My 12 Favorite Books of 2020 (plus some rambling thoughts on gratitude)

2020. What a ride. Thankfully, my family and I were lucky enough to emerge from the year’s insanity unscathed– we’re healthy, employed, and more grateful than ever for our home and community. For better or worse, I discovered that I am not cut out to be a preschool teacher, and, out of necessity, my time management skills improved by leaps and bounds.  

Books were even more important to me in 2020 than ever before, but, for the first time, making the space to read them proved to be a challenge. As usual, reading brought me contentment and stability, as well as the numerous benefits I’ve mentioned in the past. But there was one new and unexpected product of reading during 2020: Gratitude.

The fact that I could sit back and take the time to enjoy a book– knowing damn well that millions of people were suffering physically, mentally, economically– once again reinforced just how lucky I am. (And I’m convinced that it all boils down to luck, not my work ethic or any other self-congratulatory character traits. Read Sam Harris’s Free Will to understand my thinking on this subject.) During any time period, reading for pleasure has been pretty near the top of the hierarchy of needs, but during a global pandemic, its opulence is even more pronounced.

Lucky and grateful. I’m lucky that my life has worked out so that incessant reading for pleasure is even an option. Grateful that I have the resources to devote my time and attention to something as luxurious as reading, during this pandemic or ever. Lucky that I live in a country where I’m free to explore any ideas I want. Grateful that I’ve somehow managed to retain my ability to concentrate, despite Zuckerberg’s best efforts. Lucky that books give me a sense of nuance in an increasingly binary world. Grateful that you are spending your valuable time reading this. And the list goes on, and on, and on.

During good times and bad, a focused, deliberate, daily practice of gratitude has always made me happier and a more productive member of society. And during 2020, these repeated micro-doses of gratitude delivered via books provide a much-needed mental boost during an overall gloomy year.

But despite the unexpected upsides of reading in 2020, there was a downside: Between the time commitments of my job, family, podcast, and trying to stay in shape, I didn’t muster the energy to challenge myself with my book choices. I read exclusively for enjoyment and rarely left my comfort zone with authors and topics. While I loved every book that I read in 2020, reviewing the list reminds me (once again) that I need to push myself harder to explore new subjects and authors. For me, the point of reading is to expand my perspective and broaden my horizons– neither of which will happen if I don’t force myself out of my comfort zone.  

So in 2021, you can expect my lists to include a much more diverse array of subjects, genres, themes, and authors. If I can push myself to run silly-ass laps around my neighborhood for 24 hours straight, I sure as hell can push myself to increase my empathy, compassion, and understanding of the world through books. 

Here’s to maintaining that sense of gratitude every time I pick up a book in 2021 and beyond. And to a renewed commitment to seeking out new ideas, diverse perspectives, and uncomfortable realities that will challenge my thinking and fuel my personal evolution. 

Onward!

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I had a tough time narrowing them down, but below, in the order that I read them, are my favorite books of 2020.

The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West by John Branch – One of the best books I’ve read on the challenges facing modern-day ranching families in the West, layered on top of an insider’s look into the bone-breaking sport of rodeo. I recommend this book often to friends and colleagues who want to understand the economic and social realities of ranching in the contemporary West. [IndieBound]

Acid for the Children: A Memoir by Flea – I’m not a die-hard Chili Peppers fan and knew next to nothing about Flea before reading this book. So I’m surprised to say that this is one of the top three memoirs I’ve ever read– Flea is a fascinating, complex character, and the book is written in a unique and engaging style unlike any I’ve ever read. [IndieBound]

Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts by Ryan Holiday – I highly recommend this book to anyone with aspirations of doing creative work that will stand the test of time. I underlined passages on almost every page, immediately implemented some of his tactical advice, and have revisited the book many times since first reading it. [IndieBound]

August: A Novel by Callan Wink – For some weird reason, I mostly shy away from fiction, but I cranked through this entire book in a day and a half. If you love beautiful prose, thoughtful character development, and stunning descriptions of Montana landscapes, August deserves your full attention. [IndieBound]

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Hampton Sides is a damn genius. Ghost Soldiers was the only Sides book that I had not yet read, and I’m glad I waited until 2020 to do so. A great reminder of how tough humans can be when driven by purpose, and another timely reminder of how lucky I am to be sitting around reading books instead of being held in a POW camp. [IndieBound]

Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness by David Gessner – One of my all-time favorite authors writing about one of my all-time favorite historical figures– it doesn’t get much better. Like all Gessner books, this one is fun, funny, educational, and perspective-expanding. I especially appreciated Gessener’s willingness to clearly examine TR’s legacy– the good, the bad, and the ugly. [IndieBound]

Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind by Annaka Harris – A very short book, but hands down the densest one on this list. If you are intrigued by all matters related to consciousness– from the basic definition of the word to the intricacies of non-dual awareness– this book is well worth several readings. [IndieBound]

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear – I generally try to avoid getting bogged down in the self-help genre, and I had passed on this book several times. But I’m so thankful I finally read it– Clear hammers home the critical importance of good habits and offers up tactics that have added significant value to my life. [IndieBound]

One Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays From the World at Large by Chris La Tray – Chris La Tray is obviously an insanely gifted writer, thinker, and poet, which makes his down-to-earth style and demeanor all the more impressive. He has a unique ability to write poetry that’s meaningful and deep, without all the high-brow haughtiness that is all-to-often associated with poetry.

Lords of the Fly: Madness, Obsession, and the Hunt for the World-Record Tarpon by Monte Burke – I love reading books about people who are maniacally obsessed with their craft, and this tale of maniacs chasing tarpon with fly rods is one of the best I’ve ever read. Rich character sketches combined with beautiful descriptions of Florida’s one-of-a-kind ecosystem make for an excellent read. [IndieBound]

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – An American classic that I somehow avoided reading in high school and college. It’s a timeless masterpiece– unfortunately, many of the disturbing societal and economic themes presented in the book are just as relevant today as they were during the Great Depression / Dust Bowl era. [IndieBound]

Painted Horses by Malcolm Brooks – A wildly ambitious, sweeping epic of the American West that absolutely nails it on every level. Quite an accomplishment for an author of any age, much less for a first-time novelist like Brooks. If you’re a fan of Lonesome Dove as I am, this novel should be at the top of your reading list. [IndieBound]

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