What I Read In 2020

When I started blogging, I didn’t ever see myself dedicating a whole post to books, but here we are!

I was REALLY into books as a kid, but in high school I stopped reading for fun. In college, I got to read a lot of books I never would’ve picked up (HELLO graphic novels!) and this allowed me to branch out and read different things.

Before we start, I want to start off by saying I’m not really a book snob (not sure how else to describe it) and I also don’t have too many favorite genres or authors or tropes. This year I mostly read fiction, memoirs, and YA, but truthfully, most of the time I just pick something up and we see how it goes?

So, without further ado, here’s a (hopefully) fun and not-too exhaustive breakdown of what I read in 2020!

First up, The Dark Horses!

These are books I liked a lot more than I expected to and were WAY out of my comfort zone.

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo

Synopsis: This graphic novel is a retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, and is the story of four girls living in New York City with their mom while their dad is at war in Vietnam.

My thoughts: I mentioned above that I was first introduced to graphic novels in college. We read Fun Home my first semester, and ever since then I have stood up and CLAPPED for graphic novels. This book was recommended to me via The American Girls Podcast and did NOT disappoint!

If you appreciated Greta Gerwig’s version of Little Women, then you will love this! I enjoyed especially that this book did it’s own thing and kept me on my toes, while still staying with the original plot. The characters had good depth overall, but if you loved Laurie there is considerably less of him in this adaptation (didn’t bother me though!)…

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Synopsis: Noemí Taboada, a Mexican socialite living in the 1950’s, travels to the country to see her cousin after getting a SUPER CREEPY letter. Noemí learns upon arriving that ~everything is not as it seems~.

My thoughts: This book came up on my Goodreads app recommended to me, and I was intrigued enough to actually read it. Mexican Gothic was out of my comfort zone because I normally can’t do anything remotely spooky, and it was more horror than I was expecting, but I surprisingly really enjoyed it and it was definitely a favorite of mine! The plot was unique, the characters had depth, and I enjoyed the emphasis on the role women play in families/life!

The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan

Synopsis: Peyton Sawyer from One Tree Hill moves to a farm (kidding but not really).

My thoughts: I LOVE Hilarie Burton and I LOVED this book! I’ve learned this year that I’m definitely a memoir girl (this was one of 4 I read!). Hilarie is honest and funny and it felt like I was talking to a close friend (people always say that about memoirs but I really mean it). If you’re a OTH fan too this is a must, you’ll catch yourself reading it in her voice. It’s also 100% now on my bucket list to visit Rhinebeck, NY so lmk if you’re down for a road trip 🙂

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Synopsis: Camino Rios lives in the Dominican Republic, Yahaira Rios lives in New York City, neither of them knows about the other until their father’s plane crashes. This book follows the trauma of the secrets their father hid and dealing with his loss, as well as what his loss means for both of their futures…

My thoughts: We read something by Elizabeth Acevedo in one of my classes and I’ve been drawn to her writing ever since. This author is primarily a poet and this book is told completely in poetry verse.

Poetry is an area I still don’t know much about, but I have found I gravitate towards more modern verses that tell stories. It’s also fascinating to me how much differently and more effectively emotion is portrayed through poetry verse, and it’s definitely why I liked this book so much. The poetry and storytelling are both strong, the story is heartbreaking and beautiful!

The ~Overrated~ Books of 2020 (IMO)

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Synopsis: This book moves between two time periods: following “Marsh Girl” Kya Clark in the 1950s as she lives alone in, well, a marsh, and 1969 when the it-boy Chase Andrews is found dead.

My thoughts: This was probably my most disappointing read because I was the most excited about it. Some of the issue could be I’ve NEVER enjoyed books that center around a young child surviving on their own in the wild (just never been a fan idk). But this book also reminded me a bit too much of To Kill a Mockingbird, but more unrealistic?

I will give the book credit, it was hard to put down, and the mystery aspect kept me interested as well as the different timelines but I found the end not satisfying and just kinda confusing?

But I also felt the same way about Island of the Blue Dolphins in middle school so really could just be the lonely surviving kid trope…

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Synopsis: Lydia lives a comfortable life in Acapulco. She runs a bookstore and her husband is a journalist, but when he writes an article about the new jefe of the drug cartel in town, her husband is brutally murdered, and her and her son Luca are forced to flee. They make their way as migrants to the U.S. – Mexico border, meeting friends and dangers along the way.

My thoughts: I’ll start with this review via Vox that sums up a lot of what I thought about this book. I know I’m a white woman critiquing a white woman’s book on Latin American immigration, something I am privileged to have not personally experienced, and this has the potential to create a gray area.

However, I was able to read an above-average amount of Latin American and Chicanx literature in my undergrad (SEE CHILDREN OF THE LAND, ), and I’ll put it simply: it didn’t feel as genuine as books I’ve read by Latinx and Chicanx folks felt. (SEE I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Clap When You Land, Mexican Gothic) I didn’t empathize with the pain and the trauma experienced by those actually in these situations the same.

I will also say (SMALL SPOILER THAT’S REVEALED IN FIRST 50 PAGES) the romance aspect between Lydia and the leader of the gang was COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY and only made the story more unbelievable and I literally rolled my eyes when I read it. Okay, that’s all now.

Such a Fun Age* by Kiley Reid

Synopsis: Emira is a babysitter for a white blogger named Alix Chamberlain. But when Emira is accused of kidnapping Alix’s daughter, both Alix and new boyfriend Kelley react in ~interesting ways~.

My thoughts: OKAY so this gets an asterisk because I need to clarify. This book isn’t what I expected. It wasn’t my absolute favorite to read. When I finished this book, I kinda just stared at it for a second and thought to myself, “What just happened?”. I found the plot slow and anticlimactic sometimes, especially after starting really strong at the beginning.

BUT. I appreciated what this book tried to do and I think it succeeded in that, even if that meant it came across as awkward and uncomfortable and had me confused at points. But I also think the point was to make me uncomfortable, and force me to question my own privilege and perspective, and I would recommend it because of that. Because in my opinion a book is good if it makes you stop, sit, and think for a bit afterwards.

The Runner Ups

This category could also be called “Books That Didn’t Make My Top 5 But I Still Really, Really Liked”

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land

Synopsis: Stephanie Land dreamed of going away to college and studying creative writing, but those plans changed the summer after high school when she became pregnant with her daughter. Forced to work to support her daughter as a single mom, Stephanie shares her story as a maid, working long and difficult hours for little pay.

My thoughts: As I said before, I like books that make me think and challenge my perspectives. This memoir wasn’t always easy to read, and at times my heart broke for her and her daughter. I think these stories are also important because for those who have never experienced poverty (not unlike myself!) you can find yourself asking questions like “Why don’t they just get a better job?” or “They must not be working hard enough.” Stephanie Land writes about the hopelessness of poverty, and you can empathize with her experiences through her writing.

I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

Synopsis: We meet Julia right after her older sister Olga’s tragic accident. Olga was the “perfect Mexican daughter”, and now Julia is left alone and feeling like she must live up to impossible expectations, while also navigating grief and trauma and dramatic teenage life. Also featuring a little romance and mystery!

My thoughts: This book made me smile a lot. It was truly entertaining and enjoyable to read throughout. The tone is light and hilarious, and Erika writes like she’s passing notes to her best friend in high school math class. I loved the Latina perspective in this book, making the coming-of-age YA trope more accessible for Latinx folks! The plot also kept me guessing more than I thought it would as Julia also solves a few mysteries along the way!

Also completely unrelated but you should also all follow Erika on Instagram because she makes me laugh on the daily!

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Synopsis: This novel is centered around twin sisters Stella and Desiree who grow up in a small southern Black community and run away from that town when they are 16. One of them lives life Black, the other “passes over” as white. We see the generations of this family weave and move and intertwine with one another.

My thoughts: All-around, this was a really, really good novel, and it just barely missed the cut for my top 5. It was different, it had strong characters and character development, and who doesn’t love a little mystery? I especially enjoyed the time aspect of The Vanishing Half as well as the differing points of view throughout, and how multiple generations are effected by the lives and choices of the twins.

This book is a LOT and definitely more of an active read, as it has some slower developmental sections, but in my opinion it is worth it! The Vanishing Half is also a great example of how art forms like books can be used to facilitate discussion about difficult topics, which we LOVE to see.

And last, but certainly not least, my TOP 5 BOOKS OF 2020:

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Synopsis: In the prologue, we learn John Mark Comer is a former mega church pastor turned slightly smaller church pastor who realized he was burning himself out in the day-to-day hustle. He gives four main practices to ruthlessly eliminate hurry!

My thoughts: It’s been a while since I read this one and I still don’t know if I can string sentences together that adequately describe it. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry was deeply convicting and humbling. It is radical. It’s also well-written, and structured as a book to come back to again and again for reference. Don’t read any more of my thoughts, read this book instead!

In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkins

Synopsis: Jen Wilkins describes 10 characteristics of God, and how we are called to emulate or also take on those same characteristics, and she uses great scripture references and gospel presentations to do it!

My thoughts: If you know me, you know I’m a little picky when it comes to content for Christian women because I don’t want to be coddled or told I am fearfully and wonderfully made with no other context.

That’s why Jen Wilkins is MY GIRL! This book sounds like something I just described (that might be on purpose Jen is pretty clever) but it is a theologically and biblically heavy book on who God is, and who He has called us to be. I view the Bible and God differently because of it. Next up is None Like Him!

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

Synopsis: Taking place in Ghana, Afi is arranged in marriage with Elikem (WHO DOESN’T SHOW UP TO HIS OWN WEDDING, RED FLAG MUCH?), the prodigal son of powerful members of the town so that Elikem will leave his current girlfriend whom his family disapproves of. What could go wrong?

My thoughts: Confession: His Only Wife was not originally in my top 5 but I put it there after I wrote this and remembered how good this book was. The description literally says “For readers of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,” so I knew it was for me. When reading this book, I felt transported into a different culture because the descriptions and characters were so vivid.

I cried several times while reading His Only Wife. You will find yourself frustrated, distraught, and rooting for Afi’s character along the way, and also being more and more upset at the patriarchal society she faces. The tone is also overall light with parts that will make you laugh. I thought the character development was really strong in this novel, and the ending was satisfying. I’m honestly still a little at a loss of words with this one, just because I felt it so deeply. Don’t walk, run!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Synopsis: Starr’s world is turned upside down when her childhood friend Khalil is shot while unarmed by a police officer. This novel follows the aftermath of this as Starr navigates high school in a wealthy suburban neighborhood, much different than where she and Khalil are from. Things change even more for Starr when she is identified as a witness to Khalil’s death, and Starr must decide how she responds. (p.s. this was a really bad synopsis too much happens in this book and it’s hard to squeeze it all in.)

My Thoughts: This is definitely one of the best YA novels I have EVER read. It’s written perfectly for a younger audience with the perspective of a teenage Black girl trying to fight police brutality, gang violence, and racism while also navigating relationships and figuring out her own identity.

I also read this book in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd, and reading this with that backdrop made these characters and experiences seem even more real. I could picture the protesting and the rioting, and reading from a Black perspective gave me a different perspective during that time as well.

I would recommend this to anyone, but especially if you have questions about the Black Lives Matter movement or what racism looks like today. The Hate U Give tells a story while also teaching lessons, and I think that’s why it impacted me so much!

p.s.: Angie Thomas has a prequel from Starrs’ father’s perspective that came out like a week ago, definitely on my TBR list!

Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo AKA My Favorite Book of 2020!

Synopsis: This memoir is a reflection on Marcelo’s life, moving out of chronological order through “movements” of his life, from going blind while crossing the U.S. border to growing up feeling invisible as an undocumented immigrant to having his family torn apart.

My thoughts: OK y’all, settle in because I saved the best for last. I read this book as a part of my capstone project in my last English class. My professor (Dr. Alonzo if you’re somehow reading this, you’re the best!!!) literally walked in front of the room and offered this new book for someone to read, and for some reason I raised my hand, and now here we are.

I felt this book more deeply than I can describe. Castillo is a poet and his narrative moves freely between verse and paragraph form, resulting in an incredible story. It’s a little confusing at first because it’s not immediately clear what is “present” and what is “past”, but this also reflects the displacement and erasure he feels and in my opinion adds another brilliant element to the story (can you tell I wrote a 12 page paper about this book haha?).

Children of the Land is brutally honest and beautiful and will make you cry ugly tears. It is an intimate look at the worst of the U.S. immigration system, and how it traumatizes people and families subject to it. I hear people say a lot that they wish undocumented immigrants would “do it the right way” but this book will show you how twisted and confusing and impossible the “right way” really is for marginalized people in the United States.

Wow I wrote a lot, but this book was a lot of good words. If you get nothing else from this post, throw away American Dirt and read this instead.