“Where To Begin” by Cleo Wade
… that is the question … Over the course of an extraordinary year, I found myself turning to Cleo’s words time and again. Her deceptively simple poems have a way a cutting right to the core of what is truly important.
“The Snow Leopard” by Peter Matthiessen
On the surface, this is a travel or natural history book – but Matthiessen’s search for the elusive snow leopard revealed far more than I expected … mainly about myself.
The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Extraordinary storytelling, perfect for the times when I wanted to lose myself in another world. [Which happened rather frequently in 2020!]
“The Righteous Mind” by Jonathan Haidt
We are living in a seemingly increasingly polarised world [hint: it’s never black and white] – this book helped me understand why, and – more importantly – how to build bridges.
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
Not the easiest read on the list – but definitely worth it. We’re not always the reasoned, rational thinkers we believe ourselves to be, and this book helps explain why.
“Draft No.4” by John McPhee
Exquisitely written, and packed full of practical advice for improving as a writer.
“The Twelve Children of Paris” by Tim Willocks
A rollicking adventure story, featuring perhaps the most casually violent hero I’ve ever come across. There’s a lot of blood and gore in this one – but Willocks’ characters are what I remember best.
“My Midsummer Morning” by Alastair Humphreys
A surprisingly honest account of challenge-obsessed Humphreys’ journey to redefine ‘adventure’, and discover what he really cares about.
“Rebel Ideas” by Matthew Syed
Syed explains the power and importance of exposing ourselves to diverse thinking in all aspects of our lives.
“Manifesto For A Moral Revolution” by Jacqueline Novograt
Novogratz is CEO of Acumen, an extraordinary company who are changing the way the world tackles poverty. This is her inspiring vision for a better future – rooted in her practical understanding and decades of experience.
