Mission Accomplished – See What 20 Books I Read In 2020

Hello friends!! Well, I set a little challenge at the beginning of this year. Actually, I set two!  One of those was to read 20 books in 2020. The other was to walk every day in 2020. I can proudly say that I did just finish my 20th book. Woot woot! The walking is also coming along without a day missed but I can’t celebrate just yet as we are not done with 2020 just yet.

I thought it would be fun to do a recap on what books I read and what I thought of them. I am also sharing these with affiliate links. This simply means that I get a small kickback for items I recommend if you make a purchase. 

Right before the lockdown, I spent a bit of time in Portland, Oregon. Powell’s Books was right around the corner from where we stayed. We spent a lot of time walking around Portland and of course perusing this wonderful place. It was a bookworm’s paradise and not only did I stock up on some reading materials, but I also left with a lovely zip-up sweatshirt. Hey, what can say? I’m a sucker for logo hoodies. Powell’s takes up an entire city block which is pretty telling of how many books are within these walls.

I should preface that I’m a read a book cover to cover kind of girl. I know Audible is all the rage but I just can’t get on board. Yet. On my daily walks, I listen to Podcasts but my books are reserved for curling up on the couch with a drink in hand. Coffee or wine. It depends on the moment and my mood 😉

I should preface that my reading involves several different genres. Please leave me a comment on books that inspired, motivated, or captivated you this year. I have also recently joined GoodReads as a way to not only share what I’ve read but to find inspiration for future reads. Follow me there and I’ll follow you back.

WHAT I READ IN 2020:

1. So You Want To Start A Podcast – At the beginning of the year, a friend and I decided to start a podcast so this book was my quick training guide. Then Covid hit and the podcast dream kinda died. It was an informative enough book. I think that podcasts have become so trendy that you can find resources all over the web these days.
2. Walking to Listen – This book was a fun read as it explored the human connection as well as the commitment of personal growth through listening to the stories of others. Basically this book is about getting out of your own way and making room for what others have to offer.
3. Talking as Fast as I Can – Lauren Graham aka Lorelai Gilmore is a funny gal with a way with words. This book was witty and charming. It was a fast and easy read.
4. The Path Made Clear – Oprah fans, this book did not disappoint. It was filled with stories to inspire from many of Oprah’s favorite people. It was a quick read and it also makes a lovely coffee table book or a sweet gift for someone who loves to be lifted up with stories.
5. Ghosted – If you are a fan of Liane Moriarty, you will really enjoy this book. It’s a bit of love and mystery rolled into one.
6. 52 Small Changes for the Mind –  Although this was meant to be read over the course of an entire year, I read it pretty quickly while taking notes along the way. It would be a good book to kick off the new year.
7. Get Out of Your Own Way – A Skeptics Guide to Growth and Fulfillment – I’ve been following Dave Hollis for awhile now. Once upon a time, he was a high powered Disney exec and a mentor to my little brother who also worked at Disney. I really enjoy reading motivational books written by men. Another favorite is Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines. I think it’s the boy mom in me. I like to hear the perspective of men who challenged themselves and felt humbled along the way. This was a good read. A true motivational, kick you in the butt and get out of your own way story.
8. To Shake The Sleeping Self – This book was along the same lines of Walking to Listen except this guy didn’t do it alone and he ended his journey of self-discovery in Patagonia. I love that he was looking for more meaning in life. He didn’t allow himself to be locked into the 9-5 and took off, on a bike to explore the world and himself.
9. Untamed – This was the book of 2020 to so many. Glennon has a beautiful and relatable way with words. She speaks about what many are thinking and can’t quite articulate. I appreciated this book because it was an inspiring read about being who you are – unapologetically.
10. Little Fires Everywhere – If you are a fan of books turned into movies, or in this case a mini-series, you’ll want to read this one. To be honest, I loved the book more. This book was an insight into the differences in society. The way we perceive and the way that we live. It was a bit haunting and fully captivating.
11. When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir – This book was eye-opening and soul-crushing on so many levels. It spoke to the struggles of black people, the roots of mental illness and addiction, and how they are oftentimes viewed and mishandled. This book broke me. I really think that educating yourself via books is a better insight into the inner-workings of society versus one-sided snippets from the media.
12. The Gifts of Imperfection – You can’t go wrong with a book by Brené Brown. She has a way of guiding you through the things that your mind is struggling with. I’ve read a handful of her books and the messages always resonate with me.
13. Hillbilly Elegy – This true story by J.D.Vance is about overcoming obstacles and how the love of others can help you thrive in the hardest of situations. This was also turned into a movie and truth? I didn’t love it. The book was decent. It was a story of overcoming and we all love to see someone rise out of the hard times – especially a kid.
14. Where the Crawdads Sing – I really loved this book. It was a deep story of overcoming and love. Rumor has it, this will be made into a movie as well. I can’t wait to see how the characters line up with the book.
15. The Light We Lost – This was a true love story. It was interwoven with stories of past and present and kept me engaged from beginning till end.
16. Everything I Never Told You – I was intrigued as this was written by the same author as Little Fire Everywhere bit it wasn’t nearly as captivating and I felt a little disappointed by the ending. It felt a bit abrupt.
17. Maybe You Should Talk To Someone – I absolutely loved this book. It was definitely the push I needed to put myself in therapy. I appreciate the stories that were told from the perspective of a therapist as well as her views as a patient. I think we all have something swirling within us. Some story that is a million broken puzzle pieces looking to be made whole.
18. Didn’t See That Coming – Truth? Once upon a time, I was a huge fan of Rachel Hollis but then she started to feel a bit bossy and like she was just full of repetition and sales pitches. Sorry. That seems harsh but I wanted to be honest. I decided to give this book a chance. I found pieces that were worthy of absorbing and some that struck me as well, bossy. If you are a fan, you’ll likely love it but if you are on the fence, you might find a few things not worthy of consuming.
19. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – This story of sweet Eleanor finding a friend and really coming into her own after being lonely for so long was really heart-warming. I love the story of human compassion and how the littlest of things can fill our emotional cups.
20. The Couple Next Door – This thriller was a quick read. It was another one that I felt ended a bit abruptly.

If I had to pick my top 3 reads of 2020 they would be Untamed, Where the Crawdads Sing and Maybe You Should Talk To Someone.

Now tell me, are you a bookworm? Tell me the best thing that you read in 2020.