Thoughts On Reading 100 Books Last Year
Me at Denver’s MeowWolf exhibit. This was the only part I liked.
I made it a goal to read at least 100 books in 2021, and against all odds, I did. (I think I ended around 103.)
I’ve been meaning to write about my experience going through that, as it really left a positive mark on me. So here are the answers to some commonly asked questions, and other thoughts.
If there’s anything I didn’t address here, just leave me a note in the comments and I’m glad to share more of my experience.
What inspired you to read 100 books in a year?
18-year-old me just leaving a book sale. (Most of these I never ended up reading.)
Great question! I’ve always been attracted to nerdy folks who read a lot. And something about books has always provided me comfort. I have pictures of me as a teenager having stacks of books from book sales, that to this day, I still have, even though I haven't read them. There’s some sort of comfort they bring me just having them around that I really love. (Bookstores and libraries–I love the whole vibe.)
So a few years back, while working at a marketing agency, I by chance stumbled upon an article by one of the people who worked at Hubspot (the software we used and that I still use for my business today), Courtney Sembler wrote about reading 200 Books in 365 Days.
I was so inspired by the math she laid out at how doable this really was. I even reached out to her to hear more about her story. Her enthusiasm about the accomplishment made it even more appealing to me to start taking reading seriously.
But still, I wouldn't prioritize my reading for a few more years.
Then I met Allison Melnik, a coworker at my last job, who regularly reads 200-300+ books a year. It's not a one-time goal, but just a part of her normal lifestyle.
When she joined the team, I had to pick her brain about it like she was a superhero– “What!? What do you mean? How do you do it?”
(It’s almost like finding someone with a six pack and being like, “WHAT!!! I didn’t know those were really real!! What's your secret!!!?” And then they tell you everything you already know, it’s just that they actually do it instead of just talking about it.)
So I had more real life examples of people near me, and it just pulled me in. I thought it was so cool. I instantly admired and respected them. And I wanted to be like that, too.
I worked at an agency where there were lots of people that read. Many people would regularly smash books. And I realized, there's so much I want to read, the only way is to start reading. This is also coming from someone who maybe read 5-10 books in the previous few years combined.
So that’s how I decided at the end of 2020 that I would read 100 books the next year.
Was it hard?
Oh, everyone’s suitcase doesn’t look like this?
Yes and no. It didn’t feel like work because I made it a point to read books I actually liked. If there was a book I started and wasn't digging anymore, I’d stop. There are enough books out there that there’s not enough time to waste time and energy on ones that don't actually excite me (damn, a life lesson about more than just books I learned there).
So I wouldn't say it was hard because I just made it a habit. It’d be like saying, “Wow, you brush your teeth hundreds of times every year? Is that hard to do?” Well, no. You just create a habit, and then it becomes a mindless part of your routine. The same goes with reading (I read a few books on habit building which was fascinating).
It was “hard” only in the sense that it didn’t just happen by accident. It took a dedicated commitment and work towards it to make it happen.
Was it worth it?
Oh totally! I love that I did that. I’m sure I’ll do it again sometime. 2021 was the perfect year for me to dive into that headfirst. My life was relatively stable for the first time in a long time where I felt like I had control and bandwidth over what I wanted my days to look like, and I wasn’t carrying any heavy emotional weight. That led me to feeling good about jumping into that goal without it being taxing or a pressure on me. It was something that energized me.
There are so many books I’m glad I finally checked off my list, and I learned a lot about myself too. A lot of what I learned has become a fundamental part of who I am today and where I’m headed next. I guess that’s key is if you’re reading something, let it move you, let it change you. At least for me. I want to not be the same person after I finish. Otherwise, it's not something I'll really remember or think much of. I want to be moved and shaped.
And that can only happen if I'm actually reading stuff that speaks to my spirit, whether making me laugh, cry, or really shift my perspective.
Helped me realize I’m attracted to other learners
It was through all this reading and learning that year that I realized that the people I love being around and connecting with the most are also learners. People who are stretched to learn and grow, in whatever way suits them. People who also like putting in the work to be better versions of themselves–those are my people.
Reading shapes me into a better writer
As a writer, it’s important to me that I don’t “add to the noise out there”-meaning that I’m not just saying what’s already been said in the same way it’s been said a hundred times. If I’m going to say something, I want it to be adding to the conversation a different take, or experience, or story, or angle on something.
So in order for me to know if something is already being said, I need to do more listening. And for me, that looks like me reading more of what’s already out there.
I’m looking forward to writing a book or books of my own in the future, and reading more books gives me a better understanding of the type of writer that I want to be, the type of book I want to write, and the type of experience I want the readers of my books to have.
As the popular saying goes, “Good writers are also good readers.”
So part of what reading 100 books gave me was a clearer perspective of the type of writer I aspire to be.
When I first enter someone’s house for the first time, you can normally find me checking out their bookshelf, absorbing a sense of what’s important to that person. I even wrote my college application essay on this (I need to dig it out and find it…somewhere)!
Libraries and bookstores: My happy place
I so love this quote about libraries. Amanda Killian stated wisely that, “Libraries literally aren’t just a place to obtain books for free. They’re one of the few public spaces left in our society where you’re allowed to exist without the expectation of spending money.”
Did you do physical books or audiobooks?
About 30% physical or digital reading, 70% audiobook. I’d like the physical number to be higher, but in a practical sense, it just doesn’t always line up with my lifestyle. Many of the times I’m consuming audiobooks are times I can’t actually sit and read, like if I’m walking, driving, cooking, stretching. That being said. Even 30% of physical books is more than I’ve ever read in a year, so I’m mighty pleased with it. In future years, I’ll probably look to expound on that by making a more regular sitting and reading habit before bed, when I wake up, and maybe midday.
Some folks might argue audiobooks don’t count. I don’t get too caught up with what they think. Books are about getting someone else’s ideas and experience in my head so I can play with it along with the other things in there. So if that’s by reading it or listening to it, the end goal is the same.
How I’ll never read all books out there
Chris Marr spelled this out for me and I haven’t been able to shake it:
Let’s say I’m super ambitious, and I read 200 books every year, for the rest of my life, and let’s say I’m doing that until I’m 80.
That’s 50 years of 200 books per year, so 10,000 books that I’ll be able to consume in total in the rest of my lifetime (holy moley when you look at the numbers, right?).
In 2010 there were over 129,000,000 books out there (holy smokes again). And there are approximately 2.2 million new books published each year. Which basically means, in short–I will never be able to read all the books that exist out there. I won't even come close.
Woah, it’s almost depressing (almost like how there’s millions of people in the world that I’ll never meet). But that awareness gives me permission to be picky…
Permission to be picky and stop reading books
It gives me permission to be picky about what I want to read, and not feel bad for stopping reading a book that’s not absolutely delightful to me (I guess this goes for people too. If the energy and vibe isn’t a good match, why do we often feel like they’re the ONLY ONE out there for us? There’s even more people out there than books, you know.)
There are plenty of even “classic, must-read” books that I started and stopped this year because they weren’t worth my time. I don’t feel bad about it at all. Too many other books out there sing to my heartstrings for me to be tied down on the ones that didn’t do it for me.
My favorite way to read: with company
I only recently learned there’s a word for this thing I love to do, reading in the company of friends is called body doubling (thanks to Cassidy Nogueira for that insight!).
Thanksgiving. Everyone leaving each other alone. Bliss.
For example, during Thanksgiving this year, one of my favorite parts was after we all ate and talked and played games, and then, we were all silent and doing our own thing in the living room, when I read a book. OMG. Favorite thing. It’s so different from reading alone, or even reading in the company of strangers, I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but there’s something special and cozy about reading in the company of other people who are leaving me alone.
Apparently this is something common among the ADD community called body doubling. My new favorite thing–well, my new favorite word to describe a very common thing I’ve done for a long time.
What’s your process for taking notes?
I admittedly don’t have the best process for taking notes and capturing most of my aha moments while reading. In a physical book, I sometimes underline and write in the margins, however, rarely if ever do I go back and ever look at those notes.
For audiobooks, I would either pause and take a note in my notes app, or save a clip with a short phrase to remind me why it stood out to me. Again, where I’d love to improve my process in the future is actually going back and compiling all those notes into a place that’s easy to reference back and see at a glance.
If anyone has a good system for this, please let me know. Organization is not my strong suit.
Categories of books: Mostly nonfiction and kids books
I really enjoyed going deep on different topics, like trauma, communication, health, and writing. I even got into fiction, which was totally new for me. I’d had this belief that I shouldn’t “waste time” by reading a fiction boko when I could be reading non-fiction and actually be learning something. As a friend and mentor Chris Marr once said to me, “You can sometimes learn just as much, if not more from fiction, than non-fiction.” There’s a surprisingly truth to that I found.
A big thing was I also read a batch of kids books. After reading so much about trauma, I realized that my inner child needed some reparenting, and an easy way to start with that is exposing myself to a lot of kids books that I never got exposed to when I was a kid. My rule was that I had to read them out loud to myself (something I learned that stimulates the Vagus Nerve, associated with mental/physical healing which I also read a book about!).
It was a really great experience for me to give myself that space and time.
Also, this stack of children books I got from the library was really fun.
Better to read more books or reread books?
There’s a great debate about reading–whether you’re better off reading a different book every week for a year, or the same book 52 times to really soak it in. At the root of the debate is a totally valid point that reading in of itself means nothing if you don’t actually do anything with that information. I couldn't agree more that knowledge is useless without some sort of action or change from it.
For me, I found immense value in getting into a wide range of topics and deciding from there which I need to spend more time with to fully adapt into my life. For instance, there are some books I read last year that I knew when reading it the first time that I was merely scratching the surface of all the wisdom and experience within it, that I knew I wouldn't be able to pick it all up the first time around and would need to reread. That being said, there are also some books I read that I’ll never go back to, because I didn't see any value worth diving deeper into.
Books are like first dates. You might not pick up everything just from that single encounter, but you at least get a good idea of whether you’re even interested in learning more and meeting again.
How I think about best selling books
This was super interesting, and maybe it sounds obvious now, but it really dawned on me. Just cause a book is a NY Times bestseller, or just cause a certain book is really popular….does not serve as a guarantee that I’ll like it too.
Wow. So part of the journey this year was realizing that I have my own style and my own taste. That some books just won’t do it for me, even if they get tons of praise from others, and vice versa. Just this process started giving me so much more confidence in myself that I can be the only one who can decide what a good book is for me. It’s something very personal and unique.
The funny thing about book ratings
Also, the idea of rating a book is dependent on all the books I’ve read before it. For instance, if I read a certain book about the basics of trauma that I hadn't known before that fascinated me, I may give it 4 or 5 stars. However, if I then read another book on trauma that has mostly the same information (in nothing remarkably in how it was presented differently), I may only give it a 2 or a 3. But get this, if I read the books in reverse order, my ratings would likely swap too!
Isn’t that wild to think about? So really, ratings aren’t stagnant, static, objective things. They are a collection of my previous experiences and books read up to that point. Which means that gauging whether to read a book off someone else’s rating could also be terribly faulty reasoning.
(Can you tell I like thinking this deep into things?)
Tsundoku
This is a Japanese word to specifically describe the act of collecting more books even though you have a stack of books you haven't read (don’t you love how one word in another language takes a whole sentence or paragraph to explain in English?). It’s having the books around even though you may never read them.
I’ve embraced this, I still am collecting new books even though I have about a gazillion and seven books still on my to-read list.
Knowledge osmosis and the comfort books offer
Like I mentioned, there’s an element of comfort in just having books around, or even just knowing that a certain book on a certain topic exists. It’s this real, bodily feeling of not being alone.
Whenever I’ve had big challenges or questions in my life or my relationships, I’ve been known to go to the library, get a stack of books on the topic, and bring them home. Only to bring them back to the library weeks later, sometimes, never having read them. It wasn't a waste though, they offered me a feeling that it’s going to be okay. Almost like an osmosis of the information just from it being in the same general area as me.
Why you shouldn’t ask for book suggestions
Just because someone reads a lot of books doesn't mean you should ask them for book suggestions. There are so many books in this world that I have no interest in ever reading, no matter how popular or highly rated they are– science fiction, mystery, crime novels, and much fiction, is totally not in my wheelhouse.
However, if you’re looking for a heavy dose of non-fiction, self-development, communication, and related books, then I may be someone you could ask for suggestions. I say that to say that if you already know your style, go with more of what is attracting you. Don't read books just because people say you should or just because THEY liked them.
Remember, books are like food, or movies, or clothing, or home decor–different strokes for different folks. Be you.
Are you on Goodreads?
I am! I finally made one last year at some friends’ suggestion, and am really happy with it. It’s quickly become my favorite social media platform. I just need more friends, so if you care to, add me.
Will you do it again?
I sure hope so. I hope to even hit 200 in a year at some point. 2022 was a bit of a cooldown and restarting year for me, so it definitely wasn’t a time I could've taken on that challenge. Still, the habit of reading has carried with me. Just in January of this year I’d read 7 or 8 books, and I’m on track to probably finish about 20 books for the year by the end of this month. For me, that’s still huge considering that a few years ago, I couldn't even remember the last book even I finished reading.
My 12 Favorite Books From Last Year
Okay, because I know some of you will ask, here are the books that I enjoyed the most, or that had the biggest impact on me. These are by no means all books that I would suggest to other people, unless they share the same interests. However, there are some that (though I’m biased), I do feel like everyone would benefit from reading.
Here are the books and my reviews and/or favorite quotes:
1. What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
By Dr. Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey
By Chapter 2, I’d give this book 5 stars. By the end, I’d give it 10 stars.
Everyone should read this book. Whether we’ve been affected by trauma ourselves, or whether we have people in our lives who we want to have meaningful, intimate connections with (of whom most are likely to have endured trauma themselves), or whether we want to understand the generational trauma and how it’s passed down in societies and generations, this book is a golden guide to better understanding how trauma plays a role in our lives. Spoiler: it’s everywhere.
I intend to write a more full review of this because there were so many notes and aha moments throughout.
The audiobook was especially well done. It really felt like a great back and forth between Dr. Perry and Oprah as if they were having a live conversation. Really engaging. Superb in delivering such life-defining information, stories, and context.
The vulnerability of Oprah was also really well received throughout in sharing so much of her personal experiences and conversations she’s had over the years with others.
I can’t say enough great things about this book. I’m so glad it was written. Reading this event gave me the strong desire to be a foster parent someday.
Such valuable information for anyone who wants to better connect with themselves, or others in their life, even to have better interactions with strangers.
I hate to give a blanket recommendation like that, but this is one of those topics that if you really understand, it’ll change your life and how you interact with others from there on out.
2. Healing the Shame that Binds You
By John Bradshaw
Truly a book that gives the framework for how to live as a human, an imperfect being in an imperfect world. This was my second read, and just as impactful in understanding how to be okay in one’s own skin with their inner core, and how to overcome all the early upbringing experiences that can derail us from being at peace within ourselves.
Will likely be a yearly read for me. Everyone should read this book.
3. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
By Marshall B. Rosenberg
This book was so good, it’s the only book to date that I have ever finished reading and then started it right back over again.
Wow. The information in this book is the key to communicating effectively with ourselves, our friends, strangers, partners, and even at a global level between nations.
I believe if we all had more training in this style of communication, there would be so much less violence and wars in the world. It really is that powerful.
4. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
By James Clear
I’m actually surprised looking back that I only gave this 4 stars instead of 5, but things I’ve learned in this book have stuck with me (making bad habits harder, and “resetting the room” for example). I plan to reread this in the next few days as a refresher.
(Side note, I’m working on putting together a book club/habit workshop group starting February 2023, so if you’re interested, let me know!)
5. The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success
By Darren Hardy
“But as Jim Rohn would say, 'What’s simple to do is also simple not to do.' The magic is not in the complexity of the task; the magic is in the doing of simple things repeatedly and long enough to ignite the miracle of the Compound Effect.”
6. The Magic of Thinking Big
By David J. Schwartz
There’s nothing earth shattering here— but a lot of small, seemingly insignificant and overlooked habits that compound and can truly change the game in any area of life.
Definitely leaves you coming off reading with a ‘can do, let’s dream big and make it happen’ attitude.
7. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
By Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins
“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
I definitely think this is one of those books worth rereading a few times. There’s so much good stuff in it, and it’s so dense with practical wisdom.
8. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
By Matthew Walker
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a gal who LOVES HER SLEEP. It’s like my favorite thing in the world. And without enough of it, I crumble into a teenager who is on the brink of an emotional breakdown at any moment. This book gave me such insightful science behind sleep, and further validated why being in the 9 hour/night club is actually the best thing I can do for myself.
If any of you ever want to talk about sleep, I’m all for it. And then let’s take a nap afterwards.
9. The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever
By Michael Bungay Stanier
This was so impactful. Such tactical insights to put in practice immediately, while he also acknowledges and addresses the challenges and concerns along the way. Great read. I’m sure I’ll revisit at some point for a refresher.
I particularly enjoyed the audiobook with the author’s voice, tone, and even his acknowledged speech impediment that really made it like no one could’ve read this as impactful as he did.
(The Coaching Habit, by the same author is a great companion to this book.)
10. Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha
By Tara Brach
What I loved about this book was that it wasn’t mindfulness from a being-alone-meditating-on-the-mountain perspective. This was super real, the examples where even just back from a silent retreat, Tara tells the stories of her kids getting under her skin, of real examples of pain in work, family, relationships and how to apply these principles in the muddy areas. And about how doing so changes us so fundamentally that we bring a new energy into those encounters with others.
Great stuff. I definitely anticipate myself reading back on this one whenever I need to re-ground myself.
(Note: I was inspired to write the poem Beloved after reading this.)
11. Anxious People and A Man Called Ove
By Fredrik Backman
I know I’m double dipping here, but Fredrik Backman definitely became a new favorite author of mine (big hat tip thanks to Jen Ingle for the suggestion!). As you can see, fiction isn’t common on my list of books, but Backman (and also, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens) were the top fiction books that started to open me up to reading and enjoying fiction.
12. Things My Son Needs to Know About the World
By Fredrik Backman
I also would be remiss to not mention his other book that I absolutely loved reading, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, and here’s my review for that one:
This was such a treat. I love Backman, as a person, and a writer. I laughed audibly throughout this book, and especially loved reading this after reading Ove and Anxious People, as I started to see where in his personal life many of the references and themes in the other books came from.
There are also plenty of moments that make it clear that he isn’t a fan of gender inequality and he shows it in really impactful, funny ways.
I appreciate that he writes so authentically about his life. And sometimes it’s shocking and disturbing (spoiler: this is a book about being a dad and he admittedly refers to himself as an idiot), but it’s so real and heartwarming.
I can’t wait to read more of his work.
A great conversation starter
Anyway, I also would be hiding the truth if I didn’t say it has proved to be a really cool conversation starter to be able to say that I read 100 books in one year, so if nothing else, that could be incentive to give it a shot!
Would love to chat about it if you’re looking to accomplish a similar goal in the next year! Good luck, and don’t forget to have fun!