12 Books That Made Me Me
A selection of my walking companions
I don’t read physical books much anymore.
Instead, the kind voices of strangers read books to me as I walk.
A modern miracle.
Widespread availability of audiobooks is among my favorite of humanity’s advances.
Here are 12 books (in no particular order) that I’ve listened to repeatedly over the decades, with a brief comment regarding how each has shaped my thinking and influenced how I engage with the world.
The World Beyond Your Head - Matthew Crawford
Crawford’s book inspired me to turn off notifications for good. It’s a manifesto on reclaiming attention in a world intent on fracturing it, reminding us that our focus is our most precious asset.
Intuition Pumps and Other Tools For Thinking - Daniel Dennett
Being aware of the mind’s limitations is as critical as understanding its capabilities. Dennett offers a toolkit for thinking more effectively and engaging with the world more thoughtfully.
Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer
This book taught me to see plants as teachers and indigenous wisdom as vital knowledge. Now I can’t help but see the Windigo footprints everywhere. The book also reminds me that I am not separate from nature but a part of it.
The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins
This book altered my perception of reality. A gene-centered view of evolution reshaped my understanding of human nature and set me on a lifelong journey of curiosity about how and why we behave as we do.
Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu
A companion to every phase of life. The lessons I can describe from this book are not the lessons I’ve learned.
The Stuff of Thought - Stephen Pinker
Pinker reveals how metaphors shape our thoughts and language, arguing that they’re essential to human cognition. This book is a window into how we construct reality - and how it constructs us.
The Warmth of Other Suns - Isabel Wilkerson
Even though we were the country that fought to end slavery (as I learned in my northern Yankee schooling), we were also the country that fought to keep it (as I’ve learned since). The Civil War’s losers didn’t surrender their ideology, but adapted it. This book made that history personal, palpable, and unforgettable.
Galapagos - Kurt Vonnegut
Humans are, by definition, the least capable species of creating advanced civilization. Like Kurt, I wish we’d have waited. Vonnegut’s hilarious, compassionate critique of human absurdity remains a guide for laughing through the pain.
Enchiridion & Discourses - Epictetus
Stoic philosophy, distilled by Epictetus, feels timeless. Its principles align surprisingly well with modern psychology, offering tools for resilience and clarity in an unpredictable world.
The Way of Zen - Alan Watts
Watts demystifies Zen, making it both accessible and profound. I’ve vowed to dive deeper into foundational Buddhist texts someday, but this book remains a cornerstone for understanding presence and acceptance. Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright also deserves honorable mention.
Flow - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
For over two decades, I’ve sought ways to tap into flow states. Walking, meditating, writing, cycling, reading, eating, and even while playing Minesweeper, 2048, Gin Rummy, or doing a crossword puzzle. Cannabis plays a role, too. This book framed that pursuit with science and clarity.
Entangled Life - Merlin Sheldrake
One of the most beautifully written books I’ve read, Sheldrake opened my eyes to the wonders of fungi and lichens, sparking a joyous journey of learning about these often-overlooked networks that underpin life on Earth.