Hey look mom and dad, I made it. They say the third time’s the charm and in this instance, it was. Don’t push me for details on who ‘they’ are, but take me at my word when I tell you in my third consecutive stab at a 60-book-a-year goal I finally accomplished the feat.
I always wondered how I would feel once I reached the mark. I deliberated whether I would feel less inclined to do it again – I don’t. I feel hungrier. I read some incredible books this year, but there were so many I didn’t get to. I marveled at how eloquently writers express their thoughts and ideas. How authors can make stringing together some words sound beautiful.
People often tell me they don’t have time to read. Simultaneously, it seems we have endless time for our phones.
“Leaders who don’t have time to read are leaders who don’t make time to learn.” – Adam Grant
With so many options to choose from, I had a near impossible time choosing my five favourites, but here it is. If you read five books this year, consider these ones:
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
A beautifully written work of fiction about a small hockey town in Sweden and its junior hockey team. Whether you like the sport of hockey or not, the story is based on its culture, really a microcosm of our lives. It’s almost poetically written, captivating and amazing. Money back guarantee if you don’t love it (not actually).
The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington
This book changed me. For someone who can and does sometimes operate on much too little sleep, this book challenged me to stop bragging about living a sleep deprived life and re-define what sleep meant – how important it is for our day-to-day life and being. Learning about sleep was awakening.
Life Will Be the Death of Me by Chelsea Handler
A hilarious and changing read. Following the 2016 election, Handler took a step back to evaluate her life and the bubble she lived in. She focused on finding her voice and her life’s meaning – becoming an advocate of change, having difficult conversations, and encouraging others to do the same. You’ll laugh and cry, at least I did…
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A short and magical read. The book is described as powerful and soul-stirring. What starts as a story about a boy on a journey to find treasure, teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts. On the must-read books for our lives, this is one of them.
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell has made my list in back-to-back years because everything he writes is incredibly interesting and thought provoking. Talking to Strangers is about our interactions with both strangers and people we know and our inability to understand one’s intentions. After you read that one, read every other book he’s written. Don’t look back.
With a complete cop-out move, I attached a picture of all the books I read this year – with all my favourites (25/60) highlighted in pink. There really were too many good ones to choose from.
Please, tell me the books you love. Share with me your favourites. Guide me to some good reads in 2020.
Sara
