My Favorite Books of 2020: Part 2

Published by Jordan Pitner Sr. on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog on my progress on my new year’s goal: to read 61 books in 2020. I thought, with the new year fast approaching, I’d take a moment and share one final update:

So how did I do?

Well, I missed my goal. By a lot.

I’ve only managed to read 34 books this year (likely 36 by December 31st).

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was only a little bit behind. However, I’ve really shifted my focus to other huge goals in the back half of the year (more on that another day) and reading took a secondary goal in my 2020 plans.

That being said, reading has become ingrained in who I am and what I do more than ever. In fact, Goodreads told me I’ve read 7,000 pages more this year than any year before! Considering I used to read a maximum of 2 or 3 books in any given month, averaging that many really is something I’m proud of. I’ve learned so much and realized even more about the scope of what I don’t know, and I’m excited to beat that mark this coming year!

With so many fewer books read in this half of the year, I can’t share an entire list of 5-star books. But I will share my favorites I’ve read in the second half of the year, and talk more about what I took away from them.

Meditation for Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book

Dan Harris

TV personality and self-proclaimed nihilist Dan Harris shares thoughts and exercises he has discovered on his long-time journey in the practice of meditation. Dan and friends go on a nationwide tour, sharing their enlightenment with anyone who will listen. This book is practical, and you can slow down and practice the meditations as you go along. I’ve found several that are meaningful to me in ways I could not have anticipated without this book. It’s a great read for anyone who struggles with being present like me.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Haruki Murikami

I’ve taken a dive into the readings of acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murikami this second half of the year… but (as you’ll soon see later) I’ve decided to jump into a couple of his nonfiction writings first. This book is a love letter to Haruki’s lifelong passion for running. Indeed, Haruki’s fixations on the passions of his life (specifically running, writing, and music) have helped me fall in love with lifelong learning again. Haruki has a way of speaking to decades of passions and pursuits in a way that I believe few are ever able to achieve. In reading this book you will feel the serenity, aches, the power of his breath, everything that makes running as rewarding as it is demanding (or so I’m told).

Dune

Frank Herbert

My mind every few months: “AHH! A Hollywood Blockbuster based on a revered fictional work is coming out! Hurry and read the book (or read the book again!) before it’s released!”

Which of course led me back to Dune. I am Paul Atreides. Surely anyone who reads this book feels the everyperson that is Paul Atreides. Dune is the timeless tale of two aristocratic families at generational war over a planet of addicting spices. Filled with all the politicking, espionage, and romance one would expect of the golden standard of science fiction.

And the worms…

And the worms!!!

Thinking in Bets

Annie Duke

Annie Duke is a psychologist and World Series of Poker Champion. Annie has molded her life to the probabilistic thinking that one can find through a life on the poker table. Annie champions thinking about probabilities as much more than certain or uncertain. She recommends estimating outcomes, not tying the quality of your decision to the quality of the outcome (because the outcome, after all, is not certain). Most of all, Annie lays out strategies for forming tribes of probabilistic thinkers and methods for how to “look into your future” and see how your decisions today affect you down the road.

If any of you are lovers of nonfiction and personal development books as I am, this one is my highest recommendation of the second half of my year.

Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa

Haruki Murikami

I loved “What I Talk About…” so much, I had to pick up another of Haruki Murikami’s books I found in the library. Seiji Ozawa was the long time conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. What becomes apparent in this piece is how scrupulous any kind of person can be about the fidelity of music. Maestro Ozawa, a lifelong musician trained by Bernstein and Karajan, is educated over and over by the discerning ear of Murikami. Each learns from the other. It is obvious each of them learns from the other as they trade recordings, stories, and little tidbits of knowledge that may go unnoticed to all but the most careful of listeners.

I missed the mark

It’s true. I missed my mark by nearly 30 books. Am I disappointed? Perhaps a little. But it’s also the most I’ve committed to a resolution before. But I’m proud that I set a lofty goal and worked so hard on it throughout the year. I may have come up short on my goal, but I read more this year than I ever have before, despite coming up so short.

I love reading. I love imagining someone’s world within my own mind. I love seeing how folks much smarter than me approach complicated subjects. I love learning and I love leaving a book just a little different than I was when I picked it up. Now that the year is over, what were my all time favorites? I’ll give a top 5 for each category:

Favorite 5 Nonfiction Books I read in 2020

Wild
- Cheryl Strayed
Ultralearning
- Scott H. Young
Effortless Mastery
- Kenny Werner
Talking to Strangers
- Malcolm Gladwell
Principles
- Ray Dalio

So there it is! A year in reading. Want to share what you’ve been reading? Share your finds in the comments! And if you use Goodreads, connect with me on my Goodreads profile. One of my goals in 2021 is to share more thoughtful reviews and reflections on Goodreads so I can share my thoughts more regularly throughout the year.

I can’t wait to read more in 2021- especially books that have affected many of you.

Happy reading!

Until 2021,

Jordan

My Favorite Books of 2020: Part 2