Jason Fried
Author, Designer, Entrepreneur, Executive, Podcaster
Jason Fried co-founded the Chicago software company 37signals in 1999 and became its CEO. The company makes the project-management tool Basecamp and the email service HEY. With David Heinemeier Hansson, he co-wrote Getting Real, Rework, Remote, and It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work.
Jason Fried's 43 Book Recommendations
- The Talent Code: “Highly recommend reading The Talent Code. Wonderful book w/ great insights.”
- Thinking, Fast and Slow: “I enjoyed that book, too. Fascinating.”
- Why We Sleep: “Read this book and think again. "Why We Sleep" is highly recommended”
- A Guide to the Good Life: “A Guide to the Good Life is such a good book.”
- Where the Suckers Moon: “One of my favorite books about Nike is a book that came out in 1995 called Where the Suckers Moon... great book, great brand about advertising and branding. I think you might enjoy it.”
- Thinking in Bets: “I have read Thinking in Bets. Really enjoyed that part especially.”
- Lifespan: “highly recommend his book "Lifespan"”
- Mother of God: “Mother of God by @PaulRosolie is one hell of an exciting, captivating book. Electric writing too - full of energy, wonder, and reverence”
- Quiet: “A good book I'd recommend is "Quiet" by Susan Cain”
- Endurance: “I'll leave you with the one I just finished: "Endurance"... Amazing story of perseverance and leadership against all odds. Riveting book.”
- Turn the Ship Around!: “"Turn the Ship Around!" by @ldavidmarquet is the best book I've ever read on true leadership. Highly recommended”
- Revising Prose: “Revising Prose is the best book I've found on improving individual sentences. Highly recommended”
- The Creative Act: “Thoroughly enjoyed @RickRubin's book "The Creative ACT: A Way of Being." It's a poetic, insightful thread that weaves something wonderful... A really beautiful read.”
- Several Short Sentences about Writing: “"Several Short Sentences about Writing" by Verlyn Klinkenborg, is just a delightful book on writing. Highly recommended”
- Projections: A Story of Human Emotions: “"Projections: A Story of Human Emotions" by Karl Deisseroth completely blew me away... One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read, hands down.”
- The Manual: A Philosopher's Guide to Life: “Whenever I need a mental reset back to the basics, I reach for The Manual... perhaps the most useful 60-quick pages I've found anywhere.”
- Ogilvy on Advertising: “Ogilvy on Advertising is one of the all time great books on writing.”
- Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: “Blue Ocean is definitely one of my favorites as well, and I generally hate business books.”
- Maintenance: Of Everything, Part One: “Just got my copy yesterday and am finding it a rich and wonderful read.”
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: “Yeah this entire chapter is about Persig's and Crawford's books. Both fantastic reads.”
- Handmade Houses: A Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art: “Handmade Houses, published by Scrimshaw Press, is such a lovely old book of architecture without architects.”
- Against the Odds: An Autobiography: “"Against The Odds" is one of my all time favorite business books.”
- The Courage to Be Disliked: “One of my favorite books too.”
- Maverick!: “My favorite book on business is "Maverick" by @ricardosemler”
- The Overstory: “Started reading it. Outstanding. The writing is so clever, so luscious. Rich stories. And the trees! Already feels like it'll end up being one of my favorite books.”
- World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music: “Just finished @JeffTweedy's delightful "World Within a Song"... Quick read, highly recommended.”
- Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me!): “Really enjoyed "Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)"... Great reminder of how our minds work. Must read”
- Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures: “Highly recommend reading”
- Punished by Rewards: “I'd highly recommend reading "Punished By Rewards". It's eye opening”
- Deep Work: “Wonderful book, enjoyed it very much.”
- Seeking Wisdom: “Finally got to re-reading one of my favorite books: Seeking Wisdom, from Darwin to Munger. Highly recommended.”
- Poor Charlie's Almanack: “Highly recommend Poor Charlie's Almanac.”
- Getting to Yes: “I have read it - great book.”
- The Oldest Living Things in the World: “"The Oldest Living Things in the World" is a great book to own and admire”
- The Devil in the White City: “Oh yes - great book and great man.”
- On Writing Well: “On Writing Well is an incredible book.”
- Hell Yeah Or No: “One of the great books!”
- The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: “One of the great books.”
- The Way to Wealth: “I try to read my favorite business book of all time at least once a month. Luckily it's only 30 pages.”
- Designing Interactions: “I got Designing Interactions over the holidays and have really enjoyed it so far. I'm not done with it, but I'm done enough to be able to recommend it.”
- How Will You Measure Your Life?: “His latest book, How Will You Measure Your Life, has some wonderfully insightful business and life lessons.”
- Demand-Side Sales 101: Stop Selling and Help Your Customers Make Progress: “I'm so pleased his ideas are finally collected in one place, in a form anyone can absorb. I highly recommend buying the book, reading the book, absorbing the book”
- The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea: “It's the best balanced book I've found on the subject. I hope it helps you appreciate tea in a whole new way.”