The Connexions Alumni Council invites you to the Business Book Club — a biweekly series inviting alumni to read and discuss some of the most influential books in business, leadership, and personal development. Each session offers a space to reflect on powerful ideas, exchange perspectives, connect with like-minded professionals committed to growth — and to practice English!
When: Two Saturdays per month at 18:00 MSK
Where: Online. Advance registration required. Once you register, you’ll receive reminders and Zoom links for all future sessions — no need to sign up again each time.
Facilitator: Egor Ryasov
The series is led by Egor Ryasov, an experienced business strategist, entrepreneur, and facilitator of learning communities. Egor has held key roles at Amazon, IBM, and PwC, building deep expertise in business operations, development, and market strategy. In 2019, he co-founded a platform supporting brands with international expansion. He is also the creator of the Books 4 Business Telegram channel and a long-time host of business book clubs, startup events, and entrepreneurship courses. Egor brings both corporate insight and entrepreneurial energy to each discussion.
📘January 17: Outlive: The Science and Art of LongevitybyPeter Attia. Discover how small, strategic changes to exercise, nutrition, sleep, and emotional health can dramatically extend not just how long you live, but how well you live each year you’re given.
📘 February 7: The Art of the Deal by Donald J. Trump. Step inside the mindset of a high-stakes negotiator as Donald Trump breaks down the bold moves, hardball tactics, and larger-than-life deals that built his business empire.
📘 March 7: To Sell Is Human by Danial H. Pink. Reimagine “selling” as a human skill you already use every day, as Pink shows how anyone can ethically persuade, influence, and move others - at work, at home, and in life.
📘 March 28: The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Colossus by Tae Kim. Learn how Jensen Huang built Nvidia from a niche graphics chip startup into the central infrastructure company of the AI era, powered by relentless technical innovation. The book reveals Huang’s intense, hands‑on leadership, Nvidia’s willingness to take big risks on new computing trends, and the way its culture of long‑term thinking turned those bets into a $3T‑plus tech colossus.
📘 April 11: The Psychology of Money byMorgan Housel. An exploration of how human behavior, emotion, and perception shape financial outcomes more than raw math, arguing that doing “pretty good” consistently beats chasing perfect returns. Housel distills lessons on luck and risk, knowing what is “enough,” the quiet power of compounding, and using money primarily as a tool for freedom and control over your time.
📘 May 2: Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber by Mike Isaac. Dive into a behind‑the‑scenes story of Uber’s explosive rise and its founder, Travis Kalanick, showing how “growth at all costs” and a combative, rule‑bending culture drove global expansion but also seeded the company’s crises. Isaac portrays Uber as both a transformational marketplace platform and a cautionary tale about power, governance, and what happens when aggressive hustle overrides ethics and oversight.
📘 May 9: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss. Learn real negotiation tactics from a former FBI hostage negotiator, showing how listening, empathy, and strategic communication can help you succeed in business, work, and everyday life.
📘 May 30: The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Explore how rare, unpredictable events can reshape history, markets, and society, and why even experts often fail to see them coming.
📘 June 13: Gambling Man: The Wild Ride of Masayoshi Son by Lionel Barber. Discover the story of Masayoshi Son, the founder of SoftBank, whose bold bets, global ambitions, and high-risk investments have made him one of the most influential figures in technology and AI.
📘 June 27: The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence by Sebastian Mallaby. Follow the story of Demis Hassabis and DeepMind, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming technology, business, and the future of human decision-making.
📘 July 11: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Learn leadership lessons from two former U.S. Navy SEAL officers, who show how responsibility, discipline, and clear decision-making can help teams succeed under pressure.
📘 August 8: Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough & John Helyar. Barbarians at the Gate tells the gripping true story of the largest leveraged buyout in Wall Street history at the time—the battle for control of RJR Nabisco. A #1 New York Times bestseller, the book is widely regarded as one of the greatest business books ever written and was later adapted into an HBO film. Beloved by investment bankers, financiers, and business leaders, it offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at high-stakes negotiations, corporate power, and the personalities that shaped modern finance.
📘 August 22: Pope Leo XIV: The Biography by .Elise Ann Allen. Discover the story of Pope Leo XIV through this comprehensive biography by renowned Vatican journalist Elise Ann Allen. The book explores his journey to the papacy, his leadership, and the challenges facing the Catholic Church in a rapidly changing world. Whether you're interested in global affairs, religion, or influential leaders, this biography offers valuable insight into one of the most significant public figures of our time.
📘 September 5: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. One of the most influential books of the twentieth century, Man's Search for Meaning combines Viktor Frankl's personal experiences as a survivor of Nazi concentration camps with the psychological principles that became the foundation of logotherapy. Published shortly after World War II, the book explores how finding meaning—even in the face of unimaginable suffering—can help people endure life's greatest challenges. Frankl later taught at leading universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Southern Methodist University, and Duquesne University, inspiring generations of students and readers around the world.
Join us and be part of the conversation!
👉 Register to join the Business Book Club:
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