The 10 Books That Changed My Life in 2020

I surprisingly didn’t read as many books as I thought I would in 2020 given, well, 2020 and all the unexpected free time it gifted us. But, I did make it through a few dozen. Here were my top 10:

1. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

Naval has been in my periphery for years, but this book put his ideas in landscape mode for me. Read this compilation by Eric Jorgenson (who structured it for max value and utility) if you want to be wealthy AND happy.

2. The Simple Path to Wealth

This book by JL Collins has greatly influenced my thinking about wealth and investing. It made me feel hopeful and relieved. Read this if you want to generate maximum wealth with minimum effort.

3. The Inner Game of Golf

I picked up this book by @the_innergame because I'm obsessed with golf. I kept reading this book because the lessons apply to all of life. Read this if you want to cultivate self-trust.

4. Outrageous Openness

I read this book by @@toshasil at the height of the pandemic. It reminded me to stay open and trust in the bigger, always-magical order of the universe. Read this if you're stuck in scarcity mindset.

5. Moral Politics

I spent time on a congressional campaign trail this fall. This book by @GeorgeLakoff helped me understand the underpinnings of how liberals and conservatives think. Read this if you're confused about "the other side of the aisle."

6. Gang Leader for a Day

This book by @avsudhir illuminated difficult realities in technicolor for me. Read this if you want to humanize the issues of race, class, and violence in America.

7. It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work

The title says it all. Read this book by @jasonfried and @DHH if you're feeling overwhelmed at work and want better personal principles for how you engage with your teammates and the things you create. It really doesn't have to be crazy at work.

8. The Power of When

This book by @thesleepdoctor changed the way I think about time, sleep, and my own internal clock. Read this if you want to trust your body's unique timing (especially if you feel guilty about not being an early riser).

9. The Singularity Is Near

I asked one of the sharpest guys I know, @emersonspartz, read 600 books in a year. He told me this was possibly the single most influential book he's ever read. Read it if you want to understand what's about to happen in the world.

10. How to Be Here

I own and love all of @robbell's books, but this one was perfect for 2020. It is a museum of breathtaking ideas about how to live a life filled with purpose, joy, and meaning. Read this if you're feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or lost.

Footnote #1:

Over the past several years, I've purchased close to 100% of my books through Amazon. One of my intentions in 2021 is to buy more books through local booksellers. I won't stop using Amazon for everything (I am not in the camp that thinks Amazon is evil), but I want to be more intentional about shopping small whenever I can.

Therefore, all book links will take you to Bookshop, which is basically an Amazon that supports local bookstores. You can learn more about their mission here.

Footnote #2:

I bias towards non-fiction reading. Nothing against fiction writing (I read a handful for pleasure each year), but I find reality incredibly fascinating and want to learn as much about it as I can during my short life. My bookshelf, and this list, reflects that sentiment.