Designing the Mind - if I could only have read one book in 2021

If I could only have read one book in 2021, this would have been it. A clear 5/5.

I came to it in an unusual way: the author reached out asking if I would read an advance copy and review it, since I’d read some similar books. No regrets there.

It’s extremely well researched and written, and manages to contain many of the practical elements of psychology and philosophy in one medium length volume. This book contains the best case for self mastery, self discipline and habit regulation that I’ve ever seen, and that includes Atomic Habits. It manages to provide practical knowledge in each chapter, all bundled with enough theory, backed up by good sources, to convince you that the information is solid.

The idea that stuck with me most is how plastic our minds are. It’s been a while now, and I’m due for a reread.

The structure made it easy to follow too. In particular I love the inclusion of dot point summaries at the end of each chapter, and the use of a diagram that represents the structure of the entire book - much like those huge maps you get in a fantasy book. It was so dense yet so readable.

This was my top book for 2021, and years later it still holds the top spot for philosophy for me. I’d hand it to anyone into philosophy, anyone who asks me for a self help book that’s actually good, or a dev asking for lifestyle stuff.