As I’m sure you’ve seen mentioned a time or two, 2020 was a different year and it affected every aspect of our lives. For me it definitely affected my reading life. I read less than in the past years and listened to far fewer audiobooks, especially in the second half of the year. I also definitely had trouble focusing on books and mostly read fluffy books with happy endings. I normally love memoirs when the author overcomes something great, but didn’t read very many of those this year.
I’ll post the screen shots of all the books I read and then talk a bit about some favorites (in no particular order). Some of these books seem like I read them years ago.
1. White Bird by R.J. Palacio – This is a graphic novel that my older two had read and loved. It’s by the author of Wonder and is the story of Julian’s grandmother in World War II in France. It was heartbreaking and so, so good. It’s on our list to purchase.
2. The Dutch House by Ann Pachett – This book was on every reading list last year and it was great. I listened to the audiobook read by Tom Hanks. It is long and a little slow to get started, but I really enjoyed it. It’s a family drama that takes place over many decades. I’ve heard good things about Ann Pachett for years, but had never read any of her books. I’ll definitely be adding some of her others to my list to read this year.
3. American Royals and Majesty by Katherine McGee – These are totally cheesy, but fun books about the Washingtons if we still had a king and queen and a houseful of teenage royals. Definitely a good escapist read.
4. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger – A beautiful story about a boy and his brother traveling down the Mississippi during the Great Depression. They escape from an Indian School where they have been living since their parents died and are on the run from the authorities most of the book. They meet some wonderful characters along the way.
5. This Promise of Change by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy – Jo Ann was one of twelve students at the first integrated high school in the US South, before Little Rock. It’s told in verse and just so wonderful. While this is a middle grade book, I enjoyed it the most at our house!
6. When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed – This is another middle grade graphic novel that is so well done. Both Eloise and Great enjoyed is immensely and I think they convinced my sister to read it when she was here this summer. Omar and his nonverbal brother are Somalian refugees living in a camp in Kenya. Omar has the opportunity to go to school, but worries about leaving his brother. I love that there are so many wonderful true stories for my girls to learn about the world around us.
7. Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris – This is a followup book to the Tattooist of Auschwitz, which I also read and enjoyed last year. I think I liked Cilka’s story a bit better. Her story takes place in Auschwitz, but the bulk of it takes place in a Soviet gulag, after the war is over.
8. They Went Left by Monica Hesse – As you will notice there are several World War II novels on my list and this is another one. This one takes place mostly after the war has ended and Zofia is searching the continent for her brother, the only member of her family she thinks has survived.
9. Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center – This is just a clean, fun love story about two firefighters. Cassie moves to Boston to help her sick mother and so has to start at the bottom rung in the firehouse again. As you can imagine, she is not very welcome as the only woman in the firehouse and so is put through some torture. I really liked her writing style and have read several books by her since.
10. Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar – I listened to this on audio and it is read by the author, which is my favorite! This book definitely had some graphic (and unnecessary)scenes I skipped over, but it was a fascinating story. The especially interesting thing is that it is part memoir, part fiction (and you really don’t know what is true). It is the story of Akhtar and his father’s journey as Pakistani Americans and whether they truly feel at home in America. It covers many decades and brings up many questions about it means to be an American. It would be a great book club discussion book, so much to talk about.
Did you read anything fabulous this year? Or any of these?
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I really enjoyed This Tender Land! I just finished The Night Diary—a middle grade book and quick read, but I think it’s one you might enjoy based on the other books you have listed 🙂
I was sure that with so many books you had read this year and with me having a banner year we would have to have at least one book in common. And we did! Open book . . .hahaha. Not at all my most intellectual read, but I was curious since I was interested in their relationship as a young person back in the day. But you have many that are on my radar. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve read Chinese Cinderella some time. What a sad testimony to the enduring ties of family. The author never gives up trying to have a relationship with untrustworthy family.
My favorite book this year was Eighty Days about Nellie Bly racing around the world. If you like reading creative nonfiction and like history that explains why inventions and developments are important, it’s a great book for you.
@Rosie — I’ve read Night Diary, I think maybe two years ago. Definitely a great one!
@Jen — I took was fascinated by Nick & Jessica in the early 2000s, so it was interesting to hear her story. Definitely not many on my list that were intellectually challenging, but I mostly read for enjoyment, and last year as a rough one, so lots of fluff!
@MariaE — I’ll check it out, thanks for the recommendation.
I am going to have to check out some of the books you read this past year!
I’m interested in reading more this year, but I hate starting to like a book and finding it’s R-rated when I can only stomach light PG-13. I’m just sensitive. Do you have any recommendations? I enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See, As Bright as Heaven, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn most recently.
The Katherine Center books are pretty good, clean fun books. I also really like Ruta Sepetys’s books. They are all so good and clean. There are definitely some graphic WWII type stuff in some of them, but not R-rated. If you like YA type stuff, Kasie West is my favorite for clean rom-com type books. This Tender Land also was so good, and I don’t remember anything R-rated. Good luck!