--- title: Books in 2021 date: "2021-12-30T06:23:19Z" lastmod: "2021-12-30T06:23:22Z" categories: - how-i-do-things - top-10-lists tags: - book wp_id: 3233 description: "This 2021 reading retrospective organizes fifty-two books by impact, recommending titles that most changed the author's thinking about wealth, habits, mortality, storytelling, and fantasy." keywords: ["books", "reading list", "2021", "non-fiction", "fantasy", "recommendations"] --- ![Books in 2021](/blog/assets/image-71.webp) On my Goodreads 2021 reading challenge, I read [52/50 books in 2021](https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/26020960). I managed [47/50 in 2020](https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/11621) (see [2020 reviews](/blog/books-in-2020/)) and [26/24 in 2019](https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/15183844). Here's what I read (best books first). **Mind-blowing** 1. [The Almanack of Naval Ravikant](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54898389-the-almanack-of-naval-ravikant). It's the **best non-fiction** I've read in 5 years. It focuses Wealth and Happiness. It's short. I finished it in a day. But it's deep. I can spend a decade practicing just a single sentence. It's available at [navalmanack.com](http://ec2-52-26-194-35.us-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com/x/d?c=12394515&l=90b1a7d0-4d2b-474d-bdf1-5680c654c26b&r=f44ebee2-4dbc-412b-8443-e690d552e1a4) as a free e-book and audio book. 2. [Rhythm of War](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17250966-rhythm-of-war). The 4th book of the [Stormlight Archives](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49075-the-stormlight-archive) is an action-packed fantasy. A great gift for teenagers. In an extra-ordinary magic system, Brandon Sanderson builds up to the greatest climax I've read. **What an ending!** 3. [Death Note #1-#12](https://www.goodreads.com/series/52807-death-note). Light Yagami gets hold of a “death note”. If he writes a name on it, they die. “L” is out to catch him. In a cat-and-mouse **psychological thriller**, Light and L work next to each other, share their plans, and still try to outwit the other. It’s like chess. The pieces are visible. But it's the strategy that counts. A brilliant comic series. **Life-changing** 1. [Atomic Habits](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40121378-atomic-habits). A systematic, well-researched approach to creating (and stopping) habits that last. It's the **best "Habits" book** in the market right now.. 2. [Being Mortal](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20696006-being-mortal). A thoughtful, practical guide on dealing with old age. Must read **for those with aging parents**. It helps that Atul Gawande is a great storyteller and draws from his personal experiences. 3. [Originals](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25614523-originals). Teaches you **how to be more creative** and take risks safely. If [Creativity Inc](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18077903-creativity-inc) inspired you, this book is a way to build Pixar's magic into your teams. An easy-to-read piece by Adam Grant, backed by solid research. 4. [Combatting Cult Mind Control](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173711.Combatting_Cult_Mind_Control). The gold-standard in knowing when someone's in a cult, and how to **escape the cult**. Opened up a whole new world for me. 5. [Rich Dad Poor Dad](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69571.Rich_Dad_Poor_Dad). Teaches you to **make money work for you** rather than you working for money. I was shocked when I realized that the middle class buys liabilities (a house to live in) while the rich buy assets (a house to rent out). 6. [Think Again](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55539565-think-again). Teaches you how to **stop fooling yourself and avoid blindspots** by checking your assumptions, enjoy learning from mistakes, and open up people's minds -- especially your own. Yet another easy-to-read piece by Adam Grant, backed by solid research. 7. [Influence](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28815.Influence). A research-backed guide on the science of **influencing people subconsciously**. Reciprocity, consistency, social proof, authority, scarcity -- these are signals we react to unknowingly. 8. [Dawnshard](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54511226-dawnshard). Book #3.5 of the [Stormlight Archives](https://www.goodreads.com/series/49075-the-stormlight-archive). A handicapped shipowner and her winged reptile pet travel to a mysterious island that no one returns from. With a typical Brandon Sanderson climax that moves this from "interesting" to "life changing". 9. [From Data to Stories](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59901913-from-data-to-stories). The first & only comic data story book, with step-by-step cricket analysis explained by comic characters. This was written by [Gramener's Story Labs team](https://gramener.com/storylabs/) using [Comicgen](https://gramener.com/comicgen/) characters. **Interesting** 1. [The First Law #1-#3](https://www.goodreads.com/series/43644-the-first-law). Joe Abercrombie. A wizard assembles 3 flawed heroes for a quest. 2. [Shoe Dog](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27220736-shoe-dog). The Nike founder story. 3. [Skin In The Game](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36064445-skin-in-the-game). On accountability & commitment. 4. [That Will Never Work](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44428950-that-will-never-work). The Netflix co-founder story. 5. [Sycamore Row](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17288661-sycamore-row). John Grisham. An old man's will leaves everything to his servant. 6. [A Time To Kill](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32542.A_Time_to_Kill). John Grisham. An African American's on trial for murdering his daughter's rapists. 7. [The Psychology of Money](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55077476-the-psychology-of-money). How to make money work for you than the other way around. 8. [Detective William Warwick #2-#4](https://www.goodreads.com/series/259121-detective-william-warwick). Jeffrey Archer. More adventures from Dt. Warwick. 9. [Zoom](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78991.Zoom). A wordless book that zooms out on every successive page, and nothing is what it appears. **Readable** 1. [The Goblin Emperor](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17910048-the-goblin-emperor). Katherine Addison. A Goblin half-son inherits the throne and political intrigue. 2. [A Time for Mercy](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53529219-a-time-for-mercy). John Grisham. An African American kid's on trial for shooting a cop. 3. [The Rithmatist](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22443261-the-rithmatist). Brandon Sanderson. In a world where chalk drawings come to life, a student investigates murders. 4. [Karna: The King of Anga](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59006326-karna). Kevin Missal. A fictionalized story of how Karna re-takes the kingdom of Anga against Jarasandha. 5. [Asterix #34-#38](https://www.goodreads.com/series/193853-asterix). The latest adventures of Asterix & Obelix, the gauls. 6. [Infinity Blade #1-#2](https://www.goodreads.com/series/110389-infinity-blade). Brandon Sanderson. Deathless immortals battle each other, and discover their origins. 7. [Old Man's War](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36510196-old-man-s-war). John Scalzi. Senior citizens are given a physical boost and sent to fight aliens. 8. [Measure What Matters](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39286958-measure-what-matters). The definitive guide on how to use OKRs (Objectives & Key Results). 9. [The Maze Runner #1-#3](https://www.goodreads.com/series/110451-the-maze-runner). Kids escape from a maze prison and discover why they were there. **How I read books** 1. **Select**. I add book recommendations on my [GoodReads - to read list](https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/39713492-s-anand?order=d&ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=to-read&sort=avg_rating). Then I sort by rating and pick the first one I like to read. 2. **Listen**. I listen to non-fiction audiobooks during walks. 3. **Read**: I read fiction as ePUBs on my laptop or phone. 4. **Stop**: I stop reading books that are boring, with no guilt. I've better things to do. --- ## Comments - **[Puja Pathak](http://pujappathak.medium.com)** _31 Dec 2021 9:28 am_: Greetings Anand sir .. I was a student at upGrad and have seen your lecture videos. I was impressed by the way you communicate and share your knowledge. I started following you on LinkedIn and twitter. Working at Gramener is one of my ambitions. Reading is my hobby too and currently I am reading the Atomic Habits by James Clear. When I saw your post and the books choices, especially the way you pick up a book, I so identified with it. So writing this message. Thanks for sharing. - **Sandipan** _30 Dec 2021 1:51 pm_: This is extremely inspiring Anand. I am putting this into my habit. Just finished reading “The Richest Man in Babylon”. - **Nisheeta** _2 Jan 2022 9:40 am_: Atomic Habits was my favorite too! And I suspect Sleep Your Way to Success (being published soon) will be my favorite this year :) - **Balki** _7 Jan 2022 7:49 pm_: You continue to be a legend with all the time in the world for useful things!! - **Mukul** _13 Jan 2022 5:10 pm_: I start my non-fiction journey because of this list. Starting it with The Alma.... and Atomic .... Thank you Anand for this list and sharing your reviews. - **[My Year in 2023 - S Anand](/blog/my-year-in-2023/)** _1 Jan 2024 4:35 pm_ _(pingback)_: […] 50 books a year, like in 2023, 2022, 2021, and […] - **[Books in 2023 - S Anand](/blog/books-in-2023/)** _1 Jan 2024 4:32 pm_ _(pingback)_: […] read 52 books in 2022 (about the same as in 2022, 2021 and 2020.) Here’s what I read (best books […] - **Seema Gopal** _3 Jan 2022 11:32 am_: Great to read your blog. Especially liked the part where you said you leave the boring books midway without guilt :) The book i loved best this year was Sapiens. Its so popular that you have probably read it, but it changed my perspective to life forever! - **krishna** _3 Jan 2022 10:21 am_: I was planning on reading 12 books in the year 2022, and there you are reading a book a week with your busy schedule. Post reading your takeaways on the books and given that it's possible. I have upped my target to 25 in an year. - **[I tested the best ways to mail people - S Anand](http://www.s-anand.net/blog/i-tested-the-best-ways-to-mail-people/)** _6 Jan 2022 11:31 am_ _(pingback)_: […] Book reviews did 30% worse at #6 than #1 (62% down to 43%) […] - **Sachidananda Aithal** _2 Jan 2022 6:47 pm_: Very impressive Anand...will pick up some books from your list.. - **[My Year in 2021 - S Anand](http://www.s-anand.net/blog/my-year-in-2021/)** _2 Jan 2022 1:37 pm_ _(pingback)_: […] 50 books. I read 52. Here are my reviews. (Which did you like? What would you […] - **Ayush Mandowara** _5 Jan 2022 7:12 pm_: great blog. thanks for sharing your insights related to the books along with sharing the list. Just a small suggestion, please change the link on LinkedIn from HTTP to HTTPS :) - **Sunil sharma** _31 Dec 2021 6:45 pm_: Picking some from this to my read list. Have a great reading challenge in 2022 :) - **[Books in 2024 - S Anand](/blog/books-in-2024/)** _31 Dec 2024 6:28 pm_ _(pingback)_: […] read 51 new books in 2024 (about the same as in 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020.) But slightly […]