I read 60 books in 2020 (the most books I've read in years), which I was pleasantly surprised by because I remember periods where I did not feel like reading and really struggled to concentrate. I guess a global pandemic will do that to you.
Anyway, here are my fave books from last year (all of the ones I gave 5 stars on Goodreads):
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb / One of my fave memoirs of the many I've read! Interesting and felt like a breath of fresh air. Made me want to see a therapist. I listened and the narration was excellent too.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett / I absolutely loved this sprawling story about a house and a family spanning decades. I had never listened to a novel before, but kept seeing rave reviews of this one narrated by Tom Hanks, so I figured if I was ever going to, this would be a good one to try. I loved it! I found myself going for walks just so I could listen to more.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson / An important, heartbreaking book. I saw a NYT review that said it "will make you upset and it will make you hopeful"—that's true. (If you're interested, there's a young adult version too.)
The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball / I thoroughly enjoyed this—so much so that I volunteered to do bedtime with Mabel on nights when it wasn't my turn so I could have more time to listen. Before listening, I wouldn't have said I was interested in farming (but I'm always interested in learning how other people live their lives), and now I'm 50% "I want to be a farmer!" and 50% "I could never be a farmer!" A truly fascinating memoir and the narration was perfect. (I listened to the sequel as well last year and enjoyed it almost as much.)
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett / Loved, loved, loved. It was beautifully written; I found myself highlighting so many sentences. And it had plot points I wasn't expecting which is always a plus for someone like me who is good at predicting what will happen.
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson / Some books should be required reading for everyone; this is one of them.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller / A beautifully written book that shouldn't have needed to be written, but should most definitely be read. (I recommend listening to it as it is read by Chanel.)
28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand / One of my fave Elin novels to date! It made me smile, it made me angry, and it made me cry.
What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer / Beautiful and relatable. I'll be anxiously awaiting Kate's next book of poems.
What were your fave books of 2020?
P.S. My fave books in 2019 and more book reports.
