Itās the holidays, which means that, among other things, itās recommendation season. Here are mine.
These are the first annual āAndyā Awards. To win an āAndyā you need to be a product, service, or piece of entertainment that I have loved and used personally. Of course, these awards are entirely subjective, and I make no claim that these are the best things to be had, but these are just some of the things that brought me comfort and joy in 2023. If they interest you, check them out! If not, Iāll be back in 2024 with something new.
Movies and TV
šŗ Favorite series: Long Way Up
I discovered this travel series on AppleTV+ over the fall and couldnāt stop watching. Hereās the description from the showās website:Ā
āCovering 13,000 miles over 100 days through 16 border crossings and 13 countries, starting from the city of Ushuaia at the tip of South America, Ewan [McGregor] and Charley [Boorman] journey through the glorious and underexposed landscapes of South and Central America. Using cutting-edge technology on the back of their prototype electric Harley-Davidsons, the new series follows Ewan and Charley as they journey through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and up through Colombia, Central America, Mexico and the USA.ā
Ewan McGregor is just so cool, and the joy these two have as they travel up the amazing South American landscape makes me long for an adventure.
šæ Favorite new movie: Oppenheimer
A great biopic, and a great view into Americaās political landscape in the 40s and 50s. Many parallels to today. Visually and sonically amazing. This is one of two movies I actually went to see in theaters in 2023.
Honorable mention: The Creator || Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse
Books
š Fiction series Iām obsessed with: The Gray Man by Mark Greaney
The Gray Man redefines the action genre, and I'm hooked. With each installment, I find myself completely immersed in a world where danger lurks at every turn, and the protagonist's unwavering determination leaves me inspired to push the limits of my own capabilities.
š Non-fiction book I canāt stop thinking about: How to Know a Person by David Brooks.Ā
Some great books, I listen to fast. I canāt bring myself to press pause. Other great books, I savor them, digesting them bit-by-bit to really internalize them. This is a book for savoring. In it, Brooks teaches you the art of āseeingā people. How to listen, how to talk, and how to just be with people in a way that makes them feel valued. Iām still not finished with it because I keep pressing the dang pause button to take notes.Ā
Check out my list of what else I read in 2023.
Music
šæ Album of the year (for me): Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites by Yo-Yo Ma
300 years old, but as good as ever. I keep coming back to it.
š§ Playlist for getting work done: Binaural Beats: Focus
Ok, I know this is a bit out there, but Iāve come to swear by these kinds of ambient soundscapes for times when I really need to focus. If you need something a little more interesting check out my favorite Lo-Fi playlist.
Podcasts
I have a love/hate relationship with Podcasts. On the one hand, they are one of the key sources of learning for me. On the other hand, I have seen how they tend to fill the space of junk tv or mindless social media scrolling. Iāve cut back on my podcast consumption quite a bit, but here are two that I canāt get rid of.Ā
š» Show of the year: The Rest is History
Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook cover interesting historical topics, ranging from ancient history to modern times. Their episodes are short and informative, but also lighthearted and fun. Worth your time if you are interested in history.
š» Podcast Iām waiting for each week: All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks, & Friedburg
The four ābestiesā as they call themselves are each successful entrepreneurs in their own right, and each week they discuss a wide range of topics from news to politics to startup valuations. I learn so much āinside baseballā about the tech world, and their wide range of views and opinions results in an honest and balanced conversation. It toes the line on my ālow information dietā (see below) but itās an exception Iāll happily make.
Blogs and newsletters
š Blog of the year: Marginal Revolution
MR is an economics blog from George Mason University professors Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok. Now in their 20th year of blogging, they post multiple times a day on a wide range of topics. I always learn something when I read MR, and their straight-to-the-point style is something that I hope to embody in my own writing. Hereās a collection of the most popular posts of 2023.
š Essay I keep revisiting:Ā 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly
This is a must-read for anyone who aspires to be a ācreator.ā Iāll just leave it at that.
Kevin Kelly has become one of my newest mentors, and Iāve never met him. The author, futurist, and Wired.com founder is nothing short of a polymath. I particularly admire him for having incredibly insightful thoughts and communicating them very succinctly.Ā Check out his book of life advice Excellent Advice for Living
Honorable mention: You Were Made for More Than This by David Perell
Kitchen
ā Favorite coffee supplier: Trade Coffee (**referral link**)
If you spend any time with me, youāll know Iām a coffee junkie. Not only do I consume an alarming amount of it, but I also love the craft of making coffee. Over the years, Iāve learned that my preference is for specialty, light roasted coffee, which tend to be more acidic, more fruity, and less bitter. My favorite light roasts tend to come from Ethiopia or Kenya, but Iāve also had wonderful cup from Central America.
I buy my coffee through a subscription to Trade Coffee. They help me find and purchase coffee from small roasters all over the country. Iāve had a fresh bag of specialty coffee delivered to me every 2-3 weeks for the last 4 years.
Honorable mention: Onyx Coffee Lab my favorite roaster. Try Costa Rica Las Lajas if you can find it.
ā Coffee gadget of the year: Breville Precision Brewer
I love my coffee, but my pour-over routine just takes too long in the morning, especially when weāre trying to feed, clothe, and generally placate two young kids. The Breville Precision Brewer has enabled me to automate my coffee process. One of lifeās simple pleasures is to use the auto start feature and wake up to a full pot of hot coffee first thing in the morning.Ā
š§ Clutch kitchen gadget: SodaStream Terra
The SodaStream is my eco-warrior companion, enabling me to indulge my diet soda habit while reducing my environmental footprint. Its simple design and reusable bottles transform ordinary tap water into bubbly refreshments. Embracing this eco-conscious marvel has not only elevated my hydration routine but also aligned perfectly with my mission to generate less waste and make a meaningful impact on the environment, one sparkling sip at a time.
Productivity
š§ Second brain: Google Keep
The shortest pencil is mightier than the longest memory, and Google Keep has become my digital memory palace. Armed with its simplicity and versatility, I now capture and organize thoughts, snippets, and reminders with ease, unlocking newfound mental clarity and supercharging my efficiency. Itās especially great for grocery lists and recipes. You probably already have an account.
š Best life hacks: The Low Information Diet
This one is not new but was new to me. I learned about the idea of a āLow Information Dietā in Tim Ferrissās ā4 Hour Workweekā this year. Itās helped me to dampen some of the noise in my life and give my mind room to focus on things that I want to be doing. Including writing this newsletter. Here are the 4 principles I follow.
Stop reading the news. Truly noteworthy things will bubble up elsewhere
Consume Podcasts and YouTube videos on the weekends only (difficult)
Fiction books are ok in limited quantities
Music is ok any time
Honorable mention: The RAD System from Ali AbdaalĀ
There you go! The first annual Andy Awards are in the books. Congratulations to the winners.
Happy New Year!
-JA