162 Books in a Year: Results
2 min read
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
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