Books For A Better 2021

This list isn’t a complete list of books to explain 2020, but I do believe we’d be a wiser society if read them. Each one of these books has expanded my understanding of what drives us, how we influence each other, and my ability to be compassionate with others who don’t share my worldview. In short, this is my 2020 list of books for a better world.

Our response to the pandemic:

The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread — and Why they Stop by Adam Kucharski

My takeaway: Math isn't’ a popular subject in the US. But what if it could be used to answer important questions? Adam Kucharski, mathematician turned epidemiologist, gives a clear, interesting and well-written explanation of why mathematical modeling is key to understanding the spread of a disease, an idea or gun shootings. You’ll gain a greater appreciation for how things spread. Warning, his love of the subject is contagious. You might be inspired to study the subject yourself!

Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World by Michele Gelfand

My takeaway: If a country has experienced a lot of trauma, it lives more safely, less freedom and the population bands together to respond to threats. These countries have more rule makers. If a country hasn’t had much threat, individuals who aren’t used to having to hunker down with the community are more likely to act in their own self-interest (rule breakers).

Understanding the impact of racism and sexism:

Whistling Vivaldi: And Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us by Claude Steele

My takeaway: Depending on our gender, our race, our class, our looks, and our abilities, we are all stereotyped by people in our environment. This book gives real insight into how that impacts us, positively and negatively. For those of us who are more positively stereotyped, this book will help us understand what people in disadvantaged communities have to overcome in order to gain our trust and get the chances that the rest of us take for granted. This book helps us understand what advantages or disadvantages we’ve been given by factors that are rarely under our control.

Mistakes were made (but not by me) by Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson

My takeaway: That who we become (for example ethical or unethical) is based on a series of decisions we make at choice points, and how we justify those decisions to ourselves. Extremism happens when we aren’t able to see our own mistakes and learn from them.

If our cultural expectation is to succeed and to never fail, we will have a harder time seeing our mistakes. There are numerous benefits for cultures that see failure as an opportunity to learn, and nothing to be ashamed of. These cultures are more resilient and are better at recovering from their mistakes.

Understanding our cultural influences and why we are so divided

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

My takeaway: Regardless of whether we lean left or right, we make decisions based on our intuition, and then use reason to justify our decisions. Haidt asks us to reflect on questions that underscore this point. He explains that morals are developed by societies to help it function. This book will open your mind, regardless of your political party or religion!

American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodward

My takeaway: If you want to better understand your fellow Americans, understanding the origins of our 11 nations helps us understand our diverse views and moral choices.

American Character: A History of the Epic Struggle Between Individual Liberty and the Common Good by Colin Woodward

My takeaway: America has struggled with this conflict between individual rights and the communal good since it began. This book will show us how we’ve resolved these conflicts in our past and the consequences of these decisions. How should we resolve the conflict now? By using the wisdom gained from our past to make better choices.

How to overcome our divisions:

The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World by Jamil Zaki

My takeaway: In America, we are suffering from an empathy deficit. But it doesn’t have to be this way! It can change! Dr. Zaki show’s the powerful healing effects of opening our hearts, not only for ourselves but those we open our hearts too. He also says that empathy is a skill that needs to be exercised, and so on his website at warforkindness.com, he offers exercises for his “empathy gym”.

The Anatomy of Peace, Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute

My takeaway: This book was written by two authors that come from different sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They came together to help families and community guides bridge conflicts between them for a more peaceful world. They explain the factors that keep us divided And how we can have a heart of war, versus the mindset (and heartset) we need to have a heart of peace. Are you In a divisive relationship? If so, this book will be worth reading.

Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy, MD

My takeaway: The former surgeon general under Obama explains why loneliness must be viewed as a public health concern. A failure to thrive happens with babies who are neglected. Even if we’ve survived childhood, connection is essential to our ability to thrive. Dr. Murthy beautifully explains why we are so disconnected, and how it impacts us. He also outlines what types of connections we need to be healthy. This book is also a book of hope. He shows wonderful examples of how people have worked to overcome loneliness by building community, and a path for each of us to build a more connected life.

While I’m relieved that 2020 is over, we can’t be sure that 2021 will be better. However, if we learn from experts, and from the wisdom of our previous mistakes, we can make wiser choices as a society to minimize our suffering in the future.

Therefore, I’ve decided to help us do that. I’ve just launched an online meetup group called Book Club for a Better World. It will provide an opportunity for us to discuss books, movies, podcasts (or individual episodes) that have provided ideas for making the world a more livable place. The aim is to help us better utilize the wisdom gained, to translate it into effective solutions to solve world problems. I hope you’ll join us!

Do you have any books to recommend for a better future for all of us? Please share below!