Let me ask you a question. How many books have you read in 2018? There are so many people who want to start reading more but can’t find enough time! In this article I will share with you one very effective way to become a voracious reader and start devouring books in great numbers.
It all started three years ago. One of my students shared with the class that his goal had been to read 30 books that year and he had achieved it. I got inspired and decided to also set a reading goal for myself, but a bit more ambitious – 50 books in 2016. Well, it didn’t happen. I only read 25.
However, it was still a great accomplishment for me.
The year after that I decided to be more realistic and planned to read 30 books in 2017 which I did. ‘How inspiring!’, I thought and lifted the bar a bit higher.
In December last year I set a goal to read 50 books in 2018. It was accomplished last week!! Today is December 17th and I’m finishing my 52nd book.
Would you like to know how to read more when you’re super busy? Here’s one of my old posts on this topic. How to Read More Books When You’re So Busy. I will also talk more on this in my next several articles.
Let me share with you my 10 most favorite books of 2018 put in the order of my preference and their impact on me. It wasn’t easy to select only ten, so you’ll see me cheat a tiny bit here.😜😃.
1. “Crushing It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk
An incredibly inspiring business book about using social media to build a personal brand and impact the world. It totally changed my thinking, unveiled a few fascinating facts and pushed me to work harder and with much more tenacity.
2. “Hansons Marathon Method” by Luke Humphry
An amazing book written by a running coach. It gives detailed explanations of this unconventional method of marathon training. Totally changed the way I train for marathons and half-marathons. Actually, thanks to this method I was able to beat my time in the NYC marathon.
3. “The Tea Girl from Hummingbird Lane” by Lisa See
A fiction book about a Chinese young woman from Yunan province where famous Puerh tea is growing. She loses her child and looks for her for many years. This book got me fascinated with different kinds of Chinese tea.
4. “Tribe of Mentors” by Tim Ferris
In 2017 Tim Ferris interviewed 130 successful artists, writers, sportsmen and sportswomen, entrepreneurs, actors, directors, speakers, scientists, financial gurus, etc. This book is a compilation of their most interesting answers.
5. “15 Invaluable Laws of Growth” by John Maxwell
As you may know, John Maxwell has a gift of putting thoughts into words and compiling them into practical lists. This book inspired me for more growth this year.
6. “A House in the Sky” by Amanda Lindhout
The book is about two journalists from Canada and Australia who got kidnapped by muslim extremists while traveling in Somali. Harsh. Honest. Infuriating. What amazed me was the woman’s attitude and what she devoted her life to after finally getting home.
7. The Pendergast series by Preston and Child
8. “TED talks” by Chris Anderson
9. “Three Daughters” by Consuelo Saah Baehr
This historical saga about three generations of Palestinian Christian women is enlightening, captivating and inspiring. It shows how important it is to accept changes which life will inevitably make us face.
Focusing on what is most essential at any given moment has been my challenge for many years. There’s too much I want to do, to accomplish, to see, to learn! Essentialism is a new way of thinking and living when you have, think, say or do only what is most essential. I’m still on a journey to adopt this lifestyle and master this skill.
So, which books did you like the most in 2018? Please, share in the comments below! I’ll be extremely happy to hear from you. Plus, I always love new recommendations of great books!
