In total, I read 54 books in 2019. I averaged about one per week. During our January vacation, I read four or five books. During our September vacation, I didn’t read at all. There’s no right or wrong way to read. To kick off a new year (and a new decade), here are my top books of 2019. Please note: all links are affiliate links and I may receive a nominal fee if you purchase from the links below. Thank you.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy by Marie Kondo

I read these two books in quick succession on January 1, 2019, after binging her show on Netflix. I’ve known about Marie Kondo for a while but didn’t realize she was catching on in the US. On January 2, 2019, I KonMari’d everything the hubby would allow, and we took a fully filled SUV to Goodwill. The books dive deeper into the Spark Joy process of decluttering and talks about keeping items that serve a purpose. I’d encourage everyone to read these books. If you’ve read them, pre-order her new book, Joy at Work, coming out in 2020.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

I loved this book for its no-nonsense approach to habit building. Most people don’t keep their resolutions beyond February. And it’s not because we fail, but because we aren’t building the proper habits to achieve our goals. If you have any interest in changing something major, read Atomic Habits so you can better understand the systems that help us achieve what we’re after.

Deep Work – Cal Newport

This book came at the right time for me. Everything and everyone seemed to be saying “You need all the social medias!” “Be on every platform!” I was overwhelmed. Deep Work encourages making time for Your Thing. Writing. Knitting. Coding. Whatever. We can’t get good or even enjoy our work or hobbies if we don’t make time. Deep Work encouraged me to reduce my physical and digital distractions. In turn, I’m writing more, reading more and continuing down this road of self-development.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert

If you need some creativity inspiration, this is the book for you. Gilbert famously wrote Eat, Pray, Love and City of Girls, yet Big Magic is the book that found me. The concept is that we all have something big and magical within us waiting to come out. Read the book to see how it speaks to you.

Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

Of all the books I read and loved in 2019, Dare to Lead changed my life the most. Why? Because Brown created a read-along workbook and a coworker-friend, and I began it together. This evolved into a formal group of coworkers reading and go through the book together. It was scary and fulfilling. I’m glad I did it. I feel like I inspired my fellow coworkers to lead, even if they don’t have the title or direct reports that people often associate with leadership. No matter where you are in life or your career, this is a must-read.

Conspiracy: A True Story of Power, Sex, and a Billionaire's Secret Plot to Destroy a Media Empire – Ryan Holiday

Conspiracy was my first audiobook and I loved every minute of it. I’m a massive fan of Holiday’s works and have read all his books. This book hits you with intrigue, suspicion, and thrill. Best of all, it’s a true story. From the godfather of Silicon Valley to Hulk Hogan himself, this is a wild ride.

The Atlas of Happiness – Helen Russell

This is super fun and easy to read. Helen Russell delves into the world and country by country, shares ways people celebrate and encourage happiness in the day-to-day. Read this and take what you love and incorporate it into your life.

The Year of Living Danishly – Helen Russell

Much like The Atlas of Happiness, The Year of Living Danishly is a fun read and looks at life in Denmark through the eyes of an overworked Brit. You’ll learn some interesting concepts the Danes embrace – and you’ll probably want to embrace them too.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown

I’ve had this book for years and always thought it was a bit… hokey. Turns out, I was way wrong. Essentialism isn’t about removing everything from your life, but more about removing what’s distracting. It’s essentially (see what I did there…) a version of the KonMari method. Read either. Read both. Take action.

I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi

Personal finance may not be the most thrilling topic for people, but Ramit makes it easy to understand and even easier to act. If you’ve ever heard someone complain about not being taught personal finance in school, this book covers everything you need to get started. From credit cards to retirement accounts, Sethi’s no-BS methods will get your finances in order.

Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley – Emily Chang

Another unexpected book in 2019. Some coworkers attended a conference and returned with this book. I started it on a work trip and was so grateful for the long flights. I couldn’t put it down. Chang takes Silicon Valley apart, bit by bit, exposing the bro culture for what it really is: narrow thinking and a fear of what’s different. Read this at your company as a cautionary tale of what not to do.

Reading has always been incredibly important to me. I’m finally reading enough again. There was a long break of no reading for a while. In 2020, my goal is to read 100 books, averaging about 2 per week or 8 per month. Lofty, but doable. Each month, I’ll send an email with my three favorite books with the hope you find something along the way. If you have friends, loved ones, or coworkers who enjoy reading, please forward this to them. I’d love to expand the tribe of book lovers.