Around the end of every year it seems every blogger puts out a “My Favorite Books This Year” article. I have to say I find these posts useful, as I get ideas for my own reading.
This post is probably a little late. It seems the rule is to do this kind of article the last couple weeks of December or the first week of January. Maybe it is just an easy “first topic idea” to get the year finished, or started. But like I said, I’m not complaining, and if I find this type of article useful I’m hoping you will too!
For the last few years I have tracked the books I read. This year I completed 37, which was a little lower than my goal for the year. For comparison here are the other years:
2021 37
2020 49
2019 28
2018 28
2017 29
2016 28
For 2021 my goal is 48. I’m off to a good start with 5 down as of Jan 20.
Non Fiction Books
I usually read more non fiction by far. This year was an exception. A quick review of my completed list shows the titles below.
Grit – Angela Duckworth
This one is well known for good reason. There is a lot of psychology here. Even if you don’t read the whole thing you can get the important points.
On Hour Content Plan – Meera Kothand
This one is really good for giving you ideas to write about.
Hustle – Neil Patel and Patrick Vlaskovits
Skip the Line – James Altucher
Anything by James is worth it. There is almost always a nugget of good information in anything he writes. Be aware that if you give his organization your email you will be inundated with offers for his expensive stock advice.
Passive Income – Rachel Rickards
Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck – Mark Manson
Again, this one is well known and worth it.
Digital Retirement – Michelle Kulp
The Code of the Extraordinary Mind – Vishen Lakhiani
A Short History of Everything – Bill Bryson
More on this one below.
How To Avoid a Climate Disaster – Bill Gates
Probably the best thing I have read that describes where we are with the climate crisis and what we can do about it.
Fiction Books
The Saboteurs – Clive Cussler
I read everything from Clive Cussler or his collaborators. I am very sad that he passed away recently. His son seems like he will try to carry on.
The Lost Lieutenant – John Gobbell
This WW2 fiction story was a surprise. It is now part of a series and I am working my way through all of the titles.
These Broken Stars – Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
This was another surprise. I read it because I like science fiction and it was recommended. Turns out it is science fiction with some romance thrown in. I recommend it
Special Mention – Science Fiction Magazines
I was wondering though Barnes and Noble one day in 2021 and came across Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. I used to read many of the science fiction magazines as a young person and didn’t even know they were still around. What a nice surprise! Same company still also puts out Analog Science Fiction and Fact. I am now an avid reader. They pack a lot into each issue, from short stories to novelettes.
Top Book This Year
A Short History of Everything
I love Bill Bryson’s books. I laughed out loud (I don’t usually do that) to A Walk In the Woods, which recently became a movie. A Short History of Everything is nonfiction. It tells the story of science better than anything I have ever read. Byson says it took him three years of research to write, and it shows. There really is a little of everything here, mixed in with Byson’s great sense of humor. The book was written in 2003. I would love to see an update but that is unlikely. I read somewhere that Bryson has retired. He deserves it but millions of readers will miss his writing.
Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash
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