The Books of 2022
““The great thing about reading is you can use that to pick up any new skill. So if you learn how to learn, it’s the ultimate meta skill and I believe you can learn how to be healthy, you can learn how to be fit, you can learn how to be happy, you can learn how to have good relationships, you can learn how to be successful….You can trade it for any other skill. And that all begins with reading.””
A love of books and reading is something that has been cultivated in me since I was a child (I'm sure I exhausted my parents by constantly asking to go to the “liberry”). It makes me happy to see this same curiosity and sense of wonder in my daughter.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve slowly accumulated a small library of my own. There’s something special about seeing physical books lined up on the shelf, knowing how the ideas relate and connect to each other. I catch a glimpse of one of the spines, and it takes me back to everything I’ve learned from its pages.
There’s a good mix of different books from this past year, and although there’s always going to be things left unread, I’m happy with what I was able to get through in 2022. I think the right book will find you just when you need it most, and I don’t know where I’d be without the consistent habit of seeking out new things to read.
I've got a lot of great reading planned for the next year- leave your email below to join BookMark for 2023, and I'll also send over my 5 top recommendatons from the past 12 months.
If you are still curious, you can also check out the lists I put together for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
On to the books…
Biography
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant
You often hear books described as “gripping”, and that would definitely be a word I would use for this one. I had seen it praised for its writing, and it didn’t disappoint- someone I follow went as far as saying it's "far and away the best narrative nonfiction book ever". I found myself daydreaming about tigers for a while after. Given everything going on in the world at the moment, I’d like to educate myself a bit more on the massive part of the world that makes up Russia, and the book included a large portion of history as well.
My World by Peter Sagan
I had such a great setting to read this, overlooking the lake in Penticton and anticipating the Gran Fondo which had been postponed since 2019. I’ve been getting more and more into cycling, with a new bike this and another ride to Whistler. I always love a good sports bio, and wanted to learn more about the character in cycling that is Peter Sagan. Fun read!
This Bright Future: A Memoir by Bobby Hall (Logic)
I've been a fan of Logic the rapper for a while, and had recently heard a good podcast between him and Ryan Holiday. I recalled that conversation when I saw this interesting cover on the shelf, and quickly became captivated. Honestly, much of his childhood and perspective was quite sad, along with his struggles with anxiety. To see what he's been able to do with that and turn it into is inspiring.
Acid For The Children by Flea
One of those popular books where the title and cover caught my eye. With the new RHCP album out, I finally gave in and spent some time with this one. Having read "Scar Tissue" a long time ago, I was ready to dig into another music bio. I liked that you could really tell it was written from his heart, without much editing. Might not appeal to everyone, but an interesting read. The recent conversation on Broken Record with Rick Rubin was fun to listen to as well.
The Perfect Day to Boss Up: A Hustler's Guide to Building Your Empire by Rick Ross
I've talked recently about reading books outside of your comfort zone- this caught my eye in the library, and I thought, why not? Surprisingly well written and put together, this was good for a different shot of inspiration.
Freezing Order by Bill Browder
What a crazy story- I think I got through this in two days. It's difficult to believe it is non-fiction. From the description: "a gripping thriller chronicling how he became Vladimir Putin’s number one enemy by exposing Putin’s campaign to steal and launder hundreds of billions of dollars and kill anyone who stands in his way"
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway is considered one of the greats for a reason- I'm reminded of that whenever I return to reading his work. It was a pleasure to inhabit the world of his words in this memoir of his time in Paris (one of the next on my travel agenda!).
Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in the Himalayas by Harley Rustad
I remember first getting wrapped up in the story of Justin Alexander a few years ago after coming across an article in Outside Magazine detailing his suspicious disappearance in India's Parvati Valley - one of the most memorable and riveting articles I've ever read. I recently learned this had been expanded into a full book and went back down the rabbit hole, with fascinating videos from his "Adventures of Justin" accounts and great podcast conversations he was a part of. It's the sign of a good read that even though you know the ending, you still can't wait to see what's on the next page.
Philosophy
Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind by Annaka Harris
Described as "one of those books that fundamentally shifts the way you think about reality," the book left me with a lot to think about. If you're curious, a good introduction might be to listen to the conversation between her and her husband Sam Harris on his podcast Making Sense.
Sum: 40 Tales From The Afterlives by David Eagleman
One of my favourite books from 2021 (How to Live) mentioned that it was written as a sort of "homage" to the book Sum. Of course, I then had to read this one as well. It was thought-provoking, presenting 40 short stories of possibilities for the afterlife. It's a book you can get through in an afternoon, but one you will think about for a long time.
Building on expanding my perspective and not just reading books in my comfort zone, I spent time in April learning more about a faith practiced by over 20% of the world's population. The month of Ramadan is one that I have heard of often throughout my life, but is something I had basically zero understanding of. Fasting from sunrise to sunset for an entire month seemed quite extreme, so I chose to take it a step further during April and experience it, inspired by one of my Muslim colleagues. I increased my knowledge of the complex (and complicated) religion of Islam from zero to maybe 1%. I also found The Islam Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained to be helpful for comprehending some of the basic concepts.
Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control by Ryan Holiday
Having now written 10+ books, I would say this is one of Ryan Holiday's best yet. It's part 2 of his "stoic virtue series" including Courage, Temperance, Justice & Wisdom, and I'm excited to see the final 2 when they're ready. There are plenty of stories and examples in here to return to throughout an entire month, and I found myself thinking about its lessons constantly during the day. It would pair well with another of my favourites, Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink.
Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday
I've said it before, but when Ryan Holiday puts out a new book, I automatically read it. This is the first in his new series on the cardinal virtues (Wisdom, Courage, Temperance & Justice), and I'm glad he started with Courage. As always, definitely worth reading.
A Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Cameron Gikandi
This book has really high praise- almost all the reviews I came across on Amazon were positive. I was inspired to read it by someone that mentions they return to it every year, and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a nice “self-help” pick me up near the end of the year, and actually helped me re-frame a lot of my thinking in a great way.
Business/Other
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life by Boyd Varty
An interesting mixture in an author- lion tracker and life coach. This was a unique "self-help" type read, and I came across it (like a lot of my books) on a recent Tim Ferriss podcast.
Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier
I've been trying to educate myself more on this topic lately, listening to conversations and opinions on both sides. There are definitely some good arguments in this book, and it pushed me over the edge to get rid of my social media (for the foreseeable future at least). One thing that stood out to me is that the phone is being turned into a behaviour modification device. You have to think carefully about who is paying for your attention. With my attention back, I have more space for important things (like reading books :))
Yes is More. An Archicomic on Architectural Evolution by BIG
I found this to be a very cool way to present architectural projects- as a comic. I find the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to be extremely creative and playful, and I'm endlessly fascinated by the thought process behind their projects. Every time I see their Vancouver House project, I'm inspired by the possibilities for what buildings can be. Bjarke's TED talk is worth checking out as well.
Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky
I noticed someone I follow had packed a bunch of books for an upcoming trip, and I asked which they were most looking forward to reading- this was their answer. I recognized these two authors from their popular previous book Sprint, so I decided to give this one a go. Some reviews describe it as life-changing, and maybe I just need to spend more time with it, but I just saw another review I agree with- it might have been better as a blog post instead of a book.
Talent by Tyler Cowen & Daniel Gross
Economist Tyler Cowen is highly respected among many people I look up to, I was excited that his newest book focused on talent search. Given that much of my work is directly related to solving this problem, I'm happy to have this concise collection of the latest wisdom on the topic- I came away with a lot of great new ideas and insightful questions. In his review, Malcom Gladwell mentions that the search for good people is one of the hardest of all business problems, and educating yourself in this area goes a long way.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
With so many things to read, I'm always hesitant to read the latest best sellers. This one came across my radar enough times over the past few months that I decided to read it, and it did have some interesting new insights about how to think about the way we spend our limited time.
Medium is the Massage by Marshall McLuhan
I've seen Marshall McLuhan mentioned in a number of different circles, but hadn't actually read any of his work. I'll have to return to this one again and sit with it more- there are some potentially perspective-altering insights in here that require some study. This is also a good related article: perell.com/note/medium
Your Music and People by Derek Sivers
Derek is one of the clearest writers I've come across, and I really appreciate how well-edited his books are. There is very little fluff in his writing, and I'm always left with a smile after reading his work. This was another great one, and applies to a much broader audience than musicians. Many great, creative insights in here.
More Money Than God by Sebastian Mallaby
When I decide to dedicate time to a book, it's usually after I've come across it in multiple places. I have heard this title mentioned many times over the past few years (most recently on the Tim Ferriss show), and while it might not be everybody's jam, I get very interested in the history of hedge funds, specifically the decision making under pressure, stress & high stakes. I was sad to see that one of the main characters in the book, Julian Roberson, had passed just days after I finished it. It's an excellent and thoroughly researched introduction to the hedge fund world.
Living With the Monks by Jesse Itzler
This has been on my "to-read" for a while, as I like Itzler's writing style. While there were glimpses of brilliance and insight, this one didn't really land with me. I really enjoyed his previous similar book, "Living with a Seal", but this one just felt too much like it was trying to ride off the success of his previous book. Life is too short to feel like you have to finish books that aren't resonating with you :)
Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be by Steven Pressfield
Pressfield's "The War of Art" has been called perhaps the "greatest book ever written on the creative process", and it's one I return to often. I was excited to see he had a new book out, and this is also one I will be thinking over for a long time. Read his work to prepare yourself to beat the Resistance.
Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami
I don't know if it's unique to me, but reading Haruki Murakami's writing is like immersing my brain in a warm Japanese onsen (hot spring). I find it comforting to spend time with such a master of their craft, someone who puts so much thought and consideration into what they write. In this latest work, he pulls the curtain back on "how the sausage is made," talking about various subjects related to his writing habits and career as a writer. I tore through it in about two days, and am now back to eagerly anticipating his next work.
Fiction
The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories
This is a great one for fiction before bed to quiet the mind. It's another of my random bookstore finds, as I noticed Haruki Murakami had written the introduction. I'm a big fan of Japanese fiction, and find it expands my perspective.
The Morning Star by Karl Ove Knausgaard
Most days, I couldn't wait to sit and return to this book. I've been a huge fan of Knausgaard's other work, although I read a few negative reviews which kept me from starting this one for a while. I shouldn't have paid attention to those reviews, because I was completely engaged in this book throughout, it was a great way to satisfy my fiction cravings. There might be something to the fact that two of my favourite writers (Knausgaard & Murakami) are translated from their original language, and it's worth thinking about why. They both illuminate the mundane, and give voice to undefined thoughts or feelings that I think are somewhat universal.
Summer by Karl Ove Knausgaard
Since finishing “The Morning Star”, I had been looking for my next Karl Ove fix. July seemed like a good time to make my way through Summer, part four of his brilliant seasons series. His writing is like taking a magnifying glass to everyday life, learning to see the beauty and depth in the seemingly mundane.
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
I really enjoyed the author's other book The Overstory, so I decided to give this one a go as well. I have a pretty high bar for finishing fiction books these days, and this one definitely engaged me throughout. The ending caught me by surprise.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This book was a delight to read! One of the best fiction books in recent memory. Sentenced to spend his life under house arrest in Moscow’s Metropol Hotel, the story follows a thirty year period where the main character finds his way through these circumstances. I mentioned earlier that I'm looking to educate myself more about Russia given current events, and that trend continues.
All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
I had enjoyed the author's previous work, Breasts and Eggs, and was excited to see a new book of hers on the shelves. It satisfied my odd fiction craving.
The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada
Short, odd little Japanese fiction to read before bed. The comparisons to Lewis Carroll & Alice in Wonderland drew me in- the reviews have high praise, but I'm not sure I got it on the first read. Satisfied the fiction escape.
The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada
Oddly unsettling- similar to “The Hole”, it satisfied my fiction escape for a few evenings before bed.
Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz
This one took me a while to work through, and served as my fiction go-to for a couple of months. Set in Cairo in the period between the end of World War I and the beginning of the 1919 revolution against British rule, it intimately details the life and affairs of a particular Egyptian family. The characters created by this Nobel prize winning author will stick in my mind for a long time.