I track my books on the app Good Reads (like social media for book readers); it helps keep my reading consistent and helps me with my reading goals. I can’t pick a favourite book; I got something from each one, but my favourite stories to read are autobiographies/biographies. My goal for 2022 was to read 25 books and I’m stoked to have exceeded that (audio books helped) as I also completed 5 units of uni.
Ikigai: Discover Your Reason For Being- Justyn Barnes
The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday
The Passion Paradox - Brad Stulberg, Steve Magness
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris
Will - Will Smith, Mark Manson
Embracing Change - Jana Firestone
Honeybee - Craig Silvey
Chasing Excellence - Ben Bergeron
The Book of Two Ways - Jodi Picoult
The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle - Steven Pressfield, Robert McKee
Love Stories - Trent Dalton
When Things Are Alive They Hum - Hannah Bent
Let Go - Hugh Van Cuylenburg
The Resilience Project - High Van Cuylenburg
Boy Swallows Universe - Trent Dalton
High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming the Best - Jake Humphrey, Prof Damian Hughes
Iridescence - Paul Callaghan with Paul Gordon
The Dreaming Path - Paul Callaghan
All Our Shimmering Skies - Trent Dalton
Lost Connection - Johann Hari
Getting the Love you Want - Harville Hendrix
If I’m so Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single - Susan Page
Peak Performance: Mindset Tools for Business - Erik Seversen + 24 world-class experts.
Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic - Paul Conti (Audiobook)
Stolen Focus - Johann Hari (Audiobook)
The Improbable Life of Ricky Bird - Diane Connell
Green Lights - Matthew McConaughey (Audiobook)
Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing - Matthew Perry (Audiobook)
Scar Tissue - Anthony Kiedis, Larry Sloman (Audiobook)
Someday, Maybe - Onyi Nwabineli (Audiobook)
The Trauma Cleaner - Sarah Krasonstein (Audiobook)
32. The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner: A Memoir - Grace Tame (Audiobook)
The Body Keeps The Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk - page 170, while I haven’t finished this book yet, it’s very much worth mentioning. I did aim to finish it but being a heavier book I’ve been taking my time with it.
2022 saw me start listening to podcasts which with the help of a friend had me add audio books to the mix too.
My fav podcasts are The Imperfects & The Deep. I love these because they’re real people plunging into vulnerability and telling their story.
I’ve listed some of my favourite and must-listen Imperfects episodes (although I recommend listening to them all from episode 1):
Season 2 Episode 1 - Johann Hari
Season 3 Episode 3 - Ben Crowe
Season 3 Episode 4 - Ryan Shelton
Season 3 Episode 26- Georgia & Hugh
Season 4 Episode 2- Johann Hari
Season 4 Episode 15- Lael Stone
Season 4 Episode 18 - Libby Trickett
Season 4 Episodes 28 & 29- Johann Hari
Season 4 Episode 32 - Dr Emily
Season 4 Episode 33 - Dr Kiran Martin
Season 4 Episode 42 - Esther Perel
The Deep has a range of stories, and I recommend listening to these from episode 1. The first one I listened to was the Functioning Heroin Addict. Then I decided to go right back to the beginning and play catch up (I’m still playing catch up with audiobooks, books, substack, Imperfects Podcast and uni study, I’m not yet up to date with The Deep, but I plan to get there during the holidays). The deep has given me so much insight into the lives of others, trauma, addiction, and loss. My compassion and understanding for others have gone from strength to strength.
Stay tuned for more reflections of a Clarebear in 2023.
Any tips to reading more books? I read one autobiography last year. 😂
Great list! Where's the link to follow you on Goodreads?