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Must-Read Books on Artistic Expression
Haruki Murakami Books Ranked
Best books about health
Classic and Modern Philosophy Books
Best novels of all time
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Discover the secrets to a long, healthy, and fulfilling life with "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. This insightful book delves into the Japanese concept of ikigai, or a "reason for being," which is believed to be a key factor in the remarkable longevity of the residents of Okinawa, a Japanese village known for having the world’s highest percentage of centenarians. Through interviews with these vibrant centenarians, the authors uncover how the principles of ikigai—where passion, mission, vocation, and profession intersect—contribute to their happiness and longevity. The book reveals the residents' daily practices, from their nutrient-rich diets and active lifestyles to their strong community bonds and purposeful work. "Ikigai" provides practical advice and tools to help readers discover their own ikigai, offering a blend of cultural wisdom and actionable steps towards a life filled with purpose, health, and joy. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing their well-being and finding deeper satisfaction in everyday life.
Japanese Cuisine
The Japanese cuisine has given us so much it's hard to even find a place to start. You've got your sushi, ramen, udon, edamame, mochi balls, tempura, soba, bento boxes, sukiyaki, gyoza, onigiri, yakisoba, miso soup... They could be number one on this list based on the sushi alone!
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
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.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
In a Tokyo suburb, a young man named Toru Okada searches for his wife’s missing cat—and then for his wife as well—in a netherworld beneath the city’s placid surface. As these searches intersect, he encounters a bizarre group of allies and antagonists. Gripping, prophetic, and suffused with comedy and menace, this is one of Haruki Murakami’s most acclaimed and beloved novels.
Norwegian Wood
Toru, a serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. As Naoko retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman. Stunning and elegiac, Norwegian Wood first propelled Haruki Murakami into the forefront of the literary scene.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir
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.
The Disaster Artist
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!
1Q84
She has entered, she realizes, a parallel existence, which she calls 1Q84 —“Q is for ‘question mark.’ A world that bears a question.” Meanwhile, an aspiring writer named Tengo takes on a suspect ghostwriting project. He becomes so wrapped up with the work and its unusual author that, soon, his previously placid life begins to come unraveled. As Aomame’s and Tengo’s narratives converge over the course of this single year, we learn of the profound and tangled connections that bind them ever closer: a beautiful, dyslexic teenage girl with a unique vision; a mysterious religious cult that instigated a shoot-out with the metropolitan police; a reclusive, wealthy dowager who runs a shelter for abused women; a hideously ugly private investigator; a mild-mannered yet ruthlessly efficient bodyguard; and a peculiarly insistent television-fee collector.
After the Quake
An electronics salesman who has been deserted by his wife agrees to deliver an enigmatic package— and is rewarded with a glimpse of his true nature. A man who views himself as the son of God pursues a stranger who may be his human father. A mild-mannered collection agent receives a visit from a giant talking frog who enlists his help in saving Tokyo from destruction. The six stories in this collection come from the deep and mysterious place where the human meets the inhuman—and are further proof that Murakami is one of the most visionary writers at work today.
The Design Of Everyday Things
Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious -- even liberating -- book, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization. The Design of Everyday Things shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time. The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how -- and why -- some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
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.
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Greek myths retold by Stephen Fry. He is both the author and the narrator of this book. His wit and sense of humor come across in both the text and in the delivery. Plus, you actually get to learn Greek myths.
Chinese Grammar Wiki
This was my go-to page at the early stages of learning Mandarin. Chinese Grammar Wiki has an articles of each of the main aspects of Chinese grammar. For example, there are articles on how to use 一下, 在, 要, 就是, 才and many other Mandarin grammar points. Each word gets its own article with examples in pinyin and characters and, of course, English translations. You can also get website as a physical book or an ebook.
Life Time by Russell Foster
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.
The Creative Act
“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
A Wild Sheep Chase
"A Wild Sheep Chase" by Haruki Murakami is a surreal and captivating novel that combines elements of mystery, magical realism, and postmodernist twists. The story follows a nameless, chain-smoking protagonist who embarks on a quest to find a mystical sheep with a star-shaped birthmark. This sheep holds the secret power behind a dying political and economic leader known as "The Boss." Joined by his enigmatic girlfriend with supernaturally perceptive ears, the protagonist's journey takes him from Tokyo to the remote regions of Hokkaido, encountering bizarre characters and unraveling deep, philosophical mysteries along the way.
The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design
The Brand Gap is the first book to present a unified theory of brand-building. Whereas most books on branding are weighted toward either a strategic or creative approach, this book shows how both ways of thinking can unite to produce a “charismatic brand”―a brand that customers feel is essential to their lives. In an entertaining two-hour read you’ll learn: • the new definition of brand • the five essential disciplines of brand-building • how branding is changing the dynamics of competition • the three most powerful questions to ask about any brand • why collaboration is the key to brand-building • how design determines a customer’s experience • how to test brand concepts quickly and cheaply • the importance of managing brands from the inside • 220-word brand glossary
South of the Border, West of the Sun
Hajime has arrived at middle age with a loving family and an enviable career, yet he feels incomplete. When a childhood friend, now a beautiful woman, shows up with a secret from which she is unable to escape, the fault lines of doubt in Hajime’s quotidian existence begin to give way. Rich, mysterious, and quietly dazzling, in South of the Border, West of the Sun the simple arc of one man’s life becomes the exquisite literary terrain of Murakami’s remarkable genius.
Barbarian Days by William Finnegan
A book about surfing. An autobiography. Pulitzer Prizer winner 2016. Narrated by the author.
The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
"The Bed of Procrustes" is a collection of aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that distills his philosophical insights into short, thought-provoking statements. The title refers to the Greek myth of Procrustes, symbolizing the tendency to force things into unnatural conformity. Through these aphorisms, Taleb critiques modern society's flaws, biases, and misconceptions, offering a sharp, often humorous, commentary on topics ranging from knowledge and science to wealth and human behavior. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy deep, philosophical musings and appreciate Taleb's sharp wit and unconventional perspectives.
Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder
"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.
The Black Swan 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.
Fooled by Randomness
"Fooled by Randomness" is a thought-provoking book by Nassim Nicholas Taleb that delves into the role of chance in our lives and how we often mistake random events for meaningful patterns. Through a mix of personal anecdotes, philosophical insights, and statistical analysis, Taleb explores how randomness affects the world of finance, business, and daily life. The book challenges readers to rethink their perceptions of success, failure, and the forces that drive outcomes. This book is ideal for readers interested in finance, probability, and the philosophical implications of randomness.
Skin in the Game
by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life
"Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores the importance of having personal risk in decision-making and the inherent asymmetries in everyday life. Taleb argues that true knowledge and ethical behavior come from having "skin in the game," meaning that one must have a stake in the outcomes of their actions. The book blends philosophy, politics, and economics to demonstrate how accountability and personal investment are crucial for fairness and effective decision-making. This book is ideal for readers interested in ethics, decision-making, and the importance of personal risk in achieving fairness and accountability.