THE 2020 ULTIMATE NON-READER BOOK LIST
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Way back at the beginning of 2020, I set 20 intentions to achieve in 2020.
In all honesty, I’ve barely referred back to that list at all this year… whoops…
Sure, I could blame that on the pandemic and our lives being completely turned upside down and unexpected, but let’s be real here…
I’ve barely looked at that list since January, so I really can’t blame the pandemic at all.
Maybe 20 intentions was too big of an undertaking. I mean, in hindsight, I was really pulling at straws to come up with 20.
And as I’m starting to look ahead into 2021 and setting my goals for the year, I’ve learned that 20 is (1) an arbitrary number I pulled out of my booty, and (2) way too many things to focus on.
While I’ll talk a little bit more next week about all 20 of those intentions + what went well and what didn’t, let’s talk about the ONE THING that I really focused a lot of my time and attention to this year.
Reading 20 books.
For me, it’s a good year if I read 5. It’s a GREAT year if I read closer to 10. So, 20 seemed liked a pretty big number - but it also felt achievable.
20 books roughly is about 2 books per month, or a book every 2 weeks. I am FAR from a fast reader, but I felt that if I dedicated + prioritized my time to make this goal happened, it was very possible that I could easily achieve this.
Well, there are 3 weeks left in 2020… and I just started book #18 this week.
Do I think I’ll read 3 books in the next 3 weeks? Doubtful.
But, like I said, if I read 10 books during the year, that’s really, really good for me. So, I’m THRILLED with 18!
I’m really not a great reader. I do LOVE to read, but I need books that hold my attention well. That keep me WANTING to come back. If I’m struggling past the first chapter, there’s a good chance I will never finish it.
I also need to WANT to read it. If it’s not something that has me interested in actually opening it up in the first place, then again, probably not going to finish it.
And I’m NOT a person who doesn’t finish what they start…
Here’s sort of what I focused on when it came to picking books to read this year…
Has a friend or family member recommended it to me? If yes, then it was added to my list.
If it’s a personal // professional development book, is it something that applies to my life or business? If yes, add it to the list.
If it’s a fiction book, is it something that is thrilling or adds mystery? If yes, I’m in.
So, you’ll see a few patterns in the books I read. I think this year’s overarching theme for my nonfiction reads was how to slow down and not hustle as much. That’s been a big recurring theme for my life, so anything that was related to that theme was likely going to hit well for me (and you’ll see from my top 3 that it did).
Alright, without further ado…
here is my Ultimate 2020 Book List for Non-Readers - and my top 3 fiction + nonfiction books that I would recommend to anyone…
Fiction Books
#1 - Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
I could NOT put this book down. It was SO so good! It was a little slow to get started, but once you’re in, you can’t put it down. It kept me wondering what was going to happen and I was THOROUGHLY happy with the ending (much more than Gone Girl, another Gillian Flynn book). Read the book, then borrow someone’s HBO login and watch the mini-series. Totally worth it!
#2 - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
True to form, I LOVED this book! Great storytelling and another really, really great ending! I will admit, after talking to some other people, this is a book you either love or hate. I loved it, but you might not as much.
#3 - Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I really, really liked this book a lot! It kept me guessing what was going to happen, and I was in love with all the characters. I could picture which character fit into my life, so if you’re into character writing, this is a great read. I also watched the mini-series on Hulu (because if I can see the book, I’m IN), but just a heads up, the story line is VERY different. Same characters, but a very different plot line than what was portrayed in the book. I’d definitely recommend the book over the series.
OTHER FICTION READS THIS YEAR
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
If You Tell by Gregg Olson (this could really be in the Top 3, but it’s not exactly fiction…)
TOTAL FICTION BOOKS = 7
Nonfiction Books
#1 - The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
I would’ve finished this one in a week had our house not been quarantined this last month. This is my most recent read but definitely the top of my list. First of all, I LOVE the way he writes. It’s very similar to my writing style, which made it super easy to read. But, this book was what I NEEDED to read. It goes through the spiritual disciplines of Sabbath, Slowing, Simplicity, and Silence + Solitude. These are all things I’ve been working on this year and helped me get a clear idea of how I can be better at each. I HIGHLY recommend it - it’s a NEEDED book this year.
#2 - To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke
This barely got pushed to #2 because, again, it’s a NEEDED book this year. Another book that also follows Biblical teachings on how we should be living our lives. It focuses on how we can slow down and truly be present and in the moment, and I absolutely loved it! I also highly recommend his weekly planner and course that goes along with it!
#3 - Untamed by Glennon Doyle
If you liked Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, hold onto your butts because this one is 100x better! I went into this book having no idea who Glennon Doyle was, only to learn that she was once a Christian Mom and writer, who ended up getting divorced after her husband cheated on her, met Abby Wambach (yup, the soccer player), fell in love and ended up getting married to her. So, if you’re expecting a normal faith-based book, this isn’t it. But, the reason I loved this book so much is that she so very clearly + eloquently expressed my thoughts about love, life, faith, and human rights better than I ever could. Yes, I am a Christian woman and I know this is controversial in the church (and obviously, there are always some things that I do not agree with), but there were definitely things that I felt EVERYONE should hear as far as advocating for our kids, our friends, and ourselves. Definitely will remain high on my recommendation list.
OTHER NONFICTION READS THIS YEAR
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Stories That Stick by Kindra Hall
Fear is Not the Boss of You by Jennifer Allwood
Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
Clarity and Focus for Entrepreneurs by Josh Coats
F*** Leadership by Josh Coats
The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll (currently reading this one…)
TOTAL NONFICTION BOOKS = 10 (with 1 in progress)
If you’ve read any of these this year (or in the past), I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. And if you haven’t, be sure to add them to your list - especially if you’re like me and need the “right” book to keep coming back to everyday.
I’m not going to go for 21 in 2021, but I am going to continue trying to alternate between fiction + nonfiction books. I have several sitting on my shelf that I can’t wait to open in 2021!
What books would you recommend I add to my list for 2021?
