'Down and Out in Paris and London' by George Orwell is a profound exploration of poverty and the human condition. Through his experiences living in both cities, Orwell provides a candid look at the struggles faced by the downtrodden, offering insights into their lives and the societal structures that contribute to their plight.
'Born a Crime' is a captivating memoir by Trevor Noah that recounts his experiences growing up in South Africa during apartheid. The audiobook, narrated by Noah himself, adds a unique touch as his comedic storytelling brings humor to serious topics. Readers appreciate its engaging narrative, making it feel like a stand-up comedy show while providing deep insights into race and identity.
In 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running', Haruki Murakami intertwines his passions for running and writing. This memoir reflects on his training for the New York City Marathon and delves into themes of perseverance, aging, and the creative process. Murakami's reflections inspire readers to pursue their own passions and consider the relationship between physical activity and artistic expression.
This list showcases a diverse range of memoirs that offer personal insights into the authors' lives and experiences. These narratives explore themes of identity, resilience, and the human condition, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the individuals behind the stories.
by George Orwell an expedition into who people are and what life is
I'm a sucker for audiobooks read by the author and this is one of them. Trevor Noah is a skilled comedian and his stories of his growing up in South Africa are genuinely hilarious. It's like listening to a book-length stand up show.
While training for the New York City Marathon, Haruki Murakami decided to keep a journal of his progress. The result is a memoir about his intertwined obsessions with running and writing, full of vivid recollections and insights, including the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer. By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, here is a rich and revelatory work that elevates the human need for motion to an art form.
by Haruki Murakami. In this book, Murakami shares his thoughts and experiences about running and writing. He talks about how he started running in his 30s and how it became a big part of his life. Running helps him think and gives him ideas for his writing. The book is like a diary where Murakami writes about his runs, the races he joins, and how running affects his life and work. He also talks about getting older and how that changes his running. The book is not just for runners but for anyone who enjoys a good story about trying hard and not giving up.
by Haruki Murakami. In this book, Murakami shares his thoughts and experiences about running and writing. He talks about how he started running in his 30s and how it became a big part of his life. Running helps him think and gives him ideas for his writing. The book is like a diary where Murakami writes about his runs, the races he joins, and how running affects his life and work. He also talks about getting older and how that changes his running. The book is not just for runners but for anyone who enjoys a good story about trying hard and not giving up.
By Mathew Walker - We sleep 1/3 of our life yet understand so little about it...
Modern healthcare is often reactive. This is part of the reason why preventative medicine is so key.
This is the only audiobook I've ever listened to lol. But it is a very interesting story about Elon, arguably the most interesting person alive.
The great thing about this book is that it takes a big-picture view of human history. It attempts to explain the main themes of human history without getting bogged down in the details. Sapiens also debunks many popular myths about human history, including the one that people today live happier lives and have better diets than our hunter-gatherer predecessors. It comes with an epilogue about the future of humankind in light of ever-accelerating technological progress. With the recent advances in AI it is more relevant than ever. If you're going to read one book on history this year, read this one.
Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography by South Africa's first democratically elected President Nelson Mandela, and it was first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years spent in prison If you're new to South African history, as I was, this is a great starting point. Why not hear from the man who played a key part in it?
"Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a groundbreaking exploration of systems and entities that thrive and grow stronger in the face of stress, volatility, and chaos. Taleb introduces the concept of "antifragility," which goes beyond resilience or robustness. Through a mix of philosophy, practical wisdom, and real-world examples, Taleb illustrates how embracing uncertainty and leveraging disorder can lead to success and innovation. This book is essential for anyone interested in risk management, personal development, and understanding how to benefit from uncertainty and change.
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
by Haruki Murakami. In this book, Murakami shares his thoughts and experiences about running and writing. He talks about how he started running in his 30s and how it became a big part of his life. Running helps him think and gives him ideas for his writing. The book is like a diary where Murakami writes about his runs, the races he joins, and how running affects his life and work. He also talks about getting older and how that changes his running. The book is not just for runners but for anyone who enjoys a good story about trying hard and not giving up.
"Project Hail Mary" is a space adventure story written by Andy Weir, the same guy who wrote "The Martian." It's about a man named Ryland Grace who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he's there. He figures out he's on a mission to save Earth from disaster. The story follows him as he tries to remember his past and complete his mission, which involves a lot of science and problem-solving. Along the way, he meets an alien, and they form an unlikely friendship. The book is full of cool science stuff, suspense, and humor. It's like a mix of a mystery and a space adventure, with a lot of heart. The narration by Ray Porter is superb, with sound effects and excellent voice work.
By Mathew Walker - We sleep 1/3 of our life yet understand so little about it...
This is the only audiobook I've ever listened to lol. But it is a very interesting story about Elon, arguably the most interesting person alive.
I'm a sucker for audiobooks read by the author and this is one of them. Trevor Noah is a skilled comedian and his stories of his growing up in South Africa are genuinely hilarious. It's like listening to a book-length stand up show.
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Skin in the Game may be nice but The Black Swan is the OG Nicholas Taleb. Read this book to learn how to think and avoid biases and reread at least once very couple of years.
A book about the circadian rhythm. Apparently, it's really misunderstood, even by your doctor. Read this book to understand your body better. It helped me improve my sleep.
Finally realize why I'm such dumb *ss
“I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.” —Rick Rubin
The best book about the best director in the world. It was such a great book it was adapted into a movie. Bet the other books on this list can't say that!
This is the only audiobook I've ever listened to lol. But it is a very interesting story about Elon, arguably the most interesting person alive.