September Reads Wrap Up

September was a huge reading month for me, with ten books finished! I bounced between classic thrillers, sci-fi horror, and a ton of non-fiction focused on career and personal growth. Here’s a quick look at everything I read.

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And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I watched the 2015 TV miniseries, which was great, but I really wanted to read the book that started it all. This thriller is the blueprint for the modern “one-by-one” trope, and it was amazing. I can’t wait to get into a longer-form review.

Do It Today by Darius Foroux

I subscribed to Darius Foroux’s newsletter years ago when I was focused on improving my productivity and overcoming procrastination. This book is a strong collection of his best blog posts on those topics. If you’re interested in this area, it’s well worth a read.

The Manager’s Path by Camille Fournier

I would like to eventually transition into a manager role at my day job. I enjoy helping people achieve their career goals, shaping product strategy, and organizing a team to build something cool. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge for becoming a manager in the tech industry. Fournier is incredibly impressive, both in her career and her ability to convey knowledge. This is a must-read for managers and non-managers alike.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

I read this book in school, of course, but have been meaning to revisit it. The book reads like an H.P. Lovecraft story (minus the supernatural elements) through its first-person narrative, harrowing descriptions of the horror of war, and the raw trauma felt by the soldiers. All Quiet gives you a very personal view of what these young men experienced.

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes

Read my full review here. A lot of elements spoke to what I love in this genre: the haunted, derelict spaceship; the crew going mad; the crushing isolation. It was a great book to kick off the fall season. Spooky vibes delivered.

The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom

Read my full review here. This is a great book for putting what’s important in life into perspective. The five types of wealth Bloom describes are areas you need to consciously invest in, with certain types being more important at different stages of life. Read this if you want to ground yourself in the core aspects of a meaningful life.

The Road to Better Habits by Darius Foroux

Another great book from Darius Foroux. He breaks down the simple framework that allowed him to transform his own habits. I really admire his journey, and this short book can help anyone change the habits they don’t like.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar

I’m on the fence about this book. I described it to a co-worker as a book other writers would love. The prose is beautiful but often purple, the journey of the two time-traveling agents is complex, and the love story is emotional. However, I never really connected with the characters, Red and Blue, and found their personalities weren’t distinct enough. For me, the reason they fell in love seemed weak.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I am writing a full review of The Alchemist. This parable was amazing. It felt incredibly relevant to my own life and inspired me to keep driving down the path I’m on and not give up. I should caveat that the protagonist is male, and as a male reader, it might be the reason it spoke to me so much.

The 4 Stages of Building Wealth by H. J. Chammas

This book was an interesting framing of building wealth. It had a real estate slant, but the principles could be applied to any income-producing asset. Chammas advocates for using leverage, stating that you should aim to borrow as much as you want to be worth. It’s a quick read that gives you insight on how to think about borrowing money. (Note: Not financial advice.)

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My favorite book of the month was hands-down And Then There Were None, but The Manager’s Path was the most impactful for my professional life. It was a great reading month overall!

What was the best book you read in September? Let me know in the comments!