Back in 2018, I began recording all the books I was reading. I'm not sure if this initiative was sparked by the book club I joined, or by questioning the content I was digesting. Regardless, it was a great idea and here we are 2+ years later, turning a Google doc into a sharable blog called Tomes + Tulips!
So, off we go! In this first post, you will find the books I read in 2018, in order, followed by a brief (and I really do mean brief) review of the book. These reviews are my own personal thoughts and I advise you to take them with a grain of salt. Everyone has their own opinions and I am by no means a book critic.
I will also note whether I listened to the audiobook or physical book by a color system. Though I'm a big fan of physical books, I personally am an auditory learner so most of the books I "read", I actually listen to them instead.
Color Glossary: Purple = Audiobook // Light Green = Physical Book
Books of 2018
1. I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramirez Sethi - Recommended by Charlie // For those who grew up without financial literacy, I highly recommend this. For those who did, it is a great refresher and go-to for understanding everything from checkbooks to student loans. ★★★★
2. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown - I highly recommend this book. The story of the 1934 Olympic crew team and how the men came to be members of Team USA. ★★★★★
3. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - On first reaction, I described this book as "tragically enticing". A young girl in England, trying to overcome a mother's mistakes, PTSD, but with enthusiasm to not give up... at least most of the time. ★★★★
4. Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close - An easy read following high school friends as they navigate adulthood and all their different experiences, mistakes, journeys, and more. A great beach read. ★★★
5. Settle for More by Megyn Kelly - Upon first review, I said "ehh". Megyn's story of her career before, during, and after the misogynistic world of FOX News. Unfortunately, most of her notable milestones worth discussing had already become common knowledge by time I read the book. ★★
6. What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton - A book that, had it come out before the 2016 election, might have helped her electability, or at the very least her likability. A funny note I will forever remember is her love for Tito's martinis - it made her personable and not just a power suit. An easy listen if you're not overly political or have gotten over the last presidential election. ★★★
7. The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking - I loved this book. Often listening to it while in a bathtub filled with bubbles and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc beside me - it focuses on the Dutch value of Hygge, finding happiness through coziness and enjoying the process rather than being hyper-focused on the result. ★★★★★
8. Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards - Recommended by Charlie // This book's focus is to help you with social skills such as being a better listener and engager, and the art of building relationships with people in all areas of your life. In all honesty, it requires time and attention to fully benefit, of which I likely did not do well enough. ★★★
9. Quiet by Susan Cain - Recommended by Charlie // A book that focuses on the differences between introverts, extraverts, and ambiverts. An eye-opening read about how people operate differently in social settings and how to have successful relationships with those who communicate and engage differently. A great follow up to Captivate. ★★★★
10. Own It by Sallie Krawcheck - Sallie's experience in the financial world as a woman, mixed with advice on how women can become more financially empowered. A precursor to the launch of her company Ellevest, and a relatively easy and informative read. ★★★
11. Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven - A very quick and easy read, building on General McRaven's commencement speech to the University of Texas. He discusses his military background and gives words of wisdom on will power and the difference that small tasks make in getting the job done. ★★★★★
12. We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union - A autobiography that anyone who likes to learn about celebrities and who they are when they aren't walking a red carpet, will find interesting. It chronicles her years before Hollywood and her years in the spotlight. Not groundbreaking but a decent read with a glass of wine. ★★
13. A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron - A wonderful and fun read for dog lovers. I personally listened to this book on 2x speed, as it was narrated by a dog and I felt it was befitting of a dog's fast and energetic personality. ★★★★
14. Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks - A book comprised of several short stories. It started strong, but I didn't love the whole thing. I personally listened to this and highly recommend if you'd like to have Tom Hanks read you a bedtime story as you fall asleep. ★★★
15. Assholes* A theory by Aaron James - A relatively quick read that makes you think, what makes people mean? And should we cut them slack? ★★
16. Onward by Howard Schultz - An interesting look into Howard's start to the Starbucks brand, and his experience building the brand, the culture, and revising them as needed. Possibly a little longer than necessary but an easy read. ★★★
17. The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis - This book focuses on the sweet, and sometimes sour, relationship between two brilliant men and their lives work dedicated to the psychology behind decision making. ★★★
18. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell - A high-level look at Malcolm's research on the thin slicing method. I say "high-level" because he doesn't make it overly scientific. Instead, he relies on examples and stories to explain the psychology behind thin slicing, a process of making a decision based on minimal information or a quick experience rather than the whole picture. ★★★
19. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes - Shonda Rhimes talks about the year she chose to not say no, to lean into who she was in all her awesome glory as a mother, writer, producer, and more. She discusses the active role she had to take to decide to not let her fears hold her back from amazing opportunities ahead of her. ★★★★
20. Higher is Waiting by Tyler Perry - Tyler Perry's life and relationship with God. A quick and easy read. I personally connected with this book early on when Tyler mentioned two birds his neighbor had named FiFi and Pierre, names my grandfather gave to two hummingbirds outside his home in his remaining years alive. Those birds gave Tyler restored faith, and reminded me of the faith and love my grandfather had when I needed it most. ★★★
21. To Sell is Human by Daniel H. Pink - Besides the focus on the evolution and types of elevator pitches which originated with Elisha Otis of Otis Elevators, Pink describes how we all engage in "selling" whether we think we do or not, and how we can all use our skills and the world around us to be better at it. ★★★
22. Linchpin by Seth Godin - Recommended by Charlie // This book focused on how you can become an indispensable asset to your organization, through discovering your unique qualities and expanding on them. ★★★
23. Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham - This book was... unfortunately, forgettable. I think my disappointment stems from hoping the book was written by Lorelai Gilmore and not Lauren Graham. It followed her young adulthood, relationships, and career ups and downs. ★
24. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - A classic and beautiful read that focuses on the injustices in the world, and a child's ability to see what is clearly inconsistent in teachings vs. reality. (I highly recommend reading before play as the play really focuses on the second half of the book, sprinkling in the context of the first half throughout - we saw the play with the original cast on Broadway with Jeff Daniels and Celia Keenan-Bolger.) ★★★★
25. Zingerman’s Guide to Giving Great Service by Ari Weinzweig - A book focusing on the business model of Zingerman's conglomerate of companies, and the mindset of going above and beyond for customers. A great book for anyone in a customer-facing role or looking to start their own business with a backbone built on ethics and values. ★★★
26. Sisters First by Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager - A wonderful read about valuing family, and the love sisters have for each other while trying to blaze their own paths in a very public world. ★★★★
27. How to Become a Rainmaker by Jeffrey J. Fox - A quick read about old school business hacks that are lost in modern-day (i.e. giving yourself the best seat at a table, so your client looks at a wall, not distracted by what's happening around them, and focused on you and the deal at hand). ★★★
28. The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King - This book was a little too long, but it gave you a great view of Fred's life and dedication to helping children, with an unshakable faith in God and devotion to family. ★★★★
29. The Rainbow Comes and Goes - Anderson Cooper & Gloria Vanderbilt - An interesting look into an infamous family, and the relationship between a mother and son (mostly through email correspondence). They're often surprised at each other's experiences or remember the same experience in vastly different ways, which seemed to strengthen their bond. ★★★★
30. When the Center Held: Gerald Ford by Donald Rumsfeld - Recommended by Rob // A salute to a unique presidency and honorable man who had no intention of ever being president. Through the struggles of a post-Nixon era, he restored the office of the presidency. Fun fact, he played Hail to the Victors instead of Hail to the Chief when he arrived at events. ★★★★★