Recap of my reading for the 2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge. I read 50 Books this year, hitting my target exactly.
After three years of failing to hit my goal, I finally got back on track.
As I look back at what I’ve read this past year I’m struck (once again) by how the collection is all over the place. I’ve got a handful of classics, a slew of biographies, a few business/management titles, and what might only be described as self-help. There’s much less fiction than usual–but there are a few.
There’s only one book that I’d strongly discourage anyone from reading, ‘Decluttering’. It’s a bad knockoff of the famous Marie Kondo book on the same theme. Read the original.
The books I really loved this past year
(in the order I read them)
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer
This is one of the books I should have read years ago. I don’t know what I was doing.
Nigger by Dick Gregory
I’d heard of Dick Gregory but didn’t know much about his story or work. Underrated is the easy shorthand, but he’s more than that–without him, there’s no Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, or Dave Chapelle.
Principles For Dealing With the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail by Ray Dalio
Opinions on this book are very divided, but I enjoyed the approach and analytical breakdown of our messy world.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
This was one of those Oprah books. It also happened to win dozens of other literary prizes and it’s very deserving.
Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World by Marcus Buckingham & Ashley Goodall
I didn’t expect a business book could be so human.
Doom Guy: Life in First Person by John Romero
I did not expect a video game developer biography to be this great. Yes, I had certain expectations and this surpassed them all by a great distance.
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
It’s embarrassing that I hadn’t read this already.
Recursion by Blake Crouch
I never heard of this book, picked it up by way of Libby at random and it was really damn good.
Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis
I’m a fan of Mr. Lewis, but I never read the book that made him famous. I get it, although I already kind of knew it.
I’m glad I read these
(in the order I read them)
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
This book should probably be mandatory reading these days.
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
This is another book that feels long overdue for my list.
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg
This book gets mentioned a lot in certain circles. It’s a little woo-woo, but there’s a point of view on language, communication, and relationships that are worthwhile and thought-provoking.
The Maxx, Vol. 1 by Sam Kieth & William Messner-Loebs
I read this when it came out and loved it then–I enjoyed it again, 20+ years later.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
I didn’t read many (OK, any) of the books I was supposed to read in high school. I don’t remember if this was assigned or not.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard
Think what you will about people that wear Patagonia. This book isn’t about them. It’s about how being focused on what you are making and why can lead to something bigger.
Hip Hop Family Tree, Vol. 1: 1970s-1981 by Ed Piskor
This book has been on my list forever. I’m really glad I finally made the time–now I have to read the three other volumes.
Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman by James Gleick
James Gleick’s ‘Chaos’ was one of the first books I read that got me interested in reading again. Richard Feynman is a character that I could read about on and on. This combination is great.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
This book gets referred to on so many financial podcasts and Mr. Housel makes the interview rounds consistently because of this book. It’s really good, but I was hoping for more.
Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Lee
I’m not sure how to describe this book, so I’ll borrow from the publisher, “A passionate, no-holds-barred memoir about the Asian American experience in a nation defined by racial stratification.”
Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food by Chris van Tulleken
Our whole food system is jacked–this probably isn’t news. What was new to me was some of the science is evolving on how we understand how we process it.
Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back): A Memoir of Recording and Discording with Wilco, Etc. by Jeff Tweedy
I’m not a huge Tweedy fan but I enjoyed the backstory that led him to the place where he is today.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
There’s a long list of smart people and podcasters who name this book as their favorite. It’s an important book and valuable, but you’ll need to be in the right frame of mind.
The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail—But Some Don’t by Nate Silver
Nate Silver made his name predicting elections and it’s cool to read someone in their element (in his case, data).
The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael D. Watkins
A few months after I started my new job someone recommended this book. The timing could have been better, but the concepts, frameworks for breaking down the complexity of a new job, and tools in this book are invaluable.
Basketball is Jazz: Stories and Lessons From a Basketball Lifer by David B. Thorpe
The title alone is great. I’ve been a long-time subscriber to True Hoop (where Mr. Thorpe works) and finally got around to reading his book. It’s not for everyone (if you aren’t a hardcore basketball lover, this may not land for you) but I really enjoyed the bite-sized stories, insights, and coaching concepts.
Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris
Sedaris isn’t for everyone. I enjoy the edge, the cynical, honest, and always clear way he breaks down his own life. This one starts before the pandemic and takes you along the journey.
The Economists’ Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society by Binyamin Appelbaum
Why would anyone of a sane mind read a history of economists? That’s a fair question. But, the financial world has changed dramatically since the 60s, and it impacts us in ways that it didn’t before.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
‘The Martian’ made people aware of Mr. Weir. This book is way more fun and sci-fi fantasy.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
As someone who manages people, I try and take in all points of view on the subject. This book comes up a lot but I kind of ignored it for some reason. I shouldn’t have. It’s a well-organized concept with great ideas and no-nonsense style.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
This book won all kinds of praise in 2022. If you like video games and love (yes, love) then this book is for you.
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff
This book examines three great untruths: your feelings are always right; you should avoid pain and discomfort; and you should look for faults in others and not yourselves. This book states these as the guiding laws of the day and their destructive influence.
Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution. by Brené Brown
You’ve seen the TED talk and you’ve heard the key quote, “People are doing the best they can.” There are lots of good reasons that everyone read this in 2015. I didn’t, but glad I finally caught up.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Maybe I should call this whole list, “Books everyone else read already.” I didn’t watch the movie either.
Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters by Richard P. Rumelt
I read this one with a reading group at work. This is usually a recipe for disaster. The book proved different with solid insight and concrete steps for action.
Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds by Rich Paul
The book is actually from this year–whoa. This book was promoted heavily and I’ll usually avoid books like that. But, I’m a basketball nerd, and Mr. Paul’s influence there is undeniable. Almost all of the story here takes place before Rich meets LeBron James, which actually makes it worth reading.
The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
If twenty percent of this book is true then the world is way more messed up than I thought.
A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020 by David Sedaris
I wish I had the discipline to write every day. The diaries of David Sedaris are an amazing record, especially if you enjoy his humor.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
I didn’t know anything about this book. I stumbled onto it through the Libby app. It details race, family, and self-discovery equally.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
I don’t know when I first heard the title of this book. It’s one of those titles that entered the mainstream and stayed. I was surprised it was about grief, and managing life amid chaos.
The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino
I read the more famous Calvino book (Invisible Cities) in college and enjoyed it. I also have a fascination with tree houses so the title drew me in.
How to Design Fonts by Blaze Type
This book is free. Go get it and make a font.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
Everyone knows about this book and its tragic story. The crimes and the author’s backstory are unreal. Don’t be distracted by the noise–the book is amazing on its own.
…
I’m aiming for 50 again this year. Wish me luck.