The past couple of years were weird as for as my book reading was concerned. I struggled to read. I gave up on finishing a book, as a goal, some time ago. But not being able to pick one was new. New year obviously brought some reflection. I think there were two main reasons. One, stuff happening in my life. Some good but some not so good. Especially last year. Every time I tried to start a new book, there was some part of my life which compelled me to do something else. Picking a book felt like a luxury I could not afford.

The second reason is the first book on this list.

The fabric of reality: I picked this up because Naval kept raving about it. Everything he said about it was true though. Naval actually recommends David’s other book more because that’s more for someone who does not have a physics background. But I like things in order. Since this came first, so I am gonna read it first. Turned out to be one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences of my life. I have only read the first four chapters for now. And they were a tough read.

To make things easier for myself, I have it in every format imaginable so I always have it with me. If I was not working or dealing with something going awfully wrong, mostly health, I was thinking about some line from this book. I will be remiss to not include Bret Hall’s podcast on the book. Without that, I might have given up. My process goes something like this. Read the chapter at a very slow process. Which can some time take weeks. Then listen to it while walking and not doing anything that can possibly distract me. Listen to Brett Hall’s podcast a couple of times and finally read the chapter again. I some time selectively read/listen certain passages afterwards as well. Passages, which I find troublesome or interesting.

Seems like a lot of trouble for one book. But this isn’t just any book (well, at least not for me). Understanding some of the stuff David wrote actually changes your worldview about everything. And not just physical reality. Other times I had this kind of feeling was reading Linchpin, Zero to One, or Ben Thompson explaining why Clay Christensen was wrong about the iPhone. Except I didn’t have to spend that much time on those.

A game of thrones: Some time in the past year, I realized that I am always watching something or learning about GRRM’s world. Except the original material itself. The problem is I hardly read fiction. So I started listening. I have only listened to the first book so far and can’t tell if the book is better or the remastered 4K version of the first season which HBO released last year (still can’t say Max without a straight face). 😛 But here are notable differences.

Book is more detailed, obviously. And while the show still does not feel rushed, it does feel like things are happening rather quickly. A feeling you don’t get if you haven’t read the books. With that said, it’s amazing how good a job show runner did encapsulating everything. And making sure every big plot is hinted in some way. You don’t miss much unless you are like me who wants to know every tiny little detail. And they managed to add stuff of their own. That famous Tywin’s entry scene where he schools Jaime on life isn’t in the book. So is the awesome back and forth between King Robert and Cersei.

Also Tyrion is much smarter in the book and more wittier and risk taker in the show. Which makes the show more enjoyable, to be honest.

Fire and blood: The history of Westeros 300 years before the events of game of thrones. This was actually a rather easy road for me. Unlike Ice and Fire series, this is a not a novel. It’s a history book, a chronological order of events. So characters on the screen for HBO’s House of the Dragon are actually written by show runners, obviously with help from GRRM. I have read 1/3 of the book so far and haven’t reached where House of the Dragon begins. The dance of the dragons, the period on which the show is focused, is actually the most interesting part of the book. Apart from the conquest of Aegon, the first, which I hope will get a show some time in the future.

The master: The book on the life and time of Roger Federer. Prolly the most definitive one I have read. And I have read almost all of them.

Drop Acid: A very particular read for a period of time in the past summer. I was diagnosed with high levels of Cholesterol and Uric Acid. And no one was able to explain it why since every other biomarker was pretty healthy. This book helped in understanding some.

Fooled by randomness: Re-read and kinda surprising how much I enjoyed it.

One of the problems with anxiety is that it makes you conscious of every little choice you are about to make. Everything bad that can happen comes to your mind. Reading that most of the events in the world are random and have actually nothing to do with you is quite relieving.

Four hours body: Again, a re-read. The best part about Tim’s writing is that there is always some practical step you can take, no matter the situation. While nothing in the book was directly related to my health issues, the book did put me in a positive frame of mind every time I picked it up. Which resulted in lots of research and some headways.

Exhalations: My desperate attempt to get into science fiction. While I enjoyed the book, I didn’t read another science fiction book.

On writing: I like reading first 20-30 pages of this book, every now and then.

What’s our problem: I like Tim Urban. But this book is too long. Worth it though, if you stick around. I read it in three attempts.

No god but God: It had been a while since I picked a book on prophet Muhammad or Islam. I was deep into Islam for first 25-30 years of my life. So much that I would have considered many parts of this rather balanced book blasphemous back then. Also, this was suggested by ChatGPT. The fact that I was familiar with Reza’s work, helped.

Four thousand weeks: Prolly the best book to think about productivity. I need to revisit this again.

The contrarian: Despite his Trump backing, I find Peter Thiel fascinating. And read most of the stuff written by or about him. He appeared on Bari Weiss’ podcast last year, which I think is his most humanizing media appearance.

The ride of a lifetime: The autobiography of Bob Iger, before his return in 2022. Don’t remember much about it though. Except, I think there are a few Steve Jobs stories in there, which are always fun.