I love making lists: books I read, great music, interesting podcasts, films I saw, ‘best of’ etc. Like a truffle pig, looking for hidden gems.
Needless to say, 2022 has been an intense year in many ways. Apparently I’m drawn to non-fiction more than fiction when trying to make sense of all life’s throwing at us. From the 40+ books I read in 2022, only 8 were fiction. My reading concentrated on climate change and (social & political) innovation, topics relevant to my professional life. But there’s more to life than work, so one of my new year’s resolutions is to read more – timeless – fiction.
So here goes:
East-West Street – Philippe Sands
A beautiful book on the genesis of the word genocide, interwoven with the lives of two Nuremberg prosecutors. The Ukrainian city of Lviv stars as one of the other protagonists. Teaches very insightful lessons on the power of morality and rules in shaping a better world.
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends – Nicole Perlroth
Terrifying, but critical. My friend Roshan Paul wrote a great post about the book.
The World for Sale – Javier Blas & Jack Farchy
The behind the scene story of the world of commodities: cowboys, high finance and politics collide. Fascinating.
Talent – Tyler Cowen & Daniel Gross
The unique Tyler Cowen teams up with VC and entrepreneur Daniel Gross to help us better understand what real talent is, and how to find those underrated, brilliant individuals.
Saving Us – Katharine Hayhoe
Facts are not enough. In fact, they can make it worse. The greatest contribution we can make in fighting climate change is to talk about it with others. In a different way. Start reading this book.
Thinking in Systems – Donella Meadows
Systems are omnipresent – our own bodies, bathtubs, society: all function alike. But hardly anyone really understands how they work, let alone how to influence them.
De Herinnerende Soldaat – Anjet Daanje
A soldier returning from the WW1 battlefield, whis his memory lost. He needs to rebuild his life with his wife and kids. What is identity? Is love possible without shared past? Are his nightmares real or is his new life a nightmare? Daanje writes intriguing, beautiful prose. To be published in English in 2024.
Find the full list here.
Here are my picks from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (Dutch & English).
Stories are told in many ways. So, while I’m at it, here’s my top 3 (out of 50+) films, documentaries and series from 2022.
Film
Madres Paralelas. Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz teaming up again, in a engaging story about mothers and the painful legacy of the Spanish Civil War.
The Worst Person In The World. Funny and moving. Difficult to not sympathise with milennial Julie.
Le Otto Montagne. A story about friendship, in the best possible scenery: the mountains.
Documentary
All The Beauty And The Bloodshed. I cried. Because of the pain inflicted by the Sacklers, but even more so because eventually the perseverance of a small group of justice-seekers is rewarded.
4 Hours At The Capitol. Jaw dropping. It really was a coup attempt.
Daniel Day Lewis, L’Héritier. One of the best is honored with a beautiful documentary.
Series
The Bear. Activated all my senses. Friendship & food; what else can a man ask for?
Station Eleven. The book is one of my all time favorites. This mini-series are great too: non-linear, non-hollywoodish, non-conformist.
Succession. Horrible family, brilliant dialogues.
I’ll be hunting for truffles again in 2023: recommendations – films and books – more than welcome!
PEPIJN VAN DIJK 