According to my book journal, I have read over 50 books this year. Not all of them are worth mentioning, but I wanted to share my top 5 books of 2020.
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Reading
Reading over 50 books this year is huge because while I’ve always loved reading, law school kinda made me stop reading for pleasure.
I’ve been practicing for 7 years and I am just now picking reading back up. I’m so happy I did because it brings me such happiness. On any given Saturday you can find me with a book in my hand.
I am completely content sitting on a couch or on a park bench and reading for hours. That’s my happy place lol.
While thinking back on my favorite books from the year I wanted to let you in on my top 5 and what I learned from them, because they had some great nuggets.
I’m not discussing them in any particular order.
1. Essentialism
Essentialism was written by Greg McKeown.
Here are some of my favorite points from the book:
- Don’t rob people of their problems. Once we take their problem for them, all we’re doing is taking away their ability to solve it.
- Protect the asset. You must get proper sleep, eat better foods, and please REST.
- Learn how to say no. The author discusses how clarity about what is essential fuels us with the strength to say no to the nonessentials.
The bottom line is you have to get clear on what is essential and what isn’t. Once you master that, get selective on how you spend your time
2. I’m Still Here
Austin Channing Brown wrote I’m Still Here. Here is one of my favorite passages from the book:
“We like to pretend that all those white faces who carried protest signs and batons, who turned on their sprinklers and their fire hoses, who wrote against the demonstrations and preached against the changes, just disappeared. We like to pretend that they were won over, transformed, the moment King proclaimed, “I have a dream.” We don’t want to acknowledge that just as Black people who experienced Jim Crow are still alive, so are the white people who vehemently protected it—who drew red lines around Black neighborhoods and divested them of support given to average white citizens.”
“We ignore that white people still avoid Black neighborhoods, still don’t want their kids going to predominantly Black schools, still don’t want to destroy segregation.
The moment Black Americans achieved freedom from enslavement, America could have put to death the idea of Black inferiority. But whiteness was not prepared to sober up from the drunkenness of power over another people group. Whiteness was not ready to give up the ability to control, humiliate, or do violence to any Black body in the vicinity—all without consequence.
Ultimately, the reason we have not yet told the truth about this history of Black and white America is that telling an ordered history of this nation would mean finally naming America’s commitment to violent, abusive, exploitative, immoral white supremacy, which seeks the absolute control of Black bodies. It would mean doing something about it. How long will it be before we finally choose to connect all the dots?”
I love it because Austin so eloquently highlighted the inaccurate assumption that when slavery and segregation were banned, people who believed in both institutions just disappeared.
It didn’t. Racist people with racist ideals birthed children who now may also have the same opinions.
Despite the seriousness of the topic, there were some very moments. It’s a very quick read, so if you have some time, definitely check it out.
3. Superfans
Pat Flynn authored Superfans. My favorite thing about the book is that he gives numerous actionable tips to implement immediately. That’s one of the main things that I look for in a book.
When I pick up an instructional book my immediate thought, ok what do I need to do to receive the benefit you’re talking about. This book has several instructions that meet that criteria.
I recommend this book for anyone starting their own business or who currently has a business.
4. Homegoing
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is enlightening. I read this book without knowing anything about it. I don’t like spoilers so sometimes I don’t read descriptions of fiction books to keep my mind from predicting the plot twist or story line.
This book took me for a ride. It just wasn’t what I was expecting at all and I never saw the end coming.
This book traced a woman’s lineage from her childhood, to the moment she was enslaved in Ghana, to her 21st century descendents and their journey. I cried so many times while reading this book.
Everyone needs to read this book. I think it should be required reading in high schools.
5. You Are a Bada** At Making Money
Jen Sincero wrote this book. The author is clear on four things:
- Why she wanted to make money?
- What she was going to use the money for?
- How she was going to make the money?
- When she would make the money by?
This book really helped me understand my own personal mental blocks about making money and being wealthy. I even adopted a money affirmation for 2021 and put it on my vision board.
I even recommended it to 2 friends in the past 2 months. They both immediately purchased it and love it.
If you read any of the books I mentioned let me know what your thoughts are about them. As always you can email me and let me know.
Rate, Review, and Follow on Apple Podcasts
“I love The Purpose Collective podcast.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow on Apple Podcasts now!
Subscribe on Google Podcasts.
Follow the show on Spotify.
Follow the show on Audible.
Follow the show on Amazon Music.
If you have any questions you can always email me at podcast@pavielle.com or join my Purpose Diary newsletter below.
Want to Support the Show?
If you would like to support the show, I discovered a super cool way for you to get in on the action, and that is by “buying me a coffee.” I don’t actually drink coffee, but the idea behind the site is for supporters of Content Creators (that’s you) to be able to help the Creator (that’s me) with expenses required to produce the content they create (that’s the show).
Click the button below to donate.
Connect With Me
If you have any questions you can always email me at podcast@pavielle.com or join my Purpose Diary newsletter below and my tips, experiences, and advice about navigating a life of purpose are all yours, every week!
Disclaimer: If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this or any of my communications, it’s likely I’ll receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, I only recommend things that I truly believe in and have personally experienced. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend, please let me know. My goal is to help you thrive in your purpose. — Pavielle