Books Read in 2020

My goal in 2020 is to read around 30 books per year. I’ve recorded the books I’ve read in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, in case you’re curious.

Currently reading:

Queue

Books reviewed on a 5-star scale (5 being the best):

#1: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City ***** Superb. Everyone should read this book.

#2: The Incomplete Book of Running **** I like reading books about running while I actually run. Helps motivate me. This one was pretty good.

#3: Just Mercy ***** Wow.

#4: The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness ** – I’m a big fan of the author, but it got kinda boring unfortunately.

#5 – Perfect Villians, Imperfect Heroes: Robert Kennedy’s War Against Organized Crime *** – I’m a gigantic Bobby Kennedy fan, and was hoping this book was going to be more stories about him, but it was more about the actual cases prosecuted and the way the Justice Department was re-structured during this time. Interesting, but not enough to hold my attention.

#6 – The Motive **** – Another solid Lencioni book.

#7, #8, and #9 – The John Milton Series (books 1 – 3) **** – Solid thriller series.

#10 – 1,000 Yards *** (didn’t enjoy it as much as the first three in the John Milton series)

#11 – Masked Prey ****

#12 – The Firm *** (honestly re-reading this I was struck by how bad the writing is…and there’s just a ton of sexism and racism, and I know he was setting the scene but it seemed like a lot. Couldn’t finish it, actually. And I remember really liking it back in the day!)

#13 Switch **** Found some really useful leadership lessons in this book.

#14 On Writing ***** One of my favorites. Great book about Stephen King, and about writing.

#15 Benjamin Franklin: An American Life ***** I really enjoyed learning about ole Ben. Fascinating person and obviously incredibly influential in the formation of our young country.

#16 How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months ***

#17 Running for my Life *****

#18 The Ride of a Lifetime *****

#19 Everybody Writes ***

#20 Close the Loop *****

#21 Blockade Billy ****

#22 Dan Rather: Stories of a Lifetime ***** (short, but terrific)

#23 Five Presidents ****

#24 The Clinton Tapes *****

#25, 26, & 27 Parting the Waters : America in the King Years 1954-63 ***** (1,000 pages, counted it as 3 books)

#28 Paper Gods *****

#29 His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope *****

#30 Deacon King Kong ***** (so good, I immediately started another book by the author, Good Lord Bird)

#31 From Ball Girl to CMO *****

#32 Billion Dollar Loser ***** (listened to this and, while the story is terrific, the voice actor that reads it is probably the best I’ve ever heard)

#33 Good Lord Bird ***** (brilliant)