My Top 5 Books For 2022

This is the time of year when we see annual lists start popping up.  I use annual book lists as a way to find new books to read so I thought I would share the top books I have read (or listened to in my car) in 2022.  Some of these books might not be new this year, but I finally managed to get around to them this year so I have included them.  In no particular order, I liked:

1.   Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think by Steven Kotler and Peter H Diamonds

A more positive look ahead is based on the theory that, as it has in the past, new technology will rise to meet the problems facing humanity and the Earth going forward.   The book is not without its warnings for the future, but overall it presents a relatively optimistic (and usually believable) view of tomorrow.

2.  Enchanted Objects: Design, Human Desire, and the Internet of Things by David Rose

I found this to be a great discussion of different ways in which the “Internet of things” and connected objects might evolve.  It covers some of the design concepts and thinking necessary to make connected objects useful and easy to use.   Good backgrounder.

3.  Do More Faster: Techstars Lessons to Accelerate your Startup  by Brad Feld and David Cohen

This book, from the founders of Techstars, is a collection of essays about various aspects of startup life and building a business.  Very good practical information for any startup founder or anyone who works with startups (like me!).

4.  The Maker Movement Manifesto: Rules for Innovation in the New World of Crafters, Hackers, and Tinkerers by Mark Hatch

Mark Hatch is a co-founder of TechShop, a chain of membership-based maker spaces in the US, and he offers up this discussion of the maker movement.  Mark provides a series of discussions based on makers he has met, including the inspirations, challenges, and successes faced by makers as many of them turn their hobby or passion into a business.   At times it reads like a bit of a commercial for TechShop (naturally) but it is worthwhile if you are at all interested in the maker movement.

5.  Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal by Nick Bilton

This book had a bit of controversy around the time of its release with a bunch of the folks involved condemning the way the author presented the history of Twitter.    I found it to be a well-written book.  The author takes pains to describe his sources and methods for researching the history of Twitter and I suspect some of the people who object to the book are objecting because it hangs some part of the blame for Twitter’s early dysfunction on virtually every one of the main players.