My Top 10 reads of the year

Its December and another year gone by. I am back to sharing my top 10 books with you for the year 2022. This has been an extraordinary year as far as my reading goes. Half century of books 51 to be precise is a number I had not thought to achieve at the beginning of the year. This year I also managed to clean up my book shelf, give away over 150 books to a library and got a sense of how many unread books I had in the shelf, kindle and audible. It is a different matter that I continue to buy books even after that but a reader in you knows there is absolutely no connection between the two.

This year I also gifted a lot of books to people who are readers, interested in reading and those who I thought gifting a book may get them to begin reading. I love gifting books and receiving books as a gift. So to all people who sent me a book and are reading this –A Big Thank You! Even if I may have not read the book, I will get to the book and that’s a promise.

I have struggled to identify the top 10 books due to problem of plenty. The first shortlist was of 19 books out of the 51. What I noticed this year was that many books rated very highly by peer readers on good reads and mentioned as a part of various ‘to read’ or ‘top 10 books’ list by so called influencers or on best seller list of publications did not resonate with me. The fault is with me and not the authors but it has been something constant this year, as an example “Surely you are joking Mr Feynman” or “The courage to be disliked”. I hope you the reader will not judge me for the lack of appreciation of the aforementioned.?

If you are reading about my list for the first time (I began writing last year) please note that these are not the books released this year but the books I have read during the year irrespective of when they released. These consist of books (as we know them) kindle editions and audiobooks (my walking companion). If you have already read them and have an opinion, feel free to share with me, and if you have not read but the review does interest you then add it to your reading list for 2023. Ratings are purely mine and have no external benchmark.

The top 10 List for 2021:

• Reality is not what it Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity by Carlo Rovelli Rating: 9/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: It is a rare book that I discovered purely by chance. A book of the genre I don’t usually read but I am so glad I did. Author in an engaging yet simple (mostly) manner has chronicled and explained history of physics, concepts and their journey over centuries and their relevance to current world. Best part is you do not need to have a background in physics to understand or enjoy. It’s a story that holds you, gives you ‘oh’ now I understand moments and moments of – ‘I did not know,’ this is so simple. I wish academicians use this book to explain concepts of space, time and infinity to young minds. From understanding infinity to the smallest of the Planck particle to stories about great people - the book has it all with some professional rivalries thrown in the mix too. The book may make you fall in love with the subject or get you to read more as it is so contemporary to what is happening in the world around us.

• Aristotle and Dante book #1and #2 by Benjamin Alire Saenz Rating: 9/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: It is a set of 2 Books and I am mentioning both together because they just go hand in hand and very rarely the second book takes the story and characters to the next level. Books are raw, hurting, simple, and very close to life. Beautiful books where you meet Ari & Dante and it’s about their friendship, growing up, inner battles and about their own demons. It’s also about parenting and love. You can feel the love in the words as you turn pages and as Ari & Dante let you into their world. They are going to remain with me for a long, long time. A book every parent should read as I feel it will make them a better parent. I am sure I will go back to meet Ari & Dante as they made me love them both like my own boys. I hope in another few years Benjamin the author will again miss the boys and write a 3rd book. Till then to hope and let the love flow.

Also to share, I was introduced to the book by my elder one, who said I must read it and by the end of the year younger one too had read. All 3 of us were unanimous in our liking of the books.

• Influence Empire: The story of Tencent & China’s Tech Ambition by Lulu Chen Rating: 8.5/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: This book is unputdownable from the first line. A journey into China, wherein you discover about Tencent, its ambition, its journey and the key players. In addition to Tencent author also gives invaluable insights into communist China, controlled society, key personalities and behaviour of people, other ambitious start up like Alibaba aMy nd Didi etc.?Book is about the dilemmas, the audacity , the challenge, the fight , the game , the race to finish and winner takes it all yet no matter how big you are remember there is God or the party and that is what the book is about. Definitely one of the best business books I read this year.

• Freezing Order: A true story of Money Laundering, Murder, and surviving Vladimir Putins Wrath by Bill Browder Rating: 8.5 /10 – Paperback Edition

My Review: A True story. As you read it, there are many a time you will ask yourself- is this really possible? Did this really Happen? How could the nations let it happen? Are other nations stupid or blind? This book reads better than many a thriller I read this year. You will now look at Russia Ukraine war and understand many a statements made by world leaders and get a perspective on events and actions. It is about the adage – most people can be bought, you just need to know either the right price or the right barter. This book with its reality scares the reader in context of what is currently happening and how politicians and law makers are looking the other way, at least many of them. Its also about triumph of one man, his determination and will over an empire.

• Genghis Khan & the making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford Rating:8.5/10 – Audio Book edition

I have been wanting to read a book on the khan for many a years and after numerous recommendations decided to go for this one. I am so glad I did. It is a book that is a complete story of the Mongol Empire as we know it and transcends the rules after Khan. It is deeply researched and author provides a detailed and complete picture of the kingdom, Its impact on the world at large say the on civilisation across Europe , Asia and China is an eye opener. Mongol role in discovery of Gunpowder, making of compass and printing: books & paper money are three main contributions of the empire to the world and think where would we be without them. While the great khan dies the book continues and I was sceptical if it will be worth reading ahead and let me confess it was worth every minute. The travels, the formation of the rule, the landscape of the time, wars, rulers, techniques, customs, religion help break a lot of myths and change many an understanding that reader may have. I am going to read more about him and have marked Mongolia as a place to visit in my bucket list and hopefully you will do so by the time you finish reading the book.

• The Island of the Missing Tree by Elif Shafak Rating:8/10 – Paperback edition

A beautiful book about love and loss. Stories and magic weaved within the pages will hold you, tug at you, make you smile, cry and long, Yet it is a simple and a loving story with many a layers connecting humans and nature as the author has trees and animals narrating the story. A story that has remained with me for last few months and somewhere in my thoughts I keep going back for the memory of the love. If you have not read Shafak, go for it.

• Ghost Wars: The secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001by Steve Coll Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book edition

An immensely detailed book on American Afghanistan relations and the p[art of history most talked about but least understood. From the origins of the conflict, soviet tanks rolling in, till 9/11 the journey, the characters who played a key role, various leaders across US , Pakistan , Afghanistan, their roles, it has it all. Author does an honest assessment of the actions and politics of the times and how priorities changed and changed again multiple times over the years. It is a tough read and surely a tougher subject. It’s to gain perspective on the journey, the relationships between nations, the political compulsions of leaders , diplomacy or lack of it, fear of public opinion amongst all that impacted what should have been done, could have been done and must have been done to avoid 9/11. Taking into account recent American approach in Afghanistan in 2021 one can better relate the events and ask – did the key players and USA learnt anything from history.

• Will by Will Smith & Mark Mason Rating:8/10 – Audio Book edition

Will Smith may not be a loved actor anymore but the book is truly open and a honest story of a man. A man who has shown courage to say it as it was and as it is and to lay it all bare for the reader. A journey from being a nobody to becoming a star, to his downfall and becoming a have been, to again stardom, and then to becoming that mega mega star and after all of it – to questioning his whole being and himself is a story worth reading and giving your time. In sharing his inner thoughts, his actions, his ego and failings Will has been more vulnerable than most others I have read and that for me is truly commendable. It’s been like I am having this conversation with Will and he has been sharing his life story with me being an ardent listener who accompanied him in the roller coaster of his life. It may also give you some insight on why he did what he did at the Oscars in context of his relationship with his family.?

• Money Men: A Hot start up, A Billion Dollar Fraud, A Fight for the Truth by Dan McCrum Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book edition

An unbelievably true story, unearthed by sheer determination and courage of the author. One asks oneself how come the regulators, investors, board, auditors were fooled by a few and mislead for almost 20 years to run a scam of a company that actually never had a truly viable business. Reader witnesses the dark side of national pride to support a local company and its management for the national one up-manship. It’s a story that is Important to know about and makes a very interesting read / listen. It beats many a thrillers in plots, subplots, characters and revenge. It is also about corporate espionage, intimidation and blurring of lines between corporate world and mafia.

• The earned life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfilment by Marshall Goldsmith & Mark Reiter Rating:8/10 – Paperback edition

A typical, very insightful book wherein author as always makes you look deep within and ask yourself the right questions. The book has it all – points to ponder, learning to take, stories that are relatable and action steps if you want to. There are quite a few take always and no matter what career stage or life stage you may be at, the book has something to offer. If you want to have an honest and a hard conversation with yourself, read it and you will come out better. Marshall has done an impactful job once again. It’s a book that one should go back to like his earlier ones often and re read the key points / chapters.

Choosing the top 10 has been a struggle. Many have been left behind but like all list I am going to also from this year have special mentions. Dara?Sukoh : The man who would be King by Avik Chandra and Before the Coffee gets Cold ( a 3 book series) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. ?Both these books will always have a special place as reads of 2022.

Of the remaining list of books that make up 51 read in the year, please go to my Goodreads page and you will get a detailed review of each.

Thank you for reading and wish you a super new year 2023 and hope you have a ‘Book Hangover’ that’s lasts 12 months.?