My favorites on the bookshelf of 2023

I have realized recently that one of my dreams about a perfect day came true: this year I was happy to read much.

I believe that a book is one of the most outstanding inventions in the world, helping us to live thousands of lives in one, enrich ourselves, to change our lives (this is a little bit more powerful than artificial Intelligence, isn't it? ??).

So, I decided to share some non-fiction books that I read in 2023 and chose them to answer the questions that arose:

1. Where to go next in your profession and career to work with pleasure and benefit?
2. What causes burnout and how to overcome and prevent it in the future?
3. How do you work effectively and professionally?

But as a bonus, I will list my favorites of this year in the fiction category, because no one has canceled the search for answers to other important philosophical questions (and everyone has their own).

Let's get started!

Customers For Life by Carl Sewell and Paul B. Brown.

This book should be included in any educational program. Imagine, the book is already more than 30 years old, but it's still relevant!

I first read it 10 years ago, when I started working at a bank after university, and found it on the recommendations list of one of the bank's managers. I re-read it this year and was shocked to discover that all these years I had been using some of the described customer service practices, and they always worked!

The book makes it clear that there is something more valuable in a relationship with a client than just making money. You can make it so that the client is always with you. With a few minor adjustments, this book will be useful in any field, in any position. That's amazing!

If I ever open my own company, this book will be included in the welcome package for newcomers! ?? And "The Clean Coder...", see below in the list.

It's easier to say who this won't suit: if you plan to make a profit here and now without focusing on strategic customer retention and building a strong brand, don't read.

The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers by Robert Martin

Uncle Bob has written many useful books, but this one is special to me. I recommend it for beginners, especially if you are given tasks to complete independently, without supervision or review.

I am sure this book can create your values hierarchy and criteria for quality work in IT. A book really will become a compass in different situations: it will help you to:

• participate in disputes correctly,
• be a really good teammate,
• clarify what basics you need to learn (particularly if you come to programming from another area like me ??),
• understand which company you want to work for and which one will suit others.

Ah, I've read this book with great pleasure and noted my favorite and important parts:

• about the effectiveness and mobility of established teams,
• scheduling meetings and correctly leaving useless ones,
• the dangerous temptation to be a hero at any cost,
• programming under pressure,
• importance of being honest,
• and of course, about test-driven development!

In addition, the book supported me in the fight against burnout, because it voiced common problems of programmers and possible solutions to them.

The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It by Jennifer Moss

...Burnout. Such a popular word that it becomes awkward if you experience it. You may even feel shame and not believe it: "Burnout is for weaklings, for losers, it's unprofessional, I'm not weak." But then epic fail happens: after all, you are faced this. The book helped me understand the causes of burnout, not just alleviate its symptoms.

There are numerous books and articles on how individuals can cope with burnout, but this book also addresses how managers can prevent or overcome burnout in others.

I think the book will show company executives and team leaders how to keep their employees effective and inspired, without pushing them to the burnout brink.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo

Don't jump out of the skin seeing in the list of books related to business a book about tidying! But this book assists not only in decluttering the space around me but also in my thoughts and dreams.

Tidying up your home can be a great way to clear your mind and feel more relaxed. It can also help you think about organizing other aspects of your life, such as work, relationships, and goals. This book will show you that true happiness doesn't always come from having more stuff and that letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy is important. I am sure upon reading the book you will apply this concept to other areas of your life!

Books are the only exception in this book for me! I cannot be persuaded to get rid of my books. ??

And now my favorite part is fiction. For me, a fiction book is a trip in a time machine, a dialogue with an interesting person, learning from experience, immersing oneself... Oh, I can talk about this for hours! Let's continue.

The incomparable Jane Austen...

... and her Pride and Prejudice, which I re-read again. I also recommend the underrated Sense and Sensibility.

"A man who has nothing to do with his own time has no conscience in his intrusion on that of others."― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

I adore Jane Austen for her beautiful English humor, the rural nature atmosphere description, the harmonious structure of her novels, and the way my soul relaxes when I open her books.

The dark humorist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." — Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle

This year I was lucky to read at first this author's works and he went on my list of favorites. The Cat's Cradle seems especially relevant in our time, provoking reflections on the issues of science and technology. Also, the idea that "humanity is organized into teams, teams that do God’s Will without ever discovering what they are doing" resonates with me: have you ever felt like meeting certain people was inevitable, with hidden meaning and purpose?

The short story Unready to Wear is also close to me exploring the possibility of separating our soul from body.

Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Oh, it seems it's a test for a sense of humor. By the way, the novel Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut echoes this work, but this does not cause a feeling of rejection, on the contrary, even attracts.

I highly recommend it not only for programmers to relax and switch thoughts with this book. If after reading you react calmly and cheerfully to the number 42 and do not ask the question "What is the point of this book?", add me to your network! Who knows, maybe we will meet, have a cup of coffee, and exchange great ideas and jokes. ??

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

has become a very necessary read to start the 2023 year. It became the book that helped me accept what I can't change, appreciate what I have, find joy again in simple things, and embark on a search for new inspiration.

Although I used the most stickers in the second and third parts, it was the first part, tales about the pursuit of pleasure, that braced me up more.

By the way, if you watched the movie, believe me, the book offers a wider, deeper, and more interesting exploration of the plot (as usual).

(You will say that this is not exactly a fiction book. But I have included it in this category because it's a book whose character takes me on a journey where I overcome obstacles, and discover the plot of my own story.)

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I read the book literally in a couple of days: it's exciting and easy to read!

It is especially delightful to read such a book when you are in love or full of other sublime emotions.

It's a truly beautiful book. ??It contains wonderful descriptions of nature, comparisons, and metaphors that let you feel the grains of sand on your hand when the character is on the beach!

Discovering an inspiring and interesting book is a moment of pure joy! Don't be greedy, share in the comments reads that impressed you ??.

Maybe my favorites of this year will come in handy for you too.

Happy New Year, Happy New Books!