Top 5 books of 2021
Up until 28 years of age, my reading was confined to the sports pages of newspapers, but whenever I got sick (at 28) everything changed for me.
I was introduced to the great Jim Rohn, by a good friend of mine, and over the last 15 years, i’ve went onto read hundreds of books.
My growing library in my home is something I get great strength from, and has made a huge impact on me.
Jim Rohn says, you will be the same person in 5 years, apart from the people that you meet and books you read. It has never left me that thought.
Books I read this year…
This year I wanted to continue my learning of all things economics, and endeavouring to improve my understanding of financial literacy. Money is a super interesting topic, and alongside my reading, I was able to speak to some fantastic guests on my podcast.
The brilliant economist Eric Lonergan’s book “Angrynomics “ made it onto my top 5 this year, and it was a real treat to speak to Eric on my podcast about why he felt it was important to write the book.
For me I like to read about real life scenarios, real people, real problems, which helps be gain a better understanding of the world, the psychology of people, how we all behave and why we do some of the things we do.
I love Dr Gabor Máte's work, who specialises in all things addiction, and I really enjoyed reading a number of his books including the highly regarded “Scattered minds”, earlier this year.
Health related books are always in my library, and Dr Gemma Newman's new book “the plant power doctor” really is a beautiful book, with lots of simple, easy to understand, great advice.
I'm not sure exactly how many books i’ve read this year, but it has to be 50+
My Top 5
It is always hard to choose 5 of my favourite books of the year, but here goes;
#5 The Great Economist Linda Yueh
For anyone who wants to improve their understanding of economics, this book by the author is a must read. A truly fascinating insight into some of the best economists in history, presented in a manner where most people will understand it. Highly recommend ✔
#4 Beyond the border Richard Humphreys
For anyone wanting to add to their understanding of the politics of Ireland, the Good Friday Agreement, Brexit, and how we all might move forward, I highly recommend this book by Mr Humphrey's. The author is a judge in the Irish High court, and again, its a very well researched and set out book, incredibly easy to follow and understand.
A superb read ✔
#3 Angrynomics Eric Lonergan & Mark Blyth
I heard about this book from a number of people, and with the main theme being anger, and trying to figure out why people are so angry, I was intrigued from the off.
This is a smashing piece of work by both guys and the really interesting thing being its presented as a dialogue, which is unusual and quite unique for a book like this.
The authors present some of the big issues facing society, with inequality the theme that keeps coming up. Alongside discussing the issues, the guys also put forward some of their ideas around solutions to these problems.
A super interesting read ✔
#2 No Time Like The Future
Michael J. Fox
Back to the future, Teenwolf, The Secret of my Success, were movies I grew up with in the 80's.
At that time Michael J. Fox's stock as an actor was incredibly high. However his life changed forever at 29 years old, when he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Interestingly it was at the same age I was diagnosed with MS
This book gives the reader an incredibly intimate insight into Michael’s personal life, his thoughts on illness and health, ageing, family and friends, and also his views on time and mortality.
Michael continues to be very engaged with the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinsons research, and over the last number of years he has raised over $800m dollars, which is simply phenomenal.
Michael has struggled for years with the progression of his condition, but his strength of character , humility and magnanimity in how he deals with all of this and more, comes through in every chapter of this wonderful memoir.
A truly inspirational book ✔
#1 Pharma Gerald Posner
So my number one book of the year goes to Gerald Posner.
Pharma, greed, lies and the poisoning of America, really is a wonderful read.
Living with a neurological condition since 2006, I have had lots of contact and experience with the pharmaceutical industry, and its a subject matter, given my own health, I’ve been really interested in for many years now.
This masterclass by Posner, really is a must read for anyone who wants to get an understanding as to the means and lengths, big pharmaceutical companies will go to, to make money and sell their products. The book focuses on the Sackler family, who went onto become one of America’s wealthiest family's ’s from the sale of the highly addictive Oxycotin, their blockbuster narcotic painkiller, at the heart of the opiod crisis. Posner does an excellent job in exposing the secrets of the Sackler's rise to power.
Given the times we are in, and the role big pharma is currently playing within society and in particular their relationship with government and government agencies, this book is a must and very sobering, concerning read for everyone.
Highly recommend✔
2021 was another great year of books for me, and my hope is that I might not get to read as many in 2022, as I will be writing my own book, which will be book number 3.
Best wishes and I hope you enjoyed this year's book review.
CD ☘
