maraoz.com2022 Book Recommendations
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Welcome to my 2022 book recommendations! This year, I had the opportunity to read a wide range of books. From science fiction to philosophy, these books provided new insights and perspectives on the world around us. I hope that my recommendations will inspire you to pick up one of these great books. If you read any of these books, I would love to hear your thoughts on them. And if you have any book recommendations for me, please send them my way! Without further ado, here are the best books I read in 2022:
1. “Termination Shock” by Neal Stephenson
fiction sci-fi goodreads link
My personal favorite for 2022. This is a science fiction novel with fascinating worldbuilding and characters. In classic Stephenson style, it is technically precise and complex. Loved the proposed adversarial approach to solving climate change by the “Netherworld” (locations which are more susceptible to rising sea levels). I want merch for so many things in the book!
2. “The Mind’s I: Fantasies and Reflections on Self & Soul” by Douglas R. Hofstadter and Daniel C. Dennett
non-fiction philosophy goodreads link
The evolution of the capacity to simulate seems to have culminated in subjective consciousness. Why this should have happened is, to me, the most profound mystery facing modern biology.
A collection of essays and poems from famous writers and scientists that explore the nature of self and consciousness.
3. “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir
fiction sci-fi goodreads link
Impossible to put this techno-thriller down. I think I read it in like 3 days. This is a science fiction novel about a mission to save humanity from extinction, with very truthful science.
4. “Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth” by Apostolos K. Doxiadis
fiction epistemology goodreads link
This is a graphic novel that tells the story of Bertrand Russell’s search for the foundations of mathematics. I loved the combination of storytelling and philosophy in this book. Great introduction to an amazing character. Try to read this in paper!
5. “The Network State: How to Start a New Country” by Balaji Srinivasan
non-fiction crypto geopolitics goodreads link
A fascinating analysis of current global geopolitics, and a bold prediction on what may become the new world order thanks to blockchain tech. Nation-States, after all, originated circa 18th century thanks to technological advances such as cartography. As Nation-States replaced multiethnic empires from previous eras, this books asks: what might replace Nation-States given current technology?
I’m fully aligned with experimenting new ways of organizing people beyond the Nation-State paradigm, and would have loved the book to delve deeper into some operational details. How to transition gracefully from status quo in areas such as taxation, civil and military defense, diplomacy, etc. seems to have been left as an exercise to the reader.
Highly recommended for the tech-minded.
6. “Non-things: Upheaval in the Lifeworld” by Byung-Chul Han
non-fiction philosophy goodreads link
(I actually read the Spanish translation)
Really made me consider the role of technology in my own life. Must-read for technology builders.
7. “The Nature of the Physical World” by Sir Arthur Eddington
non-fiction science epistemology goodreads link
We do not know the last stage of the message in the physical world before it became a sensation in consciousness.
Probably the best non-fiction book I read this year. Read it after I found a quote inside The Witness. A fantastic exposure on the immense power of physics and its epistemological framework. Eddington is an honest truth-seeker and, despite his renown as a scientist and educator, he has the courage to unapologetically explain the limits of science. I wish more people cared to read this kind of stuff. This book is a gem.
8. “The Way of Kings” by Brandon Sanderson
fiction fantasy goodreads link
This is the first book in the “Stormlight Archive” series, a fantasy epic about magic, politics, and war. A slow-brew story with huge payoffs. Best execution of the hero’s journey I read so far. Hats off to Mr. Sanderson!
Final words
To know more about what I read, add me on Goodreads. I’m really trying to push more people to share what they’re reading there. Consider giving it a try!