In 2020 I have “read” more books than ever before. I put read in quotations because this is the year I went full force into Audiobooks as my main source for consuming books. It’s been a delightful change to get through books without having to sneak away – and bonus I get more things done when listening to Audiobooks.

I have found that it’s easiest for me to fully consume an audiobook if I am doing something like driving, cleaning, cooking, or exercising. Some sort of activity where my mind isn’t going to wander, so I can focus on the audiobook. This has actually made cleaning and doing laundry less of a task than it used to be. I’ve done many pantry and closet cleanouts this year with a good audiobook in my ear.

Disclosure: some of the links in the blog are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Five secrets to achieving my most “read” number of books this year:

1. I listen to audiobooks on 2 times speed. Honestly, I get bored if I listen to them at regular speed and this lets me get through some books in one session of cleaning!
2. To save money, I use Libby and Hoopla Digital to get access to audiobooks for free through my local public library systems. Most public libraries offer this option, just call yours to ask how to get signed up.
3. For audiobooks, I can’t get through the library or have an insane hold list that doesn’t work with my timeline for when I want to listen I use Audible from Amazon. With my premium membership, I got access to two free books when I first signed up; and each month there are other books through Audible Originals you can access for free; and some of these have been my favorite listens of the year.
4. To find inspiration, I look at what others are reading. These IG accounts have all posted great book recommendations: Everyday Reading, BrookeJanette, FrecklesInApril, Chripeders, Career Contessa, TheSkimm.
5. Finally, I don’t make set goal for how many books or what types of books I’m going to read/listen to. “Reading” shouldn’t be a chore, so I just approached this year with open ears, and as someone talked about a good book I added it to my wishlist on the app(s) that had it and when I finished one book I’d download another. I had an eclectic mix of books this year and it was the best!

So now what you’re probably waiting for – what books did I read?!

2020 Books – Sorted By App

There was no rhyme or reason to when I listened to specific books so I think the easiest way to share what I read this year is by listing it by which app I listened to it through. I am also going to give you the inside scoop on why I choose these apps.

Hoopla Digital

Hoopla Digital is awesome because essentially if they have the book you can check it out right away for 21 days; no holds required. For my library system you can check out to 10 books a month with Hoolpa Digital. I always check Hoopla first when I learn about a new book I want to read.

1. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men – Caroline Cridado Perez
2. Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come – Jessica Pan
3. Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle That Defined a Generation – Blake J. Harris
4. Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II – Liza Mundy
5. The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women – Kate Moore
6. Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools – Monique W. Morris
7. You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck to Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want – Jesse Mecham
8. Eat That Frog! Twenty-One Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time- Brian Tracy
9. Dark Horse: Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfillment – Todd Rose
10. The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World that Values Sameness – Todd Rose
11. The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback – Dan Olsen
12. All the Money in the World: What the Happiest People Know About Getting And Spending – Laura Vanderkam

Libby by Overdrive

Libby may also be known as Overdrive when you’re talking to your local library, hence this section being called Libby by Overdrive. On Libby, I can have 10 loans at a time, plus 8 holds. When books are not on Hoopla Digital, Libby is my next stop. Often the book will be on Libby but require me to join the hold line; this usually is only a few weeks of waiting and it does let you know how long the anticipated wait is. For new best sellers or very popular books like Michelle Obama’s Becoming, the wait was 6+ months so that’s when I opt for moving forward with getting a book from Audible.

13. Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy – Cathy O’Neil
14. The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives – William Stixrud, PhD
15. The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek
16. The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chief of Staffs Define Every Presidency – Chris Whipple
17. Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History – Keith O’Brien
18. Presence: Bringing your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges – Amy Cuddy
19. Talking As Fast as I Can – Lauren Graham
20. Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism – Barry M. Prizant, PhD
21. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
22. Only Humans Need Apply: Winners and Losers in the Age of Smart Machines – Thomas H. Davenport & Julia Kirby
23. Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought For the Right to Vote – Susan Ware

Audible

As I shared earlier, I have an Audible Premium Plus subscription. I opted actually to do the version where instead of paying monthly I buy a full year in advance so I get all 12 credits to start the year. Audible offers 2 for one sales, and different promotions throughout the year so sometimes I find new books to read through these avenues. If Libby’s wait time is too long, Audible to the rescue! If you want to try Audible, I suggest their free trial where you get two free audiobooks which I’ve linked here. Also – if you’re worried about buying an audiobook through Audible and hating it, they do allow exchanges! I have started some books and been an hour in and thought, nope. They make it simple to exchange, but respect the process because I have heard they will limit your account if you’re doing this all the time – especially with almost finished books.

24. Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy – Julie Flygare
25. Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead – Laszlo Bock
26. The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience – Jennifer Pharr Davis
27. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World – Adam Grant
28. Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein
29. Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World – Michael Pollan
30. Alpha Girls: The Women Upstarts Who Took on Silicon Valley’s Male Culture and Made the Deals of a Lifetime – Julian Guthrie
31. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams – Matthew Walker
32. Certain Woman of an Age – Margaret Trudeau
33. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed – Lori Gottlieb
34. Open Book: A Memoir – Jessica Simpson
35. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood – Trevor Noah
36. Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity – Kim Scott
37. How to Be an Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi]
38. Thicker than Water – Tyler Shultz
39. The Machine That Changed the World – James P. Womack , Daniel T. Jones, Daniel Roos

And the Winners Are…

There were so many good books I listened to this year and to choose a favorite would be impossible. So instead I’ll group together in categories, in no particular order – not even alpha so you know they’re really randomized. So depending on your mood pick a book from the list that suits your needs at this time – and feel free to cross-reference the list above to easily find it on the right app!

Books that will make you laugh

• Certain Woman of an Age – Margaret Trudeau
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed – Lori Gottlieb
• Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come – Jessica Pan

Eye Opening: books that make you think and want to change the world

• Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men – Caroline Cridado Perez
• Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy – Cathy O’Neil
• Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools – Monique W. Morris
• Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism – Barry M. Prizant, PhD
• How to Be an Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi
• Thicker than Water – Tyler Shultz

Lived Experiences: memoirs of people and companies

• Talking As Fast as I Can – Lauren Graham
• Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy – Julie Flygare
• The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience – Jennifer Pharr Davis
• Open Book: A Memoir – Jessica Simpson
• Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood – Trevor Noah
• Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle That Defined a Generation – Blake J. Harris
• Only Humans Need Apply: Winners and Losers in the Age of Smart Machines – Thomas H. Davenport & Julia Kirby

Books that Make Learning History Actually Interesting

• Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II – Liza Mundy
• The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women – Kate Moore
• The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chief of Staffs Define Every Presidency – Chris Whipple
• Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History – Keith O’Brien
• Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought For the Right to Vote – Susan Ware
• Alpha Girls: The Women Upstarts Who Took on Silicon Valley’s Male Culture and Made the Deals of a Lifetime – Julian Guthrie

Advice for personal growth

• You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck to Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want – Jesse Mecham
• All the Money in the World: What the Happiest People Know About Getting And Spending – Laura Vanderkam
• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
• Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World – Michael Pollan
• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams – Matthew Walker

Advice for professional growth

• Eat That Frog! Twenty-One Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time- Brian Tracy
• The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback – Dan Olsen
• The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek
• Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead – Laszlo Bock
• Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World – Adam Grant
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein
• Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity – Kim Scott
• The Machine That Changed the World – James P. Womack , Daniel T. Jones, Daniel Roos
• The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World that Values Sameness – Todd Rose

Pop Quiz

• What Books Should I add to my list for 2021?
• Had you read any of these books already? Which ones?
• Whose book recommendations do you seek out?

Would love to see your answers in the comments!