Essentialism – Greg McKeown

Recommended by a friend, Essentialism drives home the point of focusing only on what matters. We’re faced with countless options on how to spend our limited time. Decide which are essential to you, and choose only those.

Desert Solitaire – Edward Abbey

A diary of sorts of a man who spent two summers working as a park ranger in Arches National Park. As much of his time was spent alone, the book has vibes of Thoreau’s Walden, though in a much harsher environment.

Very meditative. Pointing to the mental benefits of being alone in nature. More importantly, taking a break from society.

Principles – Ray Dalio

One of the greatest hedge fund managers of all time shares his general principles on investing, leadership, and life in general. Lessons learned from his massive success at Bridgewater and also from his biggest failures.

This book is a tome, at just shy of 600 pages, and some of it is a bit dense. But there are so many powerful lessons to take from it.

Snow Crash – Neal Stephenson

A futuristic novel that follows a computer hacker and a skateboard courier as they investigate a complex plot involving the mafia, ancient Sumerians, the government, a cult of fundamentalists, and a powerful drug.

Though unrelated, it’s a precursor of sorts to Ready Player One. Similar vibes, at least. Written in the early ’90s, it predicts, with hair-raising accuracy, the technology of today.

I’m not a huge fiction guy, but this is by far one of the best fictions I’ve read.

War – Sebastian Junger

Sebastian Junger is one of my favourite authors and journalists. His writing conveys such potency in a fascinatingly condensed way. He manages to include all of the gritty details while leaving out any fluff or filler.

War follows Junger as he is embedded with the second platoon of 173rd Airborne Brigade’s Battle Company in the Korengal Valley — the most deadly and violent region of the entire Afghan war. As Junger puts it, the Korengal was the Afghanistan of Afghanistan.

It’s a harsh read at times. Junger leaves out no details from bloody firefights and the violent deaths of the men he’s with. But it also shows the human side of the soldiers that is so often overlooked.

Powerful and raw.

Honourable Mentions:

2023 might have been the most potent year of reading I’ve ever had. Whittling down a top 5 was a tricky act. The truth is, I read some absolute bangers this year and while I limit this “review” to 5, I can’t ignore those that didn’t quite make the cut.

Radical Acceptance – Tara Brach

Deep Work – Cal Newport

Free Will – Sam Harris