Last Saturday, we made a video on ways
to become lifelong learners.
And one way to achieve
that is to have an annual reading list.
The average American reads around 12 books a year.
That's one a month.
We'll give you 15 to start with for next year.
Welcome to Alux!
We're starting off our list
with one of our favorite books.
This book takes you on a journey
through the history of humankind.
Harari explores
how Homo sapiens evolved and became the
dominant species on Earth.
He discusses the development of cultures, societies
and how our beliefs and behaviors shaped
human history.
The book challenges you to think about
power, progress, and what makes us human.
It's a thought provoking read that will change the way
you see humanity and our place in the world.
George Orwell's ’’1984’’ is a timeless novel
that presents a future where government surveillance
and public manipulation are extreme.
The story revolves around Winston Smith, who begins
to question the oppressive regime he lives under.
This book is a powerful commentary on freedom, truth
and the dangers of unchecked government power.
It makes you think about the
value of privacy and individuality in society.
In the book,
information is controlled,
twisted and used as a tool of power,
which is strikingly similar to the misinformation
and propaganda that we encounter today.
In this book, Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize winning
psychologist, explores
the two systems that control our thoughts.
One fast and emotional,
the other slower and more logical.
Kahneman shows how these two ways of thinking
affect everything from our everyday decisions
to our professional lives.
The book
teaches you about biases and how your mind works,
helping you to make better decisions
and understand others behavior better.
It also does a fantastic job
of helping you to think for yourself.
In our opinion, this should be a mandatory read for anyone.
It goes through a lot of interesting behaviors
from what overconfidence really does to you, to why
you believe certain things, even when they're not true.
Aldous Huxley shares his experiences
with psychedelic substances in the doors of perception.
He describes how these substances
altered his perception
and opened up new ways of seeing the world.
The book is a fascinating exploration
of consciousness, reality and what it means to perceive.
It invites you to think about how your own perceptions
shape your understanding of the world.
’’Brave New World’’ is a novel that imagines
a future where society is controlled by technology
and people are conditioned to be happy in their roles.
Now, this book was written in 1932.
That's a long ass time ago.
And the book revolves around a society obsessed
with consumerism and instant gratification.
Sound familiar?
The story questions the cost of constant
happiness and the loss of individuality.
Huxley challenges
the reader
to think about the importance
of freedom, love and personal identity
in a world
where everything seems perfect but is fundamentally flawed.
This book will make you
reflect on the balance between societal control
and personal freedom.
Naseem Nicolas Taleb introduces
the concept of black swans:
unexpected rare events that have a significant impact.
He explores how these events shape our world
from the rise of religions to financial crises.
Taleb’s book encourages you
to think about uncertainty and randomness in life.
It challenges the way you perceive
predictability and prepares you to expect the unexpected.
This book will change the way you think about risk
and opportunity in both personal
and professional contacts.
Viktor Frankl's experiences in Nazi concentration camps
led to this profound book about finding meaning in life,
even under the most brutal circumstances.
He argues that our primary drive in life is not pleasure,
but the discovery and pursuit of what we find meaningful.
Frankl's insights are both inspiring and humbling,
offering a perspective on how to find purpose in life's
challenges and sufferings.
This book
is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit.
It encourages
you to look beyond yourself
and your immediate circumstances
and find a deeper, a sense of purpose.
And since a lot of people struggle
with the search for a deeper purpose,
a greater sense of meaning.
We figured this was a really good addition to the list.
Richard Dawkins is the selfish gene
revolutionized our understanding of evolution.
He argues
that it's
not individuals or species that evolve, but genes.
Dawkins explains
how genes control the behavior
of living things to ensure their survival
and replication.
This book will change the way you think about evolution
and the role of genes in shaping behavior.
It's a thought provoking read that challenges
conventional wisdom about the natural world.
Now you might think this is just a biology book,
but it's not.
It's more about your place in the world
and why you act the way you act
from an evolutionary perspective.
It's also pretty approachable.
In this book, Jared Diamond explores how
geographical and environmental factors shaped the world.
He examines
why certain societies developed
advanced technologies and large empires,
while others didn't.
Diamond challenges the notion that cultural
or racial differences
led to the unequal distribution of resources.
Instead, he attributes it to the availability
of crops, animals and geographical advantages.
This book will shift your perspective on history
and the factors that drive human progress.
It's about how this world really came to be
and how it really works on a global scale.
’’The Alchemist’’ is a story about following your dreams.
It follows a young shepherd named Santiago on its journey
to find treasure.
But the real treasure turns out to be the journey itself
and the lessons he learns along the way.
Coelho's story is about listening to your heart
and recognizing the signs along life's path.
It inspires readers
to think about their own dreams
and the idea that the journey toward
achieving them is often as significant,
if not more significant than the destination itself.
If you want a basic understanding of astrophysics,
well, this is the book for you.
Stephen Hawking's exploration of the universe’s origins,
’’A Brief History of Time’’ makes complex
scientific concepts accessible to the general reader.
Hawking discusses
the nature of black holes,
the Big Bang and the fabric of spacetime
in a way that challenges and expands
your understanding of the universe.
This book will not only deepen your appreciation
for the cosmos,
but also encourage you to think about time, space
and the mysteries that remain
in our understanding of the universe.
This makes it a great entry point for anyone curious
about the universe's mysteries
from black holes to the Big Bang.
’’Freakonomics’’ is a fascinating exploration
of the hidden side of seemingly unrelated things.
Levitt and Dubner use economic theories
to explore real world phenomena
from cheating sumo wrestlers to the impact of a name.
This is more than just a book about economics.
It's a journey that challenges you
to look beneath the surface of everyday life.
It forces you
to think critically about the cause and effect
and to look for the hidden factors
that might be influencing your decisions.
Sun Tzu's ’’The Art of War’’ is
an ancient text that remains incredibly relevant today.
It offers insights into strategy,
conflict and leadership
that can be applied in various aspects of modern life,
not just in warfare.
The book
teaches about the importance of strategy, adaptability,
and understanding your opponent.
It's a guide to navigating challenges
and competitions, encouraging a deep
understanding of the situations you face.
Susan Kane's ’’Quiet’’ is a groundbreaking book
that shines
a light on introverts in a world
that often celebrates extroversion.
So if you're an introvert, hey, this book is for you.
Kane argues that introverts bring extraordinary talent
and abilities to the world
and should be encouraged and celebrated.
This book will change how you view introversion,
providing a fresh perspective on how quiet individuals
see and interact with the world.
It's an empowering read,
especially for those who feel like they're
in the shadow of more outgoing personalities.
Now as a bonus here.
Let's throw in probably
one of the most recommended books in modern times.
In essence,
the book emphasizes the power of small changes
and how they compound over time
to produce significant results.
And probably the reason why this book is so popular
is because it is extremely actionable.
It gives you
really clear steps to follow
in order to create good habits.
One of our favorites is something called
’’temptation bundling’’,
which basically means grouping together
things that you need to do
with the things that you want to do.
For example, listening
to your favorite podcast only while you exercise.
We hope this list was helpful, Aluxer!
Pick up the books you find interesting
and add them to your annual reading list for 2024.
We'll see you back here next time, my friend,
Take care!