UPDATED MAR 2020. I don’t understand why some people are so against New Years resolutions. Have they been jaded by not being able to stick to their own? Do they not want others to strive for goals? I don’t get it. It’s just a long-term goal – what’s not good about that? My 2018 resolution was to read one book a month for the whole year and I slayed it. Today I’m my New Years resolution with you with the books I read and what I liked and didn’t like about them. I’ve linked them to Amazon, and you can read them in paperback, on your Kindle, or using the Kindle app on your phone. I’m also asking for your recommendations so I can keep my reading up in 2019.
Finishing My New Years Resolution & The 12 Books That Got Me There
Disclaimer
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Why one book a month is a challenge for me
First up, I know people who love reading are probably like ‘one book a month? Bish, I read one book a week!’
But for me, I’m not a good reader and find it challenging (it probably shows in my writing).
To start, I did five years of full-time University which pretty much stripped any enjoyment of reading. It feels like a chore and makes me tired. I think it’s probably the muscle memory of reading so much for assignments and falling asleep in the University library a few too many times.
I also read really slow and often have to read paragraphs a few times to understand them, so it feels like it takes forever to read. The idea of reading one book a month was something that seemed challenging for me.
I love a challenge though
It was really hard at first to keep up with reading and I had to force myself.
About halfway through the year I got frustrated with it and just wanted to give up, then by the last book I felt like reading was getting easier.
If you’re trying to achieve a new years resolution or any goal for that matter, just keep chipping away, keep showing up, change your style if you need but whatever you do don’t quit.
My advice is, set your 12-month goal then break it up into smaller sections.
If you want to lose 20 pounds, that’s your end goal. Break that into monthly goals, say to lose 2 pounds a month.
Then set goals on how to get there. Maybe you set a goal of exercising 4 times each week, and only buy takeaway once each week, or whatever the short-term steps you will take to get to the end goal.
You will fall at times, just get back up and keep going.
Here are the books I read this year in case you’re looking for some new reads during layovers or flights this year. Sorry to disappoint you if you’re looking for fiction. There’s no way I could read a made-up story. That might be a good challenge for another year.
Most of my choices are on science, business, self-improvement, and people’s lessons.
Write More Good: An Absolutely Phoney Guide, The Bureau Chiefs
I’d love to start off with a great one, but this one was just meh. Maybe that’s why the reading challenge was harder at first too. It was more of a funny book about writing, and some parts ok, but I didn’t really get much out of it.
Earning It: Hard Won Lessons From Trailblazing Women At The Top Of The Business World, Joann S. Lublin
I’d rate this one PDA = pretty damn awesome. If you like a motivating girl power read, then you’ll like this one
too. There are a lot of valuable lessons and takeaways from women who paved the way.
Letters To A Young Poet, Rainer Maria Rilke
When I think back on this one, I just remember thinking that it was written beautifully. I remember being hooked on it, and thinking ‘this will help me improve my writing’.
What Motivates Getting Things Done: Procrastination, Emotions, And Success, Mary Lamia
I’ll review this one later.
Master: The Keys To Success And Long-Term Fulfillment, George Leonard
This one is good if you’re a jack-of-all-trades type or chronic multi-tasker. I am both and really enjoyed it.
12 Rules For Life: An Antidote To Chaos, Jordan B. Peterson
I had to read this one pretty slowly to be able to soak it all in, but I really loved it. I find anything about how the brain works fascinating so it was interesting to me, but I also think there are a lot of useful lessons for anyone wanting to improve their life.
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How To Tell Your Story In A Noisy Social World, Gary Vaynerchuck
It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, as in, you can get most of these tips for free by listening to his podcasts and YouTube videos. But if you don’t want to listen through all that, you could get a lot of Gary Vee’s branding and social media management advice in one place with this one.
Rise Sister Rise: A Guide To Unleashing The Wise, Wild Woman Within, Rebecca Campbell
It was a little too much ‘woo woo’ for me at times, but I still found this book interesting for the most part and enjoyed reading it.
Exactly What To Say: The Magic Words For Influence And Impact, Phill M Jones
If you have a job in sales this book might be useful, but I didn’t like it too much just because I can’t imagine the way I talk to try and sell stuff. It would feel too unnatural for me (remember this in 2019 when my next book comes out – just help a sister out and buy a copy so I don’t have to write a bunch of sales-y posts!)
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, And More Creative, Florence Williams
I love nature and science, and this book combined the two. I found it super interesting and it explained a lot about why I feel so good when I’m outdoors. 10/10 highly recommend it.
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind And Defy The Odds, David Goggins
This book should be required reading for everyone! I loved it. He has an incredible story and it is a testament to what you can achieve if you can master your mind. If you are ever feeling overwhelmed by your problems, or that you can’t do something, read this because it’ll motivate the shit out of you.
Feminists Don’t Wear Pink And Other Lies: Amazing Women On What The F-Word Means To Them, Scarlett Curtis
I finished up the year with this book after it was recommended to me by a friend and really enjoyed it. Each woman had a space to talk about what feminism meant to them and I loved how there were so many different views and ways to express what they thought.
Other guides you might enjoy
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