BLOG OF MAYANK JAIN
Best Books I Read in 2021
The paradox of choice is paralysing. I have way too many unread books on my kindle and on the bookshelf; even more in my wishlist.
The only way I could get past that and read was by deliberately picking one book and finding an extended period of time undisturbed by the distractions of our lives. And it was some of the happiest time of my year.
1. Dune - Frank Herbert
I got goosebumps one afternoon while reading Dune. When I shared this news with my wife, she did a happy dance that lasted for at least a minute. She had finished reading it a couple of months earlier and had been coaxing me to get to it. Naturally she was elated when I reached the 'goosebumps' stage. That stage is less of a point in the book, but more of an opening of our own minds. An expansion of understanding.
Dune is easily one of the best books I've ever read. My only regret is that I didn't get to it sooner. If you end up reading this, please message me. I cannot get enough of it and would love to discuss it with anyone who is willing.
2. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment - Eckhart Tolle
In all honesty, I haven't finished reading this, nor did I start reading it this year. But I can't delay sharing this with you any further.
After years of stumbling from one philosophy of life to another, I finally found something that I could use in my life on an almost daily basis. Every time I find myself stuck with some problem, or if I am going through a particularly anxious phase of life, I turn to this book.
For me, it serves as a manual for living. And has helped me immensely in coming to terms with what we call our existence.
3. Project Hail Mary (Audiobook) - Andy Weir
If you get the right one, audiobooks can be incredibly fun. Many years ago, while recuperating from an illness on bed rest, I had listened to Weir's first book The Martian. It was an exhilarating experience.
I listened to this new one while driving to a vacation to Chikkamagalur. Once we were there, it rained heavily. So we would tuck into our blankets, dim the lights, and listen to it as rain poured outside. I was happy in those moments. A good story narrated well can do that to you.
Other notable mentions:
How to Live by Derek Sivers
In Order To Live - A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park
And two books I enjoyed reading about the famously happy Danish people:
The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country - Helen Russell
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking
I hope you do get around to reading some of these. If you like these recommendations, check out the rest of my reading list here.
Lists from previous years:
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Best Books I Read in 2020
“Maturity is learning how to start when you feel like procrastinating.“ - James Clear
While doing my weekly Saturday email cleanup, I came across this idea from a newsletter by James Clear. And I decided to treat it as a prompt to write my annual best books I read list.
Even though we spent majority of the year locked inside our homes, ironically it made it more difficult to read. Reading is a low dopamine releasing activity competing for our attention with easy mediums of passive consumption (Netflix, YouTube, et al). Combine it with a deep sense of lockdown gloom and a forbearing of impending doom, picking up a book became a herculean task.
I still managed to read some good ones and the following three seem like the best fit to prepare us for a post-pandemic world.
1. Just Kids – Patti Smith
Pablo Picasso said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” And my soul needed a deep cleansing. I am not even half-way through and it has already become my favorite. It replenished my life force and was exactly what I needed to end this crazy year.
This is the second book by Patti Smith that I am reading. And it is equally beautiful and magical. Read this if you want to step into the life of New York City’s artists from the 1970s.
2. Factfulness – Hans Rosling
If we were to believe our inherent biases, based on the zeitgeist, we would think the world is rotting. Factfulness aims to inject logic and facts in this narrative to show that the world is not as bad as it seems. If anything, the world is moving towards rapid progress and prosperity for a greater number of its residents.
Read this if you need some facts based positivity in your life instead of conjecture based pessimism.
3. Talking to Strangers - Malcolm Gladwell
As we grow in maturity, we gradually gain an understanding that judging others on outwardly appearances is wrong and inaccurate. This book puts into solid reasoning why it is so. As we reacquaint ourselves with each other in the post lock-down world, this book might come in handy to keep a check on our preconceptions about others.
Other notable mention: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
I hope you do get around to reading some of these. If you like these recommendations, check out the rest of my reading list here.
Lists from previous years: