4 Books Recommended by the Founder of Google That You Should Read

What shapes the thoughts of one of the most influential tech leaders?

Ever find yourself wondering what fuels the minds of tech giants?

Well, you’re in luck. Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, isn’t just a wizard with algorithms; he’s also an avid reader with a taste for transformative literature.

He recommends some of the best books that will help you with your entrepreneurial journey or life in general.

Measure What Matters

by John Doerr

Larry Page — “I wish I had had this book nineteen years ago, when we founded Google. Or even before that, when I was only managing myself!”

“Measure What Matters” by John Doerr is a book that’s as practical as it is enlightening.

Think of it as your friendly guide to achieving big dreams through the magic of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).

Sounds technical? Don’t worry; it’s not!

Imagine having a roadmap to success where you know exactly what you want (that’s your Objective) and how you’ll get there (those are your Key Results).

John Doerr, a legendary venture capitalist, breaks it down in a way that’s like chatting with a wise friend over coffee. He shares real-world examples from Google to the Gates Foundation that prove how this simple yet powerful method can turn visions into realities.

My favorite parts from the book —

“Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.” ― John Doerr

“We don’t hire smart people to tell them what to do. We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do. — Steve Jobs” ― John Doerr

“Bad companies,” Andy wrote, “are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them.” ― John Doerr

“When people have conflicting priorities or unclear, meaningless, or arbitrarily shifting goals, they become frustrated, cynical, and demotivated.” ― John Doerr

“Early on in your career, when you’re an individual contributor, you’re graded on the volume and quality of your work. Then one day, all of a sudden, you’re a manager. Let’s assume you do well and move up to manage more and more people. Now you’re no longer paid for the amount of work you do; you’re paid for the quality of decisions you make.” ― John E. Doerr

“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”

by Richard P. Feynman

“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” is a collection of hilarious and insightful anecdotes from the life of Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist.

Feynman takes you on a wild ride through his adventures, from cracking safes during the Manhattan Project to playing bongo drums in a carnival. His storytelling is as brilliant as his scientific mind, and you’ll find yourself laughing out loud one moment and pondering deep thoughts the next.

What makes this book so special?

It’s the way Feynman sees the world. He’s curious, playful, and never afraid to question the status quo.

Whether you’re a science buff or someone who just loves a good story, “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” is a delightful read that shows how a brilliant mind can also have a fantastic sense of humor.

My favorite parts from the book —

“You have no responsibility to live up to what other people think you ought to accomplish. I have no responsibility to be like they expect me to be. It’s their mistake, not my failing.” ― Richard P. Feynman

“All the time you’re saying to yourself, ‘I could do that, but I won’t,’ — which is just another way of saying that you can’t.” ― Richard P. Feynman

“So I have just one wish for you — the good luck to be somewhere where you are free to maintain the kind of integrity I have described, and where you do not feel forced by a need to maintain your position in the organization, or financial support, or so on, to lose your integrity. May you have that freedom.” ― Richard P. Feynman

“Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.” ― Richard Feynman

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

by Ben Horowitz

The book is like a heart-to-heart talk with a seasoned CEO who’s been through the trenches.

It’s not about the glamorous side of running a business; it’s about the brutal, messy, and often painful realities that leaders face.

Ever felt stuck between a rock and a hard place?

Ben’s been there and is not afraid to share the raw truth. From laying off friends to navigating a company through a crisis, he offers wisdom that’s as practical as it is profound.

But here’s the thing: it’s not all doom and gloom.

Ben’s storytelling is engaging, filled with hip-hop lyrics, humor, and real-world examples that make you feel like you’re sharing a meal with a mentor.

Whether you’re a CEO, a manager, or just someone who wants to understand what it takes to lead, “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” is a no-nonsense guide to embracing the challenges that truly make or break leaders.

My favorite parts from the book —

“Until you make the effort to get to know someone or something, you don’t know anything.” ― Ben Horowitz

“TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE, THE PRODUCTS, AND THE PROFITS — IN THAT ORDER” ― Ben Horowitz

“Great CEOs face the pain. They deal with the sleepless nights, the cold sweats, and what my friend the great Alfred Chuang (legendary cofounder and CEO of BEA Systems) calls “the torture.” Whenever I meet a successful CEO, I ask them how they did it. Mediocre CEOs point to their brilliant strategic moves or their intuitive business sense or a variety of other self-congratulatory explanations. The great CEOs tend to be remarkably consistent in their answers. They all say, “I didn’t quit.” ― Ben Horowitz

“Life is struggle.” I believe that within that quote lies the most important lesson in entrepreneurship: Embrace the struggle.” ― Ben Horowitz

My Inventions

by Nikola Tesla

Larry Page — “I read this autobiography and just about cried at the end, because he’s basically a failure.

He couldn’t fund his research, many of the great things he invented — people don’t even know what they are today.

And so I said, I don’t want to be like Tesla, I want to have an easy time getting things out into the world and make a real impact.”

In “My Inventions,” Tesla takes you on a journey through his early life, his inspirations, and, of course, his groundbreaking work in electricity and engineering.

But it’s not a dry, technical read. Nope! It’s like sitting down with Tesla himself, listening to him recount his dreams, failures, and triumphs.

From his famous coil to his visions of wireless communication (hello, modern world!), Tesla’s insights blend poetic reflection and scientific exploration.

My favorite parts from the book —

“We crave for new sensations but soon become indifferent to them. The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences” ― Nikola Tesla

“Invention is the most important product of man’s creative brain. The ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of human nature to human needs.” ― Nikola Tesla

“But instinct is something which transcends knowledge. We have, undoubtedly, certain finer fibers that enable us to perceive truths when logical deduction, or any other willful effort of the brain, is futile.” ― Nikola Tesla

“Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves.” ― Nikola Tesla

“My method is different. I do not rush into actual work. When I get an idea I start at once building it up in my imagination. I change the construction, make improvements, and operate the device entirely in my mind.” ― Nikola Tesla

Do you want to improve your life drastically, but you always fail? Do you need more discipline in your life? Here’s a simple solution that helped me achieve massive results and take the steering wheel of my life — Live Intentionally.

Note: The book mentioned is an affiliate link, but I can vouch that it has some of the best practical advice ever.