In 2026, Read to Think
Finding sanity in long-form content
A lot is happening.
The world has never been crazier.
We’re all about to be replaced by AI.
We’re on the brink of world destruction.
If you’ve found yourself entertaining these thoughts, you’re not alone. And it’s not because they’re true (well, they could, but there’s no way to know and there’s nothing you and I can do to stop it).
The truth is, we live in a noisy, distracted world.
Social media rewards hot takes over substance. AI tools churn out code, copy, and commentary at industrial scale. And while these tools can accelerate output, they also risk atrophying the very muscle that matters most in tech: the ability to think deeply.
As developers, architects, and leaders, our success doesn’t come from typing faster or consuming more feeds. It comes from cultivating judgment, perspective, and the patience to wrestle with ideas until they yield clarity. In a world where shallow thinking is the default, depth becomes a competitive advantage.
So here’s my recommendation for 2026: read a book.
And while you’re at it, read books that make you think. Not just about technology, but about work, culture, and life.
These are a few of the books that have shaped my thinking in recent times. I highly recommend each one of them.
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Slow Productivity — Cal Newport
I’ve long felt that the widespread adoption of open offices and always-on chats have, on the whole, a detrimental effect on our productivity and our ability to think.
In this best-selling book, Professor Cal Newport of Georgetown lays out the empirical evidence for why this is the case. He also provides helpful tactics and strategies to prioritise meaningful, sustainable output over frantic activity.
The Revenge of Analog — David Sax
Remember when Kindle was launched, and we were told that physical books were over? Fast-forward 18 years, and physical books are still going strong. The market share of e-readers, on the other hand, has stalled.
The same has been true of watches, music, note-taking, and many other fields.
As a technologist, this book will challenge you profoundly. We work in a field that puts a premium on progress, automation, and efficiency. But efficiency is not the peak of human experience, and automating away the things that give us joy is -arguably- not the way to make progress as a society.
Read this book, and then gift yourself a record player or a beautiful physical notebook.
The Holistic You — Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Life is about making progress in several areas, all at the same time.
You can push hard on work, but it’s likely to come at the expense of your family life. You can invest a lot of time in your hobbies, but you might find that they don’t pay the bills.
The key to a happy life, then, is to find a way to move forward on all the important areas of life: family, friendship, faith, fitness, and finances.
This Jewish Rabbi offers a perspective on integrating values, relationships, and purpose.
For anyone in tech, it’s a call to align craft with character, not just output with metrics.
How to Winter — Kari Leibowitz
A guide to resilience and mindset, drawn from cultures that thrive in long, dark seasons.
Some of the happiest societies live in colder climates. You may not need to move to a warmer place to find happiness.
If you apply the philosophies explained in this book not just to the weather, but to most challenges in life, you’ll find that your mindset and how you approach things is all that matters.
Unreasonable Hospitality — Will Guidara
A story of radical generosity in service. A masterclass in exceeding expectations and designing experiences that delight far beyond the functional.
If you live in Europe, this book could make you uncomfortable as it takes for granted American-style customer care and then takes it to a new level. If you’re American, this book will challenge you nonetheless.
The takeaway
In 2026, don’t just consume more content. Read long-form, well thought out content. Choose books that stretch your thinking, challenge your assumptions, and remind you that technology is built by humans, for humans.
Deep thinking isn’t optional. It’s the skill that makes every other skill matter.