These are the five main books that touched me the most in 2022 (and a part of 2021). Maybe you find some inspiration in them for your next book.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Is strongly ranked my personal No. 1 at the moment. Originally I was hooked by its title. I think I found an answer on that question. It's such an eye-opening book. I bought 'The unheard cry for meaning: psychotherapy & humanism' as a follow-up on the bench for 2023.
Growth: From Microorganisms to Mega cities by Vaclav Smil
I especially liked Vaclav's writings about the history of energy and how it impacted societies.
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
After reading the gene I ended up adding a microscope to my wish list. It is the start fuel for a new interest in (molecular cell) biology. I liked it so much that I was interested in the other books of the author. I have 'The song of the cell' and 'The emperor of all maladies' by Siddhartha on my desk ready to devour.
How Asia works by Joe Studwell
The book highlights the role of government policy in the economic development of countries. It was interesting to read Joe's research on why certain policy changes made such a difference in why some North East Asian countries became so successful economically and why a lot of South East Asian countries became so 'poor'.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Couldn't miss my top 5. I've bought the book in a bookstore in southern France while I made my first solo trip. It didn't take long or I had read all three of Harari's main books. His books gave me a deeper understanding in how the modern world came to be.