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
- The Gaslighting of the Millennial Generation: How to Succeed in a Society That Blames You for Everything Gone Wrong by Caitlin Fisher
- The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom
- Calm Technology: Principles and Patterns for Non-Intrusive Design by Amber Case
- Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
- Writing to Be Understood: What Works and Why by Anne Janzer
- Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson
- A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Verge
- The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone by Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach
- Without Their Permission by Alexis Ohanian
- My Big TOE: Awakening by Thomas Campbell
- The Definitive Guide to Taxes for Indie Game Developers by Rachel Presser
- Passion to Profits: Business Success for New Entrepreneurs by Rhonda Abrams
- The Best American Science and Nature Writing by Sam Kean, et al
- 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.
- Rainbirds by Clarissa Goenawan
- Early Riser by Jasper Fforde
- 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:
- Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
- How to Be Alone: If You Want To, and Even If You Don’t by Lane Moore
- How to Be Miserable: 40 Strategies You Already Use by Randy Paterson
- Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe by Roger McNamee
- Treasure Island: An Audible Original Drama by Robert Louis Stevenson and Marty Ross
- 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.
What a fascinating list. I’m thrilled that Writing to Be Understood made the list for the year. Why We Sleep and the Knowledge Illusion are both books I found really enlightening. I’ve added a few of your books to my list for 2020 (which could already stretch to 2030…) Thanks for sharing this.
Of course! Thanks for reading my blog and writing a wonderful book. 🙂