Reading for My Life: The Books that Got Me Through 2020

by Randy Kaufman, with research assistance from Dustin Lowman

At the end of any normal year, I often send my friends, family, and colleagues the best gift I can think of: books, accompanied by delicious cookies when possible. Books have shaped my consciousness as much as (if not more than) any other singular experience — from the philosophy books I read for my undergraduate degree; to the behavioral finance books I’ve read to better understand the subconscious motivations of investors and donors; to the novels and memoirs I’ve read to enrich my understanding of the sentimental side of life; to the history books and biographies I’ve read to better understand the past; books have truly made me who I am.

But in this most abnormal year, instead of sending books, I thought I’d do the next best thing: share my journey through 2020 by sharing the books I’ve read, when I read them, and why I needed them. This was a relatively light year for me, books-wise at least. But there were a few standout selections, which I’ve listed below.

One more thing before I say goodbye until 2021. As I wrote in a previous post, my favorite color, orange, was tarnished during the Trump era. To me, orange has always signified joy, kindness, and peace. I refuse to let Donald Trump’s influence besmear my favorite color. Having unseated the tyrant, my pledge for 2021 is to return orange (and our country) to its former glory — a symbol of goodness and light. Please join me in bringing orange back.

With grit, grace and growth much of the time, and gratitude always, I thank you for your friendship and your support, and wish you good health, peace and joy in the coming year.

I present to you my 2020, this chaotic year, Randy’s favorite books in a time of Coronavirus.