I have been a compulsive reader from a young age. A few years ago, I decided that since I was going to be reading all the time, I would try to stretch myself along the way. So I came up with my own list of influential books.
I started with the list put out by the University of Missouri for their 175th celebration. I then added from some other lists I found online, including a Christian category. Being a list nerd, I put it in a spreadsheet with columns to count how much of the list I have completed in each category. My goal is to finish the list by the time I am 70.
Best Influential Reads of 2018
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Now every year I select 14 books from my list, plus the other reading that I do. The book that stuck out for me in 2018 was Malcolm X: a life of reinvention by Manning Marable. It was a very dense read, but I feel I learned a lot about an important era in history as well as an influential, charismatic figure.
The book that I did not expect to enjoy but did was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The science was secondary to the story of real people, which made it very readable and informative (as well as horrifying in the way people of color were treated by medical professionals).
Other Readings from 2018
In addition to my influential books, I also read a lot of fiction, self-help, and inspirational. One book that caught me off guard was The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner. To be honest, I thought I knew all about using the “wasted” hours of the day. I have been taking a book with me everywhere since I could read. Most of my spare minutes go to feed my reading obsession. I was all on board with carving out time for my passions. But then a little part of the book made me rethink my patterns:
Only you can take care of you. Identify and pursue your passions, manage your health, and be attentive to your emotional and spiritual well-being. By practicing a lifestyle of self-care, you will be better equipped to handle all that life brings your way.
p.110
That really made me think because I have trouble prioritizing my health, physical and mental. When I lose my health, my passions dwindle as well. My struggles with depression showed me that. So some of my goals for this year focus more on self-care.
Do you have reading goals you set for yourself? What books have influenced you this last year?