Books
Tiny summary but detailed notes for each.
This page will constantly update as I read more, so bookmark it if you want to check back in a few months.
Sorted with my top recommendations up top.
Self Observation: The Awakening of Conscience
Date Read: 28/05/20
My rating: 10/10
Discover the Terror of our Situation. As human being driven by a multitude of parts when we look we discover we are completely out of control. In one moment we decide to stop drinking in the next we are down the pub swigging away. This book is packed with tips on how observing yourself is the real pathway to transformation.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Seeing that Frees by Rob Burbea
Date Read: 06/03/19
My rating: 10/10
I wanted to get to the bottom of the buddhist concept of emptiness. Burbea's book did that and more. Reading it is a meditation in itself. A slow peeling back of the onion layers of self and world.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
The Listening Society: A Metamodern Guide to Politics by Hanzi Freinacht
Date Read: 5/08/18
My rating: 10/10
This book has got me thinking like no other! It's the combination of two big ideas. First is that to solve the pressing problems of humanity we need to move towards a Welfare State 2.0 which is called The Listening Society. Second is the ideology that's going to get us there: metamodernism. The book is written in a 'metamodern' style. For example the author (who apparently is a creation) often combines being provocative, offensive and ironic whilst at the same time being totally serious about the fate of planet earth and the human race. A must read!
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Altruism: The Science and Psychology of Kindness by Matthieu Ricard
Date Read: 20/07/18
My rating: 10/10
This book gave me the belief that we can confront the world's problems with a positive mindset. If we can get enough people to think: What can I do to help humanity's situation? then maybe we have a chance. Big inspiration but doesn't lose track of the bigger picture and structural nature of our problems.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
Date Read: 27/07/18
My rating: 10/10
Great introduction to Adlerian Psychology! Adler was one of the 'three giants' of 19th century psychology with Freud and Jung. This is told through a series of conversations between a philosopher and student which makes it hard to put down. Lots of counter intuitive wisdom!
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Climate: A New Story by Charles Eisenstein
Date Read: 09/01/19
My rating: 9/10
If you want to dramatically change your perspective on climate change then this is the book for you! Eisenstein attempts to shift the narrative from a focus on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions to a wider living systems perspective where climate health depends on the health of local ecosystems everywhere. He argues we need to re-mystify and sanctify nature in order to begin to respect it once again.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute
Date Read: 14/06/20
My rating: 8/10
A book filled with wisdom and insight into the nature of conflict. Argues that when we come into conflict with someone we put ourselves into a box that stops us seeing the other in their full humanity. An example is the 'Better Than' box which makes us think we are better than the other. Escaping these boxes and returning ourselves to a 'Heart at Peace' is what the book teaches.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Active Hope by Joanna Macy
Date Read: 03/06/19
My rating: 8/10
How should we respond to the possibility that humanity faces imminent collapse due to the climate and ecological crisis? Joanna Macy provides a framing to collapse to help avoid either denial or acceptance. To help us live with the uncertainty we face and contribute to a better world.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Reinventing Organisations by Frederic Laloux
Date Read: 28/12/18
My rating: 8/10
If we are to overcome the big challenges facing humanity, entire new ways of organising are needed to allow us to go beyond our current corporate model. This book spells out what these new modes of organising could be like and gives many case studies of companies and groups already working with them successfully.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
The Five Invitations by Frank Ostaseski
Date Read: 1/02/18
My rating: 8/10
This is a book about the lessons we can learn from coming into contact with death. Frank Ostaseski founded the Zen Hospice Project in California where he worked with the dying for over 30 years. From these experiences he has 'five invitations' for how we can use death to live better lives. A great book on how mindfulness and compassion really apply to everyday living beings.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Switch by Chip & Dan Heath
Date Read: 15/10/16
My rating: 8/10
Epic psychology book on how to make lasting change happen! Packed full of ideas, stories and examples.
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt
Date Read: 15/10/16
My rating: 8/10
Jonathan Haidt argues that we all have hard-wired moral intuitions that determine our religious and political allegiances. He believes that these moral instincts evolved to help us form communities and compete with other groups. This is only one side of an ongoing debate but it is still very interesting. Especially the later stuff about the 'hive switch'!
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.
Out of the Wreckage by George Monbiot
Date Read: 14/06/19
My rating: 7/10
What is the new story that can overthrow neoliberalism and create a kinder world? Monbiot thinks the answer lies in returning to community and belonging. And he suggests the poltics and economics that can get us there!
Read my notes, or go to the Amazon page for details and reviews.