FIRST A quick word on reading...

I’ve always struggled to read. For years, I tried (and failed)(literaly decades) buying countless books to feed the habit, but It never stuck, all they did was collect dust. Until the last two years, when something clicked, and suddenly, I had read 80% of all the books I’ve ever finished in my life.

What changed? I locked in my "why." It couldn’t just be "I should read more"—that wasnt cutting it. I had to see it as a way to collect tools, expand my creative arsenal, and to refine my understanding of myself, my work, and those around me. I wanted more ideas to pull from, a sharper sense of direction.

Reading isn’t just about collecting information, it’s about expanding your cognitive map and sharpening your ability to see patterns, make connections, and think in your own unique way. As designers, we pull inspiration from everywhere, and books are one of the most powerful tools for shaping new ideas, deepening our perspective, and refining our craft.

Now, in an age where overstimulation is hitting from all fronts, the real flex isn’t a Lambo. It’s being able to sit down, pick up a book, look at some ink on a page and go, ‘Damn… that was crazy.’ That’s real power. A true flex.

And then there's AI. At first, I thought it was going to level the playing field, making everything easier for everyone. But turns out, it’s doing the exact opposite. It’s unleveling it even further, pushing the advantage toward those who with more tools (like it has always been), with more words and perspectives to formulate better questions.

"The wise man doesn’t give the right answers, he poses the right questions." – Claude Lévi-Strauss

AI isn’t the shortcut—it’s the amplifier. If we already have a strong vision, deep ideas, and a well-built system in your head, AI becomes a tool to manifest those ideas faster. But if all we do is hoard random information without making sense of it, AI won't save us, it’ll just expose the gaps.

And that’s why, now more than ever, it’s a time to read. Not just to accumulate knowledge, but to understand it & relate it. If we do not then we are letting others with power come, and do the understanding for us. relegating the priviledge of our thinking.

The Shinobi Codex is my archive of must-read books, personal recommendations. Whether you’re into philosophy, design, psychology, or strategy, this is where I document the books that have intrigued and motivated me, hope they will do the same for you to.

F*** peace, wish you conflict 🥷📖

Ratings:

⭐ Don’t Read It – Not worth your time.
⭐⭐Meh — Some bars of value, but nothing crazy.
⭐⭐⭐ Decent — Solid insights, enjoyable, but not groundbreaking.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great — left a strong impression; definitely recommend.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Life-Changing — Shifts perspectives, will stays with you forever.

These are personal recommendations. if you are intrigued by a book, or you heard a good critique of it, please go read it. also the purchase links are amazon refferals! they gave me a cut of the earnings if you buy from them!