Everything I Read in 2020
Of the few bright spots offered by this godforsaken year, reading more was one of them. Without the distraction of, you know, a job and a social life, suddenly I had time to dive into all the books I’d been meaning to read. Looking back on the stack of completed and in-progress books I gathered up for this Instagram post, I feel proud. I may not have learned another language or mastered the art of baking sourdough, but I did get back in the habit of reading and I feel good about that. it’s a habit I’m looking forward to bringing into the new year.
I’ve rounded up all the books I read this year below (in no particular order) with a few thoughts on each. I’m no book critic – I like what I like and I dislike what I dislike. And it should be said that my tastes vary widely – I’ll read just about anything as long as it engages me. I started the year with a heavy focus on true crime, but after Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me (good, heavy), needed to take a break. And moved on to some other genres.
What was the best book you read in 2020? The worst? Any you’re excited to read in the year to come? I’m looking forward to using the NPR Book Concierge to find some new and unexpected titles in the year to come, but one of my favorite ways of finding new-to-me books to read is to browse the used books at our local bookstores.
So, without further ado, here’s what was on my nightstand throughout 2020”
A note on the links below - they all go to Bookshop.org, where you can purchase directly from independent bookstores - not Amazon
Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith: This is what I’m currently reading and expect to finish up by New Year’s Eve. I generally love anything Patti Smith does – whether it’s art, poetry, her books, music… whatever – and this book is no exception. A little surreal, I find myself relating to it in a strange way. The way she exists on her own and just seems to wander – I get the sense that many introverts could relate to her and this particular book.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami: This was a quick but enjoyable read, and one I imagine most runners or writers would enjoy. As I’ve built my own running routine back up this year (I run far shorter distances than the author), I’ve found that I really like reading about other’s running routines and what they mean to the authors. This book was an interesting view into how Murakami’s running routine tied to his writing routine. I liked it.
Euphoria by Lily King: I found this tucked inside a local “little free library” and picked it up. It was interesting, especially having known very little about it beforehand, save for the description on the back. Liked it.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah: I’m not super familiar with Trevor Noah, save for a few clips I’ve seen online (this isn’t me being like “oh I don’t watch T.V”. - I just didn’t know much about him before randomly picking up this book). I enjoy his comedy but don’t watch the show he’s on. That said, I really enjoyed this view into his upbringing and a world that’s completely and totally different than my own.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: Look, I know a lot of people LOVE this book. But I am not one of those people. I had high hopes knowing so many loved it but I found it too simple and didn’t enjoy the way the author spoke to the reader. It felt condescending.
Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin: This was another random selection that I grabbed used right before the pandemic hit. It was a little spooky, but not overly so, and I found the coastal visuals to be engaging. It didn’t blow me away, but I liked it.
Educated by Tara Westover: I understand there’s been some controversy over the factualness of this book and Tara’s story - but either way, it was gripping and incredibly interesting.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid: I LOVED this book - so much so that I didn’t want it to end. I thought the character development was excellent and the storyline was super engaging. I read it in three nights!
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen: I picked this up used and didn’t realize I had just finished another book by the same author duo. It was engaging but honestly a little predictable and I’m not sold on the dual-author thing.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen: This was the other book I read by the same authors. I thought this one was more engaging but I was extremely annoyed by the twist – there’s a twist and you won’t see it coming, but you also might be annoyed too.
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker by Derick Lugo: I LOVED this book. The author is light and funny but touched on some important points, like race and how the hiking community is seen as a predominantly white space. if you enjoy hiking and the outdoors, I highly recommend this one. Derick’s also a good follow on Instagram.
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood: Atwood is so much more than A Handmaid’s Tale! I’d had this book for a while but picked it up after watching the Alias Grace Netflix series (recommended). I always love a chance to compare/contrast between a book and a show or movie - and if you enjoyed the show, I highly recommend you read the book. Not surprisingly the book is better, but it can get a little dry at times. Still really good and a little creepy.
There There by Tommy Orange: Another book that offered insight into a world I’ll never know, Tommy Orange writes about the different lives of people headed to an Indian pow-wow in Oakland, CA. I really enjoyed this one, but just wished there was more – There were so many characters, I wanted to read more about each person involved.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett: This was, by far, my favorite book of the year. It was SO GOOD and I’m still astounded by the amount of character development Bennett managed to pack into a book that focused on a number of different perspectives. I’m looking forward to reading her other book, The Mothers, in the coming year.
Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered by Georgia Hardstark & Karen Kilgariff: If you’re a fan of My Favorite Murder, you’ll like this one. It jumps around a bit, but I enjoyed it and as always, the two are funny while also relaying frank information. A fun and quick read.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: I found this randomly on my dad and step-mother’s bookshelf and borrowed it – and liked it. Fantasy (I’d count this as fantasy) isn’t a genre I read often but this was a fun and different read for me and offered a little escapism.
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule: I’d heard so much about Ann Rule and this book (mostly through MFM) and it was, indeed, excellent. But I also found that by the end of it I just didn’t want to read about horrible things anymore. Great if you love true crime and Rule is indeed an excellent writer.
The Killer Across the Table by John E. Douglas & Mark Olshaker: If you liked Mindhunter or are into true-crime, you’ll likely really enjoy this one. Douglas is a legendary FBI criminal profiler and the inspiration behind Mindhunter. While incredibly dark at times, I really liked this one.
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann: (In progress) I usually have a few books going at once, and this is one of them. This book is, essentially, 1040 pages of a run-on sentence and not for the faint of heart. I’ve taken my time with this one because I have a feeling I know where it’s headed and I’m not sure my heart can take it.
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James: (In progress) Another one I have going - and honestly I’ve heard great things about this book but I’m having a hard time getting into it. So far, it’s pretty brutal.
