First off I have to admit that saying “good reads of 2020”, feels a bit misleading. Primarily because 2020 is the year in which I finally embraced audiobooks!
I am a big fan of reading physical books, and while I did still read a couple in 2020, the bulk of what I consumed was audio. And I am totally okay with that! I started the year with a free Audible subscription. Then as we were checking out the summer reading program at our library, I decided to try their audiobook options too. This is actually the format that I use most, Libby, and you can sync right up to your local library.
Reads & Audibles of 2020
Alrighty, here we go! While I am branching out in my book genres I typically rotate between historical fiction, professional/personal development, non-fiction and auto/biographies.
If you’re not already a member of Goodreads, it’s an awesome free app and website. You can connect with your friends who are also members and share what you’ve been reading or listening to. You can also leave reviews and sync to your Amazon account to automatically load the books you read. Not sure yet if I connect my Audibles to it? I just learned of it in December and stilling getting the feel, but love it so far!
The List
This was my first audiobook, recommended to me by a great friend who is one of the most avid readers I know, and I love her reco’s – thanks Marie! If you have a daughter, especially if she is an athlete, and even if not, check it out. This one has made me so much more aware when I take my daughter to doctor appointments, and raised my awareness overall.
For those of you who are in leadership career positions, or striving to be, this is a great book, with a workbook to help you identify behaviors in your work place as well as an array of skills to help you become a wholehearted leader. I’ve listened to it twice and read it once. The pages of my book are very colorful from my vast highlighting and underlying. I completed the workbook on my own, but wished I’d had a couple of counterparts to go through it with. Maybe next time!
The Nightingale was in one word – amazing. It was the last book I did on audio in 2020 and I am so grateful that I ended the year with this one. This one was on my list all year and I had put it off due to a couple of friends saying it was too slow for them. I am thankful I gave it a chance, it’s been a long time since I read a book that I truly felt every emotion possible. Even shed tears through the final 15 minutes. Looking forward to watching the movie!
A tremendous professional development/autobiography, and easy to listen to. Not cluttered with so much corporate jargon that I just got bored. I always enjoy learning from leaders who have been through turbulent times and how they overcame. The Walt Disney Company is a dynasty like no other, and the career of Robert Iger is pretty remarkable. But more remarkable is the culture change he has developed at Disney to make it truly the legendary empire it is today.
Usually I sleep through non-fiction books. But I love how Erik Larson writes about historical events and people. Both books I did on audio this year were well narrated too. His research is deep and specific, allowing for incredible story telling. The Devil in the White City along with Dead Wake, were both fantastic! I am definitely looking forward to getting a couple more of his books in next year.
My husband and I both happen to be fans of Simon Sinek. Reading or listening to nearly every book he’s written, watched tons of YouTube videos and his podcast that launched this year is spectacular. Not to mention having the opportunity to see him live as a keynote speaker at one of our Beachbody Coach Summit events was a game changer. For all my fellow workplace leaders, The Infinite Game is a must-read and listen! And if you’ve read Start with Why, do yourself a favor and go through Find Your Why and do the work. You won’t regret it!
This is a book I could have listened to in one sitting had I had the time. Truly, I couldn’t put it down. The characters are interesting and the narrator did a wonderful job bringing it to life. This was a book that a few of my co-workers had suggested, and I’m so glad I got on audible. If you love historical fiction with strong female characters, like I do. You’ll love this one!
Other fun reads of 2020
Here are a few others that I cranked through in 2020.
- The Paris Hours – such a fun read. Multiple stories all happening at once, tied together tragically, beautifully & unexpectedly.
- Me by Elton John – he is one of my favorite musical artists. This did not have exactly the same details as the bio-pic Rocket Man. Definitely an interesting and entertaining autobiography.
- The Huntress – Another spectacularly written historical fiction read by Kate Quinn. If you haven’t read The Alice Network, I loved that one even more. I really enjoy her writing style, strong female characters and depiction of historical events and times.
- Dead Wake – This was my first Erik Larson book. Much like Devil in the White City, this was every bit as incredible, and never felt like non-fiction.
- Mexican Gothic – This was a crazy, trippy story. It was the kind of book that makes you uncomfortable. Because some of the characters are creepy and conniving, but you seriously can’t stop listening.
- Audible Originals – With your Audible or Audible Plus account you get access to some great original content. A couple I enjoyed this year were from Mel Robbins, Take Control of Your Life. And a quick bio-story, The Wild Heart of Stevie Nicks. I’m definitely looking forward to reading Stevie’s autobiography in ’21 when it drops.
That’s a wrap! I have so many others I’d love to share with you, but you can always connect with me on Goodreads or see what I’m reading, and plan to read here.
Look forward to hearing about what you’re reading and listening to!