The Year of 52 - 2019 Books

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As the New Year began, I wanted to set a goal for myself that would be challenging, help me grow, and in the end be fun! After reading 30 books in 2018, I thought 52 books might be a bit of a stretch. But the marketer within me loved the sound of "a book a week". Throughout parts of the year, I would be a few books ahead in the summer, and come dangerously close to not accomplishing the goal in the final weeks of the year. In the end, I learned a lot, have built up a nice collection of novels I have yet to read (see the If I Have the Time post), and have hopefully motivated friends and family to crack open a book or two, too!

Speaking personally, you can have my gun, but you'll take my book when you pry my cold, dead fingers off of the binding. - Stephen King

Color Glossary: Purple = Audiobook // Light Green = Physical Book

2019 Books:

1. Little Red Book of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer - I was unfortunately not a fan of this book. Though a relatively quick read, it's very bland and filled with the worst old school sales tactics. There are of course a few tips here and there that are usable, but as a whole there are better and more updated books than this. ★

2. Total Focus: Make Better Decisions Under Pressure by Brandon Webb - What better way to get motivated than listening to a Navy SEAL tell you how it should be done? This book was fascinating, advice on how to stay motivated and focused on what matters peppered by real-life experiences. ★★★

3. The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins - This book gives employees a "best practices blueprint" of what to do the first 3 months in a new role. Though it's focused more towards managers, and ones who are coming into a new organization, I found helpful and relevant tips throughout that are applicable for individual contributors too. ★★

4. The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman - A wonderful book, so sweet and Mid-Western that it was sad when it came to an end. Following a young chef from Michigan living in NYC, torn between family back home and the busy life she tries to portray to them. ★★★★

5. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight - The story of the beginning of Nike in the 1960s, all the way up to Nike in 1990. A great read of perseverance and determination, and of course, passion for shoes. ★★★

6. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink - This book was not exceptional, however, if you want to hear interesting examples and understand the importance of timing, you will easily find it entertaining. As a salesperson I found this helpful, more so than the Little Red Book of Selling, although not a necessity. ★★

7. Knowing Your Value by Mika Brzezinski - I felt this book was a “Lean In” pt. 2, written by a different woman. However, I find books like this a critical reminder of bias and bad behavior in the workplace, reminding myself and others that sexist behavior should not be tolerated. A decent read, but nothing groundbreaking. ★★

8. The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab - A book that makes you think, with hard facts to swallow. Written by the founder of Davos, the book focuses on big picture issues of our global economy, the humanitarian results, and what the world could do to fix it. ★★★

9. The Year of Less by Cait Flanders - This book is a composition of a bloggers year-long purge of belongings and the attachments to them, while saving money. Though a quick read, I didn't personally love this book and don't recommend it. ★

10. The Finnish Way by Katja Pantazar - Like the Book of Hygge, but a little less warm and fuzzy. The Fins focus on a philosophy called sen-su, which prioritizes how your body feels and reacts to the world, rather than the emotionally centered Hygge philosophy. A good read if Hygge felt a little too touchy-feely for you. or you want to understand other cultures. ★★★★

11. Becoming by Michelle Obama - Can't describe how great of a read this was. It was a beautiful homage to her personal growth and life with Barack, from the Chicago law firm to refusing to give up her People Magazine and wine subscription. The Audiobook was read by her and I loved hearing it from the author herself. ★★★★★

12. Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen - A great read whether you are looking to implement the insights in your personal or professional life. It helped me with mindfulness in convos whether I'm the giver or receiver of the feedback. ★★★★

13. What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey - Through sharing her experiences, Oprah empowers readers to find their bliss, know their worth, and to never forget that they can accomplish their dreams if they don't give up. ★★★★

14. The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman - This book had a lot of statistics and seemed to raise a lot of issues women have with confidence but lacked the action items to resolve them. I don’t recommend it. ★

15. Essentialism by Greg McKeown - In a world of too much information, this book's focus is to have you zero in on what's most important, centering around the 20/80 rule. A decent read that's applicable to different parts of your life, not necessarily a page-turner but good and informative. ★★★

16. The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan - Recommended by Charlie // Not the fastest read but thought-provoking about what you put in your body. This book definitely made me be more mindful about my food intake, and hopefully the Ding-Dongs at the grocery store won't tempt me as often now. ★★★

17. Then Again by Diane Keaton - A very interesting read, focused mainly on Diane's relationship with her family and specifically her mother from childhood through the end of her life with Alzheimer's. ★★★★

18. Measure What Matters by John Doerr - This business book focuses on the importance of OKRs (objectives and key results) and setting achievable metrics for your team. I found this a helpful read to know how my company likely sets goals, as well as something that I could implement parts of in my own life. ★★★

19. The Presidents Club by Nancy Gibbs - Recommended by Jim // I really loved this book. It's a great read for those who were not alive or an adult from the 1950s-1990s. It focuses less on the political decisions or implications of any one president, but rather the personal interactions and relations between a very unique group of men. Who enjoyed whose company, who was sneaky, and what advice was passed down. ★★★★★

20. The Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington - Written and narrated by Arianna, this book focuses on the medical history of sleep and best practices. If you've listened to any of her podcasts or interviews about sleep, the bulk of this book will be repetitive knowledge for you. If not, I'd recommend it. ★★★

21. Lagom: Swedish Art of Living by Niki Brantmark - Similar to the Book of Hygge, but slightly different. Where Hygge focuses on enjoying the processes and allowing yourself to indulge, Lagom focuses on enjoying life in moderation, or as Lagom translates to in English, “just enough”. ★★★★

22. Strengths Based Selling by Gallup's Brian Brim - Recommended by Carissa // As someone who has read a lot of sales books, and a lot of bad sales books, I found this one actually quite helpful. Before you begin, you take an online assessment of your skills. That test will help shape your selling style off what you already have, and not trying to make you utilize skills you don't or won't ever have. A realistic little red book of selling, highly recommend to salespeople and non-salespeople alike. ★★★★

23. In The Shadow of Statues by Mitch Landrieu - A rather quick read about the Mayor of New Orleans, serving through difficult times like the landfall of Hurricane Katrina to the removal of Confederate statues. It was thought-provoking to hear the mindset of leaders and how their past (such as having a father who held the same office) influences the way they govern. ★★★

24. Sell It Like Serhant by Ryan Serhant - I liked this book a lot. It follows Ryan, a real estate broker in NYC and a star of Million Dollar Listing on Bravo, through his career ups and downs to where he is today. He gives his tips and tricks of the trade and what has helped him be successful: mainly being personable, going the extra mile, and following up. ★★★★

25. Growth IQ by Tiffani Bova - Part of Salesforce Book Club and I met the author // Senior VP at Salesforce outlining 10 growth strategies, with examples, of how companies can scale. The examples occasionally oversimplified things, but were interesting none the less. ★★★

26. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi - An outstanding story about a doctor who finds himself the patient when he is diagnosed with cancer. The book documents his struggles both physiologically and emotionally, and if you are an empathetic person who cries easily, I recommend you don't read this in public. ★★★★★

27. Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance - Following a young man on his journey from a struggling home in Appalachian, with a pit stop in the military before going on to Yale Law. This truth-filled look back at his upbringing highlighted both the best and worst parts of family life and America. Highly recommend. ★★★★

28. The Pearl by John Steinbeck - Another shining example of how classic novels are not always amazing reads. This parable about wealth being an allusion and what it can lead you to if you make it your only focus was something I'm glad I re-read it post-high school, but maybe not something I need to read a third time.★

29. An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore - Focusing on his signature issue, Al Gore outlines how our world has changed due to carbon emissions and the effects it has on the global climate. This book is outdated now as so much has happened since it's initial publication, but I still found it informative and easy to listen to on my way to and from work. ★★★★

30. Decision Points by George W. Bush - I found this book incredibly insightful into some of the toughest choices our 44th president had to make. He shared his personal views (as a son, father, and husband - not just as a president) on things like going to war, his daughters and drinking, among other things. A good read for both republicans and democrats to see the man behind the decisions. ★★★★

31. Sammy’s Hill by Kristin Gore - Recommended by Nicole // A fun weekend read, written by Al Gore's daughter, about the fictional life of a staffer on the Hill. You follow her through adventures in Congress, accidental "reply all's", and a little bit of romance. ★★★

32. A Higher Loyalty by James Comey - Recommended by too many people to list // I really liked hearing about his experiences in government and getting the background of his storied life at the CIA before Trump. I found it interesting to read after Hillary Clinton's book, What Happened, to see the two sides. If it wasn't still the era of Trump, I would find this book less amusing... I don't think this book will stay a best-seller for long. ★★★★

33. Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl - An amazing memoir of Ruth's life as editor of Gourmet Magazine from ‘99 until the magazine turned its final page. A beautifully written book that made this fungi hater obsessed with thoughts of mushroom soup. Her recipes read like poetry. ★★★★★

34. Keep Moving by Dick Van Dyke - Narrated by the legend himself, this book is filled with stories from Hollywood in it's prime, aging with a smile, and doing what makes you happy... and just like that you wake up the next day still alive. A quick, light-hearted read for anyone who needs a bright spin on aging. ★★★

35. Love Thy Neighbor by Ayaz Virji - This book brought me to tears. Exemplifying that all religions practice the Golden Rule and everyone deserves kindness, it follows a Muslims doctor's struggle to find 'home' and serve others in rural and sometimes racist America. ★★★★★

36. Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard - A book focusing on the backbone of Patagonia/it's founder, and the principle belief in doing something bigger than yourself, whether it hurts your bottom line or not (although it often doesn't hurt too bad... turns out, helping the environment helps your business and your brand image a lot of the time). ★★★★

37. All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister - This book focused on the rise of single women and their impact on the US economy. As a single woman in the working world, I found this book and the statistics throughout it fascinating. I often find myself underestimating the sexism women face, though I've seen my fair share, as well as how long women have played a role in corporate America. This book quickly corrected that thought process. ★★★★

38. Seriously… I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres - This book's premise seems to be, laugh about life and be good to people, basically the same as her tv show. It was a very quick read and gave me a chuckle. I'd recommend it for a laugh. ★★★

39. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - An amazingly well-written book about a young girl living her whole life, alone, in a swamp in North Carolina. She survives in her small world, with the small acts of kindness from other misfits like herself and off the braveness she barely understands she possesses, despite the challenges and mystery surrounding her. ★★★★

40. The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish - The life of Tiffany Haddish, covering terribly painful moments from young adulthood but exemplifying life can always get better and to never give up. Amazing strength but not an easy read due to the abuse she endures. ★★★

41. If You Ask Me by Betty White - Betty has a great outlook and life and in this book she does her best to find the bright spots in life and stick to it. Quick, easy, and light-hearted read. ★★★★

42. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor - The 3rd woman Supreme Court Justice of the United States tells her story of growing up in the Bronx, from medical challenges in youth and to outgrowing relationships as an adult. Anything is possible and I recommend this book, especially for young women. ★★★★

43. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - A classic about two misfits traveling through life. I am not a fan - I wanted to read something quick and refresh myself on a classic, however, I was reminded that being a "classic" doesn't always mean great. ★

44. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - A wonderful WWII historical fiction read, following 3 very different women during the war: One in NYC working for the French Consulate, one in Poland as part of the resistance, and a German Doctor. Beautifully written and captivating. ★★★★

45. The American Spirit by David McCullough - Words do not describe what this book meant to me. Not only did it focus on the character and spirit of America, but so much of it was applicable to other aspects of life such as family. A memorable quote for me that I personally keep near and dear to me since reading this book is: "We have to value what our fore-bearers, not just in the 1800th century, but our own parents and grandparents did for us. Or we're not going to take it very seriously and it can slip away. If you don't care about it, if you've inherited some great work of art that is worth a fortune and you don't know it's worth a fortune, you don't even know it's a great work of art, and you're not interested in it, you're going to lose it." ★★★★★

46. Life Will Be the Death of Me: And You Too by Chelsea Handler - A good read detailing Chelsea dealing with life and grief, years after tragic events that she repressed in her memory. Straight forward but less funny than I expected, an okay read. If you don't like her, it might have you see her in a different light. ★★★

47. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea by Alyssa Mastromonaco - The life of a political staffer before, during, and after the Obama White House. Interesting from both a political standpoint as well as from a woman in a male-dominated field. A good read. ★★★

48. Fair Play by Eve Rodsky - Reeces Book Club // A balanced approach to relationships and parenthood. I found this a less relevant book for me as an unmarried woman with no children, but felt the values and methods they discuss were helpful to be aware of for future reference. ★★★

49. Trailblazer by Marc Benioff - Part of Salesforce Book Club and I met the co-author Monica Langley // Marc’s journey from CEO to activist at Salesforce, and the moments in his youth that helped the transition seem inevitable. Easy read with customer examples. ★★★

50. L’appart by David Lebovitz - A wonderful read that I finished in a weekend, I highly recommend it. A food blogger's journey in Paris, France to build his dream apartment. Peppered with recipes along with French curse words. ★★★★★

51. Educated by Tara Westover - A sometimes hard to read, true story, of a Mormon girl's triumph from an abusive home in Idaho to the University of Oxford. With a sense of naivety and a drive for something more, this book was gripping and challenging at the same time. Highly recommend. ★★★★★

52. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - A classic and quick read over the holidays. Focusing on Ebenezer Scrooge's life, he's visited by 3 ghosts to teach him lessons he should have learned from a life not lived. It's never too late to start again. ★★★

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You cannot open a book without learning something. - Confucius

Lessons Learned from Reading 52 Books:

1. Not all classics are page-turners, short books do not equal easy reads, and great covers are not indicative to great writing.

2. It's okay to stop reading a book a few pages in, after a couple of chapters, or near the end if you simply don't like it anymore.

3. Audiobooks count - everyone learns in different ways, and we all enjoyed bedtime stories read to us as children. To many, listening is no more or less effective than seeing the words on the page and it's a great convenience if you're a person on the go.

4. That said, I pay attention to vocabulary words I'm not familiar with more so when I see them vs. hear them.

5. Learn how dramatic a book is before reading/listening to it in public... As someone who doesn't enjoy crying in public, this was a lesson I learned the hard way... multiple times - in an airplane, on the subway, and on several walks.

To all my friends and family who cheered me on and kept me going through this year-long adventure, I want to say, thank you! To those who I motivated to start their own book challenge, good luck and keep with it!