My annual reading list and book recommendations
Last year I read 43 books, the majority of them by women. Overall, this year was a year filled with GOOD BOOKS. There were a few duds in the mix—I share all of my reading summaries and recommendations on this complete list of 2019 Reading Recommendations. Overall the number of quality books that I read and loved was really high. I’ll return to the books time and again and definitely recommend many of them.
For all-around wonderful reads:
#1: I thoroughly enjoyed Forward: A Memoir, by soccer star Abby Wambach.
#2: The surprise hit, for me, was the beauty and complexity of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. This was a book that caught me off guard, made me laugh out loud at the unexpected observations of everyday life, and then brought me deeply into the world of loneliness and the state of ‘being fine’ that afflict so many of us all.
#3: Educated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover was a brilliant book, a page-turner. The author captured what it’s like to grow a mind from a child-like observational acceptance of the world and the way it is, to an expanded, vast reach of information and knowledge. Her story—growing up in Utah in a home unlike many others—is gripping and dark; her journey to finding herself uplifting and inspiring.
For business books this year, I’d recommend:
#4: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker for anyone that is building communities (hint: that’s everyone).
#5: The Making of A Manager, by Julie Zhuo, is quite good for those building and leading teams.
#6: Chillpreneur, by Denise Duffield-Thomas, despite looking a bit like a lifestyle business book for people who only want to travel was surprisingly relevant and good—honestly, I still have Denise’s catchphrases in my head and they are sticky and helpful.
#7: Tell Me More is an all-around wonderful book to read for any human being that wants to connect more deeply with others.
If you’re a parent or thinking of becoming one, or you are interested in gender dynamics and the future of our society, then take a look at…
#8: All The Rage by Darcy Lockman. It’s a thoroughly researched book about domestic labor and the work still left to do on the home front.
#9: Kid Gloves by Lucy Knisley is a beautiful and heart-wrenching graphic novel about infertility and pregnancy struggles that I think everyone, men and woman and parents and non-parents, should read.
#10: Lastly, What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood is a beautiful guide into the emotions and feelings of becoming a parent that I highly recommend.
You can read the full post with all of my book recommendations and reviews here: The complete 2019 reading list.