Smarter Engineers 💡

Smarter Engineers 💡

Share this post

Smarter Engineers 💡
Smarter Engineers 💡
4 Books That Made Me a Better Developer, Writer, and Person 📚
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

4 Books That Made Me a Better Developer, Writer, and Person 📚

Lessons on productivity, habits, and life balance you can start applying today.

Alberto Gonzalez's avatar
Alberto Gonzalez
Jan 07, 2025
∙ Paid
49

Share this post

Smarter Engineers 💡
Smarter Engineers 💡
4 Books That Made Me a Better Developer, Writer, and Person 📚
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
31
14
Share
Credit — Midjourney.

I’ve told you this before: it took me a week to read the first book I have read in ten years.

And boy, it feels good to read.

Software engineers don’t pay much attention to reading outside technical aspects of the industry. And that’s bad. They are limiting themselves by not being exposed to different ideas.

I was doing the same and I don’t want you to make the same mistake.

Here are the four books I read in 2024, how they shaped the way I live my life, and how they can change yours.

Let’s dive in!

Algorithmically Speaking is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

1. Slow Productivity

Coined by Cal Newport, the bestselling author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism, slow productivity is a philosophy based on three simple principles:

  1. Do fewer things.

  2. Work at a natural pace.

  3. Obsess over quality.

It’s a different take on the productivity scene.

No hustling. No burnout. No productivity for the sake of p…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Smarter Engineers 💡 to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Alberto Gonzalez
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More