Book Recommendations – 2025

2025 has been a very busy year for me — I moved to Atlan from Freshworks, welcomed a new addition to our little family, and didn’t write much on this blog. I was also under the impression that I hadn’t read much, but when I reviewed the year, I realized I did manage to read a fair number of books (I’m a slow reader, so this felt like a win).

Here’s the list of books I read in 2025, along with my brief thoughts and recommendations.

A Philosophy of Software Design by John K. Ousterhout

One of the best software engineering books I’ve read this year. It offers many practical suggestions and, more importantly, encourages engineers to question established opinions and adapt ideas to their specific context rather than blindly following rules.
Recommendation :  Yes

The Ministry of Common Sense by Martin Lindstrom

Recommendation :  No

Silver Investing For Beginners by Jhon Roberts

Short read, Gives intro to silver investing.

Recommendation :  Consider it if you are trying to get into silver investing.

Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley

Introduces a few effective techniques for learning, reading, and retaining information.

Recommendation : Yes

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

Analyzes socio-economic issues from unconventional angles. An entertaining and informative read.

Recommendation : Yes

The Meaning of Human Existence by Edward O. Wilson

Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield

Haroun & The Sea Of Stories by Salman Rushdie

A short fantasy novel. I particularly liked the imaginative names given to the characters.

Recommendation : Yes

Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden

It’s Not How by Paul Arden

Both of these books are very short reads.
Recommendation : Maybe

Ikigai by Francesc García, Héctor,Miralles

Do It Today by Darius Foroux

GETTING THINGS DONE by David Allen

Courage To Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

A psychology book organized as a dialogue between a philosopher and a student. While the ideas are interesting, the conversational format sometimes feels like a drag.
Recommendation : Maybe

Masala Lab by Krish Ashok

The Unusual Billionaires by MUKHERJEA SAURABH

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

The Bed of Procrustes by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Good Aphorisms
Recommendation : Yes

Let’s Talk Money by Monika Halan

if you know nothing related to personal finance, definitely start with this book.
Recommendation : Yes