In an attempt to break out of the routine reads and the top lists elsewhere, I took in a few lesser known titles this year. Among the 110, there were a few autobiographies and quite a few different health related books. My relationship with sleep and certain food stuffs has changed tremendously after reading further. And oh man, where has George Orwell been all my life?
A primer on evolutionary biology and how our aesthetic preferences evolve over time with specific outcomes — an interesting read to balance that with the idea of social construction.
A long book that counters the idea of humans being infinitely malleable, and that humans have a natural state.
A book on tennis yet not about tennis. Read this multiple times — it's a great tutorial on how framing can shape how you learn and perform.
A book on the capacity of our environment and the tragedy of the commons — useful to think about how it also shows up in product and org contexts.
My entire viewpoint on sleep (or lack thereof) changed with this book. Seeing how it affects us on so many levels, and what we can do with it, is probably something that will have impact for many years to come.
Interesting read on what makes certain people better at making forecasts, and how to combat our overconfidence.
Got into this after watching an Orwell-based play, but found it such a simple allegory for how communism, revolution, and authoritarianism can take over a community.
Useful read that shows how people really act versus what they state can be very different, told through the lens of Google searches — and an interesting window into modern culture and trends.
Quick read to help gain a sense of our place in this expansive universe. Great for a short commute or an evening read.
Inspiring book on Dieter Rams's design principles and the actual products that embodied them.
Bonus
*re-read