Page-Turners of the Month: My Top 3 Reads from January 2024!
Attention readers! Are you looking for some book recommendations to explore new worlds and escape reality? If yes, stay along!
January 2024 was a great month for the reader in me. I had the time to read 5 books and found 3 of them amazing, and I’m going to share them with you!
Reading is one of the most exciting things in my life, along with writing and travelling. As a technology writer by profession, reading has played an important role in improving my writing skills.
Without any further delay, let’s start exploring the list!
#1 | The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson
Date of publication: 2020 | Genre: Self-help | Pages: 244
The most interesting thing about this book is that you don’t need to start reading from beginning to end. Unlike other books, you can pick random chapters and start reading as you wish.
In addition, each chapter is also further divided into smaller sections of 3 to 5 pages. As a result, you can quickly skim through without any specific reading order.
This book consists of collections of Naval Ravikant’s posts, transcripts, and talks. For those who don’t know Naval, he is an icon in startup culture who was an early investor in X, Uber, Postmates, and more.
Naval had a unique voice related to the philosophy of money, happiness, and life. Here, Eric Jorgenson did a fantastic job structuring the book, making the reading process easy.
The topics that I found interesting in this book include:
- Play long-term games with long-term people
- Prioritise and focus
- How to think clearly
- Happiness requires peace
- Choosing to be yourself
- Live by your values
Finally, as a bonus to readers, Eric has added books and blog recommendations by Naval at the end of this book.
#2 | How to Be a Writer by Ruskin Bond
Date of publication: 2020 | Genre: Non-fiction| Pages: 126
The writer Ruskin Bond starts his book by saying that he is a fortunate person. The reason? Because he was able to make a living for almost 70 years doing what he enjoyed the most: writing.
Bond is a popular children’s writer who has published over 500 short stories. Moreover, his stories ‘Susanna’s Seven Husbands’, ‘The Blue Umbrella’, and ‘A Flight of Pigeons’ were adapted into films.
So, who’s this book for? This book is suitable for anyone who loves to write. Not just professional writers but also people who like to jot down any kind of word.
As a reader and writer, I could resonate well with his words, like:
#1. “Writing, for me, is the simplest and greatest pleasure in the world.”
#2. “Books are essential for the creative mind, and good readers become good writers.”
#3. “So keep it simple. Speak and write with clarity. Don’t add to the confusion that already exists.”
In addition, in this book, Bond also talks about:
- Writing Routine
- Writing Style
- Character Creation
- Writer’s Block
- Getting Published
Are you struggling to write that first word? Grab a copy of Ruskin Bond’s book, and you’ll start writing!
#3 | The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Date of publication: 1952 | Genre: Fiction | Pages: 112
The Old Man and the Sea is Ernest Hemingway’s most popular work. He was honoured with the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954.
This book starts with an interesting opening that tells about the struggling life of an old fisherman from a coastal village in Havana, Cuba.
The old man was passionate about fishing and had a warrior mindset. Moreover, Hemingway’s narrative style in this book kept me curious and anxious till the end.
The Old Man and the Sea falls under the quick read category. You can finish reading this classic novel within a couple of hours.
Final Thoughts!
Are you someone looking for something to read but confused about what to choose? If so, I would highly recommend you pick any of these books randomly and start reading.
Non-fiction readers can go with The Almanack of Naval Ravikant or How to Be a Writer. Whereas if you are interested in fiction, The Old Man and the Sea is a great option to consider.
I’m someone who loves to recommend books and movies and wait for feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. So, I’ll be waiting to hear your thoughts about the books mentioned here.
If you get a chance to read any of these books, please take some time to share your opinion, feedback, or insights in the comments section.
Happy Reading!!!
