My Top 5 Books I Read in 2023

Starting in 2023, I set a goal to read 50 books. This number was random. As a result, I read 25 books in 2023. So, I read half of the number I set at the beginning of the year.

All the books were great and made me more knowledgeable, curious, happy, and optimistic. Usually, a book makes me happy because I feel like I have learned useful information, been entertained, or the best case scenario, the book sparked new ideas in my head and feelings in my body.

Here are my top 5 books that taught me something new, and inspired me this year:

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear.

This book is the definitive guide to breaking bad behaviours and adopting good ones in four steps, showing you how small, incremental, everyday routines compound into massive, positive change over time.

If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits — whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

It’s easily one of the impactful books I’ve read in 2023 (I have 131 Bookmarks & Highlights in my phone). And I guarantee after reading it, you’ll come out how to build good habits and break bad ones!

Here are a few quotes from Atomic Habits:

• “We often seem to dismiss small changes because they don’t seem to matter very much in the moment.”
• “Success is the product of daily habits not once-in-a-lifetime transformation.”
• “Being poor is not having too little, it is wanting more.”

Screw It, Let’s Do It: by Richard Branson

The book reveals the lessons that have helped global entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, through his business and personal life, like believing it can be done.

And that, if others disagree with you, try and try again until you achieve your goal; or that you must love what you do.

The author shares the secrets of his success and the invaluable lessons he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As the world struggles with the twin problems of global recession and climate change, Richard explains why it is up to big companies like Virgin to lead the way in finding a more holistic and environmentally friendly approach to business. He also looks to the future and shares his plans for taking his business and his ideas to the next level.

Here are a few quotes from Screw It, Let’s Do It:

• “Success is more than luck. You have to believe in yourself and make it happen.”
• “And once we decide to do something, we should never look back, never regret it.”
• “Hard work and fun is what life is all about. As soon as something stops being fun, I think it’s time to move on. Life is too short to be unhappy.”

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

A story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules…people who get special pleasure out of doing something well, even if only for themselves…people who know there’s more to this living than meets the eye: they’ll be right there with Jonathan, flying higher and faster than ever they dreamed.

I read this book in 2 hours on a flight. It only has 104 pages (half of them are images by Russell Munson), but I did a lot of highlights.

Here are a few quotes from Jonathan Livingston Seagull:

• “You can go to any place and to any time that you wish to go”
• “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation.”
• “We choose our next world through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.”

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

A #1 international bestseller — that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one — homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

Just as A Brief History… aimed at explaining cosmology to a lay audience, Sapiens aims to provide a readable and concise historical summary of the progress of human evolution — all in under 500 pages.

This book gave me many answers to my questions. Moreover, I found a lot of interesting information that I had never thought about. The author explain complex issues in a way which can actually be understood and comprehended by most people.

Here are a few quotes from Sapiens:

• “‘Happiness Begins Within.’ Money, social status, plastic surgery, beautiful houses, powerful positions — none of these will bring you happiness.”
• “We study history not to know the future but to widen our horizons, to understand that our present situation is neither natural nor inevitable, and that we consequently have many more possibilities before us than we imagine.”
• “Once people get used to a certain luxury, they take it for granted. Then they begin to count on it. Finally they reach a point where they can’t live without it.”

Who Will Cry When You Die? by Robin S. Sharma

The book is structured as a collection of short, motivational essays, each presenting a valuable lesson or principle that readers can incorporate into their daily lives. It covers various aspects of life, from personal growth and professional success to relationships, spirituality, and overall well-being.

Would you like to replace that empty feeling inside you with a deep sense of peace, passion, and purpose? Are your hoping that your life will not only be successful but significant? Are you ready to have the very best within you shine through and create a rich legacy in the process? If so, this potent little book, with its powerful life lessons and its gentle but profound wisdom, is exactly what you need to rise to your next level of living.

As for me, I read this book as a reflection at the end of the year. I wrote down my thoughts and the lists that the author suggested. It was the best idea to end the year of reading with this book.

Here are a few quotes from Who Will Cry When You Die:

• “Learn from your past mistakes, but don’t let them define your future.”
• “Don’t live your life based on the expectations of others; live it according to your own inner calling.”
• “Live each day as if it were your last, and you will be amazed at the progress you make.”

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed my sharing and found the book you want to read next.

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Best wishes, Maryna.