The best decision I made in 2016: reading
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As the end of 2016 closes in I've been reflecting on the past year. My career -and life- trajectory has taken some odd turns. But I'm glad I decided to read more (mostly non-fiction). The past few years I barely averaged 2-3 books, despite being an avid reader when I was younger. In 2016 I finished 36 books and I'm partway through another 14(ADHD). I'm setting a new goal of reading 52 books in 2017. I don't think that's particularly impressive, or something everyone should strive towards but I do think reading more is worthwhile. Of course the types of books you choose to read make a difference.
It's had a tremendous effect on my outlook on my career goals and life in general. I would strongly encourage everyone to set aside the time to read more. Audible is also a great way of consuming more books.
Here are some of my favorite books that I read this year— and please feel free to share yours:
It's had a tremendous effect on my outlook on my career goals and life in general. I would strongly encourage everyone to set aside the time to read more. Audible is also a great way of consuming more books.
Here are some of my favorite books that I read this year— and please feel free to share yours:
I hope this doesn't come across as bloggy or pointless, just trying to motivate you fellows to read more.
Replies
I enjoyed reading a load of books too since a young age, it's just so hella pricey! Shoe Dog is indeed a great book by the way.
Last year I really enjoyed the following the most:
The Filmmaker’s Eye: Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition by Gustavo Mercado, well written and full of theory but also practical examples on cinematography
Architectural Styles by Owen Hopkins, more of a "coffee table" book, but immensely fun to scroll trough, lots of great samples for modelling too
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence, just a sublime fantasy book
I go through phases of reading 5 books at once then not reading for 5 months. But my two recommendations for Fiction from this year (and past years):
China Mieville. So so creative and wonderful. It's kind of like fantasy but with every trope and existing fantasy elements missing because he's created something wierder. FZD cites him as a reference for designing unique concepts alot.
Brandon Sanderson. I recommended these books to Lee/Gir and he read every one of them in like 3 months, and then I went and did the same thing lol. If you like world building and magic systems this guy has created an actual universe worth detailed magical systems and worlds that respect each other and share history. Really addictive.
Ian Kershaw's the End was also quite gripping, for a history book. Beats watching Bruno Ganz eating spaghetti in his bunker.
I also picked up Mythology 101 somewhere on an airport. It's a really entertaining overview of all the Greek and Roman gods, heroes, their myths and their sources. It's definitely not dry and not too much to read. Recommended if you slept in history, or if you found the "Greek gods soap" too confusing in the past.
Unfortunately not much else left a big impression. I plan to read more non-fiction in 2017. I got a couple of books on project management on the shelves which I wanted to read for quite a while.
Of the pile of books of varying quality I've read in the last little while, I'd suggest Paolo Bacigalupi is doing the most interesting stuff. He writes near future sci fi, with worlds heavily affected by environmental destruction, poverty and war.
Of those he's written, I'd most recommend: The Windup Girl - a story set in Bangkok segregated by the riding sea levels, revolving around the corporatisation of genetically engineered food once the planet has gotten too damaged for regular plant life to grow. Also has a sizeable dollop of Blade Runner in the mix.
The Water Knife - Near future low sci-fi about fighting over water rights in drought stricken USA.
I wholeheartedly agree