Top 10 books that I read in 2021

I challenged myself to read at least 24 books last year. I take the Goodreads challenge every year. Over the years the number of books I force myself to read has reduced. I would read close to 50 books a year before. Which is roughly 1 book a week. And I actually completed that a couple of years. But I hit a lean phase in between. And I completed only 20. In 2021, I have pushed that number to 24. Which is roughly 2 books every month. Which, I think, is a fair ask.

I am not a super-fast reader. I like to slowly devour the book I am reading, allowing the book time to linger in my imagination for longer and I have never read books with an intention of just getting my read count up. For me, books have always been about being in the moment. With that character or that thought that the author is trying to say. And I let my subconscious just absorb all of it. No strings attached.

If you ask me the premise of a book, I probably won’t remember it after a few months. But I always remember how a book made me feel. And that stays with me forever.

Sparing you from my philosophies further, let me jump right in. These are my top 10 books out of the 24 I read in 2021 (in no particular order)

1. The Psychology Of Money

The Psychology of Money is undoubtedly one of the best money books I have read. After the lockdown in 2020, I started reading a lot about investments, trading, and money in general. With the abundance of finance information available on the internet, it is very easy to get lost and wonder how do you really approach your finances. And this book helped me realize that money is essentially a ‘concept’. And how there is a huge difference between being ‘rich’ vs ‘wealthy’. The biggest takeaway for me was that money buys you ‘freedom’. Freedom to do what you want, when you want without having to worry about how will you afford a decent standard of living. And that is very empowering.

I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone. Because it doesn’t break down finances into numbers or black and white. But it takes you to the grey area. It explains how money is less connected to numbers and predictions and more to emotions and stories. And best of all, it allowed me to forgive myself for the financial mistakes I made.

Use money to gain control over your time, because not having control of your time is such a powerful and universal drag on happiness. The ability to do what you want, when you want, with who you want, for as long as you want to, pays the highest dividend that exists in finance.

Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money

2. Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear

I am more of a fiction guy. But I have been forcing myself to read non-fiction lately. I didn’t need to force myself to finish this one. Big Magic was a breeze to read and I loved it. The book touched upon topics that I probably knew subconsciously but I needed to hear them, or rather read them myself. It talks about how creative living is not about destroying yourself for the craft but having a sense of curiosity, adventure, and stubborn gladness. I am definitely going to try some of the advice from the book.

You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failure

Elizabeth Gillbert, Big Magic

3. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

The Boy, the mole, the fox, and the horse is not just one of my top 10 2021 reads, but one of my favorites overall! This book is beautiful. I had a constant smile on my face and was constantly crying on the inside. Charlie Mackesy takes you to a very innocent and profound world you don’t want to return from. This is a very short read – about 30 minutes or less but I find myself re-reading it over and over. If you ever want to build a small library for yourself, buy this book first.

“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy.
“Help,'” said the horse.

Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

4. Zikora

I thought I was sensitive towards women. I always tried to go the extra mile because women have been suppressed for so long that they deserve special attention. But this book made me realize I am far away from understanding what women go through. Even if that woman is a successful lawyer, living in DC, living the American dream. For me, this book is about Zikora, her mother, her aunty (stepmother), and her cousin (Water). It is about their quest to find love and sanity in a world that is programmed for men. This short story had a deep impact on me and there were a lot of gut-wrenching moments that hopefully make me more empathetic. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

Some kindnesses you do not ever forget. You carry them to your grave, held warmly somewhere, brought up and savored from time to time

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zikora

5. Art Matters

I love Neil Gaiman’s writing. And when I found this book with his writing turned into an illustrated format, I jumped on it. If you have needed the motivation to create art or be creative, read this book right away! This book is essentially a collection of four essays tuned into illustrations. Neil talks about the importance of reading, writing, and creating art in general. If you have a physical books library, this book is a good addition to your collection.

So be wise. And if you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise and then just behave like they would. Now go, and make interesting mistakes. Make Interesting Mistakes. Make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art.

Neil Gaiman, Art Matters

6. The Binding

Lately, I have been questioning myself on my love for fiction. I never read nonfiction books until maybe a year ago. But since then, I have loved nonfiction. I found them very useful in my everyday life and I started questioning the purpose of reading fiction. Obviously, it was a very naive thing to do. Of course, fiction opens up your mind, makes you more empathetic, and a 1000 other things. But most of all, it touches your heart, it makes you cry, it makes you laugh.

And that is exactly what this book made me do. It made me realize that my love for fiction is never going to end.

What a brilliant book of love! With a beautiful premise, beautiful characters, and beautiful writing!

Somehow it went from too soon to too late, without the right moment in between.

Bridget Collins, The Binding

7. Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web is a story about friendship. If you consider this a children’s book, you need to widen your mind and your reading horizons. Because this is one of the most profound books I have read. The story is brilliant, so is the writing. It is a classic for a reason.

“Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.”

E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

8. The Almanack of Ravikant Naval

I came across Naval Ravikant through his infamous tweet series – How to Get Rich (without getting lucky). And ever since I have been fascinated with how he has a unique perspective about everything under the sun. This book is an extension of that tweet series where he goes into depth of each tweet. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone and also his podcasts which are very insightful. This book is also available for free here.

The reality is life is a single-player game. You’re born alone. You’re going to die alone. All of your interpretations are alone. All your memories are alone. You’re gone in three generations, and nobody cares. Before you showed up, nobody cared. It’s all single player

Naval Ravikant (written by Eric Jorgenson), The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

9. The Ickabog

J K Rowling makes me want to believe in stories and the power of storytelling every time I read anything from her. The Ickabog is no different. I loved every page of the book. I don’t care if it is a children’s book or a Young Adult one. As long as it makes me feel the way I did, I would happily keep reading it over and over again.

You may think this strange, but Mrs. Beamish was glad to hear Mr. Dovetail cry, because tears can heal a mind, as well as laughter.

J.K. Rowling, The Ickabog

10. The tattooist of Auschwitz

I am a sucker for holocaust books. Not because I enjoy the darkness within human beings where they are capable of doing such horrible things. But because I love reading about those small moments within, when humanity tried to breathe above the water and show its face. Because I want to find how beautiful and pure love can be, born in these inhuman places, where it seems the world around you is collapsing. This is such a story of love. It is a story of these 2 people finding each other in the most unfortunate situations. If you want to warm your heart and feel disgusted at the same time, read the tattooist of Auschwitz.

To save one is to save the world.

Heather Morris, The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Other books that I read in 2021 and recommend –

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
• For Your Own Good
• Show Your Work
• Ready Player 2
• Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life

This is it. Ofcourse I have only mentioned 15 out of 24 I read. But these are my favorites books from last year. I would not recommend the rest of my reading list but feel free to checkout my goodreads page. What were your favorite books from last year? Please mention in the comments below so I can read them in 2022 🙂

And if this is your first time visiting my site, welcome. I am Aditya Lotia. I work as a IT project manager by the day and this is my passion side project where I write about finance, productivity, short stories, poems, etc. Do check them out.