This year was tough, I would have loved to read more books but work was more burdensome and reading time was very limited.

I still believe books are the theatre of the mind. For me reading books, especially diverse topics is like having a front row seat to a TED conference with experts sharing their work with passion and zeal.

While time may be limited, the value of reading in expanding one’s knowledge and gaining diverse perspectives is immeasurable.

Here is my 2023 reading list:

  1. Gulag: A History by Anne Applebaum – Anne Applebaum meticulously exposes the horrifying reality of the Soviet Union’s labor camps, providing a comprehensive and chilling account of one of history’s darkest chapters. Thoroughly enjoyed this book, very horrifying stories though. [8/10]
  2. The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google by Scott Galloway – This book is a sharp analysis that unveils the dominant tech giants’ strategies, shedding light on the power dynamics and impact these companies have on our lives and the global economy. [7/10]
  3. Cobalt Red – How The Blood of The Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara – Siddharth explores the ethical dilemmas and human cost behind the extraction of Congo’s resources, revealing the complex web connecting our modern lives to the often-exploitative practices in resource-rich regions. [9/10]
  4. Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress by Christopher Ryan – This is a thought-provoking book. Ryan challenges conventional notions of progress, questioning the costs of modern civilization and the impact on our well-being, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the human experience. I loved it. [9/10]
  5. Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works by Joshua Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus – The book inspires readers to prioritize relationships over possessions and embrace a more intentional and fulfilling way of living. [8/10]
  6. You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich by Mapalo Makhu – Mapalo provides practical financial advice and a positive mindset shift, empowering readers to take control of their finances and work towards future prosperity. [8/10]
  7. Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein by Mario Livio – Livio explores the mistakes of scientific luminaries, demonstrating that even the greatest minds have faced setbacks and errors on their paths to groundbreaking discoveries. [9/10]
  8. Mao’s Great Famine: The History of China’s Most Devastating Catastrophe by Frank Dikotter – Dikotter meticulously chronicles the tragic consequences of Mao Zedong’s policies, revealing the human suffering and devastation caused by one of the deadliest famines in history. [9/10]
  9. Dear Mr. Entrepreneurship by Dr Jabulile Msimango-Galawe – Dr. Msimango-Galawe shares insightful guidance and encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs, blending personal anecdotes with practical advice to navigate the challenges of business. A must read for entrepreneurs. [8/10]
  10. The LEGO Story: How a Little Toy Sparked the World’s Imagination by Jens Andersen – Andersen traces the fascinating journey of the iconic toy company, offering a captivating narrative of how creativity and innovation turned a simple brick into a global cultural phenomenon. [8/10]
  11. Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century by Sergei Guriev – Guriev’s explores the evolving strategies of modern authoritarian regimes, shedding light on the manipulation of information and the challenges faced by democracies in the 21st century. This is remarkable book, very enlighting. [9/10]
  12. Just Mercy – A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson – One of my favourite TED speaker, Stevenson’s “Just Mercy” is a compelling account of his legal career advocating for justice and the rights of the wrongly condemned, highlighting the systemic issues within the American criminal justice system. [9/10]
  13. How to Steal a Gold Mine: The Aurora Story by Dianne Hawker – Dianne Hawker unravels the gripping tale of intrigue and corporate machinations, providing a thrilling account of the Aurora gold mine saga. [8/10]
  14. Narrative of Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave by Frederick Douglass – This is a powerful autobiography that vividly portrays the brutality of slavery and Douglass’s journey to freedom, making it a seminal work in American literature. I can’t help but get the feeling that the topic of slavery is slowly being forgotten, and not spoken about enough. [8/10]
  15. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham – This book remains a timeless classic, offering enduring principles of value investing and financial wisdom that continue to guide investors today. Got it as a gift and I thoroughly enjoyed the lessons. [8/10]
  16. A Secret History of Brands: The Dark and Twisted Beginnings of the Brand Names We Know and Love by Matt MacNabb – MacNabb delves into the intriguing and sometimes dark origins of familiar brands, providing a captivating exploration of the marketing world’s hidden stories. Brilliant read, I’m going to read it again. [9/10]
  17. Leading From The Outside by Stacey Abrams – Stacy Abrams offers a compelling memoir that reflects on her journey in politics, emphasizing the importance of diversity and resilience in leadership. [7/10]
  18. Amazon Unbound – Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire by Brad Stone – This is an in-depth examination of Jeff Bezos’s entrepreneurial journey and the rise of Amazon, providing a nuanced perspective on the company’s impact on commerce and society. [8/10]
  19. Has China Won?: The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy by Kishore Mahbubani – Mahbubani explores the geopolitical dynamics between China and the United States, offering insightful analysis and predictions for the future of global power. [8/10]
  20. Wonder Boy: Tony Hsieh, Zappos, and the Myth of Happiness in Silicon Valley by Angel Au-Yeung, David Jeans – This book explores the life of Tony Hsieh, delving into the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey and challenging the myth of perpetual happiness in Silicon Valley. This is an important to read for ambitious entrepreneurs. [9/10]
  21. The Land Is Ours: South Africa’s First Black Lawyers and the Birth of Constitutionalism by Tembeka Ngcukaitobi – I love stories and history. What Tembeka did in this book is combine both history and amazing stories into one. The Land Is Ours offers a historical account of South Africa’s legal pioneers, highlighting their role in the struggle for justice and constitutional rights during a pivotal period. I think this is a must-read for every South African, not just lawyers. [9/10]
  22. Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth about the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity By James Hansen James Hansen serves as a urgent call to action, providing a stark assessment of the climate crisis and advocating for immediate steps to mitigate environmental catastrophe. [9/10]
  23. The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams by Seth Godin – I love Seth’s thinking, not only do I follow his daily blogs, but I have read most [if not all] of his book. The Song of Significance provides a thought-provoking manifesto on teamwork, emphasizing the importance of purpose and collaboration for achieving meaningful and impactful results. [9/10]
  24. Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life by Joshua Becker – Joshua Becker encourages us to embrace a minimalist lifestyle, focusing on what truly matters and finding fulfilment beyond material possessions. [7/10]
  25. Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind by Andy Dunn – Andy Dunn candidly shares the highs and lows of launching a startup, offering a raw and authentic account of the challenges and sacrifices involved in entrepreneurship. [8/10]
  26. Pricing Beauty: The Making of a Fashion Model by Ashley Mears – Ashley Mears is a former model and now Harvard University Professor. In this book, she offers a critical examination of the modelling industry, exposing the economic and social dynamics that shape beauty standards and impact the lives of models. [8/10]
  27. The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Steven Bartlett – Steven Bartlett provides a candid and introspective look into the life of a CEO, offering valuable insights and lessons on leadership, success, and personal development. This is easily my book of the year. [9/10]
  28. Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Umoja Noble – Safiya exposes the biases embedded in algorithms and their impact on society, highlighting the urgent need for ethical considerations in technology. [8/10]
  29. 12 Notes: On Life and Creativity by Quency Jones – Quincy Jones offers a captivating journey through the world of music, providing insights into his legendary career and the transformative power of musical expression. [7/10]
  30. Invention and Innovation by Vaclav Smil – This is a comprehensive exploration of the history and impact of human ingenuity, revealing the interconnectedness of invention and societal progress. [7/10]
  31. Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master’s Insights on China, the United States, and the World by Graham Allison – Graham Allison provides a nuanced portrait of Singapore’s founding father, offering insights into his leadership style and the transformation of Singapore into a global economic powerhouse. Brilliant mind Lee Kuan Yew, a remarkable read. [9/10]
  32. The Samsung Man’s Path to Success: Turning crisis into breakthrough by Sung Yoon – Sung Yoon chronicles his journey working for Samsung, exploring the challenges and breakthroughs that have shaped him and the company into a global technology giant. [8/10]
  33. The Billionaire Mindset: Secrets of a Successful South African Entrepreneur by Daniel Strauss – Daniel Strauss shares valuable insights and strategies from his entrepreneurial journey, providing inspiration and practical advice for aspiring South African entrepreneurs. We interviewed Daniel Straus part of Lora Book Club monthly book review. [9/10]
  34. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson – Elon Musk is a brilliant entrepreneur, but recently has become a very divisive figure. Walter Isaacson on the other hand remains an amazing biographer, Walter is the reason I bought this book and I didn’t regret reading it. Walter Isaacson provides a detailed and illuminating account of Musk’s life, exploring his ambitious ventures and contributions to the fields of technology and space exploration. [9/10]
  35. The Book Every Entrepreneur Has To Read by 46 Authors – is a collaborative effort by 46 authors, providing a diverse and comprehensive guide covering various aspects of entrepreneurship and business. Some of the contributors to the book are brilliant entrepreneurs and friends such as Alef Meulenberg, Allon Raiz, Mike Teke, Selebogo Molefe, Luvuyo Rani, Pepe Marais, GG Alcock. This is a definite must read for entrepreneurs. [8/10]
  36. The Overcomers: Stories and Lessons from Entrepreneurs of a Resilient Nation By Alef Meulenberg – Alef shares inspiring stories of resilience from entrepreneurs, offering valuable lessons and insights into overcoming challenges in the business world. Alef has done a brilliant job on this one, another must read for entrepreneurs. [8/10]
  37. The Entrepreneurial Guide to the Promised Land by Xoliswa Moraka – Currently reading. Xolisa shares her entrepreneurial journey, leading a purposeful life and building a business that matters. So far I’m enjoying it and I will do a detailed review soon. So far I recommend this book for entrepreneurs [8/10]

Embracing the habit of reading is a powerful way to continuously expand your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and foster a lifelong love of learning.

A book a day not only keeps ignorance away but also opens doors to new perspectives and realms of understanding.

I love books, even though they risk bankrupting me. If I go broke, you know why 🙂

May your 2024 reading list be filled with books that captivate your mind and potentially change your life for the better.

May each book you pick up contribute to your intellectual enrichment!

Happy reading!