In the newsletter, I often link to books or products that I like. Here is a permanent archive of tested links and recommendations that were previously mentioned, with some that never made it to the newsletter.
This page is under permanent construction, a living document.
Last update: 2026-03-30
This page includes affiliate links, which are marked with an asterisk (*). Your purchase will help support this project without additional cost to you.
Books
How to win friends and influence people* by Dale Carnegie. I’ve recommended this book at least a hundred times and also gifted it to many of my friends. It’s a great book that teaches empathy. I was first sceptical because of the title, but it was so worth reading and re-reading several times. After you read it, you can simply open it anywhere on the next read: chapters work independently.
German novel recommendations. By followers and readers of Handpicked Berlin.
Resources
Spam contact card in Germany (VCF file download). Import this contact card to your phone and block it. It includes 10 known spam numbers here in Germany, based on this post by Finanztip.
Products
Aranet4 CO2 sensor*. It’s expensive, but so worth it, especially in the winter. I have been using it for several years, and I definitely notice a difference when the air gets stale. Research shows that at the elevated levels your brain slows down. I also did a viral reel about it. A friend of mine was interested and then bought a cheaper alternative*. He told me he is happy with it.
TFA Kitchen timer*. I used the first version for 13 years until it died - I guess it was falling on the floor for the 20th time? An amazing gadget for everyone using cooking a lot. It’s not the best-looking one out there, but it’s simple to use with a very sturdy magnet. The latest version also has a stopwatch. I use it daily.
Cupper Bio Lovely Liquorice & Mint*. The best herbal tea I ever drank that made me realise I like liquorice. I’ve had people commenting, “What kind of tea is this?” A really special taste. After randomly discovering this brand, I tried their other teas, but nothing was as good as this. You can find it in most grocery stores in Germany.
Moleskine notebooks. I like the pocket-size, ruled, hardcover ones*. It’s pricey, but I use them for my daily journals and am simply a sucker for the format. They also have a store in Berlin.
Kitchen stuff:
- Gabriel-Glas universal wine glasses. After lots of research (btw, you don’t really need red/white wine glasses, it’s a marketing trick) I bought them a couple of years ago, and they are simply gorgeous. They feel amazing when you hold them. I have the StandArt version.
- De Buyer Mineral B carbon steel pan*, a workhorse that will stay with me until I die. Takes a bit of care, but nothing special, just cook with it. Never ever in the dishwasher!
- Also amazing is this Demeyere Industry 5, stainless steel pan*. It will last a lifetime. For everything I can’t use De Buyer for. Avoid a dishwasher.
- Stop wasting your money on different tabs for a dishwasher. Buy powder (here is why) instead. Then store it in an airtight container*, so it doesn’t turn into hard stone. You can get a 1800ml one, my 1100ml is a bit small.
Apps and tools
Regenradar (iOS, Android). The best and most straightforward app with live precipitation radar. Forget other apps if you want to know when and how much it will rain at your location.
Runna* or code RUNNAY3QAWEU for 2 weeks of free use. A great running app, which enabled me to make great progress and find joy in running. Some physios/coaches like Andi will add that you need to be careful when training with these AI apps, and it’s true. Don’t just blindly follow what the app says.
The Way. If you ever tried meditation apps and haven’t really stuck to them, this is the answer. Absolutely brilliant. So glad I started. You get 30 lessons for free to get a good feel for the app. (h/t Anna!)
Typinator. A macOS text expander (with the new version 10 also on iOS, I have 9.2). You type a short abbreviation, and it auto-replaces it with a full snippet. I picked it because of the one-time purchase, but if you want to use it in the whole ecosystem, you need to pay for a subscription.
Letterboxd. A cool alternative to IMDB to track the movies you see. I especially like that it’s less bloated and also has a nice diary functionality.
Beehiiv*. If you ever want to be serious about newsletters, this is it. I tried Substack and Buttondown before, and this is hands down the best in class.
Migadu. An email provider based in Switzerland that does only email, and I like it a lot for that. I started to use to gradually lose my complete dependency to Google.
Bear Blog. This is where I host my private website. It’s all markdown-based, independent and highly customizable with CSS. Also extremely fast.
GrandPerspective. A great macOS app to help you visualise what’s taking up space on your drive. It also works great in combinationw with Claude Code.
Media
The Blinboy Podcast. The only podcast I listen to regularly. It’s very hard to describe, but I love Blindboy’s mix of humor, history, and psychotherapy, all wrapped up in a very nice Irish accent. I became a paid subscriber after listening to 5 episodes. This one is great and the only one I’ve listened to twice.
xskincare. I randomly discovered Leon and his channel and got curious to such an extent that I started a regular skincare routine (spoiler alert: there is no routine for men). I love his style. He is very open, direct and knowledgeable while not ashamed of calling out BS.