely acclaimed. |
| Bringing Up Bébé | Pamela Druckerman | Katia Ameri | 2012 | An American journalist recounts raising children in France and contrasts parenting styles. Highlights how French children eat well, sleep through the night, and behave calmly. A humorous and informative cultural exploration. |
| Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World | Jack Weatherford | Kevin Wu | 2004 | Reframes Genghis Khan as a visionary leader who fostered trade, innovation, and globalization. Weatherford uses history and anthropology to debunk myths. The book emphasizes his legacy beyond conquest. |
| The Art of Happiness | Howard Cutler & Dalai Lama | Kevin Wu | 1998 | A dialogue between a psychiatrist and the Dalai Lama on how to achieve happiness. Combines Western psychology and Eastern philosophy. Offers practical steps to cultivate compassion and mental well-being. |
| Station Eleven | Emily St. John Mandel | Macy Mills | 2014 | A post-apocalyptic novel about a traveling theater troupe preserving art after a pandemic. Interweaves multiple timelines and characters. A literary exploration of memory, civilization, and hope. |
| Atmosphere | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Macy Mills | 2025 | Reid’s latest novel, likely centered on relationships and identity, though plot details are currently sparse. Known for emotionally rich, character-driven stories. Expected to follow her signature dramatic and immersive style. |
| You Dreamed of Empires | Álvaro Enrigue | Marcus Segal | 2024 | A fictional, hallucinatory take on the Spanish conquest of the Aztec empire. Blends surrealism, satire, and history. Reflects on power, mythology, and the collision of civilizations. |
| The Paris Library | Janet Skeslien Charles | Marigold Vu | 2021 | Historical fiction based on the true story of the American Library in Paris during WWII. Alternates between 1940s Paris and 1980s Montana. Themes include courage, community, and the power of books. |
| Simple | Yotam Ottolenghi | Marigold Vu | 2018 | A cookbook with easy-to-make recipes using bold Middle Eastern flavors. Ottolenghi emphasizes efficiency without sacrificing taste. Ideal for home cooks wanting inspired, everyday meals. |
| The Worlds I See | Fei-Fei Li | Matthew Shortal | 2023 | Memoir by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li that traces her journey from China to the U.S. and into the center of AI research. Covers the development of computer vision and spatial intelligence. A story of curiosity, discovery, and technological impact. |
| Chip War | Chris Miller | Mayowa Ajayi | 2022 | Explores the geopolitical and economic battle over semiconductor chips. Details the history, global supply chain, and strategic importance of chips. Accessible and timely analysis of a critical modern industry. |
| Why Fish Don’t Exist | Lulu Miller | Narek Gevorgyan | 2020 | A part-biography, part-memoir examining taxonomist David Starr Jordan’s obsession with order. Shifts into a philosophical exploration of chaos and meaning. Blends science, narrative, and introspection. |
| Piranesi | Susanna Clarke | Narek Gevorgyan | 2020 | A surreal and mysterious fantasy novel set in a labyrinthine world. Follows a solitary man uncovering truths about his reality. Deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant. |
| Drood | Dan Simmons | Narek Gevorgyan | 2009 | Historical fiction with horror elements exploring Charles Dickens’ final years. A fictionalized account blending fact with supernatural intrigue. Rich in gothic style and suspense. |
| Hyperion | Dan Simmons | Narek Gevorgyan | 1989 | A sci-fi epic told through multiple perspectives in a far-future universe. Themes include religion, AI, and human evolution. Acclaimed for its literary style and world-building. |
| Disney War | James B. Stewart | Peter Blackwood | 2005 | Inside account of Michael Eisner’s reign at Disney. Covers boardroom battles, corporate politics, and creative decisions. Combines business reporting with narrative flair. |
| Cattle Kingdom | Christopher Knowlton | Peter Blackwood | 2017 | History of the American cattle industry in the 19th century. Profiles the economics and myths of the cowboy West. A nuanced portrait of boom, bust, and transformation. |
| Barbarians at the Gate | Bryan Burrough & John Helyar | Robin Guo | 1990 | Chronicles the RJR Nabisco leveraged buyout in the 1980s. Full of boardroom drama, Wall Street tactics, and excess. A business classic and cautionary tale. |
| Antifragile | Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Robin Guo | 2012 | Explores systems that gain from disorder and volatility. Taleb introduces ‘antifragility’ as a concept for robustness. Blends philosophy, risk theory, and anecdotes. |
| The Silk Roads | Peter Frankopan | Robin Guo | 2015 | A revisionist history focusing on Asia’s central role in global development. Traces ancient trade routes and power dynamics. Challenges Eurocentric narratives. |
| Martyr! | Kaveh Akbar | Rose Johnson | 2024 | A poetic and surreal novel about addiction, faith, and Iranian-American identity. Blends lyrical prose with spiritual inquiry. A bold and experimental debut. |
| The Sympathizer | Viet Thanh Nguyen | Rose Johnson | 2015 | A Vietnamese spy reflects on war, ideology, and exile. Satirical and philosophical, set across Vietnam and the U.S. Won the Pulitzer Prize for its sharp insight. |
| William James: In the Maelstrom of American Modernism | Robert D. Richardson | Ryan Rigney | 2006 | Biography of philosopher and psychologist William James. Highlights his influence on pragmatism, religion, and psychology. Engaging and deeply intellectual. |
| Shōgun | James Clavell | Ryan Rigney | 1975 | Epic historical novel set in 17th-century Japan. Follows an English navigator drawn into feudal politics. Combines rich detail with adventure and cultural tension. |
| Murderbot Diaries | Martha Wells | Sam Shank | 2017 | Follows a self-aware security robot navigating freedom and morality. Combines action, humor, and introspection. Hugely popular among sci-fi fans. |
| Theft of Fire | Seth Dickinson (likely) | Sam Shank | 2024 | Fantasy novel involving revolution, myth, and identity. A complex and richly constructed world. Continues Dickinson’s legacy of moral and political depth. |
| How Countries Go Broke | Ray Dalio | Samira Behrouzan | 2024 | Examines global debt cycles and economic collapse. Dalio uses historical case studies to identify patterns. Offers strategies for resilience and understanding macro risks. |
| Why Machines Learn | Anil Ananthaswamy | Samira Behrouzan | 2023 | Explains the theory behind modern machine learning. Covers deep learning, physics-inspired methods, and philosophy. Accessible and thought-provoking. |
| A Brief History of Intelligence | Max S. Bennett | Shrikala Kashyap | 2023 | Traces the development of intelligence through biology and AI. Bennett blends science and narrative. Frames intelligence as an evolving system. |
| The Death of Expertise | Thomas Nichols | Tom Hammer | 2017 | Critiques the public’s rejection of experts in favor of opinion. Examines the consequences for democracy and knowledge. Advocates for humility and informed discourse. |
| The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test | Tom Wolfe | Tom Hammer | 1968 | Nonfiction chronicle of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. Captures the spirit of 1960s counterculture and psychedelic exploration. Energetic and experimental in style. |
| Mornings on Horseback | David McCullough | Troy Kirwin | 1981 | Biography of young Theodore Roosevelt and his family. Focuses on character formation, health, and ambition. A richly detailed narrative by a master historian. |