Clay, Author at Clay Reads

Minimalist illustration symbolizing Scott Galloway’s “Algebra of Wealth”: stacked stones (stoicism), a prism casting a focused beam (focus), an hourglass (time), and a coin-leaf tree (diversification) along a curved path with a dusk city skyline.

The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security by Scott Galloway

The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security by Scott Galloway It took me a while to warm up to Scott[…]

A colossal crystalline alien structure looms over an Earth-like planet as fleets of human warships unleash bright laser fire against it in the depths of space.

Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Clay | August 15

Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky Imagine Firefly colliding with a galaxy-sized mystery that could end humanity and that’s the energy of Shards[…]

Late-night study scene: a learner at a desk under a warm lamp with a math notebook and Pomodoro timer; glowing cubes rise into a starry sky with science icons, symbolizing chunking and focused vs. diffuse thinking.

A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science by Barbara Oakley

Clay | August 8

A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science by Barbara Oakley I first came across Barbara Oakley’s book, A Mind[…]

Silhouetted woman approaches a fog-shrouded Gothic mansion under a full moon, evoking the eerie atmosphere of The Haunting of Hill House.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Clay | August 1

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson I might be the only person to have not watched Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill[…]

Concept-art illustration of a software developer coding at dusk, framed by glowing orange icons—lightbulb, bar chart, gear with checkmark—linked in a circular loop, city skyline in the background.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

Clay | July 25

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber I’m not sure how I came across The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber, but it[…]

A muscular man with a stoic expression is escorted by two police officers out of a neon-lit diner at night, evoking a tense and gritty atmosphere.

The Killing Floor by Lee Child

Clay | July 18

The Killing Floor by Lee Child I was first introduced to Jack Reacher by Tom Cruise in the movie Jack Reacher. I can[…]

A young woman with curly hair and medium brown skin sits peacefully at a wooden desk, journaling in a notebook. Morning sunlight streams through a nearby window, illuminating sticky notes with affirmations like “Be kind to yourself” and “I accept myself.” A warm cup of coffee and green plants surround her, creating a calm and reflective atmosphere.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

Clay | July 11

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff One of my goals this year was to work on self-love[…]

A minimalist conceptual illustration of a man at a crossroads, deciding between a foggy speech bubble path and a glowing one, symbolizing spontaneous communication under pressure.

Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams

Clay | June 27

Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams I am always looking to improve my communication skills at work, and being able to perform[…]

A vintage-style painting depicting Phileas Fogg, Aouda, Passepartout, and Detective Fix on their global journey; Fogg rides an elephant with iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Sphinx, and a steamship in the background, along with a hot air balloon in the sky.

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

Clay | June 20

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne Around the World in Eighty Days was my third Jules Verne book, having previously[…]

Three people work together to push a giant coin uphill toward a large money bag, symbolizing teamwork and financial progress in the debt snowball method.

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey

Clay | June 13

The Total Money Makeover: My Journey Through Ramsey’s Baby Steps I first discovered Dave Ramsey on The School of Greatness podcast, where he[…]