The Books That Made Me Think Differently in 2023 - Part 1

Reading books is one of my favorite ways to learn new things, explore different perspectives, and challenge my own assumptions. That’s why I decided to share with you the books that made me think differently in 2023, and how they have impacted my life and work.

My list is divided into two parts: Part 1 covers titles that can be interesting to any reader. Part 2 - if there is enough demand - will focus on books that are specifically about sustainability and climate change, and how they have inspired me to take action for a better future.

Whether you’re a bookworm, a lifelong learner, or a sustainability advocate, I hope you will find something interesting and valuable in my list.

#bookstagram #bookreview #sustainability #climatechange #planetbound

The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family by Joshua Cohen

It might be recency bias (I read it in December), but The Netanyahus is my pick of the year. I found it brilliant, weird, hilarious and sad at the same time. It’s a satirical take on the life and times of the Netanyahu family, that blends fiction and non-fiction, comedy and tragedy. It made me laugh out loud at some of the absurd situations and characters that Cohen created, while making me think about some of the complex issues that surround them. The audiobook version is like an audio play with music, narration by the author and guest performances by David Duchovny.

Four Thousand Weeks: Embrace your limits. Change your life. Make your four thousand weeks count by Burkeman, Oliver

This was an excellent beach read this summer when I was unwinding and reflecting on my life. It challenges the modern obsession with productivity and efficiency, and offers a new perspective on how to live well in a finite world. How are you living your four thousand weeks? Investing a few hours into this book will make you rethink your relationship with time, and with yourself.

Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet by George Monbiot

Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and several people recommended "Regenesis" to dive into this. I started out of intellectual curiosity and soon could not stop listening to the author's engaging narration. It was fascinating to learn about the new discoveries and innovations that could make farming more efficient, diverse, and regenerative. It’s a book that might just make you rethink your food choices or, at minimum, you will learn something new.

The Cult of We: WeWork, Adam Neumann, and the Great Startup Delusion by Eliot Brown , Maureen Farrell

In the genre of "Bad Blood" and other startup madness narratives, "The Cult of We" does not disappoint and is an entertaining page-turner. While the WeWork story seems to have ended with its bankruptcy this year, Adam Newman's (the founder), may be only starting as he has raised $350 million for his new venture. I am expecting a sequel here...

If you made it this far, do you want to read Part 2? I would also love to hear from you too: What are some of the books that have made you think differently in 2023?