This is my annual list of cool things I learned in 2020 including quotes, insights, fun facts, and key lessons.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama Summary
In writing this memoir, Obama said that his first and foremost goal for the book is "...to provide an honest rendering of my time in office. To offer readers a glimpse at what it's like to be the president of the United States." I think he did a good job of giving a glimpse at what it was like to be the president. He included a variety of details small and big, from how his clothes were neatly pressed and folded every night by the staff, to the processes behind making strategic decisions about the economy, troop deployments, and many other critical areas.
2021 Reading List
Here is a list of the books I have read in 2021 in order of completion. I will update it throughout the year as I finish reading more books.
Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay Summary
This is Gordon Ramsay's autobiography. The audio version is narrated by Gordon himself, which makes the book even more insightful and personal. What stood out to me the most was this. There were so many times that he left a good position at, or near, the top spot in a restaurant to go somewhere else to learn and develop his skills as a chef. He kept giving up his title, comfort, and pay in order to start at the bottom working under a new chef. He constantly pursued opportunities to work with the best chefs and at the best restaurants in the world.
Restaurant Man by Joe Bastianich Summary
ou may know Joe Bastianich from watching him on television as a judge on Masterchef or as an investor on Restaurant Startup. His biography is both entertaining and interesting. If you like watching cooking shows, eating at fine dining restaurants, or have an interest in wine, I think you will enjoy this book.
Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker Summary
Managing Oneself is succinct and packed with useful advice. My favorite insight is from chapter 4 which illustrates the differences between readers and listeners. Knowing whether you are a reader or a listener is a key to performing at your best. It also helps you interact with others by identifying if they are readers or listeners. It can be read in under an hour and I encourage you to buy a copy and read it for yourself.
The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande Summary
My favorite part of the book is the Van Halen "no brown M&Ms" contract clause discussed in chapter 4. If you don't read anything else on the summary, I suggest reading my notes on chapter 4.
Living with the Monks by Jesse Itzler Summary
Before writing this, Jesse Itzler decided to live in a monastery with the Monks of New Skete as an experiment and life experience. He kept a journal during his stay there and the main contents of the book are from his journal.
2020 Reading List
A list of the books I finished reading in 2020 in order of completion.
Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian Summary
Tiger Woods' life is an incredibly fascinating story. The author's are brutally open in this book and they dig into plenty of the negative aspects of his life. Regardless of whether you like him or not, there is a lot to learn from his successes and mistakes. Even if you don't like sports, I think you will enjoy this biography.