This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my December 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond

Purchased using Audible credit.

Mike initially purchased this book on Audible, and after hearing him talk so much about it, I decided to read it too. The author takes a look at human history in various parts of the world, and examines why some areas and peoples evolved faster than others. The book is fascinating, but quite long. There were pieces that felt a bit repetitive, and a heavier edit could have benefited the book. But overall, it was very good, and worth a listen.

ERDI Tender Operations Manual by Michael Glenn

Borrowed from a friend.

After a recent situation in which my husband was acting as a recovery diver, and at which I was the second most experienced diver present (yikes!), I decided that learning a little more about being the shore support person for this type of situation wouldn’t be a bad idea. I borrowed this book from a friend to gather a little bit of information. Some of it was really useful, for example line signals. But other portions were completely inapplicable to a small town, small dive team type of operation.

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

Purchased on Audible this year.

The blurb on this book talks about the author’s difficult circumstances and the time following as a time for healing. This book is that, but it is so much more. The writing is strikingly beautiful. And having listened to it during the actual winter, and during a time of some amount of emotional pain from some family and friend disappointments made it even more poignant. But this book is not depressing. It is hopeful and inspiring, and calming. And it reminds us that we all need to have seasons of wintering, where we give ourselves permission to pause, rest, and then try new ways.

The 4 Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

I had previously read the 4-Hour Workweek by the same author. Although I obviously haven’t implemented all of its components (because I like my work, and because being an attorney in court is not conducive to all of what the author espouses), there are elements that I have implemented and do very much agree with. This is a newer book from the same author, which apparently does for your body what his previous book did for your work life. As with the previous book, it made me rethink some things that I’m either doing or not doing, and I’ll likely make a few changes.

The Leadership Secrets of Oz by B.J. Gallagher

Purchased physical book this year.

I picked this up while packing books for our local friends of the library virtual book sale. It’s a slim little volume that uses the main characters from the Wizard of Oz books to teach leadership skills. It was a neat way of looking at some of the concepts. And it’s a pretty little book that I like having on my bookshelf.

The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person by Judith S. Beck

Already owned Kindle e-book.

I re-read this book for the third time. I like the reality checks in it, and thought that revisiting some of the strategies for combating sabotaging thoughts wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Purchased on Audible this year.

My husband and I listened to this audiobook while traveling for Christmas. Matthew McConaughey is just a downright interesting guy. He’s had a wealth of unique experiences, and tells stories from some of them in this memoir (of sorts). This book isn’t a traditional memoir though, as it includes prescriptions, bumper stickers, and lessons on how things that initially seemed to be negative (red lights) ended up being positive or moving his life forward (green lights). And on Audible, he narrates it himself. So this is probably going to be among my favorite books of the year.

Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman