I’ve been keeping my book list in Evernote – when I come across something interesting, I add it to the big list. I took a sizable chunk out of the big list toward the end of 2016. Not sure what I was doing in the first half of the year – running a lot I think.  Here are some of the notables along with a short snippet.  After skimming this list, if you have any recommendations – hit me up.

When Breathe Becomes Air – Kalanathi

Life is short. Remind yourself of that constantly… I read more T.S. Eliot after reading this book. I think what really hit home was that dying is a part of living… and something we’ll all face. A tough read given that you know the outcome. But that’s the same as life, right?

What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. – T.S. Eliot

The Corrections – Jonathan Franzen

The things you think are important… turn out to not really be important.

Midwestern family dysfunction at it’s finest. I have a soft spot for the characters most like Franzen. Chip Lambert in this case. And of course Aslan. Heh.

Purity – Jonathan Franzen

Julian Assange psycho-thriller. Really liked reading about Berlin in the 80’s. Entertaining read. I was on kind of on a Franzen bender… but I stopped. I was searching for more postmodern American Lit – looking for more David Foster Wallace in fact, but that’s never going to happen so I might as well just re-read Infinite Jest

The Wind Up Bird Chronicle – Murakami

I think I may have read this in 2015, but it has stuck with me. I think it’s in my list of top 3… or 5 (ever). Amazing. Highly recommended. Read it.

The Art of Grace, On Moving Well Through Life – Sarah Kaufman

2 words. Cary Grant.  I had no idea Ian Fleming modeled James Bond after Cary Grant. Went back and watched Bringing up Baby. A bit repetitive, but I needed it.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life – William Finnegan

Excellent book. Well written, travelogue, life journey. I’ve been recommending this one to friends. #cantstopwontstop.

The Tower – Kelly Cordes

I thought I was going to be underwhelmed, but Kelly Cordes wrote a well-researched, highly entertaining book about climbing in Patagonia. Some history, some mystery. Fun read.

Competing Against Luck – Clayton Christiansen

I read this for work. Not so good. It’s like design process packaged up for MBAs. *sorry*. It covers Jobs to be Done and the key takeaway is… do more qualitative research.

Hooked – Nir Eyal

Currently reading …and pausing. Initially thumbs up, but it’s a bit of a downer to realize how easily we can be influenced – and how addicted to my phone I am. A little bit of overlap with Kahneman and Tversky  (just a little). May power through it or bail.