Unlocking Marketing Success with a Robust Reading Habit
How I Failed in 2024 – But Still Read 50 Books
My goal was 52 books – one book a week.
But with buying my first house, having newborn nieces, and significantly expanding Tom Basgil, LLC…
Well, it just didn’t work out. And, frankly, I did make my reading goal too much of a big deal.
So here are some tips for reading more… But don’t take them as gospel.
Read for pleasure. Read for professional development. (Or read to your newborn nieces.) But always read because you want to.
How to Read More in 2025
Always Carry a Book with You
At my first elementary school, Principal Haag told us to always carry a book. Now, I always have a book on me – whether it’s a paperback or my Kindle. If worse comes to worst, I can boot up the Kindle app on my phone and read from there. Download a reading app on your phone, and you’ll always have a book.
Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You Have a Library Card
Libraries are amazing: Free books, a free place to work, free printing/copying, and more. But if you’re a voracious reader like me, going to the library can be difficult when you’re craving a certain book at 11pm. That’s why an e-reader or an e-reading app is so amazing. With your library card, you can instantly download free books.
Audiobooks Still Count as Reading
I love a good audiobook (also free at the library). Perfect for walking the dog, running on the treadmill, or cooking my dinner.
(Re-)Discover What You Love
The day-to-day, 9 - 5 can grind anyone down. Remember what you used to love doing as a kid? Grab a book on that subject. From sports biographies to a treatise on the tufted titmouse, indulge in what makes you happy.
Read 2 or More Books at a Time
Some days, you’re in the mood for ramen. Others, you want a crisp salad – or crisp potato chips. Similarly, have multiple books available for each of your moods.
Finally, Don’t Force It
You don’t need to finish everything you read. Life is short.
Top 3 Non-Fiction Books
The Climate Book: The Facts and the Solutions - Greta Thunberg
Burn Book: A Tech Love Story - Kara Swisher
Has the Gay Movement Failed? - Martin Duberman
Top 3 Fiction Books
This Is How You Lose the Time War - Amal El-Mohtar
The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo
The Will of the Many - James Islington
Here is my full 2024 list:
Wintersmith - Terry Pratchett
A Psalm for the Wild-Built - Becky Chambers
A Hat Full of Sky - Terry Pratchett
The Grownup - Gillian Flynn
Hogfather - Terry Pratchett
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins - P. Djèlí Clark
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding - Agatha Christie
Kingdom of Ash - Sarah J. Maas
The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again - J.R.R. Tolkien
Tower of Dawn - Sarah J. Maas
We Are Twins! - Laura Gates Galvin
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
Empire of Storms - Sarah J. Maas
Queen of Shadows - Sarah J. Maas
Heir of Fire - Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
The Book of Elsewhere - Keanu Reeves
Frankenstein - Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
Gardens of the Moon - Steven Erikson
Burn Book: A Tech Love Story - Kara Swisher
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within - Becky Chambers
Record of a Spaceborn Few - Becky Chambers
The Bright Sword - Lev Grossman
The Climate Book: The Facts and the Solutions - Greta Thunberg
Dark Heir - C.S. Pacat
Heretics of Dune - Frank Herbert
A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin
Children of Dune - Frank Herbert
Snow, Glass, Apples - Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
Dark Rise - C.S. Pacat
Marvel's Voices: Pride (2023) - Steve Foxe
Has the Gay Movement Failed? - Martin Duberman
This Is How You Lose the Time War - Amal El-Mohtar
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Warrior of the Wind - Suyi Davies Okungbowa
The Spear Cuts Through Water - Simon Jimenez
Hell Bent - Leigh Bardugo
The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo
The Will of the Many - James Islington
The Sunbearer Trials - Aiden Thomas
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
God Emperor of Dune - Frank Herbert
Bookshops & Bonedust - Travis Baldree
A Day of Fallen Night - Samantha Shannon
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
For more, check out my Year in Books for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.