That Will Never Work
The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea
Marc Randolph
“Full of counter-intuitive concepts and written in binge-worthy prose, it answers some of our most fundamental questions about taking that leap of faith in business or in life: How do you begin? How do you weather disappointment and failure? How do you deal with success? What even is success? From idea generation to team building to knowing when it’s time to let go, That Will Never Work is not only the ultimate follow-your-dreams parable, but also one of the most dramatic and insightful entrepreneurial stories of our time.”
I absolutely loved this book! From start to finish, it kept me hooked. The author writes with the perfect balance of detail, enough to paint a vivid picture but never so much that it bogs you down. He sprinkles in just the right amount of humor and storytelling, and you can tell there are still plenty of stories he left untold.
The introduction was brilliant. Instead of the usual nonfiction trope of outlining the whole book and then repeating itself chapter after chapter (which I personally can’t stand), this one opens with a captivating story that immediately pulls you in and sets the tone for the rest of the journey.
What stood out most to me is how human the story felt. It’s not just about building a billion-dollar company, it’s about the messy, exciting, sometimes frustrating process of chasing an idea and refusing to give up. The behind-the-scenes look at pitching, problem-solving, and navigating doubt (both from outsiders and within the team) made it feel very real and relatable.
If you’re into memoirs or autobiographies, this is definitely one to add to your list. It’s not just a business book, it’s a story. An engaging, behind-the-scenes look at how Netflix grew from a simple idea into a company that changed the way we consume entertainment.
I always knew Netflix started out mailing DVDs, but I had no idea it went on for so long before streaming took over. That was a fascinating surprise and gave me even more appreciation for how much patience and persistence went into the business.
All in all, this book is entertaining, insightful, and inspiring. Definitely a 5-star read and one I’ll be recommending to anyone who enjoys stories about entrepreneurship, creativity, or just a good old-fashioned “this is how it all started” tale. Love it!
I first listened to Dare to Lead as an audiobook read by Brené Brown herself, and her engaging delivery truly brought the ideas to life. When I recently got my hands on a hard copy, I knew it was worth a second read. The author’s concept of vulnerability as a pathway to developing strengths—such as courage, integrity, authenticity, and connection—resonates deeply. Her message that courage and fear can coexist, that “clear is kind,” and that “who we are is how we lead” left a lasting impact on me. These principles encourage leaders not to shy away from difficult conversations and to stay true to their values, even when it’s challenging.
I picked up Einstein’s Boss because the premise sounded interesting—leadership lessons drawn from the story of Abraham Flexner who guided Albert Einstein. I thought it would be a good mix of stories and learning theory.
This isn’t the type of book I’d usually pick up. I only read it because my doctor suggested it might help me manage stress. I had no expectations going in, just a vague idea that it was something about resilience. What I found was an intense memoir that completely pulled me in.
I’ve just finished Delivering Happiness and I’ve got to say—it left me a bit unsure how to feel. The book is essentially the author’s life story: from his childhood side hustles to running Zappos and eventually selling it to Amazon. Some of those early stories were fun and gave me a laugh—clearly, he had that entrepreneurial itch from a young age.
I recently finished Daring Greatly and while it wasn’t my first time reading one of her books, it still gave me plenty to think about. The core idea? That vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s courage. In a world that often celebrates keeping it all together, the author flips the script and makes a strong case for letting your guard down, showing up fully, and embracing the mess of being human.
This book was not what I expected and not in a good way. I thought I was picking up something about how leaders make decisions, but instead it turned out to be a bunch of short stories that had nothing to do with ‘how’ to make decisions.
I had high hopes for Team Habits, but it turned out to be a real letdown. The premise sounds promising, but what you actually get is a lot of vague advice, recycled concepts, and filler content. There’s nothing new or groundbreaking here. Most of it reads like generic business blog posts strung together into a book.
When I picked up Persuasion, I was expecting a guide to everyday communication, something with tips on language, conversation, and how to connect with others in all kinds of settings. What I got instead was a book much more focused on business, branding, and marketing, particularly within an American and political context.
I came into this book with high expectations and maybe that’s exactly why it left me so disappointed. The premise is actually quite appealing. The idea of a connections manager is something I genuinely resonate with (probably because I already see myself as one, haha). But sadly, the delivery didn’t live up to its potential.