I’m super happy to say I smashed my Goodreads reading goal for the year. I thought 20 books were enough but I read 26, and some of them were great!
As usual, I continue reading on my Kindle Paperwhite 7th Generation but for the first time in many years, I bought several paperback books.
Anyhow, let’s go with the list - in no particular order
The Island of Missing Tress by Elif Shafak: After traveling to Cyprus for the first time, I was deeply intrigued by this wonderful island. Now, if I had to choose the thing that fascinated me the most, that was the ‘green line’ that divides Turkey from Cyprus. The line right across Nicosia. After returning to the UK I googled some books about the country and this one popped up straight away. The best way to describe how much I loved the story of Kostas and Defne is to say I bought 3 extra editions to send to family and friends.
The Founders by Jimmy Soni: This book was (perhaps) my winner of the year. Before picking it up I thought I knew the PayPal story quite well. But decided to go ahead with it as it was part of the Publicis Sapient book club I’m part of.
As I started reading, I was seduced by the amazing narrative of Soni, he found amazing ways to tell the PayPal creation as I have never read it before.
👋@jimmyasoni what a beautiful book you have written. The ending moved me to tears. The dedication to your little one and the story of @ChrisWilsonbalt and Stephen Edwards were remarkable. The best book I've read this year, period.
— Cristián (@5561CL) October 30, 2022
Built by Tony Fadell: It is rare to get a first seat access to the story behind the life of a person like Fadell, instrumental in building the iPod, iPhone and Nest. This book is a masterclass for product managers and businesses alike. There’s so many delightful histories about delivering these iconic products that it is really difficult to put the book down.
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer: This book should be a mandatory reading for pretty much anyone. I should’ve read this book before migrating to Italy to do my postgraduate studies, I guess things would’ve been way easier for me. Erin Meyer (an Insead professor) does a fantastic job at telling anecdotes and explaining all the things that happen backstage when people from different countries and cultures work together. The book can be read over a weekend but the learnings remain with you for good. I wish Meyer is preparing a sequel.
Insomniac City by Bill Hayes: One day I had ‘the urge’ to read a book set in New York. It felt like the urge for food a pregnant woman could have. Out of the thousands of stories that happen in the big apple, this one caught my eye. I remember buying the book while in Cyprus and reading it every time I would have a break. I finished this beautiful story on the plane. This sort of memoir by Bill Hayes is beautiful, sad and takes you straight to the heart of the city I long for.
I think this is the most difficult list I have ever put together. Other books I loved but are not in the list were ‘When breath becomes air’, ‘No filter: The story of Instagram’, ‘City of Djinns’ and ‘Bad Blood.
