Winter Reads Wrap Up: Sci-Fi, Self-Improvement, and Historical Fiction Reviews

Welcome to my winter reading wrap-up! For the calendar sticklers out there, I’m strictly following the astronomical winter months, so bear with me! I have had the warmest winter since I visited Australia during my winter, which is their summer (cue laughter). I think my winter book reads reflect the weather I was experiencing. I went into the fall months with a lot of thrillers and space horror, while I spent my winter reading a massive science fiction epic, biographies, and actionable self-improvement guides. Let’s review my reads, shall we?

March

Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less by Pat Flynn

I am always interested in maximizing my learning, which lately means applied learning. How can I use my intellectual knowledge in the real world? This book is a productivity guide that advocates for “just-in-time” learning, focusing only on the information you can immediately apply. It’s a great read for anyone feeling overwhelmed by information overload or stuck in the planning phase of life.

Improvise!: Use the Secrets of Improv to Achieve Extraordinary Results at Work by Max Dickins

This book applies the principles of improvisational theater, like “Yes, and”, to the corporate world to foster better collaboration and agility. It’s a refreshing take on leadership and communication. Read my full review of Improvise! here.

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

A powerful mindset shift that encourages letting go of the need to control others’ actions to find your own peace. It’s a simple but life-changing tool for reducing social anxiety and frustration. I have been trying to incorporate it into my daily life and it has been working slowly but surely. I just need to remember to keep it up. Read my full review of The Let Them Theory here.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford

I absolutely loved this book. As someone who has heard how Genghis Khan changed the world and was a pivotal figure without knowing any of the details, this was a fascinating read. I would describe Genghis Khan as the greatest evidence I have ever come across that time travel is real because he was seemingly so modern in a lot of his ideas and actions for the 12th and 13th centuries. From uniting the steppe tribes to his grandson, Kublai Khan, becoming the Emperor of the Yuan dynasty, it is a great read.

Twelve Months (The Dresden Files, #18) by Jim Butcher

A more introspective story about Harry Dresden dealing with his trauma after the massive fallout of Battle Ground. Dresden finally gets a much-needed break to process everything he has been through. It brilliantly bridges the gap between major story arcs, and the reader gets a fantastic, character-driven read. Check out my deep-dive review of the newest Dresden Files book here.

February

Light Bringer (Red Rising Saga, #6) by Pierce Brown

I was one of those people that read the original Red Rising series and thought it ended with book 3. I picked up Iron Gold a couple of years ago and thought it was alright. Last year I picked up Dark Age and thought, hell yea, this is getting good. And Light Bringer doesn’t disappoint. There are so many threads to follow and characters to easily get invested in. The power dynamics are on the level of Game of Thrones and it is only getting better. I can’t wait for book #7.

Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries, #2) by Martha Wells

I loved this novella as our favorite antisocial SecUnit travels to a space station to investigate its own dark past with the help of a research transport ship. It’s a witty, fast-paced exploration of identity and autonomy. Read my full review of Artificial Condition here.

Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams by Gabrielle Bernstein

A spiritual guide focused on the Law of Attraction and aligning your energy to manifest your goals. It was a little “too” spiritual for me but I do believe in being a super attractor. My belief tends to come from the faith that what you are focusing your thoughts and energy on will manifest your desires through creative breakthroughs and hard work.

F*ck Your Feelings: Master Your Mind, Accomplish Any Goal, and Become A More Significant Human by Ryan Munsey

I think I was a little fooled by the title and assumed it would be all about how your feelings suck. It was more about ignoring your feelings in the situations where your feelings are trying to sabotage you. I would classify this as a standard guide to the grind where you want to invest in long-term goals and not succumb to immediate gratifications. A blunt, no-nonsense look at how to stop letting temporary emotions dictate your long-term success. Munsey’s book is for anyone struggling with procrastination or discipline.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Another book I was a little tricked by, I expected a story science fiction story (based on the title), but instead, I got a nuanced exploration of love. I am super glad I picked it up and appreciated its take on love in a modern setting where relationships tend to be classified in a strictly binary way. Read my full review of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow here.

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January

What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark McCormack

I would say it’s a little dated but often called a business classic by others. The book focuses on “street-smart” skills like reading people, negotiating, and time management. It’s a great reminder that practical experience often trumps academic theory in the real world.

Wabi Sabi: The Art of Finding the Beauty of Imperfection by Makoto Saito

I wanted to know more about Wabi Sabi so I picked up this book since it was free on Audible. It explores the Japanese aesthetic of finding peace in the flawed and the fleeting. It’s a calming read that offers a much-needed antidote to the modern obsession with perfection. It’s a great introductory primer, though I’m still hunting for a deeper dive into the philosophy, let me know in the comments if you have recommendations!

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow

I feel like time is a circle and we are going through the Gilded Age again where massive industrialists control the levers of the economy. It’s a deep dive into the life of John D. Rockefeller and the psychology of one of history’s most successful (and controversial) figures. I loved it and found Rockefeller incredibly interesting.

The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

Using a Socratic dialogue, this book explains Adlerian psychology and how to free yourself from the expectations of others. It’s a provocative read that challenges you to take full responsibility for your own happiness. Read my full review of The Courage to Be Disliked here.

Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards

A data-backed guide to social skills that breaks down the “hidden signals” humans send in every interaction. It’s essentially a field guide for introverts and extroverts alike to master networking and relationships. Read my full review of Captivate here.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

My wife absolutely loved this book and it has been on my bedside table for a couple of years now. A historical novel set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in Texas. It’s a harrowing but ultimately inspiring story about a mother’s resilience and the lengths she’ll go to save her children. I loved it and it made me cry multiple times.

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Final Thoughts

I feel like I have started the year off with a diverse set of reads. While many of these lean toward heavy non-fiction or deep character studies, I found them incredibly rewarding. Here is to the rest of the year’s reading journey!!!

What were you reading this winter? Drop your sci-fi and self-improvement book recommendations in the comments below!