Ben Casnocha Book Recommendations & Book Mentions

Ben Casnocha

Two good friends of mine published useful books today: 1) @nickgraynews's "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party" - Excellent tips on how to host gatherings to build your network https://www.amazon.com/2-Hour-Cocktail-Party-Relationships-Gatherings/dp/1544530072/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=complainandresol&linkCode=ur2&linkId=d746344c9e8fe4c5ad89b218300e7acb&camp=1789&creative=9325 2) @bfeld's "Startup Boards" - Best guide to managing a board https://www.amazon.com/Startup-Boards-Building-Effective-Directors/dp/111985928X?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=complainandresol&linkCode=ur2&linkId=1baa6bc266879770a50be1b13910fba2&camp=1789&creative=9325

Ben Casnocha

"A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere, as long as it stays inside the maze." — Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale

Ben Casnocha

“My entire life, I honestly have had no idea who the hell I am. It’s still that way. I look at myself as just another idiot wandering Planet Earth with no real idea what makes the world go ‘round, no particular identity, just another lost soul.” — James Patterson https://t.co/zkj6pTpu4a

Ben Casnocha

David McCullough is an American legend. I read his Harry Truman biography in Cyprus in 2009. I was so engrossed I kept reading while walking from my hotel room down to the lobby. His John Adams biography also amazing. And his Panama Canal history is deeply underrated. RIP https://t.co/gfJFuoTUQ3

Ben Casnocha

Some recent reading: - Stephen King's addictive "The Institute" - Ian Urbina's super interesting "The Outlaw Ocean" about fishing industry and the high seas - "Working Backwards" about Amazon culture and strategy - "The Mom Test" on customer development https://casnocha.com/2021/10/what-ive-been-reading-september-2021.html

Ben Casnocha

This is a characteristic of a Master: Whatever he does, he does with the enthusiasm of doing it for the first time. This is the source of his unlimited energy… It is always new, personal, and alive. — Gary Zukav, “The Dancing Wu Li Masters”

Ben Casnocha

"The world keeps ending but new people too dumb to know it keep showing up as if the fun’s just started." — John Updike, Rabbit Is Rich (via @DwightGarner)

Ben Casnocha

Today is pub day for the 10-year anniversary edition of "The Startup of You: Adapt, Take Risks, Grow Your Network, and Transform Your Career" @reidhoffman and I completely revised and updated the book to reflect modern career challenges + opportunities. https://t.co/87FyiancO6

Ben Casnocha

My old friend @jimmyasoni came on the @villageglobal podcast to talk about his terrific book "The Founders," which tells the full story of @PayPal, one of Silicon Valley's most important companies. YouTube: https://youtu.be/06xmIpZm_Ic Audio: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-paypal-story-what-can-we-learn-from-the-journey/id1316769266?i=1000560276317

Ben Casnocha

Jonathan Franzen's insights on family life are second to none. His latest novel "Crossroads" is a tour de force: vivid characters, dynamic plot development, gorgeous prose The best yet from someone who already was among the very best in American fiction https://casnocha.com/2022/02/book-review-crossroads-by-jonathan-franzen.html