One of my goals for 2021 was to read more. I did affix a number to this goal, but it appears that I will fall well short. Even so, overall, it was a successful twelve months of reading. I enjoyed 18 books on various topics, the Top 5 of which I will briefly discuss in this post.
#5. Out of Istanbul. By Bernard Ollivier. Non-Fiction. Published 2019.
In this excellent read, retired French journalist Bernard Ollivier set to walk the ancient Silk Road from Istanbul, Turkey, to Tehran, Iran. With nothing but a backpack and a few (inaccurate) maps, Ollivier details his encounters along the Silk Road and the many marvelous people he met along the way.
I chose this book early in the year to read about my next travel destination: Istanbul, Turkey. While most of the book takes place in the Anatolian countryside, the customs, foods, and history of these incredible people are thoroughly discussed.
Ollivier was most interested in the old caravan stops, which are long forgotten. However, the author does find several waystations still in use, albeit as hotels, stalls for livestock, and the occasional communal living space.
I have on my list to read in 2022 his second installment in this series, Walking to Samarkand.
#4. Hemingway in Love. By A.E. Hotchner. Non-Fiction. Published 2015.
A close, personal friend of Ernest Hemingway, Hotchner was an American editor, novelist, playwright, and biographer. Meeting Hem in 1948, they remained close friends until Hemingway died in 1961.
In this one of several books and biographies written by Hotchener about his friend, Hemingway's love life is discussed in detail. And there was a lot of material to work with!
Ernest Hemingway was married four times. And his history of love affairs with many other women in his day is also recounted in this book, from Hadley Richardson, Hem's first wife, to Mary Welsh, his last. This book dishes out the backstory of each.
While Hotchner paints a realistic picture of Hemingway's poor personal choices and behavior, a human quality is also revealed. Although friends, Hotchner lays out what appears to be the truth about each marriage and affair and Hemingway's motivations within them.
#3. Atomic Habits. By James Clear. Non-Fiction. Published 2018.
James Clear has produced a handful of books on performance improving activities, mindsets, and behaviors. In Atomic Habits, Clear presents a framework of "tiny habits" designed to squeeze the maximum amount of productivity out of your day.
From instilling good habits to helping you rid yourself of bad ones, Atomic Habits is an easy read but a powerful presentation of personal best practices. Filled with inspiring stories of athletes, scientists, and everyday people, this book can help you design and build a better life through increased focus and powerfully strong habits for improved performance.
#2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. By Mark Manson. Non-Fiction. Published 2016.
I really enjoyed this book! And I have never read something so high-level in its philosophical content, yet bold and outrageous in its presentation!
Manson's main thrust is that people need to get off of the 'feel better about yourself' train and instead learn from our mistakes. By confronting unpleasant truths about ourselves, only then can we rise above our frail humanity and become our best selves.
When reading this, it felt like I was being both insulted and instructed simultaneously. And although I didn't necessarily agree with all of his many sharp points, his book gave me a lot of think and to write about in 2021.
#1. The Dangerous Summer. By Ernest Hemingway. Non-Fiction. Published 1985.
Written over a blistering hot summer in 1959-60, Hemingway's The Dangerous Summer was posthumously published in 1985. It is one of my favorite works by this author.
Set in Spain, the book recounts Hemingway's actual observations and involvement in Spanish Bullfighting over a long, hot season. With two of Spain's most famous Bullfighters competing for accolades, Hemingway presents their stories from inside and outside of the bullring.
This book is a fascinating view of Spain's national pastime, history, and psychology. The pageantry, rich culture, and social norms of the sport and the principal actors will leave one feeling like they were there.
I read this book over the long, hot summer of 2021, and I was sad once I had finished it. Sad for the bulls. Sad for the bullfighters. And sad for Hemingway, who expended the last valuable moments of his life in constructing this tome.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my Top 5 books of 2021. I have a HUGE list of new books to read in 2022, and I look forward to hearing about your top reads of the past year.
Cheers!