In this book, Mark Manson argues against the typical self-help advice of constant positivity, instead suggesting that life's struggles give it meaning. He emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters and to accept and confront painful truths. The book is divided into nine chapters and uses blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate its ideas, encouraging readers to find meaning through values they can control and to replace uncontrollable values with more meaningful ones.
Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling. The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity. Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition. The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life. It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.
The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is presumed dead and left stranded on Mars after a fierce storm. With limited supplies, Watney must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Meanwhile, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring 'the Martian' home, while Watney faces numerous challenges in his quest for survival. The novel is praised for its blend of science, humor, and suspense.
This book is the first in the Hierarchy series by James Islington. It follows the journey of Viz, a young man who finds himself embroiled in a complex political conspiracy. The story is set in a world with a unique magic system and blends elements of fantasy and science fiction. Viz's journey is filled with challenges, friendships, and betrayals as he navigates the treacherous world around him. The book explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of power.
Published in 1992, 'Snow Crash' is a science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson that delves into a future where the United States has fragmented into corporate city-states and the internet has evolved into a virtual reality called the Metaverse. The story follows Hiro Protagonist, a pizza delivery driver and part-time hacker, and Y.T., a teenage skateboard courier, as they navigate a complex world threatened by a mysterious computer virus and a powerful drug known as Snow Crash. The novel explores themes of history, linguistics, anthropology, and computer science, and is noted for its prescient vision of the metaverse and its influence on Silicon Valley innovators[2][3][5].
In this book, Chris Guillebeau shares insights from 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from minimal investments. He focuses on 50 intriguing case studies, highlighting how people with no special skills turned their passions into profitable ventures. The book emphasizes the importance of finding the intersection between your expertise and what others are willing to pay for, and it provides practical advice on starting and growing a business without needing an MBA, a business plan, or employees. Guillebeau stresses key principles such as the importance of action over planning and the value of selling solutions rather than teaching skills.
The Wheel of Time series is a sprawling epic fantasy that spans 14 main books, plus a prequel. It follows a diverse cast of characters as they navigate a world where magic is real and an ancient evil threatens to destroy everything. The series was begun by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson after Jordan's passing.
Published in 1984, 'Neuromancer' is a seminal work in the cyberpunk genre. The novel revolves around Case, a skilled hacker who was once the best in his field but was crippled by his former employer after he tried to steal from them. Case is recruited by a mysterious employer named Armitage for a high-stakes mission that involves hacking into the highly secure systems of the Tessier-Ashpool family. Joined by a diverse group of allies, including the cyborg Molly and the performance artist Peter Riviera, Case must navigate the complexities of cyberspace and the real world to merge two powerful artificial intelligences, Wintermute and Neuromancer. The book explores themes of technology, identity, and the blurring of lines between the physical and virtual worlds[1][2][5].
Crypto Confidential is Nathaniel Eliason's unfiltered account of his experiences in the hyperactive and highly speculative world of cryptocurrency. The book chronicles his journey from learning to code to becoming a key developer in a token valued at billions of dollars. It exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of the crypto market, including bull runs, breakdowns, scams, and the intense emotions and high stakes involved. Eliason's anecdotes are both entertaining and instructive, providing valuable insights into the warning signs of disaster in the crypto market and how to be a more educated participant[1][2][5].
Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people[2][5][4].
In this epic fantasy, Brandon Sanderson introduces a world called Scadrial, where ash constantly falls from the sky, plants are brown, and supernatural mists cloak the landscape every night. The story follows Vin, a young half-Skaa orphan with the rare ability to become a Mistborn, and Kelsier, a charismatic thief who recruits Vin to join a group of Allomancers in a high-stakes plan to overthrow the divine despot, the Lord Ruler. The novel explores themes of rebellion, trust, and the complexities of a well-crafted magical system based on metals. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a focus on the political intrigue and the harsh realities of a dystopian society.
The Kingkiller Chronicle is a fantasy trilogy set in the fictional world of Temerant. The series centers on Kvothe, a legendary figure known as the 'Kingkiller,' who recounts his life story to a scribe over three days. The narrative is framed by Kvothe's present-day life as an innkeeper under an assumed name and delves into his past as a wandering performer, musician, and arcanist. The series explores themes of magic, mythology, and personal growth, with a detailed magic system and a richly developed world. The first two books, 'The Name of the Wind' and 'The Wise Man's Fear,' have been released, while the third book, 'The Doors of Stone,' is still forthcoming.
A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of high fantasy novels that takes place in a fictional world where seasons last for years. The story is set primarily in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and follows multiple plotlines, including a civil war for the Iron Throne among several competing families, the threat of the supernatural Others beyond the Wall, and the rise of dragons in the east. The series is known for its complex characters, intricate plots, and detailed world-building, drawing comparisons to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings[2][4][5].
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard. The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world. The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:00:45) - Introducing Nat Eliason
(00:01:27) - Nat's Diverse Career and Writing Journey
(00:01:47) - The Transition from Nonfiction to Fiction
(00:02:13) - The Seven Act Structure and Writing Process
(00:02:44) - Publishing with Scribe and Launching Husk
(00:03:24) - The Rewards and Challenges of Writing
(00:04:29) - Building an Audience and Marketing Strategies
(00:06:54) - Balancing Writing with Other Ventures
(00:09:09) - The Reality of a Writing Career
(00:10:49) - The Importance of Consistency and Commitment
(00:22:37) - Navigating Traditional and Self-Publishing
(00:23:05) - The Journey to Becoming an Author
(00:40:56) - Exploring the Shift from Nonfiction to Fiction
(00:41:40) - The Joy of Storytelling in Fiction
(00:44:00) - Challenges and Rewards of Writing Fiction
(00:47:44) - Outlining and Structuring Fictional Works
(00:57:38) - Marketing and Selling Self-Published Books
(01:10:38) - The Future of an Author's Career
(01:18:18) - Conclusion and Recommendations
Links:
Nat on X
Nat’s Website
Crypto Confidential
Husk
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Important Quotes from the podcast on Business and Entrepreneurship
There is no skill called “business.” Avoid business magazines and business classes. - Naval Ravikant
You have to work up to the point where you can own equity in a business. You could own equity as a small shareholder where you bought stock. You could also own it as an owner where you started the company. Ownership is really important.
Everybody who really makes money at some point owns a piece of a product, a business, or some IP. That can be through stock options if you work at a tech company. That’s a fine way to start.
Quotes from Nat:
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“Writing is the one thing I love doing enough to commit to for the next 30 years.”
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“Traditional publishing taught me how to make a really good book, but I wouldn’t do it again.”
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“Holding your book for the first time—and shipping it yourself to your first readers—is pure magic.”
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“The best marketing for your book is writing the next one—that’s the fiction game.”
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“I used to chase whatever was interesting… now I’m building something I want to last 30 years.”
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“Fiction lets me explore big ideas without pretending to be an expert.”
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“The self-pub stigma is fading… especially when the book looks and reads like a trad pub hit.”
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“Characters start doing things I didn’t plan—then I realize, oh, that’s why they’re here.”
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“There’s no product in the world like a book—you can sell the same file for 50 years.”
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“My dream is to have a warehouse full of books I wrote. That’s the romantic version of success.”
Smart Friends 
