I ready more in 2020 than I had in a really long time, and I read some really great books!

A few things before we dive in:

  • I try to keep a diverse bookshelf, because who needs to read another story by/about a wealthy straight white man, amirite? I recommend you do the same when building out your bookshelf!
  • All the links go to One More Page Books, a local-to-me bookshop that is just the best. It’s the kind of bookstore that makes me misty-eyed whenever I enter, just because it’s the perfect place. I dream of owning a bookstore one day, and I want it to be like OMP. They offer curbside pickup, delivery, and shipping options, and they’re just the best people around.
  • While Amazon can be necessary for independent publishers to get their books seen, it’s NOT the best place to buy books (read this or this). Support a local-to-you or black-owned bookstore instead!
  • These books are in the order I read them, not ranked in any way!

Alright, let’s do it!

Free food for millionaires by Min Jin Lee

  • Author of Pachinko, another book I adore that you should definitely read
  • Nice hefty book, beautifully written
  • Good if you want to be sucked into a story with multiple perspectives in one

you were born for this by chani nicholas

  • Unlocking the key to your birth chart
  • Chani is an astrologer I have learned a lot from (she has an app now that’s amazing)
  • Great for personal discovery and as an astrological reference book

interior chinatown by charles yu

  • Parts are written in screenplay style, which is so fun (I love books that play with style)
  • Tells the minority experience in a really beautiful way, this book will stick with you even after you’ve finished it
  • Not too long, but also a book meant to be savored

born a crime by trevor noah

  • Such a powerful memoir, written by a man who is an incredible storyteller
  • You should read this and then watch Son of Patricia
  • TW: brief mentions of apartheid racism

someone who will love you in all your damaged glory by raphael bob-waksberg

  • The author is the creator of Bojack Horseman! 
  • These short stories are wild and great. I don’t know what else to say about them, that pretty much sums it up
  • If you didn’t like Bojack, this might not be the book for you

unmarriageable by soniah kamal

  • A Pakistani reimagining of Pride & Prejudice
  • It’s like reading Jane Austen but better! 
  • A nice length, a good book to power through when you want a nice distraction

sharks in the time of saviors by kawai strong-washburn

  • I am already itching to read this book again!
  • Lyrical, beautiful language, with some beautiful magical realism
  • It’s just…*chef’s kiss,* there’s a depth and beauty that’s hard to describe

fiebre tropical by juliana delgado lopera

  • Spanglish! You love to see it
  • Queer love in a super-christian community, + the immigrant experience
  • You just feel like you’re talking to a friend while reading this book

little gods by meng jin

  • Who knew physics interspersed with fiction could be so beautiful?
  • The story is not linear, which is awesome! But does require lots of focus
  • Explores the mother-daughter bond and so much more, I loved this book!

sing, unburied, sing by jesmyn ward

  • This book is just, WOW
  • A mix of thick, slow moments and action so fast you barely see it coming
  • Short read, but may affect you deeply

know my name by chanel miller

  • I am so glad I was brave enough to finally read this book. I was scared it would be too triggering for me, but it was just what I needed
  • Chanel’s writing and honesty and simplicity is so powerful, and if you’ve dealt with sexual assault, this might be helpful to you
  • Chanel has a podcast with her sister Tiffany and it’s sweet and adorable, check that out too!

girl, woman, other by bernadine evaristo

  • This book reads like a poem, and it’s so nice
  • You’re taken through 12 women’s stories, who connect with each other in some way
  • What a beautiful portrait of the myriad experiences of black women

exhalation by ted chiang

  • Short story collection 
  • An exploration of the possibilities that technology could some day afford us
  • It’s like black mirror without being tragic or scary!

drive your plow over the bones of the dead by olga tokarczuk

  • A completely insane book that was so much fun !
  • I also liked that the main character is an astrologer!
  • A perfect little exciting escape 

the binding by bridget collins

  • A really cool reimagining of how books hold memories
  • Lovely love story
  • This was another book I couldn’t put down!

sourdough by robin sloan

  • I absolutely loved this book about a woman who inherits a very special sourdough starter
  • Remember when everyone was making bread in the pandemic? This will take you right back to that
  • Short, sweet, felt like a warm slice of toast

bubblegum by adam levin

  • I still think about this book, like at least once a week
  • It’s written as a memoir of someone who grew up in a world without the internet.
  • This book is LONG, and not necessarily an easy read (it’s kind of stream-of-consciousness, so some sentences can be tough to follow)

a tale for the time being by ruth ozeki

  • I adored this book!
  • A woman finds a journal on the beach, and is enthralled by what she reads
  • I still think about this book, too
  • Exciting and soothing at the same time

So, what do you think? Any books catch your eye? What are some of your favorite books you’ve read? I’d love to know!

Books I read and loved in 2020

February 2, 2021

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