Clay, Author at Clay Reads

Illustrated circadian clock split into warm morning, cool afternoon, and purple evening; lark and owl icons; person working, slumping, then creating—peak, trough, recovery.

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink How I’m Learning to Use Time to My Advantage I picked up[…]

Banner with the words “Summer Reads” on a warm yellow background, surrounded by icons hinting at the books: Chinese opera mask and fan, Roman columns and laurel, Viking helmet and longship, classroom chalkboard with apples, storefront labeled “EMT,” growth bar chart, planets/equations, coffee mug, and a piggy bank.

My 2025 Summer Reading List

Clay | September 1

My 2025 Summer Reading List: A Review of Books from June, July, and August Welcome to my summer reads roundup! This post covers[…]

Moonlit pumpkin field with an open grave, shovel, and lone red high heel; distant high school glows through fog, evoking The Teacher by Freida McFadden.

The Teacher by Freida McFadden: Book Review

Clay | August 29

The Teacher by Freida McFadden The same friend that recommended The Crash by Freida McFadden actually recommended The Teacher first. I chose to[…]

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

Clay | August 22

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 Review

Clay | August 1

A Masterclass in Psychological Terror I might be the only person to have not watched Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House (maybe I[…]

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[…]