Monday, January 4, 2021

Here is the breakdown on the 139 books I read in 2020

 One of my goals for 2020 I set at the start of last year was to read 100 books, which while ambitious is also achievable due to extensive use of audiobooks. 

I am happy to report that I exceeded this goal by 39%!

This feat was mainly accomplished by relying on audiobooks, using the Overdrive app, a good way to listen to many interesting audiobooks from my library for free during my commutes. Audiobooks accounted for 86% of all books read in 2020.

Here is the list of all 139 books I read in 2020:
Book TitleAuthorFormatTypeGenreYearPagesStars
Total13913920163304.4
1/4/2020The FountainheadRand, AynAudioFictionLiterary Fiction19437524.4
1/6/2020Art of PeopleKerpen, DavidAudioNonfictionSelf-Help20162884.4
1/10/2020Bullshit Jobs: A TheoryGraeber, DavidAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20193683.8
1/11/2020Warren Buffett SpeaksLowe, JanetAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20072884.4
1/13/2020The Man Who Solved the MarketZuckerman, GregAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20193844.4
1/16/2020Shortest Way HomeButtigieg, PeteAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20193474.8
1/17/2020Secrets of the Millionaire MindEker, T. HarvAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20052104.6
1/18/2020Financial Independence Made SimpleTracy, BrianAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money2015494
1/18/2020How to Win an Argument: An Ancient Guide to the Art of PersuasionCicero, MarcusAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20162884.1
1/19/2020The Tao of PoohHoff, BenjaminAudioFictionHistory & Criticism19831584.3
1/20/2020Stay Sexy & Don't Get MurderedKilgariff, KarenAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20192664.8
1/23/2020The Broken LadderPayne, KeithAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20172514.7
1/24/2020Success HabitsHill, NapoleonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182284.6
1/27/2020Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily LifeTaleb, NassimAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20182544.2
1/29/2020Warren Buffett's Ground RulesMiller, JeremyAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20163524.6
2/1/2020Straight FlushMezrich, BenAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20133073.1
2/3/2020Play Poker Like the ProsHellmuth, PhilAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20094204
2/4/2020The HobbitTolkien, J.R.R.AudioFictionAction & Adventure19373224.7
2/8/2020The CEO Pay MachineClifford, StevenAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20172834.5
2/10/2020How Music Got FreeWitt, StephenAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20152964.5
2/10/2020The Curmudgeon's Guide to Getting AheadMurray, CharlesPrintNonfictionBusiness & Money20141444.5
2/12/2020The SellFredrik EklundAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20163204.6
2/15/2020WaldenThoreau, HenryAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences18541794.2
2/17/2020An Economist Walks into a Brothel: And Other Unexpected Places to Understand RiskSchrager, AllisonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20192363.8
2/21/2020Wishes Won't Bring RichesHill, NapoleonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182844.6
2/23/2020How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital AgeDale Carnegie AssociatesAudioNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting20112744.5
2/26/2020Spy Schools: How the CIA, FBI, and Foreign Intelligence Secretly Exploit America's UniversitiesGolden, DanielAudioNonfictionEducation & Teaching20173404.2
2/28/2020Conversational IntelligenceGlaser, JudithAudioNonfictionReference20162234.4
2/29/2020Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the MostJohnson, StevenAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182573.8
3/2/2020Bridge For DummiesKantar, EddieEbookNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20124324.4
3/4/2020Bitcoin Billionaires: A True Story of Genius, Betrayal, and RedemptionMezrich, BenAudioNonfictionComputers & Technology20192784.5
3/5/2020The Accidental BillionairesMezrich, BenAudioNonfictionComputers & Technology20092744.1
3/8/2020The Little Book of BridgeManley, BrentPrintNonfictionHumor & Entertainment2018171
3/19/2020Financially ForwardTobel, AlexaPrintNonfictionBusiness & Money20192043.9
3/20/2020Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in HistoryMezrich, BenAudioNonfictionScience & Math20113223.6
3/22/2020Ugly AmericansMezrich, BenAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20052884.2
3/24/2020How Will You Measure Your LifeChristensen, ClaytonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20122364.6
3/26/2020Work OptionalHester, TanjaAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20192884.3
3/27/2020The Death of the BankerChernow, RonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money19971304.4
3/28/2020You Can Retire Early!Hayes, DeaconAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20172574.7
3/29/2020The 5 Love LanguagesChapman, GaryAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20142064.5
3/31/2020UnshakableRobbins, TonyAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20172574.5
4/3/202013 BankersJohnson, SimonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20103224.4
4/3/2020Cheaper: Insiders' Tips for Saving on EverythingDoble, RickPrintNonfictionBusiness & Money20092895
4/6/2020How to Win in a Winner-Take-All WorldIrwin, NeilAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20192904.8
4/9/2020The Ride of a LifetimeIger, RobertAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20192504.8
4/11/2020Big Mistakes: The Best Investors and Their Worst InvestmentsBatnick, MichaelEbookNonfictionBusiness & Money20181934
4/11/2020Barking Up the Wrong TreeBarker, EricAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20173124.8
4/11/2020The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be ComplicatedOlen, HelaineAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20162504.5
4/11/2020Live and Learn and Pass It onBrown, H JacksonPrintNonfictionSelf-Help19921604.6
4/12/2020Negotiating 101Sanders, PeterAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20172574.3
4/13/2020The MemoBryant, JohnAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20201574.7
4/15/2020Harry Potter and the Socerer's StoneRowling, J.K.AudioFictionChildren's Books20153364.8
4/16/2020The Sociopath Next DoorStout, MarthaAudioNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting20062564.4
4/17/2020Players BallKushner, DavidAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20192734.7
4/18/2020Fate of FoodLittle, AmandaAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20193214.8
4/19/2020Dying for a PaycheckPfeffer, JeffreyAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182424.6
4/21/2020Thinking in BetsDuke, AnnieAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182884.1
4/22/2020The Charisma MythCabane, OliviaPrintNonfictionBusiness & Money20132724.5
4/24/2020TenamentalWarner, VikkiAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182804.4
4/27/2020The History of the FutureHarris, BlakeAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20205924.6
4/28/2020Hal Moore on LeadershipMoore, HalAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20171674.8
4/30/202010% HappierHarris, DanPrintNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting20192724.5
5/1/2020TestamentsAtwood, MargaretAudioFictionScience Fiction & Fantasy20194324.6
5/4/2020Ready Player OneCline, EarnestAudioFictionScience Fiction & Fantasy20184004.6
5/9/2020Atlas ShruggedRand, AynAudioFictionLiterary Fiction195711884.4
5/11/2020The Undoing ProjectLewis, MichaelAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20173684.2
5/14/2020Flash BoysLewis, MichaelAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20153204.5
5/16/2020Perfect BetKucharski, AdamAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20172883.9
5/18/2020Endgame: Bobby Fischer’s Remarkable Rise and Fall—from America’s Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of MadnessBrady, FrankAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20124484.5
5/21/2020How to Make Your Money LastQuinn, JaneAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20204324.7
5/25/2020The Big ShortLewis, MichaelAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20153204.6
5/28/2020MONEY Master the GameRobbins, TonyAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20166884.4
5/30/2020Smarter Faster BetterDuhigg, CharlesAudioNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting20174004.4
6/1/2020If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?Alda, AlanAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20182404.5
6/2/2020Organize Tomorrow TodaySelk, JasonAudioNonfictionSelf-Help20162404.7
6/6/2020Madame BovaryFlaubert, GustaveAudioFictionWorld Literature18574323.9
6/11/2020Beginner's Latin BookCollar, WilliamPrintNonfictionReference18933143.9
6/12/2020Basic EconomicsSowell, ThomasAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20107864.7
6/22/2020Tom JonesFielding, HenryAudioFictionHumor & Satire17492774.2
6/23/2020The Big SleepChandler, RaymondAudioFictionMystery, Thriller & Suspense19392744.3
6/25/2020The Adventures of Huckleberry FinnTwain, MarkAudioFictionComing of Age18843204.4
6/26/2020Animal FarmOrwell, GeorgeAudioFictionHistory & Criticism19451444.6
6/30/2020PrinciplesDalio, RayAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20175924.5
7/5/2020How to Manage Your Money When You Don't Have AnyWecks, ErikAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20121904.4
7/7/2020Fate of the StatesWhitney, MeredithAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20132724.2
7/9/2020How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World ProblemsMunroe, RandallAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20193204.8
7/11/2020Thank You for My ServiceBest, MatAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20192244.8
7/15/2020Lucky JimKingsley, AmisAudioFictionHumor & Satire19542563.8
7/23/2020Count of Monte CristoDumas, AlexandreAudioFictionAction & Adventure184412764.7
7/27/2020Diary Of A BooksellerBythell, ShaunAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20183164.5
7/27/2020Latin for BeginnersD'Ooge, BenjaminPrintNonfictionReference19113603.8
7/27/2020Coronary EventHalberstam, MichaelPrintNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting19762215
7/29/2020Brave New WorldHuxley, AldousAudioFictionScience Fiction & Fantasy19312884.3
8/1/2020First Greek BookWhite, JohnPrintNonfictionReference1896374
8/5/2020The RepublicPlatoAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences19934084.4
8/10/2020How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win BigAdams, ScottAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20132564.3
8/12/2020UltralearningYoung, ScottAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20193044.6
8/15/2020Think and Grow RichHill, NapoleonAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money19373204.6
8/17/2020How to ThinkJacobs, AlanAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20171604.2
8/21/2020Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of AzkabanRowling, J.K.AudioFictionChildren's Books19994354.9
8/23/2020The Four Things That Matter MostByock, IraAudioNonfictionSelf-Help20142724.7
8/24/2020Degas: El Ojo Invisible (Spanish Edition)Spence, DavidPrintNonfictionReference200132
8/24/2020The Rules Do Not Apply: A MemoirLevy, ArielAudioNonfictionPolitics & Social Sciences20172244
8/27/2020AeneidVirgilAudioFictionPoetry20174844.5
8/29/2020Best SelfBayer, MikeAudioNonfictionSelf-Help20193524.6
9/1/2020Age ProofChatsky, JeanAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20173524
9/5/2020Ultimate Memory MagicKarol, JImAudioNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting20192723.6
9/5/2020Influence: Psychology of PersuasionCialdini, RobertEbookNonfictionBusiness & Money20063364.6
9/7/2020The Stressed Years of Their LivesHibbs, JanetAudioNonfictionEducation & Teaching20203524.7
9/8/2020Book of MistakesPrichard, SkipAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20191924.7
9/9/2020Julius CaesarShakespeare, WilliamAudioFictionDrama & Plays15992884.6
9/14/2020The Marine Corps Way to Win on Wall StreetMarlin, KenAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20162564.8
9/15/2020Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsRowling, J.K.AudioFictionChildren's Books20003414.9
9/20/2020A Very Punchable FaceJost, ColinAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20203364.7
9/21/2020The Formula: The Universal Laws of SuccessBarabasi, Albert-LaszloAudioNonfictionHealth, Fitness & Dieting20183204.4
9/26/2020The 80/20 Principle and 92 Other Powerful Laws of Nature: The Science of SuccessKoch, RichardAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20133844.2
9/28/2020Do You Mind If I Cancel?Janetti, GaryAudioNonfictionHumor & Entertainment20191764.3
9/29/2020Dow 36,000Glassman, JamesPrintNonfictionBusiness & Money19993043.8
10/2/2020THE MASTER AND MARGARITABulgakov, MikhailAudioFictionHumor & Satire19664454.6
10/9/2020BecomingObama, MichelleAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20184484.8
10/12/2020Permanent RecordSnowden, EdwardAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20193524.8
10/15/2020Art of MinglingMartinet, JeanneAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20152684
10/23/2020KochlandLeonard, ChristopherAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20207044.6
10/24/2020Money Secrets of the AmishCraker, LorileeAudioNonfictionBusiness & Money20112404.3
10/25/2020Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly TruthKinney, JeffPrintFictionChildren's Books20102244.5
10/27/2020Possum LivingFreed, DollyEbookNonfictionSelf-Help19782244.2
10/29/2020Da Vinci CodeBrown, DanAudioFictionReligion & Spirituality20095974.6
10/31/2020How to American: An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your ParentsYang, Jimmy OAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20182274.7
11/3/2020Wuhan DiaryFang, FangAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20204003.4
11/6/2020I Can't Date JesusArceneaux, MichaelAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20182564.7
11/8/2020MicromasteryTwigger, RobertAudioNonfictionSelf-Help20182564.5
11/8/2020True GritPortis, CharlesPrintFictionClassics19682404.7
11/17/2020FreudCrews, FrederickAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20177684.3
11/25/2020Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireRowling, J.K.AudioFictionChildren's Books20003014.9
12/7/2020Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixRowling, J.K.AudioFictionChildren's Books20034124.8
12/14/2020The BodyBryson, BillAudioNonfictionMedical Books20194644.7
12/16/2020Failure is An OptionBenjamin, H. JonAudioNonfictionBiographies & Memoirs20182534.6
12/30/2020Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceRowling, J.K.AudioFictionChildren's Books20056724.9
I categorized the books by format, i.e. print, ebook, or audio:
Audiobooks accounted for the biggest portion of the pie at 86.3%, followed by print at 10.8%, and lastly ebooks at 2.9%. The proportion of audio will likely remain the largest in 2021 and beyond.

Ebooks are infrequent because I generally prefer audio followed by print format when available. Audiobooks are much faster to "read", and print is easier for the eye.

I also categorized by type: fiction versus nonfiction:
As you can see, the vast majority of books I read were nonfiction. While fiction tends to be more interesting and probably better for improving language skills, I prefer nonfiction because it tends to be more practical in the real world, more immediately applicable, and easier to understand especially as audiobooks on the go when I also have to pay attention to the road.

And here is the breakdown by genre, as categorized by Amazon:
I read all kinds of books, though the biggest share is in the genre of business & money, my main interest. I am also beginning to appreciate more humor and biographies.

In the table above, "star" refer to # stars given to the book on Amazon by the time I finished the book. 

I picked these books to read generally because I found them intriguing and read generally positive reviews. Most turned out to be ok or good, some even great, and a few disappointing rubbish over-hyped by effective marketing. 

And the Winner Is...
The books I found wanting are better left unnamed. Instead, I nominate my most favorite book I read in 2020: 
This book packs a lot of wisdom and insights on decision-making living a rich life in general. One insight is to read more novels and biographies to learn from others' experience and make better decisions considering the full spectrum of consequences.

What I will read in 2021...
Probably more business and money books, but I will definitely try to read more novels and biographies as well. Happy reading!
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