2019 Books I Read
7327 for 2019. I only read (- 1.0 (/ 7327.0 11191.0)) 0.34527745509784646
as much as the previous year.
In 2019 I read a lot of books but I changed my goals a bit. In 2018 I set a hard reading goal which resulted in reading 25 books. However, I realized that I set a goal for the sake of having a goal. This creates pressure but I didn’t need the pressure to read.
Overall I completed 7327 pages from 22 books which results in a 34% decrease from last year.
There are no spoilers on this page.
How I rate my books:
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved it and would read again
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liked it but wouldn’t read again
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh but finished
- ⭐️⭐️ Didn’t enjoy it but finished
- ⭐️ Didn’t enjoy it and stopped reading
These books are not presented in any specific order.
Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker, PhD
368 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Before reading this book I knew the importance of sleep. I understood that getting a good night sleep is critical for memory and health. After reading this book I learned that our lives depend on having sleep and enough sleep opportunity.
After the second or third chapter you are presented with a clear idea on why sleep is important. The book is filled with enough evidence that we are instructed to take it serious.
Forest Bathing – Dr. Qing Li
320 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved being outside before reading this book. I felt that it was targeted to people that already didn’t spend enough time outdoors. The book is full of colorful scenery. I felt that it lacked references to scientific studies.
Takeaway: Spend time in nature. It is an easy and enjoyable thing to do. If the benefits are great for you then it is even better.
The call of the wild - Jack London
64 pages · ⭐️
I started this book because I’ve heard that Jack London is a great writer. No doubt in my mind that he is, but I couldn’t sustain interest in this book.
Measure what matters – John Doerr
320 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This would have been better as a blog post. The contents of the book are trendy in software companies right now. I feel that OKRs are a sensible practice that is successful because it is simpler and different from whatever process a company currently uses.
Ultra learning – Scott Young
305 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
I always enjoy books about learning. At times the book felt anecdotal and derived from the experiences of a handful of people. However, I believe there are gems of wisdom in this book. Take the practices presented and apply them to your life.
Children of Time – Adrian Tchaikovsky
640 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
I don’t normally read a lot of science fiction. I read this book to branch out of my regular reading trends and I’m glad I did.
The First 90 Days – Michael Watkins
304 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My quick summary is to figure out what kind of position you are in and come up with a 90 day plan to make changes.
The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
720 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
I really liked this book. It has been recommended to me many times. I’m glad I took the time to finally read it.
The obstacle is the way - Ryan Holiday
224 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
If you like ideas presented by Stoic philosophers then this is the book for you.
Getting Clojure – Russ Olsen
290 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read this book if you are new to Lisp or Clojure.
Perennial Seller - Ryan Holiday
256 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Steelheart – Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson writes so many good books. I think this falls into the YA genre and I didn’t mind.
432 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
Ego is the Enemy - Ryan Holiday
256 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐
Also a book with Stoic ideas.
Norse Mythology – Neil Gaiman
304 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
I didn’t know much about Norse mythology. I enjoyed Neil Gaiman’s treatment of the subject.
The things you can see only when you slow down – Haemin Sunim
288 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Take a breath, slow down, and look around.
Atomic habits - James Clear
320 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
I’ve read many books on habit making and breaking. I think this book is one of the best.
All these wonders - The Moth
352 pages · ⭐️⭐⭐️⭐
I read this book because I value the insights and experience of others. This is an enlightening book. People write about their lives in a real, honest, cutting way.
The Daily Stoic
416 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐
Get your daily dose of Stoicism.
And then there were none - Agatha Christie
300 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
I don’t usually read mystery books. I liked this.
The Making of a Manager: What to do when Everyone Looks to You - Julie Zhuo
288 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
There are some pearls of advice in this book. Very quick read. There is no way to really know where you are on your management journey but chances are that Julie Zhuo has been there. I’m enjoying An Elegant Puzzle right now because it is more applicable to Engineering Management.
The Dispatcher - John Scalzi
128 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
I read this short story to sample John Scalzi’s writing. I liked his style.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - Claire North
432 pages · ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
I heard good things about this book. It was new and fresh. Anyone interested in interesting time mechanics should read this book.