2022 : Forty-One Books

Forty-one books! Not quite my original goal of fifty books in 2022, but an achievement I'm very pleased with. Exposure to authors and topics I was unfamiliar with, ideas that have identifiably changed the way I operate, some great laughs, and a pleasant shift from screen time to page time. I am renewing my goal for 2023!

When reviewing the list each title brings back memories and observations, but I've selected nine books which I appreciated the most. Here they are (alphabetically by author):

James Carse - Finite and Infinite Games: A View of Life as Play and Possibility

Most of the books I read were written fairly recently and it started to feel that there was a bit of a template they followed. James's book broke conventions and slowly weaves a path which keeps you thinking, wondering and reevaluating from the first page. Still makes me look at the world through an altered lens. Loved it.

Annie Duke - Thinking in Bets : Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts

I enjoy playing Texas Hold'em and like life you are often making decision with incomplete?information. A great guide for building a new framework for making decisions in life.

George Greenstein - Quantum Strangeness :?Wrestling with Bell's Theorem and the Ultimate Nature of Reality

How would you understand/envision/explain a three dimensional world if you've only known a two dimensional one? Learning about Quantum Theory is a bit like that and even those who've studied it all their lives are still confused. George's book a is a great, gentle introduction to QT and describes his journey in its understanding.

Thich Nhat Hanh - How to Love

Several of the books I read during the year felt like a good idea that could be a pamphlet but due to the logistics of publishing was expanded into a book (thus Blinkist is created). Thay's tiny book is packed with just the message of love and opening one's heart. Such an important book.

Anne Lamott - Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Anne is a delightful spirit (I highly recommended her interview on Tim Feris's podcast.) She writes honestly and from the heart about the travails of life and writing. As I said in my original post, a wonderful read for the aspiring writer and the aspiring human.

Jon Meacham - The Soul of America : The Battle for our Better Angels

I just saw an article on how some Millennials & Gen Z'ers in tech are shocked by the recent rounds of unfortunate layoffs, as it is their first exposure. For those who have been in the industry longer it is unfortunately familiar. Likewise, as many bemoan the current political climate, Jon's book is a thorough well written review of conflict in American history and a reminder that it is in fact not new and we have been through much worse before as a country. Good lessons.

Adam Savage - Every Tool's a Hammer : Life Is What You Make It

I love Adam's enthusiasm and joy in experimenting and learning. While it occasionally gets into the weeds of the tools he uses, overall it is a delightful read about his creative journey and the life lessons learned.

Adam Skoknich - One Breath : Freediving, Death and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits

Freediving is something I have no interest in pursuing. But learning about a community which trains so hard to surpass records in such an isolating, dangerous and somewhat invisible activity was fascinating.

Sebastian Smee - The Art of Rivalry : Four Friendships, Betrayals, and Breakthroughs in Modern Art

Every painting has a story, and each artist has their own story as well as the story of how they fit into their time and community. I recently visited Stanford University and at the gallery there sat and took in two paintings adjacent to each other. One by Jackson Pollock and the other by Willem de Kooning. My appreciation of the works felt greater?/richer? having read of the artists' relationship. Good read.