The Books I Read in 2019

Last year, I fell spectacularly short in reaching my goal for reading 50 books, so for this year, I reset my expectations and set a goal to read 30 books in 2019 — and made it to 26! I count that as a success especially since it's 11 more than I completed last year.

Here’s a list of all the books I’ve read this year (in no specific order), with some commentary, a quote from the book, and my own rating on a scale of 1-5 (5 being best) to go along with it. Enjoy!

These Truths by Jill Lepore

Fascinating read. An eye-opening and detailed history of the United States that honestly, every American (and immigrant) should read. It's both exhilarating and frightening at the same time. Well written and a joy to read. This was the kind of book that made you forget Netflix even exists.

A phrase I highlighted: The record of early humans, however imperfectly kept, includes not only fossils but also artifacts, things created by people (the word contains its own meaning—art + fact—an artifact is a fact made by art).

Rating: 5

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

After reading wonderful books like Cal Newport's Deep Work and Nicholas Carr's The Shallows, I was thrilled to get this recommendation from a colleague. Sadly though, I was disappointed with this book. Way too much flowery discussion about non-interesting points and weighs heavily on the author's love for bird watching. Yawn.

A phrase I highlighted: It’s very possible to understand the practice of doing nothing solely as a self-indulgent luxury, the equivalent of taking a mental health day, if you’re lucky enough to work at a place that has those.

Rating: 2

Open by Andre Agassi

I bought this book after Jeff Weiner mentioned it during an internal training session. I've seen Agassi play live at the US Open and have always been a fan, so I figured it was worth the read. Boy was it ever! Gives a raw peek into the life of a celebrity/athlete, the importance of mindset/state of mind, and into the realities of the brutal battering a body goes through in professional sports. I couldn't put this book down.

A phrase I highlighted: Now that I’ve won a slam, I know something that very few people on earth are permitted to know. A win doesn’t feel as good as a loss feels bad, and the good feeling doesn’t last as long as the bad. Not even close.

Rating: 5

Tiamat’s Wrath (The Expanse Book 8) by James S. A. Corey

This is the last book in the Expanse series (at least for now) and the authors (James Corey is a pen name for two authors who write together) do a wonderful job on putting some closure around this epic tale. Great writing, and as always, SciFi that actually feels believable and real.

A phrase I highlighted: You can’t make sense of something when there’s no pattern. One data point is the same as none.”

Rating: 4

Do Improvise: Less Push. More Pause. Better Results. A new approach to work (and life) by Robert Poynton

Always a lover of improvisation (can never get enough of Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and a believer in the skills that improv brings, I was hoping this book would give me strong pointers in applying those skills to my work. Sadly, the book didn't live up to its potential. An OK read.

A phrase I highlighted: When we knock an idea on the head, we kill all its offspring too.

Rating: 3

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

This book was recommended by Jonathan Logue at a session he gave on the topic of Time Management at this year's internal LinkedIn Sales Kickoff. The session was great, as was the book. Easy to read with lots of great topics that you could immediately put to use, the book focuses on helping you narrow down everything you do to ONE thing. If you do ONE thing, read this book!

A phrase I highlighted: As Steve Uzzell said, “Multitasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.”

Rating: 5

You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane

Saw this book recommended by Oz du Soleil (one of our awesome LinkedIn Learning instructors) and was glad I did. We hear so much about Artificial Intelligence these days and this book does a wonderful job explaining exactly what AI is (and what it isn't), how it's applied, and the challenges we face in building and developing AI. Great author and a fun read on an important topic.

A phrase I highlighted: As Daan van Esch, project manager for the Android system’s autocorrect app, called GBoard, told internet linguist Gretchen McCulloch, “For a while, when you typed ‘I’m going to my Grandma’s,’ GBoard would actually suggest ‘funeral.’ It’s not wrong, per se. Maybe this is more common than ‘my Grandma’s rave party.’ But at the same time, it’s not something that you want to be reminded about. So it’s better to be a bit careful.” The AIs don’t know that this perfectly accurate prediction is nonetheless not the right answer, so human engineers have to step in to teach it not to supply that word.

Rating: 4

A Mind For Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra) by Barbara Oakley

After reading the fantastic How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking last year, I jumped at this one... perhaps a bit too quickly. I'm a creative guy so I'm always looking to get better at Math, but this was a book that I picked up and put down several times before getting through it. The book is really written for students who are struggling to get through their Math and Science classes, so there's a lot of focusing on the approach you need to take to learn these kinds of skills. Along the way, you learn about how learning works, but you have to get well into the book to find it.

A phrase I highlighted: Persistence is often more important than intelligence.

Rating: 3

The Optimist’s Telescope: Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age by Bina Venkataraman

It took me a while to get into this one (went through a few starts and stops), but happy I made it through the tough start. Maybe it was the writing style, but the content is really good and helpful for an approach to both business and life. I got a lot out of this book and recommend it.

A phrase I highlighted: Once in a while, I find it’s important to eat chocolate like there’s no tomorrow.

Rating: 4

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David J. Epstein

Good book on the importance of having a wide range of skills. The title suggests that it's better to be a generalist than a specialist, but the book clearly points out you need to be both these days... what some folks in the industry call a "T" employee -- broad at the top, but deep in your specialized area.

A phrase I highlighted: When the National Transportation Safety Board analyzed its database of major flight accidents, it found that 73 percent occurred on a flight crew’s first day working together.

Rating: 4

Words That Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence by Shelle Rose Charvet

A bit of an academic/textbook type read, but a great guide for understanding language and matching it to the right context and situation. While I purchased this on my Kindle, I may fork over additional $$ for the print version so that I can easily reference it. It will sit nicely beside my Franklin Covey Style Guide.

A phrase I highlighted: Internal employees have trouble accepting being managed, and generally do not need praise to stay motivated. Working for a "micro-manager" would be torture. Their motivation comes from inside; they are self-starters. They need to make their own decisions and will do that even when they have not been given permission.

Rating: 4

The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCullough

McCullough is one of my favorite authors, and this book doesn't disappoint. Recommended by Michael Lydon, this book details the American expansion to the West. Reading this book made me open Google Maps and follow along — opening my eyes to the deep history of the great Ohio River and those who settled beside it. Too often we see city names or look at geography assuming they are just random, but this book helps you see how things came to be.

A phrase I highlighted: “Human life is short and uncertain,” he continued, “the sooner such a work is undertaken the better.”

Rating: 4

Writing to Persuade: How to Bring People Over to Your Side by Trish Hall

Read this book. I can't recommend it enough. The author is a former editor of the Op-Ed page of the New York Times and the book does double duty in detailing what that job is like (using real examples) as well as providing great actionable advice on important writing skills. If you know me, you know how much I value good writing, and this book nails it.

A phrase I highlighted: If you force me to listen to facts that I don’t want to hear, I will probably reject them.

Rating: 5

Master of the Senate (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Book 3) by Robert A. Caro

Last year I read the first two books in this series, and this is the 3rd book. As usual, what makes Caro's writing so wonderful is how he brings everything together. This book is as much about the Senate and the world politics of the 1950s as it is about Lyndon Johnson himself. We see so much in the news about the Government, but this book gives you an inside look into how it all works (both how it is supposed to work and how it actually works). One of the reasons I love this series so much is how I always feel I can learn from history and apply it to what I do each day.

No highlighted phrases as I read the print version, not the Kindle version.

Rating: 5

The Passage of Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Book 4) by Robert A. Caro

It took me 2 years, but I finally finished this incredible series (Caro is working on a 5th book, and I hope he's able to complete it). Book 4 covers the 196o election and Johnson's decision to run as VP on the Kennedy ticket, and how Johnson handled the transfer of power after the Kennedy assassination. There's so much written on the assassination itself, so this book covers a fascinating angle from the side. It's a guilty pleasure, but if your arms can handle the weight, treat yourself to this incredible series.

No highlighted phrases as I read the print version, not the Kindle version.

Rating: 5

How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World: The Definitive Guide to Adapting and Succeeding in High-Performance Careers by Neil Irwin

A decent read, although in the end, just seems like a lot of common sense advice. This was how the author summed it all up (so I'll save you some time): So what really counts as winning in the winner-take-all world? It is being thoughtful and making a series of choices that ensure that after your quarter-million hours are done, you can look back at the trade-offs you’ve made—between work versus leisure, money versus personal satisfaction, and so on—and be comfortable with your choices. Duh.

A phrase I highlighted: Making your people more valuable—more productive in a true economic sense—is the north star of being a manager.

Rating: 2

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

Who doesn't love Brené Brown? After reading Daring Greatly last year, I was looking forward to this one. But after getting into it, I'm beginning to think Brené is a one-hit-wonder. This book was a lot of the same, just with a few new stories and the words shuffled around. Still love her though.

A phrase I highlighted: I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.

Rating: 2

Persepolis Rising (The Expanse Book 7) by James S. A. Corey

This 7th book in the Expanse series started out strong, but I tired as I got deeper into the story. While not a let-down, this one certainly didn't live up the others in the series. Still your favorite characters, but more enjoyable in terms of the continuation of the saga than anything else. Great writing as always of course.

A phrase I highlighted: Pain reminds you that you aren’t dead yet.

Rating: 3

Babylon's Ashes (The Expanse Book 6) by James S. A. Corey

The 6th book in the series, and it's a good one. Love the writing and the story. Not thrilled with the way the book comes to a close, but then again, who ever is happy with how things end?

A phrase I highlighted: A gesture of frustration. “I always thought that if you gave people all the information, they’d do the right thing, you know? Not always, maybe, but usually. More often than when they chose to do the wrong thing anyway.”

Rating: 4

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport

Cal's Deep Work was one of the most impactful books I've read this decade, so was really excited when this new book came out. After reading it, however, I felt empty. This didn't offer that much more than other books I've read on the subject, and this book does more to explain Cal's own personal approach to a digital life... one that I simply can't agree to. This book was more of a scathing review of social platforms than it was advice on how to succeed today.

A phrase I highlighted: You can’t, in other words, build a billion-dollar empire like Facebook if you’re wasting hours every day using a service like Facebook.

Rating: 2

Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr and Larry Page

This book has been staring me in the face for some time and I've been avoiding it. We use OKRs at LinkedIn however, so I forced myself to read it. Happy that I did. This was a good read that had lots of applicable ideas. More so, it helped me embrace the ideas around OKRs (and helped me understand what they aren't). I'm getting better at OKRs because of this book, and know it's a journey. If you care about OKRs or want to use them, this is your guide.

A phrase I highlighted: When people write down “This is what I’m working on,” it’s easier to see where the best ideas are coming from. Soon it’s apparent that the individuals moving up are the ones doing what the company most values.

Rating: 4

Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf

This book was recommended by Pete Meyers, and it's a wonderful read. As much as I love everything about my Kindle, I also know that it comes at the expense of reading an actual book printed on paper. This book had the right mix of nostalgia, science, practical application, and guilty pleasure. More like this, please.

A phrase I highlighted: Despite most children’s expressed preference for digital reading, they performed better in print form in comprehending what they read.

Rating: 4

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

Following up on his previous Sapiens, Harari tosses another no-hitter. A great read that mixes hope and fear in perfect balance, all while describing what the future looks like.

A phrase I highlighted: Suppose Toyota decides to produce the perfect car. It sets up a committee of experts from various fields: it hires the best engineers and designers, brings together the finest physicists and economists, and even consults with several sociologists and psychologists. To be on the safe side, they throw in a Nobel laureate or two, an Oscar-winning actress and some world-famous artists. After five years of research and development, they unveil the perfect car. Millions of vehicles are produced, and shipped to car dealerships across the world. Yet nobody buys the car. Does it mean that the customers are making a mistake, and that they don’t know what’s good for them? No. In a free market the customer is always right. If customers don’t want it, it means that the car is no good. It doesn’t matter if all the university professors and all the priests and mullahs cry out from every lectern and pulpit that this is a wonderful car – if the customers reject it, it’s a bad car. Nobody has the authority to tell customers that they are wrong, and heaven forbid that a government would try to force its citizens to buy a particular car against their will.

Rating: 4

The End of Competitive Advantage: How to Keep Your Strategy Moving as Fast as Your Business by Rita Gunther McGrath and Alex Gourlay

This was on my Kindle for a while on a recommendation from Mike Derezin, and finally got around to reading it. Great book, and I found myself highlighting a ton of it. This was the kind of book that made you pause, put the Kindle down, and go for a walk -- then come back with a notebook to jot down how you're thinking about the future. This book came out way before Simon Sinek decided to work on his Infinite Game (which I have yet to read).

A phrase I highlighted: Smart companies recognize that continuous training and development is a mechanism to avoid having to fire people when competitive conditions shift, and they invest in training even as they pursue deployment.

Rating: 4

Working by Robert A. Caro

OK, you already know I love this author. He took a break from writing the 5th and final book in his Lyndon Johnson series to publish a bunch of essays about how he approaches his work. I could read this book twice (I probably will...).

A phrase I highlighted: And the more facts you accumulate, the closer you come to whatever truth there is. And finding facts—through reading documents or through interviewing and re-interviewing—can’t be rushed; it takes time. Truth takes time.

Rating: 5

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon

So Clay Christensen is the author of another seminal book I read this decade (The Innovator's Dilemma), and I was surprised to see a book from him on this topic. While most others try to apply life concepts to business, Clay flips the model and applies his sound strategic business frameworks and principles to life. And it works. Thoughtful read that's worth the time.

A phrase I highlighted: In other words, successful companies don’t succeed because they have the right strategy at the beginning; but rather, because they have money left over after the original strategy fails, so that they can pivot and try another approach. Most of those that fail, in contrast, spend all their money on their original strategy—which is usually wrong.

Rating: 4

Looking ahead to 2020...

So there you have it! 26 books in the can for 2019. What's up for 2020? What books have you read this year that you'd like to recommend? What books are you looking forward to reading next year? Let me know!