“The End of the Nineteen-Nineties” by Hafiz Noor Shams
This book is partly a memoir, and partly a historical account of Malaysia. Interwoven with the author’s personal experiences, it discusses the challenges of living in a fragmented multiethnic society, whereby Malays are the dominant race. The author grieves the 1990s, a period of great modernization and unity, when a sense of Malaysian-ness prevailed over Malay-ness. I couldn’t recommend this book highly enough, especially if you are from Malaysia. As I read this further, the more I wondered that, perhaps, the author is grieving over something illusory, that never truly existed in the first place.
“Petty” by Warren Zanes
Even though I haven’t listened to Tom Petty’s music as insanely often as i used to, he still remains as one of my favorite musicians, ever. I re-read this biography for an upcoming project, and I was amazed that it gets even better on a second read. The author does exceptionally well at narrating Petty’s story, from his abusive upbringing, to discovering his love for music, to weathering his later tragedies, and how all of this coalesced into Petty’s complex character, and of course, the beautiful music that he created in his lifetime. Even if you’re not familiar with Petty’s music, I’m sure you’d find this a gripping read about the power of art in touching and healing lives.
“Decisive” by Chip and Dan Heath
If you’ve been checking out my recent reading lists, you’d know that I’ve been in a rabbit hole of Chip and Dan Heath’s books. Their books are consistently well-written with playful humor, and most importantly, they are packed with practical insights. I’m also a big fan of their one page summaries, which make it convenient for me to quickly look back at the lessons whenever I need to. Anyway, this book goes over the common pitfalls and biases that limit our decision-making process. And of course, it also tells us what we can do instead to make better decisions.
“The Hanging of Ai Weiwei” by Barnaby Martin
Ai Weiwei is a contemporary artist in China, who has made waves for criticizing the Chinese government through his art. With his life continuously at risk, he has braved all odds to show his fellow people different ways of seeing reality, other than what is regulated by their communist government. While this book is a biography of Ai Weiwei, it also serves as a commentary on the future of China. Particularly in an ever-changing digital landscape where information is everywhere, and more people are beginning to think for themselves, can communism still survive?
“I Need Art: Reality Isn’t Enough” by Henn Kim
This one is a memoir, in which the author shares about her struggles with depression, and how throughout such times, art was always there to make her feel less alone, and to give her a sense of purpose, even if for a brief moment. While the writing is pretty good in its own right, the real anchor point is the author’s beautiful surrealist illustrations. They are strange, yet also alluring, as they offer infinitely refreshing perspectives on the highs and lows of everyday life.
Izzat Zailan 