The Goal: 50 books in 2023

Fresh off compiling my 2022 book list, and inspired by the Tail End post at Wait But Why to be more intentional with our remaining time on earth, I decided to make a New Year resolution to read 50 books this year. Off to a good start.

Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson - Rating: 3 of 5

Bit long but great portrait of his life, growing up in Boston, then becoming a printer and publisher in Philly and the long years in London and Paris. Good history lesson, puts a lot of things in perspective.

Give and Take by Adam Grant: Rating 4 of 5

A refreshing spin on the introvert vs extrovert dynamic that givers can thrive in this world as long as they stay somewhat selfish and worry about their well-being as well. Fascinating read, with a framework you can adopt in your life to become a better giver.

3

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: Rating 5 of 5

Amazon’s book of 2022, this is a lovely fiction set along with real-world events about two unrequited video game designers through the years, beautifully written, full of nostalgia for me with the video game references. A lot of emotions at the end. Some scene changes are a bit sudden and jarring but perfect otherwise.

Spare by Harry: Rating 4 of 5

A fan of Megan since Netflix’s Harry and Mega, I devoured every page, specially the love story in first few chapters of part 3. I hope this cracks open the British monarchy.

5

How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil

How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil: Rating 2 of 5

Insufferable, filled with obtuse terminology, boring. Summary: there are 4 pillars of modern civilization: cement, ammonia, steel and plastic, and we are so dependent on these and they are so reliant on fossil fuels that any practical move to green energy is several decades away. Zero by 2050 is a pipe dream.

Onward by Howard Schultz: Rating 2 of 5

Boring, too much repetition, suffers from savior-complex. As an avid Starbucks customer, there are some interesting bits about what makes Starbucks stores such bustling community gathering places (it all starts with the aroma of coffee). Skipped last 25% of book.

Some in the pipeline are:

everything by Walter Isaacson
Ezra Klein podcast recommendations