Readings from January to June 2023: The Metaverse, Writing & Time.
What cover image could possibly represent my last six months of reading while preparing for my cloud certifications? As I pondered that, I went to different Generative AI tools and used variations of the prompt "A happy dog reading many books next to a laptop with a bookshelf in the background and glasses". This cover picture perfectly depicts my headspace through the journey.
In the first six months of 2023, I have been focusing on pursuing cloud certifications. A pursuit that has voraciously eaten into my regular reading time. Nevertheless, I was able to squeeze in my self-prescribed dosage of reading and managed to discover twelve inspiring authors. Here's to another win for the art of multitasking and the joy of cherishing the magic of books.
It is interesting that I am celebrating multitasking since doing less and using our limited time well was one of the clear themes in the books I read.
This year the range of reading genres has been wider than usual - from religion to the metaverse! There was a good mix of fiction and non-fiction, and I particularly enjoyed books related to three main themes: Enhancing my writing abilities, managing time effectively, and exploring the Metaverse.
The books I read in reverse reading order are:
As always, I wanted to share my favourite reads with you. Here are the top five books that I enjoyed the most:
Essentialists see trade-offs as an inherent part of life, not as an inherently negative part of life. Instead of asking, “What do I have to give up?” they ask, “What do I want to go big on?
In "Essentialism", Greg McKeown shares the idea of focusing on what is truly important in life while minimizing the non-essential.
He believes in the notion of the old adage of "Less is more" and encourages a disciplined approach towards achieving better outcomes with fewer activities. The book provides practical strategies for eliminating unimportant tasks, setting boundaries, and prioritizing what matters most. By doing so, it aims to help readers lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life. "Essentialism" emphasizes the power of saying no, setting boundaries, and finding happiness in letting go of insignificant things, offering a roadmap to a more fulfilling life.
“We’ve been granted the mental capacities to make almost infinitely ambitious plans, yet practically no time at all to put them into action.”
It's remarkable how short our human lifespan is. If you reach the age of eighty, you will have only lived for a little over four thousand weeks. This book that deeply impacted me isn't a "time management hacks" guide. Instead, it emphasises the significance of the time we have and its value. Similarly, Burkeman doesn't suggest cramming as many activities as possible into your day. Instead, he encourages taking a moment to appreciate what we can do and should do to make intentional choices.
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“A massively scaled and interoperable network of real-time rendered 3D virtual worlds that can be experienced synchronously and persistently by an effectively unlimited number of users with an individual sense of presence, and with continuity of data, such as identity, history, entitlements, objects, communications, and payments.”
There you have it - Matthew Ball's definition of a metaverse - and a mighty comprehensive one it is.
Ball's book and research consolidate the diverse aspects of the Metaverse into a single, comprehensive read. It covers what the Metaverse is, what it is not, why it has not yet fulfilled its promise and much more. I strongly recommend this book as a beginning step on your journey into the Metaverse.
“This Snow Crash thing--is it a virus, a drug, or a religion?” Juanita shrugs. “What's the difference?”
"Snow Crash" was first published in 1992. Take a moment to think about what you were doing those days. I was programming on BASIC with no idea of networking or the internet. It was during this period Stephenson presented this cyberpunk masterpiece that depicts a futuristic world where individuals utilise headsets to connect to a globally networked virtual reality "metaverse" and interact with others through "avatars." The main protagonists led parallel lives with virtual properties and currencies online.
I enjoyed "Snow Crash" thoroughly for its captivating blend of cyberpunk and mythology. The book's vivid storytelling and richly imagined world immersed me in a dystopian future where virtual reality and real life intertwine.
It is a wonderful coincidence that I read both Matthew Ball's Metaverse and Snowcrash at about the same time and was blown away at how many nuances Stephenson got spot-on about the (then) future.
“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”
If you're an aspiring writer, "On Writing" by Stephen King is a must-read. This literary gem doubles as a memoir and a guide, and King's writing style is both candid and engaging. You'll get a glimpse into his personal journey as a writer, with insightful anecdotes and experiences that are both inspiring and relatable. The book offers practical advice on the craft of writing, including valuable tips on plot development, character creation, and the importance of revision. King emphasises the significance of reading, dedication, and perseverance, making it a great read for all aspiring writers. Whether you're a fan of King's work or just looking for guidance on writing, "On Writing" is a must-have that combines personal storytelling with practical wisdom from one of the most successful authors of our time.
Have you had the chance to read any of the books already? I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on them. Additionally, if you have any book recommendations that I may enjoy, please share them in the comments.
Previous book reviews:?2018,?2019,?Jan-Jun 2020,?Jul-Dec 2020,?Jan-Jun 2021,?Jul-Dec 2021,?Jan-Jun 2022, Jul-Dec 2022.
Head of Partnerships | Cloud Certified | Driving Strategic Tech Partnerships in Asia
1 年Nice! What's on the list for the cloud cert marathon?
Hybrid Cloud Platform Services Leader | Strategic Client Advocate + Technology Advisor | Cloud Business SME + Revenue Growth Leader | Cost Savings Strategist + Award Winning People Leader | 30+ years exp.
1 年Amazing Dev. Way to go