*Sigh.* I had a goal to read 32 books in 2020 since I read 31 in 2018 and 31 again in 2019. But then 2020 happened... and I got totally off track. I ended the year with 19 books. Before 2020, I often did most of my reading on the commute to and from work, plus I had book club to push me forward. When all of this paused, so did my reading, and I just never found the push to read in my free time. Did this happen to anyone else? Hopefully 2021 will be better for reading!
Find 2020 highlights below, or take a look back on my 2018 Year in Books and 2019 Year in Books.
Favorite Book: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis: This is a story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama. But even more it’s a story about idiots, because the bank robber isn't really a bank robber and the hostages are the worst hostages ever.
Thoughts: You walk into a pool of blood, some cigarette smoke, plastic wrapped pizza, and a rabbit head and you have a giant lump on your forehead. Why is every character in a state of complete pandemonium and why is this book talking to me?! Can any hostage just answer a question with a simple yes or no?! Apparently not. Can someone please explain why there’s blood on the floor? Of course not. Backman just writes the chaos so well (and let’s not forget this is well-written chaos that’s also well-translated from Swedish). These characters were some of the most complex characters I’d ever read - I just wanted more chaos together.
A New Favorite Author: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Romance, Drama
Synopsis: Old Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo, has decided now is the time to reveal all the secrets to her glamorous and scandalous life. But why has she chosen unknown reporter Monique Grant for the job?
Thoughts: I wanted to say Seven Husbands was surprisingly deep, but I just looked back on the review I wrote for One True Loves (the only other Taylor Jenkins Reid book I’ve read) and I also called that book surprisingly deep, so I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that Seven Husbands also fell into this category. There were a lot of different issues the author carefully touches upon, such as ethnicity, abuse, LGBT rights, sexism, friendship, romance, etc., all under the gilded guise of a historical Hollywood novel.
Guilty Pleasure: One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
Genre: Rom-com
Synopsis: Bea, a plus-size fashion blogger, is stunned when the producer for a reality-TV dating show asks her to be it's next big star. Bea agrees, under the guise of inspiring women, but she doesn't expect the journey to actually result in love.
Thoughts: Do you like The Bachelor? Do you need an easy breezy book to get you out of a reading funk? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then I think you should read this book! It may not have the most believable plot or the most likable characters (but then again, neither does The Bachelor), but in the moment, it was a 5 star book because A) it got me out of my reading funk during the coronavirus summer blues and B) provided me all the dramatic trashy television vibes during the Great Bachelor Drought of 2020.
Tactfully Touches on Social Issues: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Social Commentary
Synopsis: Emira, a Black babysitter for a wealthy white family, finds herself accused of kidnapping. A video of the confrontation goes viral, and Alix, Emira's employer, decides it is her responsibility to make the situation right. The relationship between Emira and Alex raises questions of race, class, and privilege.
Thoughts: I really don't enjoy reading a polemic book that beats you over the head with an issue, but in Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid writes a super readable narrative that hooks you in, makes you smirk, and then comments on our society. I really appreciate the blurry boundaries she dances with and the multi-dimensional characters she portrays. It made the story feel real since nothing in life is ever completely black or white, it's all some sort of grey area. Read this if you're interested in a light and breezy book that tackles tough topics in today's society.
Most Triumphant: Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Genre: Memoir
Synopsis: Emily Doe was sexually assaulted by Brock Turner. Emily Doe gave voice to survivors in a statement to Buzzfeed. Now, Chanel Miller reclaims her identity in this powerful memoir. Know her name.
Thoughts: Her book speaks for itself. Her anger at being angry, her rage that she had to activate but not let cripple, her resilience that required rest, her smiles despite suffering, her being okay with not being okay. She is all of us.
Fastest Page Turner: The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Genre: Mystery Whodunnit?
Synopsis: Guests are getting ready to celebrate the wedding of the year on a remote island in Ireland. But by the end of the night, someone is dead. Who is dead? But more importantly who did it, and why?
Thoughts: Who doesn't love a classic, big-fancy-wedding, ensemble-cast, whodunnit? This is a quick read that gives off creepier Big Little Lies vibes.
Biggest Disappointment: Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Synopsis: After her husband walks out on her, Louise meets David at a bar. David seems perfect, except when she realizes he's her new and married boss. At the same time, Louise secretly befriends David's wife, Adele. Louise becomes entangled in David and Adele's marriage, wondering what terrible secrets they are keeping.
Thoughts: I don't feel too bad about giving Behind Her Eyes a bad review, because many people rave about this book and it's unpredictable WTF ending. Yes, it is unpredictable, but not before the giant downhill slide. It's like having your mouth all set for a T-bone steak and it morphs right on the grill into a shape-shifting slice of frozen pizza. I'd like a refund, please.
Best Book to go in Blind: The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin
Genre: Dark Fairytale
Synopsis: You know the part of the story where Prince Charming finally finds Cinderella and they live happily ever after... yeah, not so much. 13 years after marrying her prince, Cinderella plucks 13 hairs off his head in exchange for a curse to end her misery and her marriage - murdering the heir apparent.
Thoughts: This book was, dare I say... charming? Definitely the oddest yet most compelling book I’ve picked up this year. Cinderella’s story definitely is bizarre, and the writing itself reflects that. Think poetic-meets-run-on-sentences, a meandering river a bit hard to follow. And just wait until about three quarters in when the fairy tale morphs into something completely, ahem, out of this world... This book comes out January 12, 2021!
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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