Hello Everyone,

Hope you're all tracking your time and getting better sleep.

This week I'll try to keep it short and value packed, as we cover, speed-consumption and my favourite fiction books of last year.

Against Speed-Consumption.

In 2019, I read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, over the span of a few hours. I had a couple pages worth of notes - and according to my Goodreads, I thought it was "worth the read." Yet, I don't think I thought about the book once since then besides the occasional "oh yeah, I read that" when it was recommended.

I recently picked it up to skim on my University train ride - instead, I got swept up by the contents of the book. I thought I had "read" the book a few years ago, but it's only settling into my mind now.

Being able to read in pieces over the week has given me plenty of downtime to think about it. While walking to the train, journaling, and in many spare moments, the book and concepts have been on my mind. My understanding and appreciation has gotten a lot deeper for the book - and it's made me wonder how much is missed, even with effective speed reading.

Will I still speed-read?

A speed-read or a skim can be invaluable when judging a book, looking for one key concept, or just to get a high-level overview.

The key is to not confuse it with reading to understand.

And NEVER speed-read fiction. It's meant to be enjoyed, never rushed. Which brings us (quite nicely) to our next section>

Best Fiction of 2021.

Reading Fiction before bed is perhaps one of the best sleeping tips I know (alongside a sleep mask, cool room, and avoidance of blue light.) I've been bringing the habit back to improve my sleep, and it got me thinking of all the great fiction I enjoyed in 2021.

Out of the 56 books I read last year, only 11 were fiction - but I highly recommend all but one. (The one being The Shootist. An overhyped Western. Considered a classic, but beyond the concept - which is great - the whole book is subpar.)

My Must Read: How to get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia.

This book is unlike anything that I have ever read. Written in 2nd person (you're the main character), it tracks your rise from being born into a slum to become wildly wealthy - but leaves you with plenty of questions and an almost empty feeling.

What was the point of it all? Did you sacrifice too much? How can you make your life worth living?

Overall, this is a book I plan to revisit again and again. It's a bit odd - but it still stays with me over a year after I last read it.

Long book that's worth it: A Man in Full.

This one clocks in at over 700 pages, yet it didn't feel like a strain at any point. The story has multiple main characters and is set in Atlanta in the late 80's.

The centre of the story revolves around an ageing real estate mogul in risk of losing it all, a crime at risk of tearing Atlanta apart, and a young father who just can't seem to find a stroke of good luck. The discovery of the Stoics by one of the characters provides another driver to the plot - and made it an all-time favourite to me.

(It was recently announced that Netflix is producing a mini-series based on the book, if that's more your style.)

Short book that's worth it: The boy, the horse, the fox and the mole.

This book is simple and beautiful. It reminded me of the Little Prince. it can be read in a single sitting, but its worth returning to more than once.

It's full of powerful lines that will leave you with a lot to think about.

Author of the Year: Steven Pressfield (The Knowledge, A Man at Arms, Legend of Bagger Vance)

Steven Pressfield is in one of the only writers I know who can write anything and make it a classic. He’s behind the War of Art – a must read – and a bunch of other great non-fiction. Yet, he’s also one of the best fiction writers I have ever come across.

Last year I read three of his books – and they show his range.

The Knowledge was a semi-autobiographical book set in 1970’s New York, it’s got advice on writing and living – weaved in with tragedy, crime, mystery, and a plot that won’t let you put the book down.

A Man at Arms tells the story of a mercenary in the Ancient Roman Empire. His personal journal struggles alongside the dying embers of empires, and the birth of new faiths.

The Legend of Bagger Vance is described as a “mystical golf novel”. The fact that I loved it as someone who has no interest in the mystical or golf tells you all that you need to know about the book. It’s a bit stranger than some of his other work but is still great. (P.S. There’s a movie based on the book starring Matt Damon and the dude who slapped Chris Rock)

Recommendation that I loved: Where the Crawdad’s sing.

I don’t think that I would ever have picked up this book if my mum hadn’t recommended it. The last book she read was one of my favourites of 2019 – and this was one of my favourites of 2021.

This book is based in 1950’s and 60’s Florida – and tells the story of a young girl surrounded by tragedy. This book was just unbelievably good.

I stayed up until 3AM in the morning for the first time in years reading – just to get through it. I genuinely could not go to sleep until I had resolved the plot.

It’s heartbreaking at times, and is without a doubt what most people look for in fiction – an escape, a journey, and a book that makes you better.

Book that lives up to the hype: The Shining.

Stephen King is the GOAT. I have read a bunch of his books and stories by this point – and honestly, he just always writes good books.

Even in his impeccable bibliography, there’s some books that stand out. The Shining is one of them. It’s one of those rare books that actually exceeds the hype.

It was brilliant, terrifying, and addicting. A great King novel that stands among my favourites (Pet Semetary, The Stand, The Green Mile.)

Reread that’s always great: The Hobbit.

Tolkien was a Master and a genius. He defined an entire genre – and inspired most modern-day fantasy writers.

The Hobbit is a book that showcases the best of Tolkien, and honestly, it’s just a fun read. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it – but it’s a winner every time.

If I’m in a fiction slump, it’s nice knowing that I can turn to it and get a great read.

Unusual book that I enjoyed: The Midnight Library.

Fia and I read this as part of our own book club.

This book tracks the story of a woman in a stage between life and the afterlife, where she occupies a library filled with books that bring her to lives that she could have lived.

It’s unique and a great exploration of regret, and that feeling that we “should’ve” lived a different life.

The writing is great. The concept is great. The story is great. Worth reading without a doubt.

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There we go, that's it for this week.

I hope you'll pick up one (or a few) of these books, and read them slowly.

Until next time,

Zachariah.