My Favorite Books of 2020
I don’t reflect much. It’s perhaps one of my worst habits—perpetually looking ahead and failing to see where I’ve been and what I’ve learned.
I’m currently wrangling with a 2020 retrospective article. I published a mid-year check-in, but for some reason, thinking back on the year as a whole has me stumped. So much and so little has happened.
I figured I’d start with a book review. I didn’t read as much as I’d hoped (TV was far too tempting on those wildly stressful days), but books were still a helpful and educational companion—most notably the four below.
The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins
I’ve become very passionate about financial freedom and independence. I wanted to learn more about healthy financial habits and independent investing, but I didn’t want to read a complicated Wall Street book or money-mongering blog. The Simple Path to Wealth is the opposite of that. It’s a dense read, but only because every sentence is packed with value and actionable advice.
JL Collins writes with so much authority, yet his voice is that of someone with which you’re sitting down for coffee. He’s trustworthy and far from perfect—he discusses his mistakes with honesty as frequently as he advises about all he’s done right.
Reading The Simple Path to Wealth is by far the best thing I’ve done for my finances and future.
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
I love Ali Wong. I’ve seen Always Be My Maybe six times, and I love her standup specials on Netflix. When I saw she’d released a memoir—written to her daughters, no less—I had to order it. I read this one on my Kindle (I practice I’m adopting more in 2021), and it helped me better capture my favorite quotes.
“My family had always told me how to speak and how to feel about things. Part of what was so liberating about being onstage was that I could say whatever I wanted without having loved ones comment on it. Regardless of how the strangers would respond, at least they were strangers who didn’t know me or have any real authority over who I was. I loved the anonymity of my conversations with an audience.”
I’ve never considered a career in comedy, but Wong writes so earnestly about her childhood and early career that I couldn’t help but relate her experiences to my writing career. Writing, comedy—they’re both creative, and Wong writes about that more than anything. As an author, she was just…herself, and this book inspired me to be the same.
Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Wow. I’ve never read a Matt Haig book, but when I saw the premise of this novel, I was already hooked. What a subtly powerful read. Whether or not you struggle with mental health issues (I do), this book will profoundly resonate with you.
We’ve all wondered what our lives would be like if we’d chosen a different path—a different job, mate, city…even a different recommended road on Google Maps. I routinely wish I could explore the lives that these decisions would’ve led to. That’s the premise of this book (paired with important dialogue around depression).
I won’t spoil it for you, so order it today and make it your first read of 2021.
Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’ve read this book (well, it’s more of an essay) every year since I was 14. It fascinated me in high school and quite literally kept me alive in college. I thought perhaps that, one day, I wouldn’t need it. However, I’ve found that the older I get, the more I learn each year I read it.
My favorite quote: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” (One of my tattoos was inspired by this.)
I considered diagnosing this read for those looking for a confidence or esteem boost, but honestly—every single person could benefit from it. It’s a dense and powerful dialogue about how we connect with society and, in turn, ourselves.
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I read other books in 2020, along with countless hours of Sons of Anarchy, Schitt’s Creek, The Office, and more. Media was my best friend; it kept me company and challenged me all the same. I plan to consume much more in 2021, but for now, this is what I have for you. Drop a comment below if you have any recommendations for what I should read next.
