![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/johnfreeborn.com\/words\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Books-by-month.png?resize=580%2C259&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n55 is still a lot of books. That’s 5 more than I read in 2018, so I’m good with the total. What I’ve noticed this year is that my selection is really random. I’m all over the map in terms of content. I’m ok with this. I read several books at once and depending on my mood I’ll decide what to pick up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year I’ve come to depend even more on the audio book format. I found it harder than ever to sit down with a real book. E-books were a little easier because of their nature, but finding the time and space to read this year was more difficult for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality<\/a> by Jacob Tomsky<\/a> is a behind the scenes look at the hospitality industry and unfortunately the pandemic went into full effect shortly after I read this and I never got to try and of the tricks and tips from this book. Maybe in 2022?<\/p>\n\n\n\n City<\/a> by Clifford D. Simak<\/a> is a sci-fi gem from 1952 where the world’s human population is long gone. Dogs remain and run the planet and have some interesting concepts, legends and myths about their old best friend, man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Design of Everyday Things<\/a> by Donald A. Norman<\/a> is a classic for good reason. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t read it cover to cover until now. I’m very happy I finally did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao<\/a> by Junot D\u00edaz<\/a> is not something I planned on reading. I found it on audio in Libby<\/a> and gave it a go based on good reviews. Damn it was good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Educated<\/a> by Tara Westover<\/a> is a book that everybody and their Mom read in 2018. I missed the boat then and finally got around to it. Sometimes there are good reasons everyone is reading something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Making of Karateka<\/a> by Jordan Mechner<\/a> is like a nerdy time capsule to the 80’s in the best possible way. You get a very personal view of a creator at work and the messy process of making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every Tool’s a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It<\/a> by Adam Savage<\/a> is part memoir and part DIY guide. I’m not the biggest Mythbusters<\/a> fan (didn’t hate it either) but this book motivated my maker instincts during the pandemic which was needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don\u2019t Know<\/a> by Malcolm Gladwell<\/a>. I’ve read every book that Mr. Gladwell has written. This one is probably his best and unfortunately his most timely with racial inequity in full focus this past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood<\/a> by Trevor Noah<\/a> is another very popular book that I missed somehow. A friend recommended the audio version, read by the author, and it did not disappoint. I’ve been a long-time fan of Mr. Noah’s comedy but his personal story is unbelievable, heartbreaking and still positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers<\/a> by Timothy Ferriss<\/a> has a very long title but it’s got a lot of really insightful stuff packed inside. If you are interested in this kind of thing it’s worth the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hallucinations<\/a> by Oliver Sacks<\/a> explores how the mind deceives us and why. It’s typical Sacks and like most of his books it’s surprising, smart, personal and really good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Making of Prince of Persia<\/a> by Jordan Mechner<\/a> is part 2 of the Mechner journals and goes inside the game (before the movie) making process and his growing success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Little Brother<\/a> by Cory Doctorow<\/a> is another book (and series) that I’m very late to the party with. It’s great fun and it has that critical edge needed in these times. Better late than never.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind<\/a> by Yuval Noah Harari<\/a> details the history of us (the homo-sapiens) in a more narrative way than a strict science book. It has the science, it’s just done in a way that feels more like your are being told an interesting story with plot twists and characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once again, there’s nothing that I regret reading. I admit that I stick with books that I don’t love. But you don’t have to love everything you read, do you? If I get one small germ of a thought from a mediocre book that’s enough for me. That small thought could grow into something bigger. The great books stay with you. I’m going to shoot for 75 in 2021. Wish me luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/johnfreeborn.com\/words\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/books-by-type.jpg?resize=580%2C276&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBooks I liked the most<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/johnfreeborn.com\/words\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2020-most-liked.jpg?resize=580%2C58&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n