Summer Reading - Boston Tech Shares What They Are Reading (Part 2: Assorted Books)

"I loved this book, and couldn't put it down once I got a few chapters in. It is a memoir from an accomplished astronomer, but it is not technical at all and is instead funny and suspenseful -- it reads almost like a light thriller! The author recounts his time as an astronomer at CalTech, and the circumstances under which he discovered the "tenth planet," a celestial object that basically has similar properties to Pluto. The story preceding the discovery and the controversy afterwards makes for a really gripping and yet educational read. Highly recommended if you want a fun, quick read but also are interested in learning about our solar system at the same time."

- Josh Schanker, Founder and President at BookBub

Check out How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming on Amazon!

"It’s fascinating how similar the first internet age was to what's happening today as the physical and digital world come together to solve big problems that impact all of our everyday lives. We’re once again talking about infrastructure, access and equality past, present and future. This is a fun read whether you’re into tech history or not." 

- Brad McNamara, Co-Founder and CEO at Freight Farms

Check out The Third Wave on Amazon!

“As someone who has both founded and worked for startups, I always laugh when friends tell me that their image of startup culture is afternoons of ping pong tournaments and lounging in hammocks with your laptop. That’s why I appreciated the insights of Jeff Bussgang’s Entering StartUpLand. The truth is that startup culture is generally far from glamorous, it can be incredibly cutthroat and difficult to navigate as a newcomer whether you’re a founder or an employee. Anyone who is interested in a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to either start or work for a startup should be reading this book.”

- Max Rollinger, Director of Programming, Accelerate, Wentworth Innovation + Entrepreneurship Center

“It's a deconstruction of startup organizations that is essential for anyone thinking about joining a startup as well as anyone hoping to succeed within one.”

- Mary Tobin, Manager of Development and Strategic Initiatives at the New England Venture Capital Association

Check out Entering StartUpLand on Amazon!

"I have a stack of books by Austrian writer Stefan Zweig I've been slowly chipping away at."

- Brendan Ciecko, Founder and CEO of Cuseum

Check out The World of Yesterday on Amazon!

"Just when you think everything was written about the Kennedy family, Eileen McNamara comes along with a totally new tale, shining her investigative lens on this amazing woman, who quietly fought for what was right and just. You probably know she started the Special Olympics, but her story is so much more than that. She was politically astute enough to work behind the scenes for the change she wanted, letting her brothers take the credit. And in the male-dominated world of tech startups, this is often how woman influence organizations. Working through power, if we don’t have it ourselves."

- Lori Cohen, Chief Marketing Officer at Veridium

Check out Eunice: The Kennedy Who Changed Everything on Amazon!

"Every summer, I check out Bill Gates’ Summer Reading List as my first stop for recommendations. I’m currently reading Satya Nadella’s book Hit Refresh, which is wonderful so far. He talks about the major transformation he led at Microsoft, while keeping a humble and super smart tone. Another book on my bedside table this summer is Brotopia by Emily Chang, a Bloomberg Technology host and executive producer. The book looks at how the promise and glories of Silicon Valley can be real – but only for men. It’s a must read and inspires the need for change."

- Tara O'Sullivan, CMO at Skillsoft

Check out Hit Refresh on Amazon!

“Vulnerability is not something many people talk about very often, if at all. Brown does an incredible job at talking about vulnerability, rather than running in the other direction. Running toward vulnerability makes for far more meaningful life experiences. This book changed the way I think about what it means to be courageous and brave, and it forced me to look at those times when I felt my “fight or flight” reflex kicking in. Instead, I started running straight toward those experiences, trying to embrace them as best as I can.”

- Kate Adams, Director, Demand Generation at SmartBear Software

Check out Daring Greatly on Amazon!

"Based on a true story of an NHL player who suffered from, and eventually died, due to CTE. Given that my professional hockey career ended due to concussions, I am fascinated to read the account. Ken Dryden, one of the more respected Canadians ever in sports, politics and law, also had some great recommendations to keep hockey great."

- Mike McKee, CEO at ObserveIT

Check out Game Change on Amazon!

"A new workplace culture has been established and without it companies will be disregarded by the new generations of smart, creative workers. However, this new environment has created a blur between work and play. While employees may be smart enough to understand the line between the two, it’s important as a leader to create a framework that enables people to both feel empowered by the culture we’re providing, while ensuring they deliver on expectations. The Agile Leader by Simon Hayword expresses guidance on how to do exactly that, which I find myself reading this summer as office spirits rise with the temperatures."

- Ben Harris, CEO at Decibel

Check out The Agile Leader on Amazon!

"I was never an athlete, unless Academic Decathlon counts, but I love a good, inspirational Michael Jordan poster.  This book is about how a ragtag crew team from the University of Washington overcame the sport’s privileged elites and ultimately won gold at Hitler’s 1936 Olympics.  There are so many memorable lessons on building a high performance team that apply to both sports and business – from having a shared purpose to trust to leading from within."

- Gaurav Tuli, Principal at F-Prime Capital

Check out The Boys in the Boat on Amazon!

"I recently started to re-read books from when I was growing up. This book centers on a girl who doesn’t quite fit in, but unlike traditional young adult fictional stories about misfits who then become popular, the protagonist does not seek to be accepted. Instead this book celebrates her uniqueness and individuality through a series of adventures in LA — some that are quite laugh out loud funny! It’s a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but by the time you finish, you realize that it’s much more substantive than you would’ve expected it to be."

- Dr. Lissy Hu, Co-Founder and CEO at CarePort Health

Check out Weetzie Bat on Amazon!