The Books I Loved in 2020

I love books. They are a great way to learn new things or get lost in a story wondering where the time went. Although I didn't check off as many books on my to-read list as I would have liked last year, I still got some fantastic reads under my belt. Here are my favorites from 2020, in no particular order.  

Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday

The idea of stillness has been around for centuries and practiced by numerous religions all over the world. This book tackles the topic of stillness by taking what I would call a devotional approach. Its focus lies not in the history of stillness, but how you can apply it to your daily life. I took this book slow, reading about a chapter a day to let the ideas digest. I highlighted some of my favorite takeaways in my full review, which you can find here.

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep & Dreams by Matthew Walker

I knew sleep was an essential human function, however, I didn't recognize how much until reading this book. Walker is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley and has been researching sleep for decades. He cites many studies in the book, explaining just how powerful sleeping is for creativity, brain function, the immune system, and more. Walker also explains various actions you can take to get the best sleep possible. If you want to be healthy and perform at your best, sleeping is the most significant thing you can do. Reading this book should be second.

Finding Ultra by Rich Roll

I have enjoyed following Rich Roll for a while now, but it wasn't until this year that I decided to read his book, and I am glad I did. Finding Ultra recounts Rich's life of alcoholism and eating crap to becoming a plant-based ultra-endurance athlete. His story is a testament that anyone can become who they want to be if they put their mind to it. My favorite part of the book is the appendix, where Rich lays out many of his routines, training tips, and plant-based food recommendations. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially athletes or those wanting to get healthy.

More From Less by Andrew McAfee

This book tackles the idea that the world is getting better, and we are using fewer resources to do it. This viewpoint is in stark contrast to many of the narratives floating around these days. McAfee does an excellent job of laying out his case, showing, with evidence, that many resources essential to modern life have already peaked in use. For me, this book’s greatest accomplishment was getting me to think. Not just about the information McAfee presents, but my opinions on other issues as well. You can read my full review of More From Less here.

So there you go, my top reads from 2020. Happy reading everyone!