Books of December 2020
The year is coming to a close. It’s hard to believe.
I have read a lot of great books this year - and quite a few "meh” ones. I shared about the books that I truly loved in my Best Books of 2020 blog post.
Since I end the year by re-reading old favorites, I knew that I had some great books to read this month too. Although I haven’t really enjoyed reading from my six set categories every month (one of my 2020 goals), I did want to keep it up all the way to the end of the year. But I didn’t want to find new books to squeeze in this month to fit the set categories, so I decided to re-read books that fit them instead! And so I re-read the following books this month:
Memoir: I Don't Know What You Know Me From: My Life as a Co-Star - I have read a lot of Hollywood memoirs over the years. And by a lot, I mean a lot. But this is one of my all-time favorites. While Judy Greer may not technically be one of the most famous actors, if you’ve seen a movie with a famous actor in it, then you’ve most certainly seen her. She is sweet and funny and vulnerable and sassy, and her book is too. Her story is different in unique ways, especially when compared to all those other memoirs that I’ve read. And this book always makes me reevaluate my idea of success, in the best way possible. I think that Judy Greer has found great success - as an actor, writer, wife, and step-mother. And also as a friend, whether on the big screen or in real life.
Business: Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done - I’ve been obsessed with time-management for years and the common theme in most of the literature on the topic centers around maximizing productivity and minimizing the time that it takes to do so. This book is the most succinct and interesting book that I have read on the subject. Laura Vanderkam is an amazing author, and she weaves her own story and experience so well throughout the research - much of which she has conducted on her own and through analyzing the time diaries of hundreds of successful people. The book helps you to evaluate whether the things you are striving to make more efficient are worth your time in the first place, and if they are, why you’re striving to get through them so quickly. The book emphasizes that whether you are on the clock or off, you should ensure that what you are doing is something you want to be spending time on to begin with.
Mystery: The Westing Game - I hadn’t read this book in years, but parts of the story have always stuck with me. I didn’t even remember what the mystery was, or how it was resolved, so reading this book again was almost as exciting as the first time. While it is technically written for young-adults, I found it just as intriguing now as I did then. Ellen Raskin writes fascinating characters and develops them well in just a few paragraphs. This works well since there are quite a few characters, but the balance between them is good and none of them seem to get lost. You can tell a lot about a book by the first couple of lines, and this book pulled me back in from the very beginning.
Personal development: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing - I love the idea that there are patterns in timing. That there is a “best time”. And that timing can be a science. We often discuss the best way to do something, the book points out, but not often the best time to do it, even though that may be just as important. This book also references other books that I have read and loved, and it is always fun to be reminded of them. So whether you are wondering what time of day you should do your focused work, when you should visit the hospital, or how to take the perfect nap - this book has got you covered.
Novel/fiction: The Great Gatsby - This is probably one of my favorite classics. And like The Westing Game, it has great opening lines. The writing is beautiful and always distracts from the frustrating characters - which I think is kind of the point. I love the depiction of life 100 years ago, and the reflection of how much life can change in a few decades - and also how much it doesn't. The social messages and personal lessons (or lack thereof) always stand out, and make it a book I will probably be ready to read again next year.
Sustainability: How to Give Up Plastic: A Guide to Changing the World, One Plastic Bottle at a Time - This is the book that I read last year that inspired me to spend 2020 focused on increasing my personal sustainability. It is short, succinct, and powerful. I think it is a good introduction to environmentalism, and clearly, it was exactly what I needed to push me into a greater pursuit of sustainability. As the title suggests, it is focused on the one issue of reducing plastic waste, although not to the complete exclusion of other important topics. So while it does seem to focus on that one area, and although the problem certainly does not end there, it is still a book I was glad to return to. And I’m also glad of the journey it sent me on.
In addition to those re-reads, there were a few new books that I also read this month. Most of them I had checked out from the library so I needed to read them before they were due back! But they didn’t quite fit all of my categories above, so I have listed them here:
The Paper Solution: What to Shred, What to Save, and How to Stop It From Taking Over Your Life - 3 Stars. As an organizer, I’m always interested to read books that will give me new ideas for ways to support and assist my clients. I think that this book has some great ideas and also a very, very particular system that could benefit many people - especially if they feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to begin. I do also want to add though that I don’t think that this system will work for everyone. While it certainly has some room for flexibility, I think that some people would find it didn’t work for them - neither the process nor the result. But if you want to take charge of your paper, then this could be a good place to start.
The Willoughbys Return - 4 Stars. I loved The Willoughbys so much I was thrilled when I heard that there was a sequel. I was sad though that this sequel was missing so many characters from the first book - alluding to their existence (or death) is not quite the same as having them actively involved. There were certainly some twists that I didn’t expect and in fact, the whole premise was quite a surprise - not that the first book was particularly typical either. I loved the consistent language and style, however, and was glad it had another happy ending.
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life - 2 Stars. I want to preface this review by saying that therapy is so important. And books like this that help to normalize therapy are so important too. As a coach and a human, I think that getting whatever help you need for whatever stage of life you are in is vitally important. But, with that said, I didn’t like this book. I may have had my opinions slightly influenced by some negative press that I saw prior to starting the book, but I already had it on my shelf, so I decided to read it anyway. I agreed with the reviews that I had seen, the therapist made me uncomfortable (extremely so) at points, the main character was frustrating, many of the situations were crass or inappropriate. It also felt cliché that the story seemed so easily resolved when the right man came into the picture. I’m glad that people can get the help that they need, whatever that may look like for them, but that doesn’t mean I always want to read about it.
Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round - 3 Stars. I always enjoy looking through (and reading) design books, and this one is no exception. The idea of tweaking design elements by season was particularly interesting, and the book has some great ideas. My favorite suggestion, although not technically home-related, is to have a special drink at each event that you host. The drink can vary by season but serves as a refreshing treat and also a fun activity! I think that the book puts too much emphasis on bashing seasonal decor that you can pick up at Target while also encouraging you to decorate with pillows, throws, and other larger (and more expensive) items that you could also get at Target. I understand that lots of little things tend to turn into clutter, rather than having the desired effect. But contrary to what the book seems to suggest, very few people that I have ever met go over the top in decorating for Valentines, or Easter, or even Thanksgiving. If you feel like you do, then this book may come in handy. Or if you want to learn effective tricks for helping transition your home between seasons. But to me, I felt that in some ways, the book was ultimately promoting the very consumerism it purported to condemn
The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies - 3 Stars. While the events of WWII really weren’t that long ago, I’m always surprised by how little I know. I’ve certainly read about and studied Alan Turing, Juan Pujol García, spy networks, and cryptology, but there is still so much that I don’t know - or that is still classified. I had never even heard of Elizebeth Smith Friedman or the role she played in the development of cryptanalysis and the war. Learning about the codes and the means of deciphering alone was fascinating, but combined with Elizebeth’s life story it has the same feeling as an enthralling novel. Some parts of the book got a bit too technical, and that pulled back on the momentum of the story, but overall I enjoyed learning more about this bit of history I didn’t even know that I didn’t know.
I also re-read a few more books this month in addition to the books I re-read for the categories. They were:
The Picture of Dorian Gray - I’ve been a long-time fan of Oscar Wilde and I always love reading his work. This book in particular always gives me chills. It deals with so many universal issues and conveys so many substantive truths in passing. But at its core, it is a story with intriguing characters, an interesting plot, and an important twist. It is definitely a book I will return to again and again.
The Happiness Project, Tenth Anniversary Edition: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun - I read this book every year, and every year I get something different out of it. I’ve always loved books that cover a one-year life experiment - and this book was my first foray into that type of literature many years ago. I love the combination of story, research, and practical tips in this book. As I have studied coaching so much more intently this past year, I can see how many of the pieces of advice are kind of the surface-level changes that tie back to the core concepts that I’ve been learning about. While the book is full of these tips on how to make your life happier, just reading the book itself always does it for me!
Slaughterhouse-Five - This is the book I was probably most looking forward to reading as my time to re-read approached. So I was kind of surprised that it was the last one I picked up. As I read, I enjoyed the story and writing style as much as ever. But I did find that the book left me a bit sad. Maybe it is just after the tough year we have had, I didn’t need anything to lower the mood, even a little bit. But in hindsight, a lot of the other books I have re-read this month, and that I truly love, also are a bit dark. So I’m not really sure. Regardless, I will probably still return to this one every year. I shouldn’t expect sunshine and roses from a book with this title, and next time, I will remember not to.
And with that, my 2020 reading has come to an end.
I’m so excited about the books I will read in 2021 and the reading goals I have planned (the categories will be gone, don’t worry - at least, mostly). I will be sharing about all of that in the weeks and months to come.
No matter what lies ahead in 2021 (and beyond), I am glad that reading will continue to play a large part in it, and continue to shape the person I am becoming.
Until next time,