Why This Page
I created this page to document my learning and reading journey. The list here is not exhaustive—I only started recording it recently—but it reflects where I am and where I’m headed. Ultimately, I read to deepen my understanding of both the world and myself. As the Aristotelian saying goes, “to know oneself is the beginning of all wisdom.” I know there is still a long way to go, but this is part of that path.
About the Readings
I’ve organised the readings by discipline/area, in line with how I like to connect dots across fields. This may not be the most systematic or efficient approach—for example, some texts bridge across disciplines—but this organisation works for me. I share it here as an evolving resource, open to anyone who might find it useful in shaping their own reading journey.
Accessible Reading
I’ve included texts that are more accessible to general readers, with introductory works across different disciplines. Alongside the list, I offer a simple practice for building consistency: read for 30 minutes each morning, then spend 15 minutes writing reflections. It may feel challenging at first, but over time it becomes second nature.
Goodreads
I’m also on Goodreads—feel free to add me there if you’d like to see more of what I’m reading.
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Some Reading Recommendations
Postmodern Theory
(overlaps with Critical, Urban, Social Theory, other traditions/fields of thought)
Stephen Eric Bronner (2011, Oxford Short Introductions)—Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Accessible text that gives overview of Frankfurt School ideas; situates CT’s history and relevance today
Lois Tyson (2023)—Critical Theory Today: A User Friendly Guide. Accessible textbook on applying CT to literature and culture (author uses Great Gatsby); practical and approachable.
Henri Lefebvre (1988)—Critique of Everyday Life. Foundational text on everyday practices as site of ideology, resistance, transformation.
Michel De Certeau (1984)—The Practice of Everyday Life. Explores how ordinary people ‘make do’ and subvert systems through everyday practices; CT classic.
David Harvey (2012)—Rebel Cities. Analysis of urbanisation, neoliberalism, social movements; argues for ‘right to the city’.
Susan Fainstein (2010)—The Just City. Proposes equity, democracy, diversity as principles for urban planning and policy.
Joseph Stiglitz (2022)—Globalisation and its Discontents. Economic critique of globalisations’ failures and inequalities; intersects with CT and critical social thought
Ananya Roy (2010)—Poverty Capital. Examines global microfinance and development politics; critiques neoliberal approaches to poverty.
Roland Barthes (1967)—The Death of the Author. Poststructuralist essay rejecting singular authorial meaning; foundational to literary and CT.
Hannah Arendt (1958)—The Human Condition. Political philosophy on labour, work, action in the modern world; bridges theory, politics, lived experience.
Margaret Archer (2003)—Structure, Agency and the Internal Conversation. Sociological analysis of reflexivity; explores how individuals navigate structure and personal agency.
Way of Life
Marcus Aurelius (AD180-90)—Meditations. One takes away stoicism from book. First English version published in 1634 by Meric Casaubon.
Amartya Sen (1999)—Development as Freedom. Ties to human flourishing, wellbeing, life choices.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1992)—Basic Writings by Nietzsche. Philosophy of life, values, existence.
Derek Lin (2006)—Tao Te Ching. Classic Taoist wisdom on balance, simplicity, harmony with natural order, practical and spiritual guidance.
John Berger (1972)—Ways of Seeing. A seminal text on visual culture, art, ideology; shows how perception is shaped by context and power
Junichiro Tanizaki (1933)—In Praise of Shadows. Meditation on Japanese aesthetics, subtlety, beauty of imperfection, darkness.
Fumio Sasaki (2017)—Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism. Personal reflection on minimalism as path to clarity, happiness, intentional living.
Bill Burnett & Dave Evans (2016)—Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life. Design thinking tools like odyssey panning, journalling, reframing; practical guide to aligning life and values.
Alan Watts (2011)—The Wisdom of Insecurity – A Message for an Age of Anxiety. Philosophical psychology text that explores how living in the present moment can free us from fear, anxiety; blends Eastern philosophy and Western existential concerns; might be a challenging read for some.
Psychology
Psychology, Solitude, Self
Susan Cain (2013)—Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. On introversion as social identity, strength
Jenn Granneman (2017)—The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World. Insider perspective on introvert experience.
Nancy Ancowitz (2009)—Self-Promotion for Introverts: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead. Some practical strategies for navigating extroverted norms.
Renuka Gavrani (2023)—The Art of Being Alone: Solitude Is My Home, Loneliness Was My Cage. Popular text on solitude and inner life.
Henry David Thoreau (1854)—Walden, or Life In The Woods. Classic refleciton on solitude, nature, self-reliance.
Carl Gustav Jung (1989)—Memories, Dreams, Reflections. Autobiographical insights on psyche and unconscious.
Environmental Psychology & Human-Environment Relations
Robert Gifford (2014)—Environmental Psychology: Principles and Practice. A good, comprehensive, accessible text on human-environmental interaction.
Amos Rapoport (1982)—The Meaning of the Built Environment. A seminal work on culture and environment.
Irwin Altman & Daniel Stokos (eds., 1970s-80s)—Handbook of Environmental Psychology. Accessible, comprehensive, classic foundational volumes.
Christopher Alexander (1979)—The Timeless Way of Building. Design philosophy on patterns, use, human needs.
Popular Psychology
Daniel Pink (2009)—Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. Examines intrinsic and extrinsic motivation; concepts: autonomy, mastery, purpose.
Daniel Goleman (1995)—Emotional Intelligence. Argues that EQ matters as much as IQ. Influential text esp. in organisational psychology.
Barry Schwartz (2004)—The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less. Explores how abundance can lead to anxiety, paralysis, dissatisfaction. Calls to mind: Jam Study by Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper, 2000.
Futures
Tim Dixon (2021)—Urban Futures: Planning for City Foresight and City Visions. Examines foresight methods used in urban planning; bridges futures studies with city-making practice. I refer to this a lot when talking about participatory design.
Jennifer Gidley (2017, Oxford Short Introductions)—The Future: A Very Short Introduction. Accessible read; concise overview of futures studies; traces intellectual history and contemporary approaches in accessible way.
Eleonora Masini (1993)—Why Futures Studies?. Pioneer in futures field; introductory kind of work; argues for futures thinking as way to guide societies in times of uncertainty.
Richard Slaughter and Andy Hines (2020)—The Knowledge Base of Futures Studies 2020. One of my first reads as entry into futures; comprehensive collection of foundational concepts, methods, debates, gaps in the field.
Wendell Bell (1997)—Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes, and Knowledge (Vol. 1). Classic text outlining the philosophical and methodological bases of futures studies.
Wendell Bell (1997)—Foundations of Futures Studies: Values, Objectivity, and the Good Society (Vol. 2). Continues from Vol. 1 foundational work, focusing on ethics, values, societal role in futures inquiry.
Johanna Hoffman (2022)—Speculative Futures: Design Approaches to Navigate Change, Foster Resilience, and Co-Create the Cities We Need. Practice-oriented; uses design and speculation as tools for resilience and participatory futures.
Architecture, Design
Don Norman (1988)—The Design of Everyday Things. Seminar work in human-centred design; explains how usability, affordances, feedback shape our interaction with objects, systems.
Kenya Hara (2003)—Designing Design. Philosophical exploration of Japanese design aesthetics; emphasises emptiness, perception, cultural meaning of design. One of my favourite books. The other being Kenya Hara (2008)—White.