Reading is a critical skill no matter your profession or stage of life.

Whether you read to become a better person or to become a millionaire, reading is a skill that will never let you down!

At the beginning of this year, I was challenged by my former employer to set a reading goal for myself. I set my goal at 40 books over the course of 2020.

I am glad to say I blew my goal right on out of the water.

When I wasn’t reading for fun but was trying to learn and study, I used my special technique to read them quickly and efficiently.

Also, I dove into reading graphic novels for the first time this year. I need to make a public apology right now.

I used to think graphic novels shouldn’t count as books because they are simply long comic books with no fulfilling content inside them. I WAS WRONG!

Please, everyone, hear me out. Some of the graphic novels I read have had a profound impact on my own imagination, my creativity, the way I see the world, or have helped me enjoy reading all over again. I am sincerely thankful for all the graphic novels on this list.

Also, just to be fair, I counted the entire graphic novel series as one big book. This way I still felt like I was getting a good chunk of reading in and it forced me to read the entire series rather than one or two. I recommend reading them in this way so you can fully appreciate all the work going into graphic novels as a genre!

I am a believer in sharing knowledge, which is a big part of the reason why I am a writer. If I read 61 books in a year and didn’t tell anyone what I learned, then how selfish am I?

Disclaimer: links may be affiliate links and, if you decide to buy something, then I will receive a small amount of monetary compensation. If you are cool with that, then use my links. If not, then I encourage you to look up the books on your own. 🙂

Oh, for the sake of clarity I have made a legend for you to let you know when a book was a graphic novel (*).

One last note: these books may seem quite eclectic. I have a wide range of tastes and I enjoy reading from a wide range and variety of authors and genres and backgrounds. Enjoy the ride!

The List

1. Last Pick series* — A thrilling series about aliens taking over the world and leaving all the “useless” humans left on planet earth. This book has a person with autism spectrum disorder as the main hero and let me tell you: I am here for it!
2. Castle in the Stars series* — If Steampunk is your jam, then this series will probably pique your interest. I learned about science and architecture and design and a new appreciation for the countless hours of labor into every page of a graphic novel.
3. On a Sunbeam* — A unique novel with an even more unique storyline about discovering who you are at your deepest levels and how you can decide who is a part of your chosen family.
4. The Adventure Zone series* — Based on the podcast by the same name, this series follows the antics of a brave group of heroes known only as “Tres Horny Boys” as they save a fantasy realm. The Adventure Zone has one of the greatest plots I have ever had the pleasure of hearing and reading.
5. Lily the Thief* — A cute and thrilling novel geared more towards young readers but still has a lot of great content to it! I got this one for when we were fostering a ten-year-old but ended up reading it myself and wasn’t disappointed!
6. Mouseguard: Legends of the Guard  — If you have ever heard of Redwall and enjoyed the concept of a world of sentient mice living in a medieval fantasy setting, then this series will give you all those warm fuzzy feelings you had while reading Redwall! A great series with amazing artwork, characters, and storylines of the small animal kingdom variety.
7. Mighty Jack series*- Another pick for our ten-year-old that I ended up reading myself. A clever twist on the Jack the Giant Slayer mythos. Playful, enjoyable, and has representation for persons with autism spectrum disorder: I’m here for it!
8. Zita the Spacegirl series* — A funny sci-fi series that crosses over with the Mighty Jack series above. Great for kids with hilarious characters and enjoyable plots.
9. Are You Listening?* — By far one of the best novels, of any variety, I have ever read. A teenage girl ends up going on a road trip with an adult female she sorta knows that turns just a touch magical. This novel is huge but packs in themes of struggling with sexual identity, finding your identity, and dealing with intense trauma. An absolute must-read.
10. Animus* — A quirky story about a playground that may or may not have something seriously wrong with it! Far creepier than I expected, but the story was so interesting — I loved it.
11. Grimoire Noir* — Witches are real and everybody knows it. They are even honored and revered, but there is a mystery to be solved. A noir-style mystery with matching artwork and a great, dark storyline.
12. Kid Gloves* — As someone who has had kids, this book is hysterical and painful all at the same time because of how true it is. This novel outlines the journey of one person’s experience beginning the parenting journey and invites you to suffer and celebrate alongside them.
13. Old Souls* — Another impactful novel I was unprepared for. What if reincarnation was true and our past lives were subconsciously guiding us towards others we knew in past lives to mend broken relationships or fulfill promises? What if, indeed?
14. This Was Our Pact* — A delightful novel probably meant for kids, but, I’m not ashamed it was one of my favorites from this year. Something about it was so engaging and interesting. A fantastical bicycle ride to see where some floating lights in a river end their journey.
15. Stargazing* — I’m not a ten-year-old and I learned about the power of empathy and understanding someone who isn’t like me a little better after reading this novel. A new neighbor becomes an unlikely friend with an unexpected past. Friendships are hard.
16. Avatar: The Last Airbender series* — Based on the continued story of the A:TLA TV show these novels are a must-read for any fans of the Nickelodeon cartoon series from back in the day. What type of bender would you be, by the way?
17. Displacement* — A novel about a girl who randomly gets displaced in time and space from the present into fragments of the American Japanese internment camps US History tends to try and sweep under the rug. Scattered with some hard-to-swallow political reminders of our time filtered through the lens of the past.
18. Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand — A little magical realism, an alternate history hook, and have it all set in London and you have this great book. I read it as a kid and loved it and decided to give the series a read again this year. It did not disappoint!
19. Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Golem’s Eye — The 2nd book in the series continues the life of a young boy turned brilliant wizard with a djinn at his side solving mysterious magical crimes in London.
20. Bartimaeus Trilogy: Ptolemy’s Gate — The conclusion to the series presents a new creature completely unheard-of: a human with love and appreciation towards a demon. What new adventures await with this new discovery?
21. The End of Youth Ministry? — If there isn’t a book out there addressing the issues of youth ministry in 2020, then this book fills the void perfectly. Youth Ministry needs to be revamped from a whole new perspective and context!
22. Scars Across Humanity — Humanity, specifically men, have done horrible things to women throughout all of human history. This book made me feel sick to my stomach, but also hopeful and gave me the knowledge to know and do better!
23. The God Who Risks — A deep theological book about God’s Openness. Diving into the nature of God as Trinity, steeped in scripture, and building into something new-but-old.
24. The Storm-Tossed Family — Human relationships are messy and unpredictable. This book shares stories of broken families trying to become whole again while giving advice and hope for a new future for families everywhere.
25. The Art of Gathering — Whether it is a holiday party or an annual board meeting, there needs to be a reason for why we gather. This book gives all the tips, tricks, and understanding for making gathering effective and fruitful, no matter the occasion.
26. I Said This, You Said That — Have you ever said one thing but the person you said it to took it a completely different way than you meant for them to take it? Yeah. It happens a lot. Now, there is a guide to help us to hear and understand one another just a bit more.
27. Flash Writing — If you ever want to get involved with writing short-fiction, then this book is a must-read. From guidance to advice to practice help, this book has it all to get you started writing in a flash!
28. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry — A great book for our day and age in Western society, this book tackles the idea that we are all trying to squeeze more “doing” into every waking moment and we are all now “hurry sick.” To slow down, eliminate the unnecessary fluff, and focus on the present are ways to fight this sickness — but how?
29. Basics of Biblical Greek — I love me some Koine Greek for studying the Bible. I’m a nerd. I can’t help it. I literally re-read the text book that taught me about Koine Greek. 10/10. Highly recommend.
30. Drops Like Stars — A beautiful book about suffering and creativity and how we can choose to get better or get bitter.
31. A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible — If infographics are your thing, like they are mine, then you are going to adore this book. Chock full of information I didn’t even know after my years of schooling in Biblical Studies!
32. New — A devotional and book series for discipleship to teenagers. I grabbed them only months before I stepped out of my Youth Ministry position and never got to use them. New focuses on the journey of taking your first steps into becoming a faithful follower of Jesus.
33. Next — Next focuses on what it means to go “all in” on your relationship with Jesus. It wrestles with calling and ministry at any age.
34. Now — Now takes the journey to a whole new level. We are called to make and mature more disciples and Now helps students take this next step and gives them tools to thrive while faithfully following Jesus.
35. First Two Years in Youth Ministry — A Youth Ministry staple. I have read this book at least once every year since starting in youth ministry. It has so many essential questions and processes that I would go so far as to say it needs to be required for everyone in pastoral youth ministry.
36. Out of Solitude — As an introvert, this book is one of my favorites to read. For one, it reinforces my need for solitude, but, for two, it calls me to not practice solitude simply because of my personality but because it is a way to center myself in my relationship with Jesus.
37. Psalms: Prayerbook of the Bible — One of the most influential books I have ever read in my life and it is less than 100 pages long. Prayer is more than making up stuff in our mind, it is more than saying special and specific holy words, and it is something we never do alone.
38. Start With Why — A fundamental question with far-reaching implications, “why?” This book gives examples, strategies, and purpose for asking the most important questions first and then leading with those questions as guideposts to our life, business, and beyond.
39. Barracoon — An interesting biography about “the last black cargo,” a.k.a. the last slave purchased from Africa brought to America. It is an insight into the tail end of the American slave trade, the harsh lives of black slaves in America, and a reminder of the horrible (and hopeful) things humans do to each other.
40. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks — If you have not heard the name Henrietta Lacks, then you have no idea that you owe much of the successes of modern medicine to her. A black woman who, decades after her death, is still being taken advantage of while her story is slowly forgotten and lost. An absolute must-read.
41. The Green Ember — A delightful fantasy world filled with magic and talking animals. I didn’t get around to finishing the series this year, but the first book was exciting and had my heart palpitating more than once!
42. Robin — Robin Williams was one of the most well-known actors and comedians of the latter half of the twentieth century, but most of us don’t know even a fraction of his background and history. This is one of the best biographies, no, the best books, I have ever read. It outlines all of Robin’s life all the way up until his unfortunate decision to take his own life and the fallout afterward.
43. Good to Great — A book filled with success stories in business juxtaposed with some not-so-successful stories. What’s the difference? What makes one company succeed where another fails? This book tackles it all with lots of interesting case studies and stories to keep it entertaining!
44. The Empath’s Survival Guide — Alright, I’ll be honest, this book caught me completely off guard. I like to consider myself an empathetic person who struggles with taking on too many of other peoples’ emotions, so I thought this book would be about that. Wrong. It dips and dives into some new-age beliefs, practices, and studies and was, honestly, not my cup of tea. But I read it, so here it is. Probably the only stinker I read this year, in my opinion.
45. Your Brain at Work — Such a fascinating read! This book breaks down the science behind all the reasons you think and do and react the way you do and how to train your brain to respond the way you want to!
46. Building a Story Brand — If marketing, branding, or business is your thing, then this book is amazing. I’ve always thought of myself as a Storyteller, so the title of this book immediately grabbed me. The story of your business is important and should influence how you do business!
47. The Tao of Pooh — Recommended by a friend, this book was intriguing, informative, and funny. I enjoyed the author going into conversations between himself and Winnie the Pooh to discuss the philosophy behind Taoism. I learned a lot and appreciated the book!
48. The 4-Hour Workweek — This is one of those buzzword-books I’ve heard so many times that I finally decided to give it a read. Work in such a way that it fits your lifestyle, take advantage of stretching your money further in workplace destinations, and hire out all the work you don’t want to do. All of these are hot takes and hot tips for working and living the life you want!
49. The $100 Startup — Almost entirely made up of strings of stories with some lessons weaved in between this book was fascinating to see how people found a passion and started living life on their own terms. Side hustlers, this one is for you!
50. The E-myth Revisited — While this book had lots of content and was very informative, it was honestly not super impactful for me. Essentially, the internet controls everything but face-to-face business is vital, too. Nothing ground shaking.
51. Getting Things Done — A book filled to the brim with ideas and tips to get you focusing on what needs to get done and learning how to work and prioritize quickly.
52. The Zen of Social Media — Once upon a time I thought to myself, “I’d like to get better at social media marketing.” Honestly, though, I kinda hate social media. So, while this book was incredibly helpful, I put next to none of it to work and haven’t cared about social media since finishing it. Oops.
53. Quiet Thunder — WOW! This book was unexpected and I loved it. On a whim, I looked up a book by a Native American author and found this book about Crazy Horse. I learned so much historical and biographical information and gained some wisdom and insights from the great leader who we know as Crazy Horse.
54. 10% Happier — This book title was interesting to me so I grabbed it up from the library. I had no idea it was going to be the story of someone’s journey into Buddhism, but it was a wonderful book. I picked up on some great meditation techniques (because I think meditation can be important for anyone, not just Eastern spirituality) and gained a new appreciation for those who ascribe to Buddhist beliefs!
55. Everything is F*cked — I know the title may be a little uncouth (great word), but this book was hilarious and filled with so much hope. The point is this: everything sucks in this life, except for when it doesn’t. And when it doesn’t suck it is truly wonderful to be alive.
56. Get Out of Your Head — I saw this book title, read a quick synopsis, and knew I needed to put it on my list. If you struggle with any type of self-doubt, anxiety, etc., then this book will help you find ways to escape the toxic spiral of your own mind!
57. Leadership & Self-Deception — This book teaches you all about The Box. We all have one, and we all have a hard time recognizing whether we are in or out of The Box. Sometimes, we forget that other people have their own Box. You gotta read it to find out what it all means!
58. Inspired — I picked this one up when I remembered Rach Held Evans had passed away. I had always meant to read it, but I never did. So, I finally did it. It’s a great book challenging all the ways we get stuck in the mindset of believing whatever we are told without digging in ourselves. Rachel’s story helped bring some light to my own. Thank you, Rachel.
59. Subversive Sabbath — A recommended read for the year which did not disappoint. What is the Sabbath and what does it mean to follow the Sabbath in our Western society? This book has stretched me and challenged me to re-think my Sabbath practices and what it means for my family.
60. The Kingdom of God Has No Borders — This book is THICK, but it is filled with so much history of American Evangelicalism it was hard to pass up. If you have ever thought of yourself as an Ex-vangelical, then you should read this book. If you don’t know what an Ex-vangelical is, then you need to read this book. If you are sick and tired of Ex-vangelicals, then you need to read this book.
61. Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul — I have gone down the rabbit hole of studying a Theology of Play for several years now. This book came up in some research and I just had to read it. What did I learn? Well, let me ask you a question first: if play has no purpose, then why do dogs engage in play behavior even though they are putting themselves at risk? The answer to that question is multi-layered and too difficult to explain in this short sentence, but I hope it got you interested in the book!
62. When We Say Father — During my studies on the Lord’s Prayer I picked this book up. It is conversational and was written many years ago. There are some good thoughts in here, but it largely involved what we call “eisegesis” (reading our biases into scripture) that made it go into the weeds about certain things like astrology at random.
63. Lord and His Prayer — A brilliant author whom I greatly respect wrote this short book on the Lord’s Prayer. It was packed with great takeaways of context, language study, and implications in certain phrases and words. A worthwhile read that doesn’t take too long to get through!
64. Jeff Goodwin and The Gnat Who Changed My Life — A book with the novel concept of “clean” content — no cussing, no blood-and-guts, no sex, etc. A good, chunky novel with well-written characters and a great plot you can hand to your kids and know it won’t be bad or inappropriate for them. I’m a fan of anything like that!