What I Read in 2018

The Middle Passage by James Hollis

Wow. This is my top book of the year. It's not a new one, 25yrs old. I think this should be a required reading for all men turning 40. Hollis, Jungian analyst, describes what midlife crisis is, how and why it happens in men's middle years in depth. 

"Midlife crisis is caused by the disparity between our original sense of self and the acquired personality over the years"

I'm still digesting the concepts since reading few months ago, and keep going back to book. Must read. 

How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton

I like de Botton's style and concepts he picks for his books. This was a longtime tenant of my library. I finally got to it recently. It's a witty, entertaining literary feast. He shares Proust's philosophy on how to live with anecdotes and passages from his writings. 

“It is one of the great and wonderful characteristics of good books that for the author they may be called “Conclusions” but for the reader “Incitements.” We feel very strongly that our own wisdom begins where that of the author leaves off, and we would like him to provide us with answers when all he is able to do is provide us with desires... That is the value of reading, and also its inadequacy. To make it into a discipline is to give too large a role to what is only an incitement. Reading is on the threshold of the spiritual life; it can introduce us to it: it does not constitute it.”

What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East  by Bernard Lewis

It's a fascinating topic to understand the interactions between Islamic world and other civilizations. Muslim world was the most advanced civilization at some point, leading art, science and wars. How did all change for the worse? What went wrong? Book analyzes Western influence from various angles such as technology, art, education, women rights and others. A little biased but good summary of the history.

“The difference between Middle Eastern and Western economic approaches can be seen even in their distinctive forms of corruption, from which neither society is exempt. In the West, one makes money in the market, and uses it to buy or influence power. In the East, one seizes power, and uses it to make money.”

Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier by Neil deGrasse Tyson

This was my first book on space. It's a great summary of the history of our space programs, how cold war was one of the best catalysts for space exploration, and current challenges such decreasing government funding and shortage of science educated students. 

"If you want tomorrow to come - if you want to spawn entire economic sectors that didn’t existed yesterday- those (lawyers, bankers, etc.) are the not the people you turn to. It is the technologists who create that kind of future. You need vision that create technologists."

Think Twice by Michael Mauboussin

I'm a big fan of Mauboussin. He's a clear thinker. If you like Kahneman, Taleb, Lewis, etc, you'd enjoy his writing. This book is lighter than I expected but still does a good job in examining our common biases and mental pitfalls during decision making, such as danger of relying on experts and how easily we fall victim to priming. I like his description of the roles of skill and luck in a decision's outcome. It's a good introductory book. 

“In a probabilistic environment, you are better served by focusing on the process by which you make a decision than on the outcome.”

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

This was recommended by one of my mentors. Not a book I would have picked otherwise. It describes how we frequently stop the flow of positive energy and subconsciously create many types of barriers i.e. sabotage ourselves. I like Zone of Genius framework that helps you explore your super powers. Quick, light read. 

Hoping to read more in 2019!