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warikoo Wanderings

My top 10 books of 2022

Published over 1 year ago • 4 min read

warikoo Wanderings

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My new book - Get Epic Shit Done - is now out. Amazon India, Audible (worldwide), Kindle (worldwide), KukuFM, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon UAE and all retail stores across the country.
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MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2022

2022 was an awesome year for books, for me. I read lesser number (I think around 40 books, as compared to the usual 50 books), but gained a lot more because of the quality of books I consumed. From the list, I already added one to my re-read list, which is a list of books I read again every year.

Here is the list of my top 10 books that I read in 2022 (in no particular order).

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
A really old book that I always wanted to read and got around to this year. One of the best books out there around persuasion, trying to explain why and how do humans react the way we do. And how we can use that to put our point across and influence people!

Stillness is the key
This is a brilliant book by Ryan Holiday on the philosophy of Stoicism. It talks about the art of living a still life, where you are not experiencing extreme emotions of either joy or sadness. Must-read.

Bitcoin Billionaires
Gripping book on the origins of Bitcoin and how the Winklevoss Brothers (who infamously claim to have started Facebook, before Mark Zuckerberg stole the idea from them) went on to become one of the biggest holders of Bitcoin in the world. Terrific real-life story.

Atmamun
The read of the year for me. Added to my re-read list. This book is not for everyone and certainly not for all ages. I would have dismissed this book in my 20s and even my 30s. In my 40s, this book could very well be the only book I need to ever read in my life. I will not disclose what it is about. Go and find out yourself!

Will
The Autobiography of Will Smith - mesmerizing life. He wanted to become a rapper and became one. Wanted to become a TV sensation and became one. Wanted to become the biggest movie star on Earth and became one. Written by the awesome Mark Manson (author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F**k), this was such a wonderful read.

American Kingpin: Catching the Billion-Dollar Baron of the Dark Web
Another breathtaking story of Ross Ulbricht who launched the ultimate free-market on the internet - using Bitcoin as the only currency. What followed was a series of dark moves, that led to his ultimate arrest and the shutdown of his site - called the Silk Route.

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
Wonderful book on why we remember some experiences more than others and what about those experiences made it so. Will teach you a lot about how to create such moments in your life, for others.

Cold Steel
The gripping tale of Mittal Steel Taking over Arcelor in a hostile bid and finally succeeding. Loved the fast paced story-telling and the audacity of Mittal Steel to even think of acquiring another company multiple times its size! If you love business books, you will like this one.

Uncanny Valley
One of my most enjoyable reads of this year. A funny, real and contemplative memoir of Anna Weiner, who worked in Silicon Valley and found herself caught in so many different emotions and beliefs that the tech world will have you believe. If you work in the tech industry, pick this one up!

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
One of the best reads of this year for me. Story of the Sackler Family that was responsible for an entire generation of drug addiction to pain-relieving drugs in the US. Unreal how it all unfolded. Also one of the best written books I have ever read - what stunning narration. A really long read, but this read like a brilliant fast-paced thriller.

What was your top read of the year?

BOOK I AM READING THIS WEEK

Still reading Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk.
Mesmerizing history of risk and probability. Loving it. It's like finding my mojo back for science :))

My second book GET EPIC SHIT DONE has launched!
It is available on Amazon India, Audible (worldwide), Kindle (worldwide), KukuFM, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon UAE and all retail stores across the country.

QUOTES TO SHARE

Who you are is not your fault. But it is certainly your responsibility.
​(Share on Twitter)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The most valuable life is knowing how to be alone, but not have to.
(Share on Twitter)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

If it can’t be explained in written, it can never be explained in spoken.
(Share on Twitter)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION

Last week I asked you:

Are you excited about 2023?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. I am not sure

An overwhelming majority (79%) are excited about the upcoming year and this is true across ages.
Around 11% are not excited about it, while 11% are not sure how to feel.
Of the biggest reason people are NOT excited about 2023, it is because 2022 was hard for them and they do not see 2023 changing anything for them.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
The biggest reason why a lot of people are excited about 2023, is because 2022 wasn't so great for them, so they are hopeful and excited that 2023 will be different.

WOW!
Same past, different expectations from the future.
Think about how that happens?

My response?
I am extremely excited about 2023 personally, but I think it will be a really hard year for the world in general.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

This week we are in Kerala for our quarterly offsite. These pics are from there.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How was 2022 for you?

  1. Really good
  2. Really bad
  3. Somewhat good
  4. Somewhat bad
  5. Neutral - neither good nor bad

​Click here to let me know your answer (anonymously)​​​​

CONTENT I SHARED THIS WEEK

Podcast:
Sorry bolne ke galat tareeke
Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, JioSaavn, Gaana or YouTube.

YouTube:
7 ways to invest during recession
You can watch it here

Instagram:
3 books for 2023
You can watch it here

Twitter:
22 Lessons from 2022

You can, of course, always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter.

I love reading all your emails, even though I may not be able to reply to them all.
Yes! I READ ALL MY EMAILS. ALL OF THEM.
(Apne chote bhai behen ko irritate karne ke maze ki kasam)

You can share this newsletter on WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, or view it on the web.

warikoo Wanderings

by Ankur Warikoo

Entrepreneur, Author, Content Creator with 9M+ followers across platforms. I share this newsletter every Friday around personal growth, books, quotes, pictures - it is the most personal version of me online.

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