Inspiration

The Seven Best Books I Read in 2020

The Seven Best Books I Read in 2020

I love taking time in December to look back at all the books I’ve read during the year.

As in years past, I set out with a book list, and then I changed my mind as I discovered books in the library (pre-COVID!) and books came recommended by friends. Also, as the world shifted and changed this year, I looked for books to reflect that.

This year, I read 27 books (not counting the ones I started and didn’t finish).

Looking for book recommendations for 2021? Today, I’m sharing the seven best books I read in 2020, along with a brief description of what I liked about each one:

The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity: What I Learned from Keith Sawyer's "Zig Zag"

The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity: What I Learned from Keith Sawyer's "Zig Zag"

Last summer, I discovered a book one day that piqued my curiosity while browsing in the OverDrive app (side note: do you know about this? It’s a way to check out eBooks and audiobooks from your local library.)

The book was Zig Zag: The Surprising Path to Greater Creativity by Keith Sawyer.

I’m always interested in learning more about the creative process and gleaning insight into our creative processes as musicians, thinkers, educators, and creators, and when I found out that Keith Sawyer was not only a scientific expert on creativity but also a jazz pianist, I couldn’t wait to start reading.

Seven Things to Read, Watch, or Listen to This Week

Seven Things to Read, Watch, or Listen to This Week

Two times a year, I pull together a handful of articles, books, videos, and podcast episodes that are inspiring me lately so I can share them with you.

Because when life gets turned upside-down and you find yourself trying to make sense of it all, sometimes a deep breath and a fresh dose of inspiration goes a long way.

I don’t know about you, but I love hearing about what others are reading or listening to or watching, even more during these uncertain times.

This must be the strangest Holy Week we’ve ever experienced. Sanctuaries are empty. Services are slimmed down for streaming or recording. Choir members are singing from their living rooms.

We are learning so much from one another right now and it’s helping me feel grounded and connected during this unsettling time.

If you’re here today, I hope you find something in this post that inspires and motivates you to keep doing good work.

,

23 Books to Read in 2020 (2020 Book List)

,
23 Books to Read in 2020 (2020 Book List)

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I like to start each year with a book list—a collection of books that I’d like to read (knowing that I usually discover other books throughout the year that I’ll add in).

I used to be a strict one-book-at-a-time reader, but last year, I found that I enjoyed reading two at a time—a nonfiction/business/health book for mornings or pockets of free time during the day and a novel/memoir for reading at night.

I always try to choose books from a few different categories:

Business
Health & Lifestyle
Spiritual
Relationships
Fiction
Personal/Intellectual
Nonfiction/Memoir

This helps me be intentional about the books I choose to read and ensure some diversity (so I don’t end up reading only one type of book!).

Without further ado, here is my book list for 2020:

Five Things to Read, Watch, or Listen To This Week

Five Things to Read, Watch, or Listen To This Week

It’s that time of the year when we all start to feel a little weary.

There’s music to rehearse and gifts to wrap, appetizers to make and cookies to bake, traditions to carry on and a few last-minute gifts to purchase (does Amazon deliver on Christmas Eve?!).

It’s easy to forget the reason for the season and become overwhelmed by our calendars, commitments, and the chaos of the season.

But that’s not what Advent and Christmas are about. It’s a time of waiting, of patient expectation, of stillness and quiet and peace.

The Six Best Books I Read in 2019

The Six Best Books I Read in 2019

One of my favorite things to do in December is to look back at all the books I read during the year.

I set out with a book list, like I do every year, and then changed my mind as I came across books in the library and in church basement sales, books that came recommended by friends.

I used to set a goal to read 10 books in a year, then I worked my way up to 12. Last year, I read 16 books and this year, I read 31! Now, for those of you who read 50+ books a year, this may not be very impressive, but I hope it’s encouraging for those of you who want to read more that you can teach yourself how to be a better reader, little by little.

Today, I want to share the six best books I read in 2019, along with a brief description of what I liked about each one:

7 Books to Read This Summer

7 Books to Read This Summer

Summer is the perfect time for a new book (or three).

I love having a book with me when I fly or hop in the car for a long road trip, but also the everyday times like sitting by the pool or lake on a hot summer day or curled up in the sunroom on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I make a book list at the beginning of every year (here’s what I plan to read in 2019, in case you’re curious, like me).

This list will often change a little as I go through the year and pick up books here and there - from the used bookshop on the corner or the annual church rummage sale - or come across a newly-released book that I really want to read; but, I like to begin the year with a list of books (two per month, or so) already picked out so I have some direction.

Looking for a few books to add to your summer reading list? Here are a few of my favorites (+ a couple I’m planning to read myself!):

,

Dear Creative: A Letter for Freelance Musicians

,
Dear Creative: A Letter for Freelance Musicians

Dear Creative,

Life as a musician is beautiful, messy, deeply fulfilling, and complex work.

It starts within—a desire to do work that matters, to make a difference; a yearning for beauty; a spark of creativity. It requires you to take risks, listen, adapt, and live with abandon.

It’s what all artists do, really. We dream, we try, we create, we innovate. 

There will be good days, times when you feel like you are making a difference, creating something beautiful, and truly serving people.

And, like anything in life, there will be hard days mixed in, as well.

Six Things to Read, Watch, or Listen to This Week

Six Things to Read, Watch, or Listen to This Week

It’s that time of year: full schedules, full to-do lists; trying to keep up, show up, live up to expectations; rushing a little more, relaxing a little less. 

You know the feeling.

Often, they’re subtle changes—choices we don’t even realize we’re making until we find ourselves here: a little more anxious, a little less rested, a little more curt, a little less kind.

Maybe this is the week we give ourselves and those around us an extra measure of grace.

Maybe now is the time to step back, slow down, eliminate the nonessentials and simplify our schedules and hearts and minds.

Because teaching and leading and working from a place of stress doesn’t serve anyone.

,

2019 Book List

,
2019 Book List

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is make a list of books I’d like to read in the year ahead.

If you’ve been following along with me for a while, you know I don’t always get to all the books I have planned (full confession), and sometimes, I deviate from my list in favor of other books that I encounter during the year.

Regardless, I like to begin the year with intention and keep a running list of books that I want to read. (Here are my book lists from 2018, 2017, and 2016, in case you’re curious).

This year, I’m choosing books from seven different categories:

Follow along with my creative work and daily adventures: @ashleydanyew

In honor of #smallbusinesssaturday2024, here are my ✨2025 predictions✨ for musicians and creative entrepreneurs: 1️⃣ Pivoting will still be essential: Flexibility and adaptability will define success—embrace change and be willing to evolve.
 2