Best Books I’ve Read In 2020
As usual, every time a year finishes I sit down and look at the books that I’ve read . Reflecting on the books I’ve read helps me to see my behavior. It shines a spotlight on the general interests that I have. What are the common themes? Lots of content about ancient Rome. How did I consume these books? Lots of books were “read” on a walk. And did I enjoy them? Of course, you silly.
Partly I do all this for myself, but another part of me likes to recommend good books. It’s easier to share just this link than to elaborate what I enjoy. So what can we find out about my reading behavior in 2020?
2020
The first thing I noticed is that I’ve read less books (2018: 32 Books, 2019: 25 Books, 2020: 21 Books). In recent years I focused a lot on personal development, learning new skills, consuming mountains of information. A lot of them are self-help and non-fiction books. Reading them is hard and takes a lot of time. A single sentence can make you reflect on it for hours or weeks to come. In the pandemic year 2020 i didn’t feel the need to improve as much. Rather now I want to learn to accept and enjoy. So not only did I read less books, I also read less non-fiction (2018: 22 Books, 2020: 6 Books), wanting to make reading less like “work” and more enjoyable. If you lose interest in reading books, just find books that make you want to read (Well duh. thank you Alexis for this wisdom) I looked for outstanding novels such as the one’s from Patrick Rothfuss.
People who spend time with me know that I — sometime more, sometimes less — am a student of stoic philosophy. Stoicism, in opposite to many other philosophies, is practical work, no classroom discussion . “How to die” and “The Good Life Handbook” were valuable this year to keep practicing when I needed it. The remarkable biography of Stoic idealist Marcus Cato for example was influential in coping with a deadly virus that shook the whole world. Victor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” convinces one that it can always be worse, and even then there is a way accept and become stronger.
A good library needs entertainiment. And I enjoy the 20th century crimes of Agatha Christie, the roman crimes of John Maddox and the hilarious analyses of Michael Lewis. I almost bought all of his books.
So which one’s were my favorite this year?
Fiction
“Kingkiller Chronicles” by Patrick Rothfuss
By far my favorite book this year if not ever. Easy decision. The debut writings of Patrick Rothfuss. I used to make statements like “I don’t read Fantasy”. But I come to understand that this is highly dependent on how the author presents it. Patrick is a genius. I finished his 1700 pages masterpieces in 10 days. In the “The Name of the Wind” and “The Wise Man’s Fear” we follow the young musician Kvothe on his path of becoming skilled in medicine, chemistry, alchemy and even magic. I can already hear you snoring. Rothfuss has the skill to make you excited about a plotline of a boy who wants to study. Instead of Harry Potters world of “speak it and then it happens” Rothfuss becomes much more creative, and strangely scientific. The book is full of dozens of little stories, entertaining plotpoints and strong philosophies. 5/5 Alexis Points. Would recommend to everyone who has a fireplace and the discipline to read a book as heavy as a fridge.
Enders’ Game by Orson Scott Card
When Enders Game launched in 1977 it started a new genre and gathered fans and awards. Until today 18 books have been written with the last one in 2019. It’s complexity makes it hard to turn it into a movie. They tried, but it didn’t work. The beauty of this book is the new world that you enter. Highly intelligent humans, aggressive military, space wars with children warrior and lots of artificial intelligence. It was astonishing to me, to see how the characters go to extreme length’s to solve their problems. As well as an ending that blows your mind. No need to read the other 17 books. This 1 is good enough.
Non-Fiction
“Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World” — Michael Lewis
Have you seen the hilarious movie “The Big Short” about the not so hilarious financial crisis from 2007. The book the movie was based on was written by Michael Lewis. I describe him as a strategic thinker able to summarize complex topics in a charming and hilarious way. “Boomerang” points out the idiots and reckless people in Europe who have crossed milestones in stupidity and changed the market forever. When you read it, you will be left shocked and laughing. I gifted this people to 5 people this year.
“Red Notice: How I Became Putin’s №1 Enemy” — Bill Browder
Humans love crime. It’s the intrigues, the conspiracies, the danger and murder which excites us. We don’t have it in our own lives (for a good reason). That’s why it shocks us when a story ends with:”this happened to me”. What happened to Bill Browder is beyond crazy. If this would be a plot to an America/Russia secret service movie you wouldn’t take it for a realistic storyline. Red Notice is the story about American financier Bill Browder who succeeds in bringing work to post soviet Russia. What follows is a political crusade that reads like a crime thriller. The New York Times summarizes it well. “Part John Grisham-like thriller, part business and political memoir.”.
“Man’s Search for Meaning” — Victor Frankl
I was mighty scared of this book for a long time. Concentration camp memoirs are no easy read. I’m glad I read it now. Especially after 2020, when we are on the verge of big changes, looking back at crucial moments in history helps us find our perspective. “Man’s Search for Meaning” is a recollection of experiences Viktor Frankl made in Germany’s concentration camps and the learnings he took from them. How did he survive? It took enormous wit, strength & endurance. Despite experiencing one of humanities most cruel times he has a lot of positive and motivating wisdom to share. Not a day goes by I dont practice his learnings. — Viktor Frankl
Biography
“Rome’s Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar” — Jimmy Soni & Rob Goodman
Some people go through incredibly tough times that make you ask yourself “what am I complaining about”. Cato was such a man. Today relatively unknown. In the past being major inspiration for Dante’s “Divine Comedy” and role model for George Washington and his troops during their fight for independence. Marcus Cato is the archetype for the person who always acts right and never compromises. That makes for a boring drinking partner, but for an incredibly good leader. He lived during the turbulent time when Rome went from a republic to a dictatorship. And he gave Caesar a hell of a time leading up to histories “most honorable suicide”.
Legend & Statistics
Books
- “Enders game” — Orson Scott card
- “Man’s Search for Meaning” — Victor Frankl
- “How to Die: An Ancient Guide to the End of Life” — Lucius Seneca
- “Red Notice: How I Became Putin’s №1 Enemy” — Bill Browder
- “The Kings Gambit” — John Robert Maddox
- “The Catiline Conspiracy” — John Robert Maddox
- “The Sacrilege” — John Robert Maddox
- “Neuromancer” — William Gibson
- “Rome’s Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar” — Jimmy Soni & Rob Goodman
- “The Name of the Wind” — Patrick Rothfuss
- “The Wise Man’s Fear” — Patrick Rothfuss
- “Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World” — Michael Lewis
Scribd
- “The Good Life Handbook — Epictetus’ Stoic Classic Enchiridion” — Chuck Chakrapani
- “Has anyone seen the president” — Michael Lewis
- “Death on the Nile” — Agatha Christie
- “An unexpected Guest” — Agatha Christie
- “What I talk about, when I talk about running” — Haruki Murakami
- “A curious mind” — Brian Grazer
- “Face to Face: The Art of Human Connection” — Brian Grazer
- “A war of gifts” — Orson Scott card
21 Books
Audiobook: 8
Digital Book: 0
Book: 13
Non-Fiction: 6
Fiction: 10
Biographies: 5
