Another year, another 24 books

At the end of 2018, I tried to set a goal for myself to read 36 books in 2019.

Before you think, “Wow, 36, that’s a lot,” I chose that number as a 150% bump from the 24 books I read in 2018. So while it felt like a challenge, I didn’t think I was reaching too far, either.

Then I read 24 books again.

It’s okay to break even, right?

I like reading e-books before bed. Kindle light is so much gentler than other electronic devices. But I also like reading paperbacks; audiobooks are nice, too.

Kindle Books

1. The Gaslighting of the Millennial Generation: How to Succeed in a Society That Blames You for Everything Gone Wrong by Caitlin Fisher
2. The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom
3. Calm Technology: Principles and Patterns for Non-Intrusive Design by Amber Case
4. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
5. Writing to Be Understood: What Works and Why by Anne Janzer
6. Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson
7. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Verge
8. The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone by Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach
9. Without Their Permission by Alexis Ohanian
10. My Big TOE: Awakening by Thomas Campbell
11. The Definitive Guide to Taxes for Indie Game Developers by Rachel Presser
12. Passion to Profits: Business Success for New Entrepreneurs by Rhonda Abrams
13. The Best American Science and Nature Writing by Sam Kean, et al
14. The Best American Nonrequired Reading by Sheila Heti, et al

Paper Books

I have a subscription to the Book of the Month club. If you’d like to gift me a free book via a referral, click here.

1. Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan
2. Early Riser by Jasper Fforde
3. Eyes in the Sky: The Secret Rise of Gorgon Stare and How It Will Watch Us All by Arthur Holland Michel

Audiobooks

In order of preference, based on overall entertainment factor:

1. Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron
2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
3. How to Be Alone: If You Want To, and Even If You Don’t by Lane Moore
4. How to Be Miserable: 40 Strategies You Already Use by Randy Paterson
5. Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe by Roger McNamee
6. Treasure Island: An Audible Original Drama by Robert Louis Stevenson and Marty Ross
7. The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

I listened to The Christmas Pact in one day on 125% speed. It wasn’t bad, or I wouldn’t have been able to pull that off. Minimum Wage Magic is hands-down the most entertaining one in the list, though.

For listeners looking for a deep, thoughtful choice, that’d be How to Be Alone by Moore.

What’d you read in 2019?

Maybe I’ll reach 36 books in 2020.