Our Top Books of 2020

Image courtesy of @olesichka via Unsplash.

We’re all about developing our knowledge here at NSC, and we love a good book.

And due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic of 2020, we’ve had plenty of time to read a lot of books!

So in this article, we’re unpacking all of our top books of 2020, so you’ve got lots of reading material for 2021 – we’ll note next to each book which of our team read it, so you know who the review is coming from.

Let’s go.

Quick disclaimer: the links to each of these books are affiliate links, so no extra cost to you, but a little dollar for us in the bank – every little helps!

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Sh#t Your Ego Says by James McCrae
(read by Dean)

I won’t lie to you, I never really got self-help books.

To me, they all seem the same, with the same sort of advice, rarely inciting any real engagement or action from the reader.

I’m sure the majority are written with the best of intentions, but if it’s anything like ‘The Secret’, chances are, I won’t like it.

Then Dean lent me James McCrae’s ‘Sh#t Your Ego Says’, and when I read the title, I started to think that maybe this book wasn’t like the others.

“Sh#t Your Ego Says’ initially reads as a sort of autobiography of James McCrae and his struggles at the beginning – from a successful advertising executive, suddenly becoming homeless, jobless, and with little money – and, instead of lashing out at the world, he focuses his energies on himself.

I appreciated the no-nonsense approach, the personal element, and the practical guidelines on how to defeat your own self-deprecating, sabotaging Ego.

Now, when I feel beaten down, exhausted, or hopeless about the future (thanks a lot, anxiety and depression), I take a few moments to breathe, remind myself of that I have, and that I genuinely am dictating how I live my life – no-one else.

I focus on the ‘me’ that I want to be, the ‘me’ that knows how to live the life I want to live, without comparing myself to others.

The book teaches you that it’s up to you, and you alone, to change your life, if you’re not happy with it.

Happiness is subjective, and we all have different definitions of what makes us happy and complete.

Buy ‘Sh#t Your Ego Says’ here for £5.49 (usual RRP £10.99)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
(read by Tassia)

It’s 2020, and racism is still an issue around the world.

The problem of racism (both systemic and social) isn’t just confined to America, it’s rife everywhere, especially in Britain – there’s no denying it, it’s a fact.

So I’ve decided to educate myself more on racism, and what it’s like to be a person of colour in a society that runs on white privilege.

As a white person who grew up and lived in predominantly white places, I don’t have much experience outside of my racial bubble, but I want to learn, so I can see when my white privilege comes into play, and understand more about how race can mpact someone’s perception of other people, and themselves.

I chose to start my non-white education with Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book, ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’ because it shone a light on race relations in Britain, rather than America – there’s a lot going on in the US at the moment, but I didn’t want to lose sight of the fact that the UK is mired in racism.

Eddo-Lodge’s frank style of writing is blunt. And I’m grateful for that – for too long, the black history of Britain has been pushed down and silenced, in favour of our pithy ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ obsession with Winston-era wartime, mugs of tea, and obsession with fish ‘n’ chips.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter ‘Fear of a Black Planet’, where (somehow) Eddo-Lodge managed to snatch an interview with Nick Griffin. 

Yes, that Nick Griffin – previous leader of the BNP, charged with distributing material likely to incite racial hatred in the mid-00s. 

In this chapter, he initially declines a face-to-face interview in London, stating that “it’s largely a foreign country”, and agrees to a telephone interview – honestly, you have to read this chapter for yourself, it’s reason alone to read this book!

Eddo-Lodge also expertly describes the idea of intersectional feminism – that is, feminism that impacts people who experience other kinds of oppression or inequality, such as black women, LGBTQI+ women, disabled women, or non-binary persons (please note, reader, this is not, by any means, a definitive list):

“America, with its grid-like road system… was the right place for the birth of this metaphor [of intersectionality]. Every person knows of a place where all the roads meet. A place where there’s no longer one distinct road, but instead a very particular spot, a space that merges all of the roads leading up to it. Black women… were proof that the roads didn’t run parallel, but instead crossed over each other frequently.”

These crossroads are where intersections lie – being a white feminist is akin, in some ways, to being a male feminist.

There are ways in which the patriarchal, Western system can benefit you, whilst bringing down others.

The issue is not in your benefiting from the system, but from it being at the expense of others.

I’m not lying when I say that this book has changed my perception of race in Britain (and further afield).

For those of you who want to continue your own self-reflective and societally-reflective journeys of discovery with regards to race relations, I can’t recommend this book enough.

Buy ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race’ here for £7.00 (usual RRP £8.99)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

How to Launch a Brand by Fabian Geyrhalter, Finien
(read by Dean)

Simply put, if you’re launching a brand, or a re-brand, this book has everything you need to know.

It’s full of actionable points so you know exactly what to do to make your brand stick, and stay memorable to your target audience.

The whole book is full of easy-to-follow frameworks supported with relevant case studies.

All the contents are split into bite-sized chunks, ideal for short bursts of reading, when you don’t have much time to spare.

Since first reading ‘How to Launch a Brand’, I have referenced, recommended, and reused its contents over and over in a range of projects, so it’s well worth the investment.

Check out Fabian’s other books: ‘Bigger Than This’ and ‘The Brand Therapy Book’, and his interviews on The Futur’s Youtube channel.

Buy ‘How to Launch a Brand’ here for £15.99 (usual RRP £16.95)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Do the F*cking Work by Jason Bacher, Brian Buirge and Jason Richburg
(read by Dean)

Here’s one for creatives who need a kick up the butt, and a jolt of inspiration.

There’s not really any excuse not to do the work you want to do – if you really want to do it, succeed, and grow, you can always find a way, even if it’s not an obvious or ‘easy’ solution.

The trio’s no-nonsense approach to their book means you get clear, direct advice to inspire you to… do the f*cking work.

We’ve been long time fans of Good Fucking Design Advice, and when we discovered they were working on a book, it went straight on our reading list.

It certainly didn’t disappoint!

Complete with beautiful design and powerful messaging, this book really is f*cking awesome!

There’s a great range of topics to get you fired up and so you can unleash your creativity.

Don’t be fooled by the title: this book is perfect for anyone looking for blunt advice or a big kick up the ass to get started (or finished) on a project.

Buy ‘Do the F*cking Work’ here for £18.32 (usual RRP £20.00)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
(read by Tassia)

If you’re looking for an inspirational, motivational story to reignite that spark in you, this is the book you’re looking for.

Elaine’s story of her career is astounding, and a true testament to being your authentic self, and being successful because you are allowing yourself to be who you truly are, rather than being who society expects you to be.

Throughout her career, Elaine faced barriers, falling into two groups of oppression as a Black woman.

Her career path is an inspiration to people of all races, all backgrounds, and all gender identities, proving that you can defy the odds, you are deserving of your space, and you are enough.

‘More Than Enough’ follows Elaine throughout her life: her childhood, and the realisation that “race was a Thing” from the whitewashed models in magazines; her teenage years and ‘First Love’; exploring her Blackness as a biracial person in college, and White supremacy even amongst the Black community; her first job in journalism at Ebony, a magazine focused on Black news, culture, and entertainment; and her career journey to Editor-in-Chief at Teen Vogue, truly stepping into her own and being herself.

Ultimately, Elaine’s lesson throughout the autobiography is to be yourself and allow yourself to be wherever you are.

Societal norms are being challenged every day, more and more, and you can be the one to challenge them, claiming space for yourself.

No matter your age, race, gender identity, you can be happy, you can be present, and you are enough.

“Sometimes just being yourself is the radical act.
When you occupy space in systems that weren’t built for you,
your authenticity is your activism.”

Buy ‘More Than Enough’ here for £11.55 (usual RRP £14.99)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Don’t Read This Book by Donald Roos
(read by Dean)

Struggling with time management?
Looking to improve your focus, or your ability to make sound choices in the daily creative grind?

Ignore its title, and read this book!

‘Don’t Read This Book’ is split into easily referenced sections: life, work, and projects.

Each section covers a range of topics, like defining life goals, writing better emails and streamlining your project work.

With a blend of punchy design layouts, little doodles and tonnes of honest insights, this book is another must-read.

If you’re new to freelancing, or starting a new business or side hustle, this book will help you manage your time better.

The book has sections to fill in, tailoring the ideas and frameworks to your own needs and circumstances.

After reading this book, your productivity will reach dizzying new heights!

Buy ‘Don’t Read This Book’ here for £9.55 (usual RRP £12.99)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
(read by Tassia)

Continuing my lockdown race education, I picked up a copy of Robin DiAngelo’s ‘White Fragility’.

‘White Fragility’ is written by a white person, Robin DiAngelo, for white people, and while Robin prefaces the book by saying “I can argue that racism is deeply complex and nuanced, and given this, we can never consider our learning to be complete or finished”, she has done a great deal of research and learning for this book – it’s a great place to start if you want to learn more about the problem of racism in our society.

As we near the close of 2020, we need to remind ourselves of two things: 

1, Racism didn’t just pop up overnight, nor did the Black Lives Matter movement; and,
2, The problem of racism isn’t solved because we took down a couple of statues.

We need to keep up this energy to combat racism and tear down its systemic roots. 

We, as white people, need to take responsibility for racism in our society, as it’s biased towards us.

Letting other people in doesn’t mean shutting ourselves out, and giving rights to others doesn’t mean taking our own away.

Robin’s book is a must-read for anyone who believes in equality or equity, and for white people who want to educate themselves on why the topic of racism makes them feel uneasy, because, hey, you’re not alone, and there’s a reason for that.

One of my favourite parts of ‘White Fragility’ was Robin’s explanation of why a ‘colour blind’ approach to life doesn’t work in practice: if you can’t see race, you can’t see racism.

Claiming that you don’t ‘see’ the colour of someone’s skin (unless you have a visual impairment) is inaccurate – if you can see, you will see that someone is black, there’s no two ways about it.

“Pretending that she did not notice that he was black… denied his reality – indeed, it refused his reality – and kept hers insular and unchallenged. This pretence that she did not notice his race assumed that he was ‘just like her’, and in so doing, she projected her reality onto him… ‘I feel welcome at work so you must too’.”

Robin’s style of writing informs and educates the reader without being patronising – as someone who hasn’t had a negative experience of the impact of systemic racism, to another person with the same (or similar) experiences.

It’s about holding up a mirror to ourselves, both individually and as a society, and staring straight into those parts that make us feel uncomfortable – in that discomfort is something we need to change.

We need to do better and be better in the fight against racism, and this book is a good place to start.

“Race will influence whether we will survive our birth, 
where we are most likely to live, which schools we will attend, 
who our friends and partners will be, what careers we will have, 
how much money we will earn, how healthy we will be, 
and even how long we can expect to live...
My goal is to make visible how one aspect of white sensibility 
continues to hold racism in place: white fragility.”

Buy ‘White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism’ here for £4.99

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Design is Storytelling by Ellen Lupton
(read by Dean)

We all love a good story, and design is full of them.

Good, bad, or indifferent, everything has been designed and everything has a story.

I’m fascinated by how design and storytelling crosses over, and this book opened my eyes to a whole range of new ideas and insights to explore in my own work.

This book is full of amazing narrative techniques and frameworks for you to use in your own projects, for graphics, products, apps, and experiences.

If you love deep dives into the psychology of colours, consumer behaviour, or the chemistry of what makes great design, you need this book.

It’s not just a passive read, there are plenty of tools and frameworks you can use to amplify the power of your own storytelling. 

As it says on the back of the book:
“Use this book to stir emotions, build empathy, and convey actions; to construct narrative arcs and create path through space; to evaluate a project’s storytelling power.”

If you're looking to create better resonating designs for people, grab a copy of this book now to find out how your work can be improved with storytelling.

Buy ‘Design is Storytelling’ here for £10.39 (usual RRP £14.95)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Tribe of Mentors by Timothy Ferriss
(read by Dean)

When facing life’s questions, who do you turn to for advice?

That’s the question Tim Ferris asked on the back of this book… obviously, the answer is: tribe of mentors!

Tim has done all the legwork for you in this book, interviewing over a hundred mentors, asking a series of ‘Inside the Actor’s Studio’ style questions, so you can compare answers and find common solutions to try in your own lives.

Each chapter is full of insightful and candid nuggets of wisdom for success, happiness and meaning.

No matter your situation, somewhere in this book is the answer!

Ever wondered what Dr. Brene Brown does when she feels overwhelmed or unfocused?
Or what Ben Stiller’s unusual habit is, or the absurd thing he loves?
Or how has Debbie Millan’s failure, or apparent failure, set her up for success later on?

The book is also scattered with Tim’s ‘Quotes I am Pondering’ , which serve as great reminders to take a quick break to grab another cup of tea, ready for your next reading session, so you don’t get too carried away!

This book is perfect to keep by your bed for a nightly reading session before sleep, so you can mull over the ideas subconsciously.

Buy ‘Tribe of Mentors’ here for £12.65 (usual RP £16.99)

Image courtesy of @jessbaileydesigns via Unsplash.

Pocket full of Do by Chris Do
(read by Dean)

When Chris Do mentioned he was writing a book, I knew I had to have it.

I was in early signing up to the pledge via Kickstarter, a few months later, it was in my hands – well worth the wait!

I’ve already read it twice, and I’ve been making nudenotes on my third read through - stay tuned for these soon!

It goes without saying that this book is beautifully designed, printed in two spot colours, so the information jumps off the page and into your brain.

Chris has distilled all his knowledge and wisdom into precise, bite-sized chunks, so you know there’s not a word out of place or not needed.

The book is split into seven sections, covering everything from creativity to beliefs, and marketing to pricing, plus everything in-between. 

If you can’t have a Chris Do in your daily life, this is a great alternative.

If you're looking to shake up your perceptions and re-wire your mindset, this is a must-read.

Buy ‘Pocket Full of Do’ here for $34.95, direct from The Futur.

That’s all for this list – it’s not too late to get in a quick order for Christmas for some last-minute gift ideas for your favourite creatives or business owners. 

We hope this list inspires you to pick up a new book, and read something new.

Our list is already filling up with lots of books for 2021, but if there’s anything else you have to recommend us – whether it’s creative, business-focused, or just plain entertaining, we’d love to hear from you, so let us know your top books of 2020 in the comments below.

Happy reading, everyone, and bring on 2021!