In 2017, I challenged myself to read 25 books, and as I near the end of the year having read 33, I’ve been reflecting on how they’ve influenced the way I think and live my life. As I’ve read more regularly over the past couple of years, I have begun to value the messages that stick months, rather than days, after I’ve read a book.
I’ve also recently begun writing; in part for the depth of my thinking when I challenge myself to write it down, and in part for the reward in sharing my thoughts with others. With that, here’s what I’ve read, and remembered, in 2017.
Firstly, a handful like Sapiens, Homo Deus, The Billionaire Who Wasn’t, The New Zealand Project and Chapter One challenged me to define what matters to me and where I can find purpose or happiness in life. I don’t have any firm answers, and I think if I did they would be temporary, but these stories from giving ~$10b while living like Chuck Feeney or devoting your career to making a positive change like Daniel Flynn inspire me to seek happiness in the daily decisions and actions I make. I hope this helps me live a happier life and to leave my surroundings better off than when I found them.
Those close to me will know most of my energy goes into, and comes from, my work. Books like The Right Stuff, Outliers, Together is Better, The Alchemist and Shoe Dog taught me appreciation of how much we are directed by factors outside of our control, for better or worse. Our environment and circumstance can push us forward, slow us down, or drive us off course, but consistent among those who are “successful” (besides luck!) is passion and relentless hard work to keep going. I hope these books help me appreciate my privileges while helping me always pushing through each challenge.
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Alongside those making me think about myself, many others made me reflect on family. While all different stories, it obvious looking backward at Everything I Never Told You, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Sarah’s Key, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, A God in Ruins, and The Light Between Oceans how few relationships and people will have so immense an impact on your life, and vice versa allow you to impact others so meaningfully. People in these relationships rarely have malicious intent, but their closeness make the slightest misstep cut deep. I hope these reflections make me see the positive intent behind those around me and more considerate of the words I say, the actions I take, and decisions I make.
This year I lost my Nanna after a short battle with cancer. I didn’t know how to voice my feelings, and still don't know what counts as "coping", but was helped to see the richness and fulfilment in her life by reading The End of Your Life Book Club. I envied Will Schwalbe’s months spent reading with his mother during her battle. Nonetheless, I cherish time spent baking, listening to Nanna play the piano, playing tennis in the driveway and sharing jokes at Dad’s and Poppa’s expense throughout my childhood. I hope I can appreciate those around me more in life, and be better able to celebrate their life afterwards.
While my loss is sharp, I was saddened more generally by the loss of humanity, freedom and culture described by I Am Malala, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I think Western media, stories and education fail to inspire compassion for the Middle East, which may be crucial to restoring peace. I remain woefully ignorant but these stories, both fiction and non-fiction, have opened my eyes to appreciate so much more than I otherwise would, and I hope to continue learning about cultures beyond my own.
Broader than a region or culture, books like 1984, Brave New World, Catch-22 and The Red Tent, despite being fictitious, scare me with the realism in the ability for systems and bureaucracies to strip away or overpower the human will to do good. Though, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin redeemed the possibility for each individual to choose between assimilation into or rebellion from their surroundings. How much we're in control of our own choices is a complex question. I hope these stories help me to always ask, “what is right?”. If I can maintain that, hopefully it rubs off on those around me too.
I must admit, not everything I read has meaning to take away – much of my “pleasure” reading is made up of mysteries like And Then There Were None, Angels & Demons, The Nowhere Man, The Da Vinci Code, We Were Liars, The Girl on the Train, Orphan X, and The Rembrandt Affair. I hope a few broadened my critical thinking, but really, they were mostly just an (at times well appreciated) mental holiday.
In 2018, I don’t plan on setting a goal of reading a specific number of books. This year it pushed me towards shorter books, rather than those that might’ve been the most rewarding. I hope that will help me learn and appreciate the lessons in each individual book. I hope that basing my decisions on a deeper reward than “making up numbers”, in reading and beyond, will make me a happier and healthier person.
If you thought differently when you read any of these, or you have any suggestions for me in 2018, I'd love to hear from you.
This blog post is written by Jack McQuire, Manager at ICE Angels. Originally written for friends and family in 2017, and shared amongst his Linkedin network.