Review of Books Read in 2023
2023 is coming to an end, and it’s time to review the books that have accompanied me throughout the year. Honestly, I expected to have read more, but the truth is that I set a pretty high goal at the beginning of the year: to read two books a month… naive.
Dodging Mediocrity
I started by reading “Dodging Mediocrity” by Xavier Marcert. This book is a plea against mediocrity. It invites us to reflect on how we do things in our personal and professional lives and how we must achieve excellence. Highly recommended. Book link
It’s a book that challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and seek excellence in all areas of your life. Marcert not only gives advice but also shares his experience and anecdotes that make you think about the impact of mediocrity on our lives.
Upstream
Then it was time for “Upstream” by Dan Heath. A book that shows us how to challenge the status quo to solve complex problems. Highly recommended. Book link
“Upstream” is a book that challenges you to think differently. Heath argues that most of the time, we focus on the symptoms of a problem instead of looking for the root cause. This book is a practical and accessible guide to changing this mindset and beginning to think more proactively and strategically.
Alchemy
I continued with “Alchemy” by Rory Sutherland. A book that challenges you to think unconventionally and to explore the power of irrational ideas. Highly recommended if you like product design. Book link
“Alchemy” is a book that invites you to explore the power of irrational ideas. Sutherland argues that in a world increasingly dominated by logic and data, the most powerful and transformative ideas are often found in the irrational, in the “alchemy”. It’s a fascinating and provocative book that will make you see the world and product design in a completely new way.
System Design Interview
The next book was more technical, “System Design Interview”, discussing how to approach the most subjective and complicated technical interviews, system design. Very interesting and educational. Book link
This book is an invaluable resource for anyone preparing for a technical interview. The author provides practical advice and strategies to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of technical interviews: system design. Through detailed examples and clear explanations, the book demystifies this process and gives you the tools you need to succeed.
Atomic Habits
The second to last book of the year was “Atomic Habits”, a book that offers practical and effective strategies to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the minuscule behaviors that lead to extraordinary success. Book link
“Atomic Habits” is a practical and science-based manual for improving your habits—day by day, year after year. Whether you want to exercise more regularly, lose weight, read more, or learn a new language, Atomic Habits provides a framework for achieving real and lasting success.
Exponential Organizations 2.0
And lastly, I’m finishing reading “Exponential Organizations 2.0”, an updated book with examples as recent as ChatGPT, and addressing how AI is already revolutionizing the landscape of new start-ups. Book link
“Exponential Organizations” offers a look into the future of organizations and how emerging technologies like AI are changing the way we work and do business. The book is full of examples of companies already taking advantage of these trends and provides a framework for any organization to do the same.
Anyway, I hope to step it up a bit for 2024. Let’s see how the reading goes.