Reflecting on My 2022 Literary Journey: A Year of Books and Insights
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Chapter 1: My Reading Highlights of 2022
This year, I achieved a personal best by immersing myself in a record number of books, primarily through audiobooks. As in previous years, my focus remained on non-fiction, particularly political memoirs and scientific literature.
Here’s a quote from a notable author: "Books are a uniquely portable magic."
Section 1.1: Memoirs and Autobiographies
One of the standout reads was "Persist" by Elizabeth Warren. This was my introduction to Warren's writing, and her theme of resilience struck a chord with me, possibly leading me to read "Grit" later on. Her enthusiasm and life stories were inspiring.
Another poignant book was "Educated" by Tara Westover. The author’s harrowing experiences of abuse and adversity made for a tough yet impactful read. Regardless of its factual accuracy, the narrative’s intensity left a lasting impression, and I hope she has found peace after her tumultuous family experiences.
I also enjoyed "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama. As a fan of her previous book, "Becoming," this was an easy choice. Her candid reflections on overcoming challenges during difficult times resonated with me, and I appreciated her openness about privilege.
Section 1.2: Business Insights
"Bad Blood" by John Carreyrou provided a gripping account of the Theranos scandal, detailing how Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani deceived investors while mistreating employees. It served as a stark reminder of the dangers of Silicon Valley's hype culture, and I hope justice is served for their actions.
Chapter 2: Scientific Explorations
The first video, "MIDYEAR BOOK FREAKOUT TAG | My 2022 reading journey so far," offers a lively discussion about various books and reading experiences from the first half of the year.
A notable read was "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson. After sitting on my shelf for some time, I finally delved into it and thoroughly enjoyed Bryson's engaging narrative style, which spans a wide range of scientific and historical topics.
Bryson’s "The Body" also stood out, providing an insightful overview of human anatomy in a way that was accessible to the general reader.
Yuval Noah Harari’s "Sapiens" requires little introduction, and it was a delightful companion to Bryson’s work, as both authors touch on overlapping themes.
The second video, "How to Self-Publish a Book (My Journey) My Book, Thoughts on Trad. Publishing + Amazing Writing Tips," shares invaluable insights into the self-publishing process.
Continuing with Harari, "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" offered a mixed bag of insights, with some sections compelling and others feeling disjointed.
Michael Pollan’s works, "How to Change Your Mind" and "This is Your Mind on Plants," provided fascinating perspectives on psychedelics and plant-based drugs, respectively. Pollan’s engaging storytelling made these complex topics more approachable.
In contrast, "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond felt somewhat outdated compared to Bryson’s engaging narratives.
Section 2.1: Historical Narratives
Malcolm Gladwell's "The Bomber Mafia" emerged as my favorite read of the year. The audiobook format, reminiscent of a podcast, offered a captivating retelling of historical wartime strategies that transported me to World War II.
Section 2.2: Personal Development
On the productivity front, Mark Manson's "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***" was a letdown, lacking the depth I anticipated. In contrast, Angela Duckworth’s "Grit" was enlightening, especially her insights into nurturing grit in children. I found it a perfect companion to "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall, which explores the world of ultra-marathoners and the Tarahumara people, inspiring a newfound interest in running.
Chapter 3: Children's Literature
I also dedicated significant time to reading with my children. Notable mentions include:
- "The Treehouse Books" by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton: A delightful series perfect for young readers, which we completed all the way to "The 156-Storey Treehouse."
- "I’m Just No Good At Rhyming" by Chris Harris: Highly recommended as an audiobook, this book provided endless laughter during school commutes and is destined to be a repeat favorite.
Looking ahead, I have several unfinished reads, including "American Prometheus" by Kai Bird, a deep dive into Robert Oppenheimer's life, which is proving to be a longer read than expected. Additionally, I've just started exploring one of Vaclav Smil's books and am eager to dive deeper into his works in 2023.
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