I read 50 books in 2020. Books written by republicans and books written by democrats. Books about Muslims who were mistreated after 9/11 and books about a Mormon whose family took religion too far. I read books by authors in the LGBT community and books by navy seals. Books about police brutality and books about astrophysics. Books by legendary Black female authors and books by financial freedom moguls. Memoirs by self-proclaimed hillbillies, CEOs and neurosurgeons. Fiction novels took me to other times, and other worlds. I may not have traveled 50 miles but I sure traveled through words.

Our diversity is our strength. Not a weakness. And there’s so much to learn from one another. 

I’ve periodically shared some of my books I’ve read in my Instagram stories and I’ve promised a list for awhile. Well here it comes.

First, let me point out that I absolutely count audio books as reading. Finishing a book is finishing a book. Having a child with dyslexia I’m very sensitive to the fact that eye reading and ear reading both get the job done. So if audiobooks help you reach your goal, or you like digital, or prefer to hold a paper book–All is great in my eyes.

Reading Tools That Helped Me Reach My Goal:

• The Libby App: Free library app to download digital books and audio books. Downside is sometimes there are long waits for popular books.
• Audible: If I’m keepin it real, I share an account. I listen to a lot of popular books this way but I try my best not to hog the credits.
• Scribd: A combo of the first two. It’s less than Audible (only $9.99/month) and you get unlimited digital and audio books without the library wait times. The selection isn’t always as great though. Use my link to get an extra 30 days on your free trial.
• Goodreads: The only reason I’m able to keep a tally of how many books I read, and how I remember what books I want to read next. Otherwise I’m not that organized. It’s a free app! Here’s my Goodreads profile if you want to connect. You can also rate the books as you finish them to keep track of your favorites, and set book goals.

I wanted to share some of my favorites in different varieties and genres. Usually I enjoy fiction and fantasy books but last year I stepped out of my shell a bit and read more nonfiction. I already shared a list of my favorite money books. Many of those I read last year. Now I’ll share some of the books that stood out to me in 2020. You can see my full list and keep up with my 2021 on Goodreads or on my Instagram stories but for now here are some that stood out the most and got either a 4 or 5 star rating from me. I recommend each and every one of these. Many I’ll consider re-reading.

Most Thought-Provoking Books of 2020

• Talking to Strangers
• The Hate U Give
• Fortitude
• Think Like a Freak
• Astrophysics for People in A Hurry
• Educated

My Favorite Memoir Books of 2020

• Can’t Hurt Me
• The Ride of a Lifetime
• When Breath Becomes Air

Books Helping Me Raise My Kids

• Dyslexic Advantage
• Free to Learn
• The 7 Mindsets to Live Your Ultimate Life

My Favorite Inspiring/ Uplifting Books of 2020

• The Path Made Clear
• A New Earth

My Most Motivational Books of 2020

• Atomic Habits
• Unapologetically Ambitious
• The One Thing
• Start With Why

My Favorite Fiction Books of 2020

• Parable of the Sower (dystopian)
• Court of Thorns and Roses (fantasy series)
• The Trials of Apollo (mythology series)
• All We Have Left (historical fiction)

Bill Nye says “Everyone you’ll ever meet knows something you don’t.” So let’s keep talking, listening, and learning about one another.

My goal this year is to read 52 books and I’m hoping to find more fun fantasy novels (my favorite genre) to feel more of an escape this year. But I’ll keep mixing it up the variety. 

One thing is for sure. I fell in love with nonfiction in 2020.

Have you read any of these books? Do you have any reading goals for the year? What others would you recommend?

Tags: book list, books, diversity