2019 Reading Challenge
My 2019 Reading Challenge: A Journey Through Different Genres
Reading is one of the most enriching hobbies one can have, and it's not just about entertainment. It's about exploring different worlds, learning new things, and improving oneself. In 2019, I set a goal to read 40 books cover to cover, including re-reads, audiobooks, and books for class, work, or pleasure. I'm happy to say I surpassed my goal and read a total of 42 books.
One of the most interesting aspects of my reading challenge was the diversity of genres I explored. From fiction to self-help, from Buddhism to finance, I discovered new perspectives and expanded my horizons. In this blog post, I want to share some insights and thoughts on the books that stood out to me the most.
2019 Reading challenge and the rules
To be listed, the books must be read cover to cover to count. No partial credit.
Re-reads count.
Audiobooks count.
Books read for class, work, or pleasure count.
Books may be read simultaneously.
Goal 40 Books
Books Read in 2019
1. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) By J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) By J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6) By J.K. Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) By J.K. Rowling
5. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay By J.K. Rowling
6. How to be a Gentleman: What Every Modern Man Needs to Know about Manners and Behaviors to Attract Women Now By Niel Schreiber
7. The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships By Susan Piver
8. The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood
9. The 7 Laws of Fear - How to Make Your Deepest Insecurities Your Greatest Strengths (Fear, Insecurity, Productivity, Self Confidence, Anxiety) By C.K. Murray
10. Ten Metaphysical Secrets of Manifesting Money: Spiritual Insights into Attaining Prosperity, Riches, Abundance, Wealth, and Affluence By James Goi Jr.
11. One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism By Joseph Goldstein
12. The Hook By Richard Krevolin
13. War God: Nights of the Witch By Graham Hancock
14. War God: Return of the Plumed Serpent By Graham Hancock
15. War God: Night of Sorrows (War God, #3) By Graham Hancock
16. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos By Jordan B. Peterson
17. Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha's Teachings By Ajahn Chah
18. Think and Grow Rich By Napoleon Hill
19. SEO 2018 (No-Bullsh*t) Strategy: The ULTIMATE Step-by-Step SEO Book: (Easy to Understand) Search Engine Optimization Guide to Execute SEO Successfully ((No-BS SEO Strategy Guides)) By Casey Henry
20. Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) By Jim Butcher
21. Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, #2) By Jim Butcher
22. Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, #3) By Jim Butcher
23. Real Happiness By Sharon Salzberg
24. Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual By Jocko Willink
25. The Richest Man in Babylon -- Six Laws of Wealth By Charles Conrad
26. Manage Your Day-To-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind By Jocelyn K. Glei
27. The Yoga Mind: 52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice By Rina Jakubowicz
28. University of Berkshire Hathaway: 30 Years of Lessons Learned from Warren Buffett & Charlie Munger at the Annual Shareholders Meeting By Daniel Pecaut
29. Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers By Charlie Louvin
30. The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd By Allan Dib
31. Anti Inflammatory Diet: Your Pathway to Looking and Feeling 10 Years Younger By Beran Parry
32. Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find--and Keep--Love By Amir Levine
33. Yin Yoga: An Individualized Approach to Balance, Health, and Whole Self Well-Being By Ulrica Norberg
34. Maximize Your Potential: Grow Your Expertise, Take Bold Risks & Build an Incredible Career (The 99U Book Series) By Jocelyn K. Glei
35. 21 Habits of Highly Broke People: Break Free From Destructive Habits With Practical Steps To Turn Your Finances Around By Dipo Adesina
36. Mindfulness & Yin Yoga: Embracing the Yin Path By Rishi Eric Infanti
37. Make Your Mark By Jocelyn K. Glei
38. The Singularity Rising: Choice (The Singularity #5) By David Beers
39. The Singularity Rising: Fate (The Singularity #6) By David Beers
40. The Singularity: Box Set (The Singularity #1-4) By David Beers
41. The Singularity Rising: Gods (The Singularity #7) By David Beers
42. The Bourne Identity (Jason Bourne, #1) By Robert Ludlum
Fantasy was one of the most prevalent genres in my 2019 reading challenge, thanks to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. I read four books from the series, and I have to say they were as captivating as ever. The world-building, character development, and plot twists kept me hooked, even though I've read them before. I also read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay, which was a fun and easy read that expanded the Wizarding World even further.
Moving on to non-fiction, one of the most impactful books I read was The Four Noble Truths of Love: Buddhist Wisdom for Modern Relationships by Susan Piver. This book offers practical and profound insights into love, relationships, and mindfulness. Piver combines her personal experience with Buddhist teachings to offer a fresh and enlightening perspective on how to cultivate meaningful connections.
Another non-fiction book that caught my attention was 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson. This book provides practical advice on how to navigate life's challenges, from dealing with anxiety and depression to taking responsibility and finding purpose. Peterson draws from psychology, philosophy, and mythology to offer a unique and thought-provoking approach to self-improvement.
On the finance side, I read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and The Richest Man in Babylon -- Six Laws of Wealth by Charles Conrad. These books provide timeless principles and strategies for achieving financial success and abundance. They emphasize the importance of developing a positive mindset, setting goals, and taking action towards achieving them.
In terms of self-help, Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual by Jocko Willink and Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find--and Keep--Love by Amir Levine were two books that stood out. Willink's book is a no-nonsense guide to self-discipline, offering tips and strategies for developing mental and physical toughness. On the other hand, Levine's book is a fascinating exploration of attachment theory and how it can help us understand and improve our relationships.
The titles I enjoyed the most
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - I was blown away by the action-packed thrill ride that is The Dresden Files. The first three books of the series, "Storm Front," "Fool Moon," and "Grave Peril," follow the adventures of Harry Dresden, a wizard and private investigator in Chicago. Butcher's writing style is fast-paced and engaging, and his characters are complex and multifaceted. I found myself constantly on the edge of my seat as I followed Harry on his quests to solve supernatural crimes and save the city from various threats.
The Singularity series by David Beers - This series of books explores a future world in which humans and artificial intelligence are on the brink of merging. The series includes "The Singularity: Box Set," "The Singularity Rising: Choice," "The Singularity Rising: Fate," and "The Singularity Rising: Gods." What I loved most about this series was the way that Beers used science fiction to explore complex philosophical and ethical questions about the nature of humanity and the future of our species.
The War God series by Graham Hancock - This series of books is set during the Spanish conquest of Mexico and follows the story of a Spanish soldier named Gonzalo Guerrero, who becomes a high priest in the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. The series includes "War God: Nights of the Witch," "War God: Return of the Plumed Serpent," and "War God: Night of Sorrows." I was drawn to this series because of my interest in history and mythology, and I found Hancock's storytelling to be both entertaining and informative.
"Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers" by Charlie Louvin - This memoir by one half of the famous country music duo the Louvin Brothers is a fascinating and sometimes harrowing account of a life in music. Louvin's stories of growing up poor in rural Alabama, touring with his brother, and dealing with the demons of addiction and abuse are powerful and moving. As someone who has always been interested in the history of music, I found this book to be a real gem.