21 books to read in 2021 – My 2021 Reading List

I have to start this post by saying that the name of the post “21 books to read in 2021” was not planned. It just ended up this way. I actually had 22 books on my 2021 reading list but I was too eager to get started on it, so I read Bob Iger’s “The Ride of a Lifetime” in December.

Nevertheless, and post title aside, in 2021 I am approaching reading a bit differently. While in 2020 I read more than in the previous years – see here my roundup on the books I read in 2020 – I leaned more into fiction. Which is not an entirely bad thing. However, truth is, I have had quite a few non-fiction books on my reading list for a long time, yet I never quite got to reading them. So in 2021, I’m changing gears. This year I thought of “reverse engineering” how I approach reading and start by putting together the list of books that I will be reading throughout the year. This way, I can build my 2021 reading list and leave no room for doubts when it comes to questions of the type “what should I read next?”.

So here it is, the list of books I am planning on reading this year, in no particular order. Actually, cross that. At the top of the list are the books I already own or have already ordered, which is about 10 of them, and that I will most likely dive into first. Worth noting is that I am currently on a health-related books kick and I am thoroughly enjoying it – maybe it’s the new year energy? I am yet to see if I will first go through all the health related books or end up diversifying a little.

1. Gut: The inside story of our body’s most underrated organ by Giulia Enders – I’ve had this one on my nightstand for quite some time but only ever read about 1/3 of it. I think digestive health can dictate a lot in our bodies and understanding a bit more  sround how it functions is essential for everyone.
2. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It by Valerie Young. It’s no secret that I am ambitious and my career is very important for me so I am looking forward to seeing the perspective this book will bring.
3. A promised land by Barrack Obama. Needless to say, I’ve known I will be reading this book ever since it was announced so of course, it has a place on my 2021 reading list. Besides, it’s been a Christmas gift from the Mr., which makes it even more special.
4. WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, SUpercharge your Sez Drive, and Become a Power Source by Alisa Viti. I am adding a few books on women’s health on my list. Looking back at what I’ve learned at school with regards to women’s health and physiology is rather limited. Knowing our bodies and understanding how they function should be the norm, yet I think we are way too misinformed and there is too little talk around it.
5. Wild Power: Discover the Magic of Your Menstrual Cycle and Awaken the Feminine Path to Power by Alexandra Pope. Same here, trying to educate myself a bit more around how we function. The title sounds quite esoteric, which is not too up my alley but I am looking forward to seeing what will I learn.
6. Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life: Achieving Optimal Health and Wellness through Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and Western Science by Claudia Welch. Same thing here with regards to learning about our hormonal health.
7. Woman: An Intimate Geography (Revised and Updated) by Natalie Anger. Same here. I did want to make sure I add a bit of variety to get as much of an understanding as I can.
8. “This is your brain on food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More” by Uma Naidoo. On the same topic of health and then also adding the nutrition element in which I am very interested in knowing more about.
9. “Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Work. Whole Hearts.” by Brene Brown. I’ve had this on my shelf for over a year now so it’s up for a read. I love her TED talks so I am curious to see what she has to say in this book.
10. “Big Magic: Creative living beyond fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I’ve had also this one on my shelf for some time as I’ve seen it recommended quite a bit. It’s a short read so should be no bother to my list.
11. “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek. I am sure you’ve heard of him and the golden circle. This is his latest book, which I have lying around so I might as well give it a try.
12. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book and given the level which Nike operates on today, I am sure it will be an inspiring book.
13. “Who thought this was a good idea” by Alyssa Mastromonaco. She is a former Obama aide, successful in what she does and I’ve been wanting to read her story for quite some time. You know how much I love a successful woman.
14. “Outliers: The story of success” by Malcom Galdwell. This book has been recommended many times by many people so I had to eventually read it. In it, Gladwell examines people’s environment, personal drive and motivation to understand their success.
15. „Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ“ by Daniel Goleman. This one has been on my reading list for years. He is the psychologist that helped popularize the concept of emotional intelligence and how non-cognitive skills can matter as much as IQ for (workplace) success.
16. „Think and Grow Rich!“ by Napoleon Hill. One of the OG “self-help” books out there, I wanted to make sure I read some of the “classics”.
17. “Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant“ by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne. I am in the business world and even though I first heard about this book during my university years and I am somewhat familiar with the blue ocean/red ocean concept, it’s not too late for a full read.
18. „Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins. Same as above, being interested in business, great products and what makes companies great – is it a great product, competent people or an amazing culture? –  I needed to have this one on my list.
19. “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear. Another self-help read on my list, I just can’t help myself (pun intented).
20. “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain. I’ve heard a lot about this book and as an introvert, I am definitely curious to see what it has to say.
21. “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Sillicon Valley Startup” by John Carreyrou. I am sure everyone has heard of the Theranos scam and Elizabeth Holmes so I am eager to read all the story around it.

Yes, it’s quite a few books, especially given I’ve only read 8 and a half books in 2020. But you know what? I am definitely motivated and I already have about half of the books on my nightstand and I am looking forward to working through my list. What about you? What’s next on your reading list? Any recommendations or changes you’d suggest to my 2021 reading list?