Brian Koppelman

Brian Koppelman

Screenwriter, Producer, and Author

Screenwriter and producer known for Billions and The Billions spin-off. Recommends books spanning creativity, discipline, and narrative craft.

Podcasters & Media

Brian Koppelman is a screenwriter, producer, and author best known for creating and executive producing the Emmy-nominated series Billions alongside David Levien. He's also the host of the popular podcast The Money Stuff and has written novels and memoirs exploring creativity and ambition.

20 Books Recommended by Brian Koppelman

Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site

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#3

On Writing

by Larry W. Phillips

7 people recommended

Still the gold standard.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Edgar Wright, Jason Calacanis, Josh Waitzkin, Matt Mullenweg, Russell Moore, Derek Sivers

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#4

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

by Malcolm X

6 people recommended

[One of the autobiographies] I have read the most often.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Casey Neistat, Jason Calacanis, Jerrod Carmichael, Ryan Holiday, Steve Aoki

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#5

The Stranger

by Albert Camus

6 people recommended

Everyone should read [this book].

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: George Bush, Kyle Maynard, Lex Fridman, Nolan Bushnell, Ryan Shea

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#6

Awaken the Giant Within

by Tony Robbins

5 people recommended

This book was the first of [Tony Robbins books] I read, and it asked me crucial questions about the stories I was telling myself that were limiting my growth.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Danny Miranda, Derek Sivers, Jodie Cook, Roberto Blake

A Gentleman in Moscow book cover
#7

A Gentleman in Moscow

by Amor Towles

5 people recommended

Just so good. Such a wonderful read.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Melinda Gates, Sarah Jessica Parker

Conspiracy book cover
#8

Conspiracy

by Ryan Holiday

4 people recommended

Every one of [the author]’s books is appointment reading for me. If he writes it, I make the time to read it.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Marc Andreessen, Raoul Pal, Steven Pressfield

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#9

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

by Haruki Murakami

3 people recommended

The single best distillation of the kind of focus, commitment, and sense of mission it takes to become a great artist.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Jack Edwards, Derek Sivers

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#10

The Artist’s Way

by Julia Cameron

3 people recommended

The closest thing to magic I’ve come across. That if you really do it every day in a real disciplined practice, something happens to your subconscious that allows you to get your most creative place.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Russell Brand, Tim Ferriss

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#11

Kafka on the Shore

by Haruki Murakami

3 people recommended

If you have always wanted to read [this author], I think this [Covid-19] period of time is perfect for it. He could have conceived of this whole thing.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Jenn Im, Pewdiepie

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#12

City of Thieves

by David Benioff

2 people recommended

I’ve given it to 100 people. All of them thanked me and gave away a bunch themselves.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Michael Batnick

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#13

What Makes Sammy Run?

by Budd Schulberg

2 people recommended

A legendary book about how somebody makes their way in Hollywood.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Ryan Holiday

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#14

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

by Haruki Murakami

2 people recommended

If you have always wanted to read [this author], I think this [Covid-19] period of time is perfect for it. He could have conceived of this whole thing.

Buy on Amazon →

Also recommended by: Harry Styles

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#15

Broken

by Don Winslow

A steamroller. Each story will run you over. For real. Read it.

Buy on Amazon →
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#16

Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins

by Jerome Charyn

[This] great book about pong, [...] captures the way the game makes me feel.

Buy on Amazon →
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#17

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

by Haruki Murakami

If you have always wanted to read [this author], I think this [Covid-19] period of time is perfect for it. He could have conceived of this whole thing.

Buy on Amazon →
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#18

A Wild Sheep Chase

by Haruki Murakami

If you have always wanted to read [this author], I think this [Covid-19] period of time is perfect for it. He could have conceived of this whole thing.

Buy on Amazon →
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#19

Write for Your Life

by Lawrence Block

Magnificent.

Buy on Amazon →
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#20

A Moveable Feast

by Ernest Hemingway

[One of the autobiographies] I have read the most often.

Buy on Amazon →