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Isn’t it fascinating how reading a book at the right time and in the right place can drastically change its impact on you?
If I had read This Naked Mind in a different context, would I have started my sober journey this past Autumn? If I had read Goodbye, Things prior to Essentialism, would I have felt as compelled to pursue Minimalism?
While these hypotheticals may not matter now, it’s interesting to consider how each book we read has the potential to change our life.
Will the following recommendations change yours? Perhaps not, but if any of them pique your interest, why not read them and find out?
Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day – Jay Shetty
“The more we define ourselves in relation to the people around us, the more lost we are.”
Becoming a monk probably isn’t in the cards for you or me, but what’s stopping us from gaining insight from monastic ways?
Jay Shetty fills this book with his experience as a monk and what he learned through the process. It’s an empowering, inspirational, and informative read brimming with useful lessons for monks and non-monks alike.
Sea of Tranquility – Emily St. John Mandel
“This is the strange lesson of living in a pandemic: life can be tranquil in the face of death.”
If you’ve perused my previous book recommendations, you know that Emily St. John Mandel has appeared before.
I’ve been captivated by her novels ever since reading Station Eleven, and Sea of Tranquility did not disappoint.
What makes this novel unique is the incorporation of a pandemic into the storyline. It’s not about COVID-19 specifically; however, Mandel clearly took inspiration from the world’s collective experience in 2020 (and beyond).
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking and, at times, bleak novel, consider giving it a look.
Cat’s Cradle – Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
“She hated people who thought too much. At that moment, she struck me as an appropriate representative for almost all mankind.”
For some time I’ve had a stack of Vonnegut books on my shelf that I’ve hardly touched; I read Cat’s Cradle once before and started Slaughterhouse-Five, but they never seemed to click. Despite it being “un-minimalist” to keep them around, part of me felt like I’d get back to them sometime soon.
In this case, soon meant six years later, but I’m glad I gave them another shot.
I’m far from the first person to praise Vonnegut’s satyrical expertise, but it’s still worth mentioning. In Cat’s Cradle, he creates a story that is simultaneously hilarious, dark, politically charged, and mysterious without letting it fall into a jumbled mess.
Is this the best Vonnegut book to start with? I have no idea. Is it an incredible read? Yes – go check it out!
Bullshit Jobs: A Theory – David Graeber
“Workplaces are fascist. They’re cults designed to eat your life; bosses hoard your minutes jealously like dragons hoard gold.”
Have you ever been employed at a job you’ve found to be pointless in almost every way? Your “work” leaves you with no sense of value, fulfillment, or enjoyment, yet you wouldn’t dare tell your supervisor due to a fear of being found out.
If you’ve found yourself in a bullshit job like that, Graeber makes the case that you’re far from alone. He describes ways in which bullshit jobs have permeated the workplace and some possible solutions for bringing meaning back to labor.
While there’s a surface layer of humor to this book, there’s a deeper anthropological analysis relevant to our culture and the employment structure as a whole.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life – Anne Lamott
“One writer I know tells me that he sits down every morning and says to himself nicely, ‘It’s not like you don’t have a choice, because you do—you can either type or kill yourself.'”
It feels like double-dipping since I mentioned this read in my November Newsletter, but it’s worth sharing again.
Bird by Bird felt like a writing manual put together by a beloved aunt or favorite professor. Rather than laying out “Ten Steps to Get Published” or “How to Draft a Novel”, Lamott presents key writing principles by sharing deep cuts into her own journey. This personalized take lends a beautiful warmth and familiarity to the read.
Even if you’re not looking to become a novelist, don’t sleep on Bird by Bird!
Final Thoughts
Did any of these books strike your interest? If so, go read them and let me know your thoughts!
Also, because I’m forever looking for killer books to read, don’t forget to tell me your favorite(s) from last year via email or the comments below.
Happy reading friends!📚
P.S. If you want to see some other books I enjoyed in 2022, check this article out!