My Five Best Reads Of 2022

Over the past year, I have enjoyed reading some truly great books, all of which have taught me valuable lessons. Rather than a review, or summary of the book, here are the key lessons I took away from each one:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

People often make irrational financial decisions: Our emotions and biases can influence our financial decision-making, leading us to make choices that are not in our best interests.
The past does not always predict the future: It is important to recognize that the future is uncertain and that past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Successful investing requires patience: Building wealth through investing often requires patience and the ability to weather market fluctuations.
Diversification is important: Diversifying investments can help mitigate risk and increase the chances of success.
The most successful investors are often those who are humble and cautious: Humility and caution can help investors avoid overconfidence and make sound financial decisions.
Financial education is important: Having a strong foundation of financial knowledge can help individuals make informed financial decisions and achieve their goals.
The way we think about money affects our financial well-being: Our attitudes and beliefs about money can have a significant impact on our financial well-being.
It is important to have a long-term perspective: Long-term planning and goal-setting can help individuals make financial decisions that align with their values and priorities.

Factfulness by Hans Rosling

The world is not as bad as people think: Many people have a negative view of the world and believe that things are getting worse, but in reality, global living conditions have improved significantly in recent decades.
People are more likely to overestimate problems and underestimate progress: Our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative events, which can lead us to overestimate problems and underestimate progress.
Most people are unaware of global trends: Many people are unaware of the global trends that are shaping the world, and they often rely on outdated or incomplete information.
People's intuition is often wrong: Our intuition is not always accurate, and we can be influenced by cognitive biases and emotional states that cloud our judgment.
Data visualization tools can help people understand the world: Data visualization tools, such as graphs and maps, can help people better understand complex issues and form evidence-based opinions.
The world is more divided than people think: Many people believe that the world is divided into "us" and "them," but the reality is more complex and nuanced.
Poverty is more complex than people think: There are different levels of poverty, and most people fall into the middle category.
The idea that innate characteristics determine a person's fate is wrong: People's circumstances and opportunities have a greater impact on their outcomes than their inherent traits.

Soul In The Game: The Art Of A Meaningful Life by Vitaliy Katsenelson

The concept of "soul in the game" is about fully committing oneself to a meaningful, creative pursuit and striving for improvement.
The idea of being an "artisan" involves prioritizing the love of one's craft, having sacred taboos, and focusing on work that benefits others.
Adopting a mindset of being a "student of life" can help facilitate personal growth and prevent ego from getting in the way.
Vitaliy provides a great introduction to Stoic philosophy and teachings from Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus in the book.

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet

by John Green

Green’s writing is amazing; he uses humor, wisdom, and a keen sense of connection to offer insights and hope for living in the Anthropocene.
The Anthropocene is a time of rapid change and uncertainty, marked by the impact of human activity on Earth.
The human capacity for excess and ambition can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, including both the ability to create and the potential to harm the environment and other life on Earth.
While it is important to recognize the challenges and dangers of the Anthropocene, it is also important to find hope and meaning amid uncertainty.
The ability to make connections and find meaning in small, everyday moments can be a source of resilience and hope.
The use of humor and irony can be a helpful way to explore and understand the complexities of life.

The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future

by Sebastian Mallaby

The Power Law is a book about the venture capital industry and its role in fostering innovation and progress.
Venture capitalists fund unconventional and contrarian ideas, often those that seem unreasonable or impossible at first.
Successful ventures often involve taking on projects that may not succeed but have the potential to transform the world.
The Power Law in venture capital refers to the idea that a small number of successful ventures will generate astronomical returns that far outweigh the majority of failures.
VCs are willing to fund and take risks on "impossible" or "improbable" ventures because the potential rewards are so high.
VCs often seek out entrepreneurs who are unconventional or "borderline crazy" because they are more likely to come up with unique and innovative ideas that can escape competition.
Myth-busting is an important aspect of venture capital, as it involves challenging and overturning conventional wisdom and existing industry norms.
Mallaby suggests that the government has a role to play in fostering innovation through funding research and development and supporting entrepreneurial activity.

If I had to pick one of the above books to recommend, it would have to be The Anthropocene Reviewed.

Did you read a great book last year? Follow me on Goodreads and recommend your favourite book.

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