2019 Reading List
For the last couple of years I’ve put together a list of ‘want to dos’ for the year. The idea for this list came from the podcast, “Happier” with Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft (which I highly recommend). For example, in 2018, the list was “18 in 2018”, in 2019, it was “19 in 2019”.
While there were a lot of items not accomplished in 2019, one of the boxes I was able to check was my goal to ‘read or listen’ to 2 books a month. After not really reading many (if any books) over the last couple of years, it was a lofty goal. 24 Books in one year was a goal that I was only able to accomplish by listening on the Audible app.
As many of you know, I’m a full-time artist. Most of my day is spent in the studio painting, working on classes, projects, writing, filming or getting ready for the next big event.
It doesn’t leave much time for leisurely reading but I have found a new studio practice (new as in something I’ve started doing in 2019), which is to pop on my speaker and listen to a book or podcast while I work, drive, or on a plane. I’m pretty proud of myself for sticking to this goal of ready 24 books (minimum) as I feel it’s really helped me broaden my vocabulary, learn new productivity and business practices, opened my eyes to better eating, get a peek behind the scenes of people I admire, understand some of the whys behind some of my own hangups, and much, much, more.
In case any of you are interested in learning more about any of the books on my 2019 reading list, here are clickable links to each of the books. While I won’t summarize the books in my list, there are a few that I may point out yay’s or nay’s about. While not all were my favorite books every, all were worth reading and I learned something from each and every one of them. (These links do lead to my amazon referral links. A small portion of any sales does go to supporting this blog and my art practice).
1. Principles by Ray Dalio
2. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
3. The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone
4. This is Marketing by Seth Godin
5. Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuck
6. The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines
7. Becoming by Michelle Obama
8. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
9. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
10. Power Moves by Adam Grant
11. The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry
12. The Longevity Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry
13. Chillpreneur by Denise Duffield-Thomas
14. The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris
15. Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
16. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
17. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
18. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
19. I Can't Make This Up by Kevin Hart
20. The Power of Broke by Daymond John
21. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
22. Educated by Tara Westover
23. Blowout by Rachel Maddow
24. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
25. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
(These links do lead to my amazon referral links. A small portion of any sales does go to supporting this blog and my art practice).
Do you have a ‘lofty’ goal for 2020? I would love to hear what might be a stretch for you to achieve but something that you have every intention of trying in the New Year. Or do you have a book recommendation for me? I’d love to hear what you have been reading so I can add to my list for 2020.
I haven’t quite decided what my ‘word or phrase’ of the year will be, but somewhere in every chosen word, I strive to grow as a person and artist. Being a life long learner gives me a sense of purpose and that my friends, is one of the secrets to a fuller life.
Read On! Protect Your Spirit. Widen Your Views. Deepen Your Understanding. Develop Good Habits.
Just Grow.
Before I go, in case you are looking for little nuggets of creative inspiration-be sure to check out what’s coming up during the Creative JumpStart 2020 workshop which begins January 1st, 2020. I’m excited to be a part of this group once again. Each day for 31 days you will have a 10 minute video available to you from artists around the world who will be sharing their inspirational and creative ‘Super Power’. You can download these videos or watch through November 2020 online. Either way, for the low price of $50 (now through December 31st) you will surely gain a ton of inspiration to jump into the New Year with.
Regular price of $60 begins 1/1/2020.
Jump in with me, why don’t you?! Learn More Here.
Until Next Time,