Infinite Library

Infinite Library: A Monthly Book Club Exploring Naval Ravikant's Favorite Books

"Reading is the ultimate meta-skill and can be traded for anything else."
- Naval Ravikant

Naval Ravikant, a prominent entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader in Silicon Valley, is renowned for his voracious reading habits and intellectual curiosity that span a wide range of disciplines from philosophy to physics. Feldman's Books sees Ravikant as "the Benjamin Franklin of Silicon Valley," drawing parallels between his multifaceted interests, innovative thinking, and commitment to self-improvement and Franklin's own polymathic pursuits and influence on early American intellectual life. 

Join us for an enlightening journey through Naval Ravikant's recommended reads, exploring the wisdom that shaped his worldview. Each month, we'll dive deep into a different book, dissecting its ideas and discussing their real-world applications. 

Our sessions will be held on the first Thursday of every month from August 2024 to September 2025, starting at 6PM. Whether you're a long-time Naval fan or new to his philosophy, this book club promises to expand your mind and spark meaningful conversations.

Follow all of this book club's events on Eventbrite to be reminded when they tickets go on sale.

August 1, 2024 - "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens takes readers on a journey through human history, from the Stone Age to the twenty-first century. Harari explores how Homo sapiens came to dominate the Earth, examining the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions that shaped our species. The book challenges many commonly held beliefs about human progress and offers thought-provoking insights into our past, present, and future. It delves into complex topics such as the rise of empires, the role of religion, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on humanity. Naval Ravikant has called this "the best book of the last decade I have read," praising its comprehensive and engaging approach to human history. 

September 5, 2024 - "The Rational Optimist" by Matt Ridley 

The Rational Optimist presents a compelling case for optimism about the human condition and our future prospects. Ridley argues that trade and specialization have been the driving forces behind human progress, enabling innovation and improving living standards throughout history. He challenges pessimistic views about resource depletion, overpopulation, and environmental degradation, offering evidence-based counterarguments. The book explores how human cooperation and exchange of ideas have consistently led to solutions for seemingly insurmountable problems. Naval Ravikant describes this as "The most brilliant and enlightening book I've read in years," appreciating its positive outlook on human progress.

October 3, 2024 - "Skin in the Game" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb 

Skin in the Game explores the concept of having a personal stake in decisions and actions, and how this principle applies to various aspects of life. Taleb argues that systems where decision-makers don't face the consequences of their choices are inherently fragile and prone to failure. He examines this idea across fields such as politics, economics, and ethics, offering insights into risk management and social justice. The book challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of fairness, responsibility, and expertise in modern society. Naval Ravikant says this is "The best book I've read in 2018, I highly recommend it," praising Taleb's incisive analysis of risk and accountability.

November 7, 2024 - "The Beginning of Infinity" by David Deutsch 

The Beginning of Infinity is a wide-ranging exploration of human knowledge and its potential for unlimited progress. Deutsch argues that human explanations have a unique power to solve problems and that this ability is the key to our species' success. He covers topics from quantum physics to artificial intelligence, challenging readers to think critically about the nature of knowledge and progress. The book presents an optimistic view of humanity's future, suggesting that our capacity for explanation and creativity is boundless. This is one of Naval Ravikant's most frequently mentioned books, reflecting his interest in big ideas and the potential of human ingenuity.

December 5, 2024 - "Stories of Your Life and Others" by Ted Chiang 

Stories of Your Life and Others is a collection of thought-provoking science fiction short stories that explore profound philosophical and scientific concepts. Chiang's narratives blend hard science with deeply human themes, challenging readers to consider new perspectives on language, free will, and the nature of reality. The title story, which inspired the film "Arrival," examines the relationship between language and perception of time. Each story in the collection offers a unique blend of intellectual stimulation and emotional resonance. Naval Ravikant is rereading this and calls it "one of my favorite short story collections," appreciating Chiang's ability to explore complex ideas through compelling narratives.

January 2, 2025 - "The Evolution of Everything" by Matt Ridley 

The Evolution of Everything presents a provocative thesis that many aspects of human society and culture evolve through bottom-up processes rather than top-down design. Ridley applies evolutionary thinking to fields as diverse as economics, technology, morality, and education, challenging the notion that progress requires central planning. He argues that decentralized, evolutionary processes often lead to more robust and effective solutions than deliberate design. The book offers a fresh perspective on how change happens in the world, emphasizing the power of incremental improvements and spontaneous order. Naval Ravikant has recommended several of Ridley's works, appreciating his insights into the mechanisms of progress and innovation.

February 6, 2025 - "Ficciones" by Jorge Luis Borges 

Ficciones is a collection of short stories by the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, known for their intellectual depth and imaginative power. Borges explores themes of infinity, reality, and the nature of knowledge through intricate, often labyrinthine narratives. The stories blend elements of fantasy, philosophy, and literary criticism, challenging readers to question their assumptions about the world. Many of the tales in this collection have become classics of world literature, influencing generations of writers and thinkers. Naval Ravikant has mentioned this book, likely appreciating Borges' ability to pack profound ideas into concise, mind-bending stories.

March 6, 2025 - "The Book of Life" by Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Book of Life is a collection of daily meditations drawn from Krishnamurti's talks and writings, offering insights into the human condition and the path to inner freedom. Krishnamurti challenges readers to question their beliefs, habits, and societal conditioning, encouraging a state of awareness free from preconceptions. The book covers a wide range of topics including relationships, fear, violence, and the nature of truth. Each daily reading provides a starting point for self-reflection and personal growth. Naval Ravikant has mentioned this book, likely finding value in Krishnamurti's emphasis on self-inquiry and psychological freedom.

April 3, 2025 - "Poor Charlie's Almanack" by Charles T. Munger 

Poor Charlie's Almanack is a collection of speeches and essays by Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's long-time business partner. The book offers insights into Munger's approach to business, investing, and life, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary thinking and lifelong learning. Munger shares his "latticework of mental models," a framework for making better decisions by drawing on knowledge from various fields. The book is filled with wit, wisdom, and practical advice for both personal and professional success. Naval Ravikant has recommended this book, likely appreciating Munger's emphasis on developing a broad base of knowledge and applying it to real-world problems.

May 1, 2025 - "Six Easy Pieces" by Richard Feynman 

Six Easy Pieces is derived from Feynman's famous lectures on physics at Caltech, presenting fundamental concepts in physics in an accessible and engaging manner. Feynman covers topics such as atoms, basic physics, the relation of physics to other sciences, energy, gravitation, and quantum behavior. His unique teaching style makes complex ideas understandable to non-specialists, using analogies and clear explanations. The book not only teaches physics but also demonstrates the joy of scientific discovery and understanding. Naval Ravikant has likely recommended this book for its ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and inspiring. 

June 5, 2025 - "Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity" by Carlo Rovelli 

Reality Is Not What It Seems takes readers on a journey through the history of physics, from ancient Greek philosophers to modern quantum gravity theories. Rovelli explains complex scientific concepts in poetic and accessible language, making quantum physics and relativity theory understandable to non-specialists. The book explores how our understanding of space, time, and the fundamental nature of reality has evolved over centuries. Rovelli's passion for physics shines through, inspiring readers to contemplate the mysteries of the universe. Naval called this the "Best book I've read in [2017]. Physics, poetry, philosophy and history packaged in a very accessible form.” 

July 3, 2025 - "The Compleat Strategyst: Being a Primer on the Theory of Games of Strategy" by J.D. Williams 

The Compleat Strategyst is a classic introduction to game theory, presenting strategic thinking in a clear and engaging manner. Williams uses humor and everyday examples to explain complex concepts, making game theory accessible to a wide audience. The book covers various types of games, from simple two-person zero-sum games to more complex multi-person games. It provides insights into decision-making processes and strategic interactions that are applicable in business, politics, and everyday life. Naval recommended this as one of his top game theory books, likely appreciating its practical approach to strategic thinking.

August 7, 2025 - "A Cultural History of Physics" by Károly Simonyi 

A Cultural History of Physics offers a comprehensive overview of the development of physics from ancient times to the modern era. Simonyi explores not only the scientific concepts but also the cultural and philosophical context in which they emerged. The book covers major breakthroughs in physics, from Newtonian mechanics to quantum theory and relativity, explaining their significance and impact. It includes numerous illustrations, making complex ideas more accessible to readers. While not strictly a math book, it covers the historical development of physics and mathematics, providing insights into the evolution of scientific thought. Naval has mentioned reading this book, likely appreciating its broad perspective on the history of scientific ideas.

September 4, 2025 - Closing Session: Reflections and Future Reading 

In our final session, we'll reflect on the journey we've taken through Naval Ravikant's recommended books. We'll discuss how these works have influenced our thinking and which ideas have resonated most strongly. Participants will be encouraged to share their favorite insights and how they plan to apply them in their lives. We'll also expore additional books from Naval's recommendations that we didn't cover in the club, providing a roadmap for future reading. This session will be a celebration of the knowledge gained and the community formed through our shared exploration of these impactful works.