Another year-end tradition, here’s an overview of the books I read last year. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that there’s only nine titles on the list. Previous years topped 20, but my writing output is way up… a good trade.
I actually started reading a lot of books, but being so busy, I only stuck with the few that were really good.
| Cal Newport | How to Win at College | A- |
| Cal Newport | How to Become a Straight-A Student | B+ |
| Joan Wickersham | The Suicide Index | A+ |
| Joan Gould | Spinning Straw Into Gold | A+ |
| Tim Ferriss | The Four Hour Body | C+ |
| Christopher McDougall | Born to Run | A+ |
| Dan Simmons | Hyperion | B+ |
| Dan Simmons | The Fall of Hyperion | C+ |
| Alain de Botton | How Proust Can Change Your Life | B |
Not really a lot of meaningful themes this year, but I will say that Joan Gould’s Spinning Straw Into Gold — which looks at transformations in a woman’s life via fairy tales — is one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read. It is one of the few books I would consider essential reading.
If you’re at all interested in productivity and self-improvement, Cal Newport and his blog (www.studyhacks.com) is a must-read. His published books are aimed at college and high school students, but many of the lessons can be applied to the workplace.
I picked up Dan Simmons’ Hugo award-winning novel on a lark, eager for a little escapism, and ended up plowing through all 1300+ pages of the surprisingly complex and philosophical space opera.
Joan Wickersham’s The Suicide Index and Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run are both incredibly engrossing, moving books — albeit in very different ways. The Suicide Index is a memoir about a woman struggling to come to terms with her father’s suicide — haunting and heartbreaking. Born to Run is about a wacky group of ultramarathoners challenging a legendary tribe of running Indians to a once-in-a-lifetime foot race — thrilling and joyous.
And Alain de Botton, as always, is a joy.
Aside from some exciting Christmas reads, I don’t have any books lined up for 2012. Although Dan Simmons has a 1400+ page follow-up to Hyperion. I’m sure I’ll take that journey soon enough. And I’m eager to read Stephen Ambrose’s book about Lewis and Clark.
Any recommendations?
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