---
title: "Books"
description: "Books that actually changed how I work, as opposed to books that were pleasant to read — the overlap is small."
canonical: https://yonnia.com/en/likes/books
language: en
count: 6
updated: 2026-08-26
---
# Books

Books that actually changed how I work, as opposed to books that were pleasant to read — the overlap is small.

I read slowly, and I reread more than I read.

These are not the best books I know of. They are the ones I actually cite — while writing code, while deciding things, while arguing with people.

- The Pragmatic Programmer · Andrew Hunt / David Thomas · 1999 — Twenty-five years on, every specific technology in it has been replaced and not one of the judgement calls has expired. That says something on its own.
- Thinking, Fast and Slow · Daniel Kahneman · 2011 — It will not stop you making cognitive errors. It will let you recognise them afterwards, which turns out to be worth plenty.
- 1587, a Year of No Significance · Ray Huang · 1981 — Uses one uneventful year to show exactly how an institution stops working. Anyone who writes about technical debt should read it.
- Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs · Abelson / Sussman · 1985 — Took three attempts to finish. The first two failed not because it was hard but because I had not yet hit the problems it solves.
- The Design of Everyday Things · Don Norman · 1988 — I have never since been able to push a door that should be pulled without noticing. The cost is permanent.
- Siddhartha · Hermann Hesse · 1922 — Just over a hundred pages, and I reread it every few years. I underline something different every time.