Best Reads of 2018

Last year, I recommitted to reading more. Here’s a list of the most interesting, enlightening, and entertaining reads of 2018.

“Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.” — Warren Buffett

I love reading. I think I got it from my dad, an introvert (like me) who would much rather spend hours reading than doing anything else. In fact, when I was in 1st grade, I won the class prize for reading the most books. No joke — I still have that teddy bear to this day.

With the advent of smart phones, my reading volume hasn’t decreased but it has shifted away from books to online articles, editorials, and other short-form/short attention span reading. Unfortunately, I’ve realized that most of this content is pure crap. It does nothing to stimulate thinking, numbs your mind, and it feels more like watching TV than reading a book. In other words, it’s made me dumber.

Last year, my friend turned me onto Libby, which has been a game changer for my reading habits. Public libraries are a grossly underutilized resource. Libby gives you access to all of your library’s digital content but with a much easier UX. It’s awesome…and free (unlike Audible)! While I still strongly prefer reading actual print, I’ve settled for digital (e-books and audiobooks) for convenience.

Thanks to Libby, I was able to recommit to reading in 2018 and with that, here’s my Best Reads of 2018.

Best Self-Help Read: “The Book of Joy” by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu (Audiobook)

The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu are two of the world’s most respected spiritual leaders. Even though they consider each other great friends, the Dalia Lama (“HHDL”) and Archbishop Tutu (“ADT”) have only met a few times in life. This book chronicles their week long visit in 2015 (to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday) and given their advancing age, it was truly a historical moment.

While the book is structured around 8 pillars of joy, the ultimate thesis is that compassion is the fundamental key to attaining joy (which they define as a deeper and more fulfilling feeling and contrasts with happiness, which is fleeting and driven by material pleasures). While I’ve generally taken a more cynical view of humanity (see “Fresh Meat”), the ability of these two men to maintain such a positive outlook in the face of extraordinary adversity (HHDL exiled from Tibet; ADT lived through apartheid) is awe inspiring.

The audiobook uses voice actors who greatly enhance the listening experience. They sound authentic and convey the calmness, wisdom, and humor of these two men. I felt like I was actually listening to them converse…and it helped me fall asleep on multiple occasions while listening in bed!

This is an audiobook worth purchasing and listening to whenever feeling stressed as it will definitely put life in perspective.

Best Fictional Read: “Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata (Audiobook)

Daniel Pink recommended this book, and I can see why. Set in Japan, “Convenience Store Woman” is a story about Keiko Furuka, a thirty-six year old Japanese woman who’s single, has no kids, and has spent her entire adult life working in a convenience store. In other words, society considers her abnormal. Feeling pressure to conform, Keiko attempts to become “normal” by engaging in a (very odd) relationship with a male coworker and even quitting her job.

This book serves as a powerful referendum on conformity and makes you realize that the only one who should define “normal” is yourself. If you find purpose and happiness from working in a convenience store, then more power to you!

(I also listened to the audiobook and likewise, the Japanese accent contributed to the enjoyable experience.)

Best Political Read: “Strangers In Their Own Land” by Arlie Russell Hochschild

In the wake of Trump’s stunning victory, JD Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” became a viral hit as confused left-wingers tried to understand how people could actually vote for him.

Unlike Vance’s first person view, Arlie Hochschild is a self-admitted uber-left wing, Berkeley sociology professor. In this book, Hochschild attempts to scale the “empathy wall” by immersing herself in the deep South (Louisiana) to learn about the challenges, plight, and frustrations of that blood red demographic.

Hochschild’s research was inspired by the rise of the Tea Party and was hence, pre-Trump. However, given his rise to power, her accounts are relevant now more than ever.

To best describe how this demographic is feeling, Hochschild uses the analogy of waiting in line on a hill. Just over the hill is the “American Dream.” Collectively, this group always believed that if they were patient, their turn would eventually come to realize the dream. But now, they see “line-cutters” (immigrants, welfare free loaders, etc) who have pushed them so far back in line that they don’t ever think they’ll make it to the front.

This book isn’t intended to justify nor critique their perspectives (so I won’t get political either, but willing to have discussion offline!) but rather shed light on the existential fears of a populous that still represents a meaningful portion of the electorate. If you’re interested in politics, this is definitely worth a read.

Best “Wait? What!” Read: “The Stranger In the Woods” by Michael Finkel

Thanks to Libby’s curation, I came across this title by chance. “The Stranger In the Woods” tells the remarkable true story of Christopher Knight, the “world’s last true hermit,” who lived without any human interaction in the woods of Maine for 27 years.

A truly unbelievable story, this is a highly engaging read that chronicles why Knight decided to get off the grid, how he was able to survive alone for so many years, and what happened after he was reintegrated into society.

Best Nostalgic Read: “Springfield Confidential” by Mike Reiss (Audiobook)

I haven’t watched “The Simpsons” in 20 years, but once upon a time it was my favorite show. I’ll keep this review short — if you are or ever were a Simpsons fan, check this one out. It’s lighthearted, entertaining, and full of nostalgia.

If you enjoyed this read, give it some love with a clap

>> Find my other content at DigitalDad
>> Tell your friends by sharing this story on Facebook or Twitter