Books I Read In 2020

Books I Read In 2020

Here are the books I read in 2020 – broken out by month. I love reading and found keeping track of each completed book on this page to be a lot of fun. 

As you scroll through the list, you will notice the following format for each:

  • Date completed
  • Format – physical book vs. audiobook
  • Type – fiction vs. nonfiction 
  • One sentence description
  • Recommendation as to who would enjoy the particular book
  • And a link to it in case you want to read it yourself

I hope you enjoy this list as much as I did in creating it!

*By the way, the links below are affiliate links. That just means that if you click the link and make a purchase, I’ll receive credit for it. It doesn’t impact the pricing or content of the book in any way. Amazon may just send me a small fee as a thanks for the referral. It’s not a lot but every little bit adds up and helps me keep this great site running!

 

Books I Read In: January

These are the books that I read in January.

Book 1: Getting Things Done by David Allen

  • Completed: 1/21/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A system for capturing, organizing, and making progress on everything you have going on in your life.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have a lot on your plate and want a system for managing it all.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: Free To Focus by Michael Hyatt

  • Completed: 1/30/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A system for helping you understand what’s important, what you should (and should not) be working on, and how to be productive with your time each day.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are newer to the productivity space and want a straightforward system you can use.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 3: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

  • Completed: 1/30/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Fiction 
  • One sentence description: On the surface, it’s about architecture and the struggle to create something pure, but there is a much deeper message that begs the question: are you being honest with yourself?
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have an interest in philosophy and watching it play out in a fictional world.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Books I Read In: February

These are the books that I read in February.

Book 1: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

  • Completed: 2/08/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A blueprint for recognizing what is most important to you so that you can focus just on that and remove everything else.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Feel scattered and don’t know what you should be focusing on.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams

  • Completed: 2/11/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Fiction 
  • One sentence description: The third book in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, this humorous sci-fi adventure follows characters through time and space as they attempt to save the universe and uncover the secret to it all.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy light, entertaining space adventures (and have read the first two books in the Hitchhiker’s Guide series).
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 3: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

  • Completed: 2/24/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in shame, understanding, vulnerability, and fostering a more wholehearted life.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are either someone that is open and understands the merits of vulnerability OR are completely closed off to it (and could benefit from its lessons).
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 4: The 22 Immutable Laws Of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout

  • Completed: 2/26/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Simply put, lessons in marketing.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have an interest in marketing and positioning a business.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: March

These are the books that I read in March.

Book 1: Company of One by Paul Jarvis

  • Completed: 3/08/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons on how to create and operate a small, scalable, automated business.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have an interest in business, intrapreneurship, or entrepreneurship.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington

  • Completed: 3/22/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A system for achieving goals in 12 weeks as opposed to the standard year.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are either new to goal setting or want exposure to a different way of doing goals.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 3: Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

  • Completed: 3/26/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A biography of Leonardo da Vinci.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have an interest in history, art, or studying one of the past’s most famous individuals.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: April

These are the books that I read in April.

Book 1: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

  • Completed: 4/02/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: How gender inequality is still a problem at large and what we can do about it.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Believe in pushing gender equality forward and want to learn how to help.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: Anything You Want by Derek Sivers

  • Completed: 4/09/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A short yet powerful book of lessons learned during the process of launching and running his (Sivers’) successful company – CD Baby.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to build a business that makes you feel fulfilled.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 3: How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid

  • Completed: 4/13/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: A fictional story of an impoverished young man who yearns for wealth in a struggling country.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Like the intersection of fiction, business, and personal development books.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 4: Time Traps by Todd Duncan

  • Completed: 4/25/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Early lessons in productivity for those in sales and business.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are in sales or beginning your productivity journey.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 5: How to Be a Power Connector by Judy Robinett

  • Completed: 4/27/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in how to create and maintain better relationships.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Feel like you could be doing a better job staying in touch with those you know and making new relationships.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 6: Love Is Letting Go Of Fear by Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D.

  • Completed: 4/30/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in developing inner peace.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are looking to cultivate calm and peace within yourself.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: May

These are the books that I read in May.

Book 1: Dune by Frank Herbert

  • Completed: 5/18/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: One family’s journey across space and kingdom.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy science fiction, strategy, and interplanetary strife.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt

  • Completed: 5/22/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Introductory lessons to goal setting.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are new to and interested in goal setting.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: June

These are the books that I read in June.

Book 1: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

  • Completed: 6/04/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: A story of perseverance; of growing up poor in Brooklyn in the early 1900s, of struggle, and of undying persistence.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy fiction and tales of growing up.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

  • Completed: 6/11/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Introductory lessons to astrophysics and the cosmos.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are interested in learning about the foundational science behind the universe.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 3: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

  • Completed: 6/16/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: The biography of Steve Jobs.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Find the works of Steve Jobs (of Apple and Pixar) interesting.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 4: Deep Work by Cal Newport

  • Completed: 6/16/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Beginner lessons in productivity and focus.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to be more productive and are fairly new to this way of thinking. See it as a productivity 101 course.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 5: Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini Ph.D.

  • Completed: 6/24/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: How to set the stage to better market your products.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have an interest in marketing your own products or, on the other side of things, want to be a more informed buyer.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 6: The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan S Kennedy

  • Completed: 6/24/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A guide to writing effective sales copy.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to learn about sales writing.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Books I Read In: July

These are the books that I read in July.

Book 1: Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

  • Completed: 7/9/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: Hiro, a pizza-delivering, sword-wielding, computer hacker, and YT, a clever, street-surfing courier, team up against a pending doomsday plot in this dystopian science fiction adventure. 
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy cyberpunk-style fiction.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: On Writing Well by William Zinsser

  • Completed: 7/11/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Technical lessons on becoming a better writer. 
  • This is a good book for you if you: Write often and want to do some fine-tuning.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 3: Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell

  • Completed: 7/19/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A guide to reframing and working through failure.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are currently struggling with a failure or setback.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 4: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

  • Completed: 7/26/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: One woman’s journey growing up in Nigeria, moving to the US, struggling to earn money, and experiencing different cultures.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to see how the US looks to an outsider.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 5: Hooked by Nir Eyal with Ryan Hoover

  • Completed: 7/27/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A roadmap for building products that create positive, healthy consumer habits.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have an interest in product development.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Books I Read In: August

These are the books that I read in August.

Book 1: Superfans by Pat Flynn

  • Completed: 8/04/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Author Pat Flynn describes how to build an audience that loves and follows what you do.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are growing or are looking to grow a brand in some way.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 2: Atomic Habits by James Clear

  • Completed: 8/08/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A roadmap for creating better habits.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Have habits that you’d like to adjust (like not getting enough sleep).
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Book 3: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

  • Completed: 8/21/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: Four loving sisters growing up during the Civil War.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want a light-hearted tale of a loving family.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 4: Goals! by Brian Tracy

  • Completed: 8/25/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Introductory lessons to goal setting and affirmations.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are new to the above concept.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here. 

Books I Read In: September

These are the books that I read in September.

Book 1: Titan by Ron Chernow

  • Completed: 9/14/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A biography of John D. Rockefeller Sr.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are interested in business and US history of the late 1800s to early 1900s.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 2: Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes

  • Completed: 9/18/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A highly detailed, science-backed account of the foods we should (and should not) be consuming.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are looking to improve your health.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 3: Goals by Zig Ziglar

  • Completed: 9/22/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Introductory lessons to goal setting and motivation.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Need motivation and want to learn more about goal setting.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 4: Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes

  • Completed: 9/29/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A layman’s guide to better nutrition through the restriction of carbohydrates.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are interested in nutritional health.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 5: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

  • Completed: 9/30/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: One man’s quest for self-discovery and gold.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are looking to learn more about America’s sordid past (ie. slavery) in the form of a fictional story.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: October

These are the books that I read in October.

Book 1: Rich20Something by Daniel DiPiazza

  • Completed: 10/06/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Strategies for starting and growing a business.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are recently out of college and are wanting to start a business.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 2: I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

  • Completed: 10/15/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in personal finance.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want straightforward advice on saving and investing.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 3: The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu

  • Completed: 10/15/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: A collection of thoughtful short stories.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy fictional stories with powerful lessons.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 4: Foundation by Isaac Asimov

  • Completed: 10/22/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: Power struggles across space and millennia.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy fictional works of sci-fi (like Dune).
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 5: Conquer Procrastination by Nadalie Bardo

  • Completed: 10/22/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in defeating procrastination.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Struggle with procrastination or are new to the world of personal development.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 6: Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard P. Feynman

  • Completed: 10/29/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A collection of stories of Richard Feynman.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy memoirs and want a fun read.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: November

These are the books that I read in November.

Book 1: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama

  • Completed: 11/03/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Obama’s journey to uncover the history of his father.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are interested in learning about Obama’s backstory.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 2: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

  • Completed: 11/06/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: One boy’s journey growing up in a graveyard, raised by ghosts.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are wanting something light and entertaining.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 3: Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss

  • Completed: 11/07/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Specific questions answered by “successful” people.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want advice from leaders in their field.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 4: Mythos by Stephen Fry

  • Completed: 11/16/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A layman’s guide to Greek Mythology.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to learn more about Greek Mythology.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 5: Your Music and People by Derek Sivers

  • Completed: 11/17/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in business and marketing.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want straightforward advice to creating a business, and marketing philosophy, that you love.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 6: The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde

  • Completed: 11/23/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: An alternate timeline where rabbits have become intelligent beings and the conflicts that arise between them and humanity.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Enjoy fiction with underlying themes of acceptance.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 7: Propaganda by Edward Bernays

  • Completed: 11/29/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A background of what propaganda is, plus many examples.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are interested in learning about the definition of propaganda in great detail.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Books I Read In: December

These are the books that I read in December.

Book 1: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

  • Completed: 12/01/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: Lessons in mastering the creative process.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Aren’t doing the creative work you know you should.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 2: As a Man Thinketh by James Allen

  • Completed: 12/07/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A case for deliberate thinking.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to better understand the role your thoughts play in your actions.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 3: The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X & Alex Haley

  • Completed: 12/12/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: An autobiography of Malcolm X.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to learn more about Malcolm X.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 4: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

  • Completed: 12/14/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A manual to understanding and influencing your subconscious.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Are open to the idea of influencing such things.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 5: Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov

  • Completed: 12/22/20
  • Format: Audiobook
  • Type: Fiction
  • One sentence description: The second book of the Foundation series.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Liked the first Foundation book.
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.

Book 6: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

  • Completed: 12/28/20
  • Format: Physical book
  • Type: Nonfiction
  • One sentence description: A depiction of Frankl’s experience in the Holocaust and the concept of Logotherapy that grew out of it.
  • This is a good book for you if you: Want to understand how to create meaning in your life, regardless of circumstance. 
  • You can pick up a copy of this book, here.