On my way to work, I take advantage of a 30-minute train ride to read. On the way back in the afternoon, I have another 30 minutes. Usually, before bed, I spend about 45 minutes continuing my reading. I read nearly two hours a day, a little more on the weekends. It is my favorite pastime. This year, I read over 70 books.
I recommend two: one fiction and one non-fiction book that is nearly 100 years old.
The recommendation in the fiction field isn’t exactly a single book but a series:
Tana French has written two books set in rural Ireland, The Searcher and The Hunter. The main character is Cal, a retired cop from Chicago who decides to settle in a cottage far from civilization. Much of the success of the narration comes from two secondary characters—the neighbor who controls everything good and bad that happens in the village and Trey, a young girl apprentice carpenter around whom the plot of both books revolves.
Stellar Moments of Humankind by Stefan Zweig is a classic by the Austrian author. This masterpiece offers profound insights, and I found the chapter on Handel’s composition of “The Messiah” particularly compelling, highlighting the musician’s triumph over illness and despair.
As an extra, I’d also like to mention The Secret Hours by Mick Herron, part of the Slow Horses universe. It revolves around Molly Doran, who expertly manages the archives in “The Park.”
I wish you all a fruitful 2025! 🎉
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A Year of Reading: My Best Books of the year
This year, I had the opportunity to read a total of 64 books, and it was a fantastic experience for me. I particularly enjoyed thriller novels and delved into economics and math books. I mostly read on my e-reader, which made it convenient to carry around my library wherever I went.
One book that stood out this year was “El buen nombre “by Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a beautifully written novel about family, identity, and cultural assimilation. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging and thought-provoking.
Another work that I thoroughly enjoyed was “Tools and Weapons” by Brad Smith. It’s a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and society and how our technological choices can have far-reaching consequences. The writing is clear and engaging, and the insights are thought-provoking. AI is impacting several industries. For example, the image included in the blog as well as part of the text are a product of the OpenAI tools DALLE-2 and ChatGPT.
Lastly, I must mention Desert Star by Michael Connelly, a thrilling mystery novel that kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery. Detectives Bosh and Ballard do not disappoint.
Overall, it was a great 2022 for me, and I look forward to continuing my reading journey. An exciting stretch goal will be to read my first book in German.
As we close the door on another year I look to 2023 with optimism and gratitude. I am thankful for my family, who have always been there for me and supported me in everything I do. Their love and guidance have been a constant source of strength and inspiration. I am also thankful for my colleagues, who challenge me to be my best and help me grow personally and professionally. Together, we have the potential to achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world. As we begin a new year, I am confident that we can overcome any challenges and reach our goals with hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude. Here’s to a fantastic 2023, surrounded by the people we love and respect.