10 Books that made an Impact in 2021

startupTop Tips

Jan 7

When I think that two years ago I was struggling to make the time to read books I wonder about the type of person I would be today if I had not joined a Book Club. I know I would not be the same person I am today because as I reflect on another year of insights, ideas, and inspiration I have taken on from the books I have read, I can see how they and other books have shaped my mindest, my decision making and how I respond to life experiences.

I am so glad I took the step to join a Book Club and grateful to have the accountability of the group that has enabled me to pick up (and finish) 14 books in 2021, some of which I probably wouldn’t have chosen to pick up.

Kristina Pereckaite and I decided to sit down together to review our most impact reads of 2021 after the success of last year’s review and I’ve highlighted my personal top 10 books below with key takeaways for each.

In no particular order

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Why it had an impact: I had a very dark spell this year of depression and loneliness that I haven’t experienced since being a teenager and this book, which I first read 5 or 6 years ago, helped me shift my mindset on some tough days.
Biggest takeaway: Everyone will have triggers from the past that creep up and fill you with emotion that can really weigh you down. This book helped me, for the first time, just witness those emotions and be separate from them, rather than letting myself be consumed and identify with them. It’s a concept I've heard throughout my life, a common belief in Buddhism and stoicism, but I’ve never been able to achieve that detachment before. People around me would actually be shocked at how I’d change from one day to the next.
You should read this book if: Anxiety or depression are familiar in your life and you’re curious how a mindset shift could help you step out of those intense states.

2. The Unexpected Joy of being Sober by Catherine Gray

Why it had an impact: I had just decided to go sober for a month when the Book Club chose this book so I think I was already curious about choosing to be sober. So for me, it really was the right book at the right time.

Biggest takeaway: At the start of the book Catherine reads out the definition and synonyms for ‘sober’ - serious, sensible, and solum. Muted in colour. Plain, conservative, unadventurous. And the antonyms - light-hearted, sensational, emotional.

When I read this, I realised this was exactly my view of what alcohol brought to my life and what being sober would look and feel like. So I went into a month of sobriety aware of this narrative and interested to see if it was accurate.

You should read this book if: You drink.

3. Shoedog by Phil Knight

Why it had an impact: I would not have picked this book up if it wasn’t for Book Club. I had my own story about Nike and although that hasn’t changed, it was really fascinating seeing where the business started. Like ‘The Will Never Work’, that we read last year, it surprised me how much I could relate to the story and it made me more empathetic to the people who were so committed to a vision.

Biggest takeaway: This is going to sound really cheesy but the Nike tagline “just do it”, is what the essence of the book was to me (and that may have been intentional on the editor’s part). There was no reason the business should work out but they just kept taking the next step and responded to all the challenges as best they could.

You should read this book if: You are starting up a business.

4. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

Why it had an impact: It was a real pleasure to read. I love exploring new concepts and being inspired by people’s journeys but what this book offered was the beauty of the written word.

Biggest takeaway: The human condition of being impacted by the past and how we bring that into our present experience. And also how curious I am. I couldn’t put the book down because I just wanted to know what happened next.

You should read this book if: You are also curious and enjoy stories that don’t follow the typical hero story plot.

5. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Why it had an impact: He’s taken a really complicated subject and made it accessible in a way I haven’t come across before. It brings to the surface how the subconscious parts of our brain work and how that impacts our day-to-day decision-making.

Biggest takeaway: The whole book is formed around the theory that the type of thinking that leads our decision making (fast thinking) doesn't like ambiguity and it will piece together scraps of information to make it mean something. It makes us see the world as tidy, pretty, and more predictable than it really is, but this is all an illusion.

These illusions are comforting. They reduce the anxiety that we experience if we allow ourselves to fully acknowledge the uncertainty of existence. Once I realised why my brain was doing this, to help me survive, I felt more comfortable with uncertainty.

You should read this book if: You're fascinated by neuroscience and what we are discovering about the human brain. It was packed full of really interesting ideas.

6. Banking on it by Anne Boden

Why it had an impact: I didn’t know the story, even though it’s been talked about in the news, but I have known the business since it started, so it was really interesting to discover what went on behind the scenes.

Biggest takeaway: I hadn’t realised that the whole of the Starling team left at such a critical point and started up Monzo. I was impressed that Anne didn’t give up at that point and still made Starling a success even with the upper hand her direct competitor had.

You should read this book if: You want to diversify the stories you hear about starting up a successful business. Finally one from not only a female founder but one who was over 50 when she started the business.

7. Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Why it had an impact: Brings stoic philosophies into the modern world in a simple and digestible way.

Biggest takeaway: Even as adults we can live in a teenage reality. One where we act as if there is an invisible audience. What if you lived your life like there was no one to perform to? This concept really brought a sense of freedom when I digested it

You should read this book if: You want to live a full life but feel like there are always things holding you back.

8. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

Why it had an impact: This is a book that captures emotions in a raw and deeply moving way.

Biggest takeaway:

You should read this book if: You want to experience the senses through words alone.

9. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Why it had an impact: The most concise depiction of human history in a relatively short book.

Biggest takeaway: The chapter on religion really surprised me. When it started I was prepared to switch off but actually found it the most fascinating chapter. It gave me a different viewpoint on the foundations of all religions that I wasn’t expecting.

You should read this book if: You never really enjoyed history lessons but are still curious about the past.

10. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Why it had an impact: It is so practical and gives you really simple steps you can implement immediately to live the life you want.

Biggest takeaway: Habit 1 (You are the creator) is really impactful in its own right. It empowers you to feel like you can create whatever you want in your life and gives you the tools to remove the most weighted barriers to this - regret and shame.

You should read this book if: You feel like the world is happening to you and that is stopping you from doing the things you really want to do.

I hope this has inspired you to add one or two of these books on to your own reading list and if you are looking for accountability to start reading more, do get in touch to join our Book Club.

You can find all the books on my BookShop.org list. Full disclosure, if you buy any of the books via that list you will firstly be supporting local independent book shops across the UK and I will also get a referral fee that will go towards buying books on my 2022 reading list.

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Sara Osterholzer