Writers & editors
Books recommended by Derek Sivers
Writer, musician and founder of CD Baby
Founded the independent music store CD Baby, then turned to writing short books on life and work. Keeps detailed public notes and a 1–10 rating for every book he reads.
Philosophy & how to livePsychology & decisionsBusiness & investingPolitics & societyWriting, art & ideas
This is a selection of sourced recommendations, not a complete list of everything Derek Sivers has read or praised. How we choose.
Recommendations
Books Derek Sivers recommends
66 books from 2 sources. Each one links to the place where Derek recommended it.
Books I've read
Each book has its own notes page with a 1–10 'recommend it' score and the date he read it. Only books scored 9 or 10 are recorded here.
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The Waste Books
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. He describes the 18th-century physicist's notebooks as hundreds of undeveloped, inspiring first thoughts.
Notes on The Waste Books Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Austin Kleon
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You Can Negotiate Anything
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10 and called a must-read classic, despite a weaker second half.
Notes on You Can Negotiate Anything Personal websitesive.rs
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The Listening Book
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. He says everyone should read these short essays on paying attention to sound.
Notes on The Listening Book Personal websitesive.rs
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The Courage to Be Disliked
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. A dialogue introducing Alfred Adler's psychology; he finished it in a day.
Notes on The Courage to Be Disliked Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Sam Parr
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Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. Forty very short fictional afterlives; he liked it more on a second reading.
Notes on Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Matt Mullenweg
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The Gardener and the Carpenter
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10 and called required reading for every parent.
Notes on The Gardener and the Carpenter Personal websitesive.rs
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Playful Parenting
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10 — his top parenting recommendation for anyone with a child aged 1–13.
Notes on Playful Parenting Personal websitesive.rs
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On Writing Well
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10 for its blunt advice on writing better non-fiction.
Notes on On Writing Well Personal websitesive.rs
+3 other recommenders: David Heinemeier Hansson, Mark Manson, Matt Mullenweg
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The War of Art
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. Pressfield's short book on overcoming the resistance that stops creative work.
Notes on The War of Art Personal websitesive.rs
+8 other recommenders: Ryan Holiday, Chris Guillebeau, Darius Foroux, Dickie Bush, James Clear, Mark Manson, Matt D'Avella, Chris Williamson
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Stumbling on Happiness
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. He stresses it is research-based rather than new-age.
Notes on Stumbling on Happiness Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: James Clear, Mark Manson
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The E-Myth Revisited
Explicit recommendationRated 10/10. He says every current or aspiring entrepreneur needs to read it.
Notes on The E-Myth Revisited Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: James Clear, Mark Manson
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Sapiens
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10. He had resisted it after similar histories, but found the author's personal perspectives the highlight.
Notes on Sapiens Personal websitesive.rs
+7 other recommenders: Reid Hoffman, Sebastian Junger, James Clear, Mark Manson, Naval Ravikant, Daniel Ek, Matt Mullenweg
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Antifragile
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10 for applying the idea of the 'opposite of fragile' to health, business and life.
Notes on Antifragile Personal websitesive.rs
+4 other recommenders: Shane Parrish, David Perell, Nat Eliason, Mark Manson
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Influence
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10. He re-read this classic on persuasion after thinking about it for 15 years.
Notes on Influence Personal websitesive.rs
+5 other recommenders: Dan Ariely, James Clear, Samy Kamkar, Mark Manson, Sam Parr
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The Righteous Mind
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10 for its insights into moral reasoning and intuition.
Notes on The Righteous Mind Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: Mark Manson, Ann Miura-Ko
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Finite and Infinite Games
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10, while warning it may be the most abstract book you'll ever read.
Notes on Finite and Infinite Games Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: Stewart Brand, Nat Eliason
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How Buildings Learn
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10. He has read it three times and given it as a gift many times.
Notes on How Buildings Learn Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Kevin Kelly
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Getting Things Done
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10; he re-read it 16 years later and still found it great.
Notes on Getting Things Done Personal websitesive.rs
+3 other recommenders: Chris Guillebeau, Tiago Forte, Scott H. Young
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Thinking in Bets
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10 for the habit of asking whether you would bet money on a belief.
Notes on Thinking in Bets Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Mark Manson
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The Happiness Hypothesis
Explicit recommendationRated 9/10, highlighting Haidt's metaphor of the rider (reason) and the elephant (emotion).
Notes on The Happiness Hypothesis Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: David Brooks, Mark Manson
Book notes and ratings
Derek Sivers rates every book he finishes out of 10 under the heading "Recommend it". Only books he scored 9 or 10 are listed here.
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I Deliver Parcels in Beijing
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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You’re Not Listening
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Invention of the Jewish People
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Between Us
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Listed in the source as “Between Us: How Cultures Create Emotions”.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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China’s World View
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Arabs
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Vagabond’s Way
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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How Minds Change
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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How Religion Evolved
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Nothing & Everything
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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You Look Like a Thing and I Love You
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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City of Gold
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Listed in the source as “City of Gold: Dubai”.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Write Useful Books
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Wild Problems
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Relationship Handbook
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Awaken the Giant Within
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Matt D'Avella
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Several Short Sentences About Writing
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Skin in the Game
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Naval Ravikant
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This is Marketing
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Listed in the source as “This Is Marketing”.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Atomic Habits
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Mark Manson
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12 Rules for Life
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: Darius Foroux, David Perell
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Happy
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Au Contraire
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Listed in the source as “Au Contraire: Figuring Out the French”.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Ego Is the Enemy
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Wisdom of No Escape
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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When Things Fall Apart
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Compound Effect
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: James Clear
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When Cultures Collide
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Willpower Instinct
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Turning Pro
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Quiet
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Brain Rules for Baby
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Do the Work
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: James Clear
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A Guide to the Good Life
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Listed in the source as “A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy”.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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Switch
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Time Paradox
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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How to Get Rich
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+1 other recommender: Sam Parr
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The 4-Hour Workweek
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+6 other recommenders: Darius Foroux, Ali Abdaal, Mark Manson, Matt D'Avella, Thomas Frank, Blake Mycoskie
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The Smartest Investment Book You’ll Ever Read
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
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The Paradox of Choice
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
+2 other recommenders: Mark Manson, Noah Kagan
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The Art of Profitability
Explicit recommendationDerek Sivers scored it 9/10 on his "Recommend it" scale, one of his highest ratings.
Book notes and ratings Personal websitesive.rs
Cross-recommendations
Picks others agree on
25 books Derek recommends that at least one other person in the directory also recommends, each from their own source.
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9recommendersThe War of Art 9 recommendersDerek Sivers, Ryan Holiday, Chris Guillebeau, Darius Foroux, Dickie Bush, James Clear, Mark Manson, Matt D'Avella, Chris Williamson
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8recommendersSapiens 8 recommendersDerek Sivers, Reid Hoffman, Sebastian Junger, James Clear, Mark Manson, Naval Ravikant, Daniel Ek, Matt Mullenweg
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7recommendersThe 4-Hour Workweek 7 recommendersDerek Sivers, Darius Foroux, Ali Abdaal, Mark Manson, Matt D'Avella, Thomas Frank, Blake Mycoskie
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6recommendersInfluence 6 recommendersDerek Sivers, Dan Ariely, James Clear, Samy Kamkar, Mark Manson, Sam Parr
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5recommendersAntifragile 5 recommendersDerek Sivers, Shane Parrish, David Perell, Nat Eliason, Mark Manson
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4recommendersGetting Things Done 4 recommendersDerek Sivers, Chris Guillebeau, Tiago Forte, Scott H. Young
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4recommendersOn Writing Well 4 recommendersDerek Sivers, David Heinemeier Hansson, Mark Manson, Matt Mullenweg
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3recommenders12 Rules for Life 3 recommendersDerek Sivers, Darius Foroux, David Perell
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3recommendersFinite and Infinite Games 3 recommendersDerek Sivers, Stewart Brand, Nat Eliason
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3recommendersStumbling on Happiness 3 recommendersDerek Sivers, James Clear, Mark Manson
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3recommendersThe E-Myth Revisited 3 recommendersDerek Sivers, James Clear, Mark Manson
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3recommendersThe Happiness Hypothesis 3 recommendersDerek Sivers, David Brooks, Mark Manson
Plus 13 more below, marked with the other recommenders.
Cross-recommendations
Who agrees with Derek
People in the directory who recommended at least one of the same books.
Mark Manson13 books in commonOn Writing Well · The War of Art · Stumbling on Happiness · The E-Myth Revisited · Sapiens · Antifragile · Influence · The Righteous Mind · Thinking in Bets · The Happiness Hypothesis · Atomic Habits · The 4-Hour Workweek · The Paradox of Choice
James Clear7 books in commonThe War of Art · Stumbling on Happiness · The E-Myth Revisited · Sapiens · Influence · The Compound Effect · What Got You Here Won’t Get You There- SPSam Parr3 books in commonThe Courage to Be Disliked · Influence · How to Get Rich
Matt Mullenweg3 books in commonSum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives · On Writing Well · Sapiens- DFDarius Foroux3 books in commonThe War of Art · 12 Rules for Life · The 4-Hour Workweek
- MDMatt D'Avella3 books in commonThe War of Art · Awaken the Giant Within · The 4-Hour Workweek
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