Carl Brown, an incredibly well-read software engineer with a 35-year career, shares insights from his extensive literary journey. He discusses the enduring relevance of foundational tech books like 'Mythical Man-Month' and 'Philosophy of Software Design'. Carl emphasizes the importance of clean coding practices and navigates the challenges of freelancing, shaped by his experiences with ADHD. He also recommends essential reads for tackling database management and debugging, highlighting how critical literature fosters deep understanding in complex engineering discussions.