As I reflect on 2022, I again was able to read some amazing books. I try to read as many different kind of books, but as you can see lacking a bit in the fiction department.
Armada by Ernest Cline
After reading Ready Player One, which I found very entertaining, I picked up this one by Ernest Cline. Again, a very entertaining story with lotsa eighties, movies and gaming references. A real fun read.
Alone on the Wall by Alex Honnold
A great biography about free climber Alex Honnold. It showed me to fully go for your dreams and have no fear about it. Fear is something that you can reduce by approaching it head on step by step.
Medium Raw by Antony Bourdain
I loved Kitchen Rules and how it showed all the inside working of the restaurant business. Medium Raw continues on that road, but it is more a collection of different stories or articles, and although written in Antony Bourdain’s unique style, it lacked a storyline for me.
Moneyland by Oliver Bullough
What an amazing book, basically describing in great detail how the underground illegal money flows. And of course, tax havens have its place in this, the problem is global and more countries have a part in it. Can’t wait to read his next book (Butler of the World).
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates
Bill Gates really did a great job of explaining a huge issue like climate change to me. He breaks it down in different sections and shows how big they are compared to the total and how we can reduce it. All of this really helped me to judge certain solutions and where we should focus on.
The 10 Rules of Successful Nations by Ruchir Sharma
What does it need to become a successful nation? Long time ago I read Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs and Steel” and ever since these kinds of books always have interested me. Sharma’s book looks more into the economical rules for a nation to be successful. For instance, the number of millionaires is an indicator, but more importantly what kind of millionaires are they? Inherited, tech or commodities? Also, good to combine with “Why Nations Fail” by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson.
Numbers don’t Lie by Vaclav Smil
Smil is one of Bill Gates favorite author and I can see why. Already often referenced in his book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” and also this book has many connections to climate change. It doesn’t always have the positive message that all will be well. But it shows again what impact certain things have and what it takes to change it. A great book to get some more knowledge on how the world works.
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
“Shoe Dog” has become my favorite business book of all time. It shows that setting up a business takes time and lotsa effort. The road to success is not always covered with unicorns and rainbows. This is also a perfect book for all accountants, since Phil Knight started out as a CPA and loved the profession. He hired a lot of CPA’s in the beginning since they know how a business works and where the money comes from and goes to.
De Zeven Vinkjes by Joris Luyendijk
This Dutch book really helped me in understanding how society works. I don’t have all 7 tick marks (vinkjes in Dutch), but a lot. And this was also a nice counterbalance to “De meeste mensen deugen” by Rutger Bregman. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle, and we need to be more openminded to different cultures and backgrounds.
Originals by Adam Grant
A combination of different ways to become more original. I got a bit lost while reading this (maybe because of my lack of originality??:-)), but there were some nice ideas and concepts. I like the ways to encourage the creativity for your kids. A good book for some inspiration on being more original.
Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper
A great story about the first generation that build an empire, the second to expand it, the third to completely waste it and the fourth one has to become a CNN reporter.
Deep Purpose by Ranjay Gulati
I think a lot of companies struggle with their identity and why they are here on earth. A lot of new laws and regulations (like ESG) all require a good business strategy on who to serve with what and how. “Deep Purpose” proposes some nice frameworks with what kind of company you want to be and what kind of strategy that needs. What is your purpose!
Strange Beautiful Music by Joe Satriani
I have been a huge fan of Joe Satriani ever since I was exposed to his music at the age of 16 and seeing him live for the first time not too long after. Besides being a great musician and guitarist, he is also very knowledgeable on the way the music business works. A great read if you are fan and want to know more why and how he recorded his albums.
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
I think this one is the most interesting read of 2022 for me. I never really was into Nirvana back in the nineties. I was more into guitar rock during that time (see above). But reading his story and the huge change it meant for Dave Grohl, basically from punk to rockgod overnight, it surprised me how down to earth he kept himself. “I have always been a (rock) t-shirt and jeans kind of guy” seems to sum it all up for Dave Grohl.