#CuriousTitans – Top 10 Books of 2022
As the year ends here is the list of my top 10 books, out of the 52 books I have read this year. I have learned a lot from each of them. I hope this list will help you pick some of your next reads. This time I have listed the books with rankings.
10. Reasons to stay alive by Matt Haig
Matt Haig has been writing about depression. His book Midnight Library on the same lines has been a bestseller. And ‘Reasons to stay alive’ is an account of his own experience with depression, and how he coped with it. What were the reasons he could find to just Stay Alive? He shared how reading and writing had been a solace for him. How with the love of his parents and his girlfriend (now wife), Andrea he learned to appreciate life and eventually overcame depression.
I am sure reading this will give you more Reasons to stay alive.
Buy Reasons to Stay Alive on Amazon
9. The Long Game by Dorie Clark
This book explores the answer to the fundamental question – ‘How can we break out of this endless cycle of being busy and create meaningful lives?’.
Dorie Clark states that for many of us being crazy busy and making sure others know it, is a way to boost our self-esteem and feel important.
When we are busy and focused on execution, there is no time to ask important questions like, “Am I living my life the way I want?”, “What does success mean?”, “Do I need to re-evaluate my choices?”.
It is easier to keep doing the same things and insist that we don’t have time to ponder on more complicated questions with discomforting answers.
This book is about thinking like CEOs who aim to optimize profits and drive growth by adopting long-term strategies. The unique principles and frameworks shared by Dorie can be applied to leverage the same 24 hours everyone has in more efficient ways.
8. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
This 1970s book is one of the most widely-known classics inspiring many to live their dreams. The author Richard Bach himself was a fighter pilot and has written this book based on his experiences and the freedom he feels on flying.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a story of a rebel seagull exploring his life’s meaning by achieving perfection in flying. Jonathan is a rebel, unlike other seagulls who flew only to scout for food for life, for him flying itself was life.
The story is about a journey of finding your calling and believing that you can fulfill it. This beautiful story highlights the importance of fulfilling our ambitions even if these goals make you a rebel.
A timeless book for all of us searching for meaning and purpose.
Buy Jonathan Livingston Seagull on Amazon
7. How to be Better at Almost Everything by Pat Flynn
It makes a case for generalism and the overlooked benefits it brings. It’s not about killing yourself trying to be the best. It’s about putting the pieces of the puzzle together and getting better at the skills you need. The book demolishes the view that only being a specialist in a domain is the way to success and establishes that in the new global economy being a generalist has a higher chance of success.
Flynn shares tools and tricks to combine interests and stack skills to achieve greatness. He doesn’t say that the process will be easy and sets realistic expectations for learning new skills.
This book will certainly give you a new perspective on approaching life. A must-read for all who are constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling inadequate. The book is for all those who cannot afford to exhaust themselves in becoming specialists in only one domain.
Buy How to Be Better at Almost Everything on Amazon
6. Creativity Inc by Edwin Catmull
This is the story of the founding of Pixar, its evolution, success, and eventual acquisition by Disney from the Founder Edwin (Ed) Catmull. This book provides a deep look at what goes behind the scene to create a great animated movie along with great business insights.
The book also is a first-hand account of Steve Jobs’s persona. Ed and John the chief creative officer at Pixar and Disney had known Steve for 26 years they have closely seen the changes in his personality. While his larger-than-life contribution to creating Apple is all known. His journey with Ed and John to make Pixar a success is sometimes overlooked. How Steve agreed to Ed’s condition that Steve will stay out of the Brian Trust meetings at Pixar even while owning a major share. How Steve engaged in a heated discussion with the lead team members on the aspect ratio of a to-be-release film and eventually agreed to the suggestion. How Steve knew the part that he may be good at technology, business, and it’s economics, but he has to trust others when it comes to creativity and storytelling. He understood and acknowledged his limitations.
It was fascinating to know how Ed and Steve went into great detail to plan the architecture of the new Pixar HQ so that the place encourages interactions and the flow of creative ideas. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Buy Creativity Inc by Edwin Catmull on Amazon
5. Show your work by Austin Kleon
In today’s content-driven world, Austin Kleon’s book “Show your work” is a masterpiece of the times. In his book, Austin compiled 10 simple yet profound ways to share your creativity and get discovered.
It is a very simple read with a lot of creative images conveying the essence of the chapters. Another thing you will notice is the size of the book, it is square in shape which makes it stand out. Proving his point of ‘Being creative to get discovered’. That is definitely smart.
The most important lesson from the book: “What matters the most is not showing your best work, but showing that you are making progress.” A short, insightful, and must-read book.
Buy Show your work by Austin Kleon on Amazon
4. Who moved my Cheese by Dr. Spence Johnson
This book is so short and simply written, that most readers will read it in one go. ‘Who moved my cheese is a story of four mice, who are looking for cheese in a maze. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life i.e. happiness. Each reader will relate to the characters of the mice.
This short story will give the readers a new perspective on change. Be it dealing with changes in jobs, changing places, changes in relationships, in short, any kind of change.
Who moved my cheese will inspire you to, ‘Anticipate change’, ‘Adapt to change quickly’ and ‘Enjoy the change’. This book is a must-read for all who are looking for and already dealing with several changes in work and life.
Buy Who moved my cheese by Dr. Spence Johnson on Amazon
3. Ego is the enemy by Ryan Holiday
This book is about our Ego. It becomes so inflated and self-interrogating at times that we are consumed in ourselves and feel incapable of thinking beyond it.
“The pretense of knowledge is our most dangerous vice because it prevents us from getting any better. Studious self-assessment is the antidote,” said Ryan Holiday in his book.
I had picked up the book only to overcome the feeling of being stuck. As I started reading, I felt as if Ryan is talking directly to me through the anecdotes and examples. The book gave me a chance to reflect on myself and my ego getting in the way of my progress.
For anything we want to achieve, Ego is the first enemy we need to win over. As Richard Feynman famously said ‘The first principle is that you must not fool yourself – and you are the easiest person to fool’. Perhaps we feel that we cannot be an egomaniac and are pretty balanced in life. “But for people with ambitions, talents, drivers, and potential to fulfill, ego comes within the territory”, says Ryan.
Ryan uses stories and lessons from ancient philosophy to help us carve our way. This book will help with practical ways to thrive in life despite all the hurdles. Just like the book helped me to pick up my reading pace, slowly but steadily, without being judgemental of the outcome but for the joy of reading itself.
A gem for your reading list.
Buy Ego is the enemy by Ryan Holiday on Amazon
2. The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
This is one of those few books which can change your life. The title itself conveys the key message of the book. Having the courage to be disliked is the first step to living a life of meaning, impact, and contribution to the greater good.
This book is in the form of a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man which makes it easier to understand the concepts. One can easily get into the shoes of this young man in his quest for happiness.
Japanese authors Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga have researched Adlerian Philosophy (named after the 19th-century Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler) for decades and compiled their understanding for a wider audience in the form of a book.
Adlerian Philosophy is in many ways opposite of what is suggested by the famed psychologist’s Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. This book shows you how you can build the courage to change your life, in order to live the life you desire.
Buy The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga on Amazon
1. Obstacle is the way by Ryan Holiday
Ryan has done an exemplary job of taking philosophy out of classrooms and books into our daily lives. This book is inspired by the philosophy of 2nd-century Roman Ruler Marcus Aurelius and the concepts of Stoicism. This book is a must-read, as we all are going through some obstacles in our lives. It will teach us how to make a shift in our perspective when we face adversities.
Ryan uses examples of Edison, who was deaf, and Helen Keller who was both deaf and dumb. It was the acceptance of their constraints that allowed them to develop different abilities and achieve greatness. Ryan argues that our constraints push us to places and to develop skills that we would otherwise never have pursued.
He summarises that the essence of philosophy is action, in having the ability to turn obstacle upside down with our minds. And that essence is offered in this small but powerful book.
I hope by reading this book you are also able to turn your Trials into Triumphs.
If you have read any of these books, I would be happy to know your review. If you are planning to read them, share how reading them has impacted you.
(Also check out my tips on achieving yearly reading goal)
Happy New Year and Happy Reading
#CuriousTitans #BookList #BookRecommendation #LearningNeverEnds
