December 31, 2022

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
    byĀ 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 hadnā€™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 itā€™s about as old as myself. Very recommended. A cross of genres I donā€™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 Iā€™ve consumed this content in every medium other than book — because it didnā€™t exist yet. Good book if you need to put order in your digital chaos. But I wouldnā€™t push it on anyone.
  • Several Short Sentences About Writing
    by Verlyn Klinkenborg: While the book has great content, itā€™s about writing. A master of it, showing you how itā€™s done.
  • Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making
    by Tony Fadell: This is the best business book Iā€™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 ā€œnewā€ 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 itā€™s on your side before turning on you, just to make the point that thereā€™s no answer, but you should still work on one. Iā€™ve bought multiple copies of this book and have given it to younger family members.

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