I have finished 12 books in 12 months in 2018. Here’s my 3 favourite books and why.

I’m a slow reader.
Like sloth slow.
Like super slow-mo slow.
Really, I AM A SLOW READER.
There, you have it in full uppercase and bold.
Haha. I feel satisfied.

Reading books was never consider ‘my thing’ to do. The first book I completed in my entire life, except Peter and Jane book, is Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson, with 656 pages, took me 4 months to finish reading. That’s like 5 pages a day. After 5 pages, every line I’m reading will be read as ‘twinkle twinkle little stars’. I will be asleep like a baby.

Reading transformation. Physical book → eBook → audiobook. The lady is Susan Bennett, the voice behind Apple Siri.

My reading transformation from books to eBook to audiobook

Technology is amazing, isn’t it? You can download ebook and read wherever you go. In your freaking holiday, whip out your gadget and bam! You start reading. I have a couple of them in iBooks and you know what I did? I used Siri’s Text-to-Speech features and start listening to sexy monotone voice on my books. Brilliant right? I’m smart like that. Don’t jelly. Combined with my stingy Chinese DNA, I download pirate copy of the book PDF, convert to ePub, import into my iBooks then download into my iPhone. I can hear my ancestor whispering down from above, “Damn son, you made us proud”.

Then comes Audible. *Cue the holy angel high pitch tune* I strongly recommend anyone who have high commuting hours to subscribe it. Here’s my referral code audible.com/peterisawesome. No lah! You think everything got referral promotion? Stingy fella.

Audible have made my audio book listening a much better experience. They have massive collection plus they have Audible exclusive. It’s the same like Netflix exclusive, where content are made only for the platform. With $14.95 monthly, you get 1 credit monthly and 2 Audible originals to pick. 1 credit equal to 1 book. The only part I hate is certain audiobook only sold in certain countries. The cheat way to get these books is change your credit card address to that country address and purchase.

Now, the real deal, my 3 favourite books in 2018.

This list is based on my interest in particular book genres. More toward biography, self development and business. In no particular order, here are them.

I Can’t Make This Up by Kevin Hart

Kevin is hilarious AF. He have taken audiobook to the next level. If you are thinking you will get his personal story in this audiobook, you are wrong. What you will get is an entertainment joy ride. He even add extra lines into this Audible Exclusive. Super funny. From time to time, he will say stuff that is not in the book. Sometime he will just burst out laughing. Uncut. How the hell you will get this level of entertainment if you read the book in your head? You are not even rolling on the floor when you type ROFL. Don’t lie. I saw many people typed LOL without even a smirk on their face. This is the book that made me search for book ‘read by author’ category. It carries extra weight, if the story is told by the author. It’s very different from my past experience listening to Siri, where Siri have one flat excitement level on every book. I still love you Siri.

My verdict:
★★★★★
I don’t even know why I set 5 stars, but screw it. My way. Pfft.

Who should read this:
People who love comedy.

What I’ve learned:
It’s ok to be the class clown in class. Work hard, keep your head to the ground.

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

I know this book through her other Audible Original, Kick Ass. It’s another great book filled with real life coaching sessions. In this 5 Second Rule book, she shared what happened in her life, how she found and tested this 5 seconds theory and how other people are using them. It gets repetitive near the end because you kinda get how it’ll end. Despite the granny ending, I have tested the 5 second rule, and it works. In the morning, counting down 5 second rule and instantly, I’m up. My whole body up, you silly naughty mind. The first few tries I was thinking ‘Huh? It’s this simple?’. It really is that simple. Been doing for weeks and I’m still practising. Sometime it will be 10 second rule, and even 1 hour rule. Haha!

My verdict:
★★★★★
Why am I even giving these stars? Of coz they will be 5 stars or else they won’t be top favourites. Ok, I will stop giving stars on the third book review.

Who should read this:
Procrastinator.

What I’ve learned:
Less overthink. Beat the doubt in 5 seconds and take action.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

From the talented co-founders of Basecamp, this is the fourth book from Jason and David. I became their fan instantly after Rework book and I still remember until today their statement, planning is guessing. The way they counter that is, ship and change. Love it. This latest book center around the calm concept in work environment. They published pieces of content throughout the time prior to this book. And most of the stuff is already everywhere online. This book serves as reminder from time to time, that really, it doesn’t have to be crazy at work. I realised it’s not for everyone as there will be people going crazy at work and that’s how they operate the best.

My verdict:
★★★★★
Whatever!! 1 star. 5 stars. Honey Stars. It’s a great book. Go read.

Who should read this:
People who always uptight or kancheong (Cantonese) in work.

What I’ve learned:
Everyone have 60 minutes. But everyone have different quality 60 minutes.

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So that’s it, folks!

Hope this triggers some of your itchy backside and go pick them up to read. For those who always think reading is not your thing or have been avoiding reading, try another way. Try listening to audiobook. You might like reading in the end.

2018 completed book list

Kevin Hart - I Can’t Make This Up
Trevor Noah - Born A Crime
Justin Trudeau - Common Ground
Tiffany Haddish - The Last Black Unicorn
Ellen DeGeneres - Seriously, I’m Kidding
Dale Carnegie - How to Win Friends & Influence People
Mel Robbins - Kick Ass
David Spades - A Polaroid Guy in a Snapchat World
Mel Robbins - The 5 Second Rule
Stephen R. Covey - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson - It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz - Sprint

Not all books are great, or suited my interest. I like biography but not so much for politician after going through biography books from Mahathir, Justin Trudeau and Michelle Obama.

So much more to learn and I already have lots of great books in line for 2019. While commuting, I’m also watching certain content from YouTube especially from The Futur channel. Found a way to put my phone onto my dashboard perfectly while traffic jamming. Drive safe people. Don’t play video that rely heavily on visual during driving.

2019 book list - (recommended by)

Becoming - Michelle Obama
Amy Morin - 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do
Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant - Option B (Mel Robbins)
Paulo Coelho - The Alchemist (Mel Robbins)
Malcolm Gladwell - The Tipping Point (Ying Ying)
Jackie Chan, Zhu Mo - Never Grow Up
Scott Belsky - Making Ideas Happen
Jim Collins - Good to Great (Reza)
Grant Cardone - The 10X Rule
Simon Sinek - Start with Why (Sophea)

Do you have a die-die-must-read book to recommend? Share to me in the comment box below and probably a sentence why you like it and I will put them into my book list.

Posted on 16 January 2019