Books remain at the heart of the media I consume – not perhaps the most significant by volume, but certainly by the effect they have on my life. I read 17 books in 2019; my lowest in years, and a number I’d like to push upwards in 2020.
Here are a few books I read this year that had an impact on the work I do and how I live in the world.
The Melodic Voice, Alice Parker with Cameron LaBarr and John Wykoff (243 pages) This collection of interviews feels exactly like having a conversation with Alice, one of the greatest living minds about music in general and melody in particular. If you make music, read this book.
Keep Going, Austin Kleon (213 pages) This completes the trilogy of Austin’s little square books of artistic guidance – alongside Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work. I love his work and really appreciated this new addition, which addresses how to keep going if you feel like you’ve artistically stalled.
Dare To Lead, Dr. Brené Brown (320 pages) What kind of leader do I choose to be? is among the most important questions a teacher has to ask and answer. This book helped me clarify my own answer. Much more here.
Find Your Artistic Voice, Lisa Congdon (132 pages) One of the last books I finished this year! Lisa Congdon is a wonderful artist, illustrator, and typesetter, and this is her newest in a set of books about successfully being creative as a profession.
The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth, Philip Pullman (656 pages) A followup to last year’s list, this is the second in Pullman’s Book of Dust trilogy. It is magical, realistic, philosophical, extraordinary. It follows Lyra Silvertongue about ten years after the events of His Dark Materials. It’s definitely not a children’s book, though. I highly recommended for ages 13+.
Orfeo, Richard Powers (384 pages) This retelling of Orpheus through a realist fictional account of a contemporary composer dabbling in biological experiments runs the gamut. I prized this book especially for the lengthy prose descriptions of many of the great 20th century compositions.
Songs of Starlight, Brian Andreas (120 pages) No reading year is complete without poetry, and this was my favorite of 2019. Brian Andreas describes his writing not as poetry, but as stories, and they are accompanied by his beautiful drawings and paintings. Regardless of what you call it, his words carry the weight, depth, and inspiration of great poetry and never fails to lift my spirits.
Every year I am surprised by what books speak to me, and by what books I’m not thinking about even a few months later. I hope you find some books among this list that speak to you!
Note: Where possible, I’ve included affiliate links above to Indiebound, which is a way to support your local independent bookstore. I might receive a slight commission if you purchase in this way, which will go towards maintaining this site.