The Books That Made Me: 2020 Edition

How I Read 54 Books Last Year*

Woman Reading Book on a Blue Background

* Just barely.

I love to read, but 2020 was a TOUGH year. I say “just barely” because I wasn’t able to read a single book much of the year. From April to August, I couldn’t get through a single book. I was burned out, the pandemic was only recently in full swing, and my business was up and down and up and down.

At the same time, I was working long hours for a very tough client. One that required 30 hours of video training in March when I was already working 50 hour weeks.

Which is why it’s taken me so long to write this blog post. Normally, my “what I read” post is the first thing I do in January. But last year was difficult, and in many ways I’d like to just move on.

Reading for pleasure is one of my favorite things in the world, but I just couldn’t do it for a third of the year. I was tired, depressed, and trying to manage extreme social isolation.

I’m going to make this post short because I want to focus on the future (and just get this damn post done – it’s been on my mind for months!). If you’d like to learn how to read more, I encourage you to check out my 2019 and 2018 reading lists that include tips and tricks to read more.

Reading can change your life – but only if you enjoy it.


Top 3 Business Books

  1. 5x Your Sales - Todd Brown

  2. Digital Minimalism - Cal Newport

  3. Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon

Top 3 Fiction Books

  1. The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon

  2. The Dragon Republic - R.F. Kuang

  3. City of Stairs - Robert Jackson Bennett

[edit, Oct. 19, 2022] I’ve only just realized that I read The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson this year. As a Goodreads aficionado, I sometimes find dangling books that were completed without a date. Today, I found one, used my epic math skills (addition and subtraction) and my research superpower (control-F) to determine I read this in 2019.

tl;dr Baru Cormorant needs to be on this list, but I can’t boot any of my other top 3s.

Without further adieu, here’s the full list:

One Million Followers - Brendan Kane

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything - (Dungeons & Dragons)

Exploring Eberron - Keith Baker (D&D)

5x Your Sales - Todd Brown

Jingo - Terry Pratchett

The Fifth Elephant - Terry Pratchett

Hyperion - Dan Simmons

Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman

Carpe Jugulum - Terry Pratchett

Pyramids - Terry Pratchett

Wyrd Sisters - Terry Pratchett

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

Eric - Terry Pratchett

Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett

A Matter of Oaths - Helen S. Wright

Feet of Clay - Terry Pratchett

A Study in Honor - Claire O’Dell

The Disasters - M.K. England

Men at Arms - Terry Pratchett

Interesting Times - Terry Pratchett

Poison or Protect - Gail Carriger

The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn’t - Gail Carriger

Manners & Mutiny - Gail Carriger

Waistcoats & Weapons - Gail Carriger

Curtsies & Conspiracies - Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage - Gail Carriger

The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett

The Light Fantastic - Terry Pratchett

Equal Rites - Terry Pratchett

Witches Abroad - Terry Pratchett

Guards! Guards! - Terry Pratchett

Reaper Man - Terry Pratchett

Digital Minimalism - Cal Newport

Stardust - Neil Gaiman

Gideon the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir

The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee

City of Stairs - Robert Jackson Bennett

Competence - Gail Carriger

Reticence - Gail Carriger

Imprudence - Gail Carriger

Perdido Street Station - China Miéville

How Long ‘Til Black Future Month - N.K. Jemisin

Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon

Prudence - Gail Carriger

Foundryside - Robert Jackson Bennett

The Dragon Republic - R.F. Kuang

Hogfather - Terry Pratchett

Eyes of the Lich Queen - (D&D)

Icewind Dale - (D&D)

Mythic Odysseys of Theros - (D&D)

Explorer's Guide to Wildemount - (D&D)

Acquisitions Incorporated - (D&D)

The Curse of Strand - (D&D)

The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson

What are you reading? And what are your 2021 reading goals? Tell me on Twitter at @TomBasgil.


Remote WorkTom Basgil