162 Books in a Year: Results
Top Nonfiction Books 2018 / Top Fiction Books 2018 / Favorite Audiobooks 2018
So you read a decent amount of books in a year, so what?
I like to think of 2018 as a lifestyle experiment. What would happen if I did’t watch or read the news (extremely minimal), didn't scroll through social media (80% decrease), and made it a priority?
Shocker, I read more—and it was a lot easier than I expected. Digital books, and multi-book formats also help exponentially. I don’t always carry a physical book, but I always have my phone. (Apps to amp your reading.)
All told, I completed 162 books. For a breakdown of every single book, and various stats, click here.
Overall, I learned a couple things:
How not to be a murderous psychopath.
After reading a bunch of true crime (In Cold Blood, Helter Skelter, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, and The Stranger Beside Me), I am fairly confident I can avoid any of the telltale signs, except perhaps a tendency to use cliches.
The cliche seems to give a sociopath something to cling to—a verbal anchoring place that allows him to communicate, to speak the language of normal people.
— Ann Rule, The Stranger Beside Me
How to be annoying at social gatherings.
“So I’m reading this book…” is a great way to get people’s eyes to immediately glaze over. Bonus: You can get back to reading in the corner.
Everything we know is wrong.
Think you know anything? Any one thing? Facts, stats, and trends? Ha! Fake news!
In all serious though, I learned a decent amount, even if part of what I learned was how little anyone really knows.
Writing comes somewhat easier to me, words I reach for are there as needed.
The main point however, is that reading this much was extremely enjoyable. I had a raging brainer all year and like to think I can make obtuse connections at a slightly faster rate than before.
Looking forward to more good books in 2019.
I read a book one day and my whole life was changed.
— Orhan Pamuk