5typos.net
Books of 2022
My reading picked up a bit by the end of the year, but overall it felt like a below-average reading year. At the same time, my reviewing was pathetic. In fact, as I went through the list of books, it became clear that most of the 2021 books still have no review.
Still, wanted to do a rapid check of books. If anything, to remind myself of which books need more detailed notes.
Fiction
- Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee: Great book. There was so much of the Japan/Korean culture which I just had a simplified caricature. Everyday historical fiction at its best. - Salvation
by Peter F. Hamilton: First of a series. Not my favorite book from the author, but will return to the next one. Sci-fi without the pew-pew sounds. - Termination Shock
by Neal Stephenson: I hadn’t clicked with his books in a while, and this reminded me of staying late reading Cryptonomicon, instead of studying in college. Recommended. - Locklands
by Robert Jackson Bennett: Good close to the series. It took the universe in a different direction, but it still was entertaining. - The Dragon Waiting
by John M. Ford: Had never heard of it, and it’s about as old as myself. Very recommended. A cross of genres I don’t think anyone would attempt nowadays. Amazing writing.
Non-fiction
- The Wright Brothers
by David McCullough: Mostly skimmed after their famous flight. But eye-opening account of how innovation is lots of iterations — and not a perfect toolset or infinite resources. - Building a Second Brain
by Tiago Forte: Lots of skimming on this one, but mostly because I’ve consumed this content in every medium other than book — because it didn’t exist yet. Good book if you need to put order in your digital chaos. But I wouldn’t push it on anyone. - Several Short Sentences About Writing
by Verlyn Klinkenborg: While the book has great content, it’s about writing. A master of it, showing you how it’s done. - Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making
by Tony Fadell: This is the best business book I’ve read. Mostly because it puts together many concise examples of how to run and grow an organization. Recommended. - Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
by Alfie Kohn: Painful book if you find yourself on the wrong side of many examples. Important book for me this year. - The Warrior Diet
by Ori Hofmekler: 15 years before interment fasting was a “new” concept of which I went all-in, this book discussed and explained many concepts that took me 5 more years to get to. - How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion
by Derek Sivers: An uncomfortable little book which makes you think it’s on your side before turning on you, just to make the point that there’s no answer, but you should still work on one. I’ve bought multiple copies of this book and have given it to younger family members.