So yesterday, we did podcasts. Today, we’ll talk about one of my favourite things to do: reading! I want this post to mainly be a celebration of my favourite books of this year, but before that, a few stats from Goodreads:
- Books read: 182
- Longest Book: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (which I read for an Instagram Readalong!)
- Shortest Book: Brambles by Intisar Khanani
- Average book length: 297 pages
I read a bit more than usual this year, but probably because I had a month of rereading in the middle of the year. Interestingly, I didn’t have any books that I rated two starts or below, so I think I’m getting better at picking out books that I like (and have less hesitation about giving up on books I’m not enjoying).
Favourite Books of 2020
My favourite books are normally decided by me as I’m writing in the review. If, for some reason, the book strikes me as exceptional, I’ll add a tag to it so that when I’m writing this post, I can find all the books I like without having to rely on my unreliable memory. This year, seven books made the cut.
Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas
I read this early in the year (before all the lockdowns, to give you a sense of time) and it has changed the way I view clothes. While not all the tips here were things I could implement immediately, I did start buying more vintage/ethically made clothes when I did buy clothes this year. Needless to say, I will probably revisit this in the future. (Full review)
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
This is a book that I’ve been meaning to read for a long time and I wish I didn’t delay. Although it’s technically a nature book, Dillard’s writing style is highly original (and I suspect, divisive, though I personally loved it) and it shows you the world through new eyes. (Full Review)
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Shimada Soji
2020 was the year where I started reading more Japanese mysteries and I love it! The Tokyo Zodiac Murders made a huge impression because of its ingenious mystery, interesting (but not confusing structure), and very likeable characters. Would definitely recommend this to mystery fans and I would also recommend the live action adaptations! (Full Review)
The Gate of Sorrows by Miyuki Miyabe
I absolutely loved Brave Story so it’s a bit strange I didn’t read the other Miyuki Miyabe books until this year. The Gate of Sorrows is a fantasy books masquerading as mystery book and it is amazing! It starts with Kotaro, who is investigating into the disappearance of this friend/colleague, and then veers into a highly original world where Stories are the basis for everything.
This is technically a sequel, but it has different protagonists from the first book (The Book of Heroes) and can be read alone. Plus, I definitely enjoyed this a lot more than The Book of Heroes. (Full Review)
Corrag by Susan Fletcher
A friend recommended this book and she was right to be so effusive about it! Based on the Glen Coe massacre, Corrag is the tale of Corrag (the titular protagonist) as she tells her story to a Jacobite before her execution. The style is very flowing but Corrag’s voice is so strong and distinctive that I was immediately immersed in her tale. It’s not a cozy story, given that it contains a massacre, but there are moments of beauty in it as well. (Full Review)
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constatine
The only thriller on the list, The Wife Stalker had a twist that just killed me. I won’t say too much about it because I don’t want to start summarising the book and accidentally give away a spoiler, but the pacing and characters in this book were absolutely on-point. I read another thriller by Liv Constatine after this and while it was also very enjoyable, I think The Wife Stalker was better. (Full Review)
The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani
Last but definitely not least is the fantasy novel The Theft of Sunlight. I’ve waited for this for eight years and it has been absolutely worth it – Intisar has written a story with amazing characters (even the supporting characters were great!), intricate worldbuilding, and with a plot that grabs you. All the elements of a good story are in perfect balance here. That said, this book contains characters from her first book, Thorn, and you should read that before going on to The Theft of Sunlight if you want to fully appreciate some of the characters here. (Full Review)
Last Words
As you can see, this was a year where fiction reigned and I found so many great books! I’m also really happy that the three fantasy books are not the typical Western-society based fantasies. I mean, I enjoy those too but there is so much more inspiration available.
If you would like to read the full reviews of all these books and the books for 2019 and before, they can be found under this ‘Best Of’ tag.
My TBR list is already too long to complete but please share your favourite books because I will want to add them to the TBR list!
These year end posts are among my favorites. Seeing what everyone recommends and adding to my wish list or being glad some of them are already there. 🙂 I generally wait until the end of the year before finalizing my list in case there’s a last minute favorite.
I am glad you were able to fit in so much reading this year!
Me too! I wrote this post the day before I published it just in case!
I might have to check out Fashionopolis – I’ve also become more aware of fashion sustainability in recent years but I’ve not done much general research for myself on the subject.
Please do! If you don’t have time for the whole book, the author was on the podcast Dressed and I thought the interview was pretty good!
Honestly the face that you’ve read Anna Karenina is still so impressive!!! I’ve not read any of your favourite books, I should probably get on that haha
*fact lol
I read Anna Karenina for a readalong! I think it’s a fun way to tackle the book. Would highly recommend the Japanese ones & The Theft of Sunlight first! They’re a lot easier to read than say, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (I feel that one is a love it or hate it book)
I’ll have to take a look at them in 2021 then! And hopefully doing a similar thing will help me through War and Peace haha
All the best!!
Hi Eustacia–Here’s my list for 2020:
Favorite Books of 2020:
#1 The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino
Three delinquents hide out at an abandoned store that had been a place where customers could drop off written requests for advice for the proprietor to respond to. Oddly, the advice continues even after the proprietor’s retirement and death! A bit of the Twilight Zone!
#2 (tie) The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama & The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Two endearing stories: Samurai’s Garden tells the tale of 20-year old Stephen Chan from Hong Kong who contracts tuberculosis in 1938 and is sent to the family’s beach house in Japan to recuperate. There, he meets the rather taciturn Matsui and the author slowly reveals their developing appreciation for each other as the war between Japan and China is about to begin.
Housekeeper…is another slow-moving and delicate story about a single-mother of a 10-year old who finds a job as housekeeper for a retired math professor who suffered brain damage in a car accident almost 20-years earlier. The accident left him with all of his memories before1975 intact, but his short term memory is only 80-minutes long. The relationship between the three of them gives one faith that humanity can still exist in its sweetest form.
#3 (tie) Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami & The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Murakami is the Salvador Dali of novelists. But, this work is a more straight forward exploration of life, death, depression and the power of love from the perspective of its protagonist at age 37 as he looks back at his confusing college days.
I listened to the audio book of The Dutch House as narrated by actor Tom Hanks who performed the characters’ roles and that made the book all the more enjoyable. In this story, a brother and sister are raised in an expensive house in an upscale neighborhood after their father hits it big in the real estate business. Their mother leaves to find herself and the kids are later evicted from the house by their step-mother, who prefers to have her own kids live there. The house still looms large in their lives, but they eventually realize it is their relationship that is more important.
#4 Fourteen Years in the Sandwich Islands, 1855-1868 by Charles DeVarigny
This book isn’t for everybody, but I enjoyed it as a personally detailed history of pre-annexation Hawaii. Of course, I am biased because Hawaii is my favorite place!
#5 Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang
We first meet Jialing as a young, Eurasian girl—and therefore contemptible and with few prospects—who has been abandoned at a large Shanghai estate in 1908. As the pages turn, Jialing grows up with the help of select friendships and Fox, an animal spirit who has lived on the estate for generations. Political machinations, murder and affairs ensue.
#6 Pancakes in Paris by Craig Carlson
You thought it was easy opening an American diner in Paris? Think again! This is an amusing and informative journal of the author’s attempt and success at fulfilling a life-long dream.
#7 Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray
There is a bit of time travel in this one: moving from France in the 1930s to present day in the USA and back to France as we discover a young girl, Ondine, working in her parents restaurant, the Café Paradis in the seaside village Juan-les-Pins. Pablo Picasso, using the name of Ruiz (his father’s name) has escaped to Juan-les-Pins, leaving his wife Olga—the Russian ballerina, their divorce proceedings and his current mistress behind. Ondine winds up cooking for the famed artist and he not only uses her as a model, but also as his new mistress! Ondine’s granddaughter learns that Picasso promised to give her grandmother a painting he did of her and alternating chapters describe the search for that painting!
#8 Nothing to See Here by Kevin WIlson
What it’s like to get invited to help your former high school roommate with her step-kids, only to discover that they catch on fire when they get upset!
#9 Gone at Midnight: The Mysterious Death of Elisa Lam by Jake Anderson
True story. Very disquieting! Elisa Lam is on vacation and disappears after staying at a Los Angeles hotel with an evil reputation. She is eventually found in one of the hotel’s water towers. No one can explain how she got there. They cannot even explain how she got on the roof! Excellent investigative reporting that strongly suggests police malfeasance and a failure to conduct a proper investigation. It’s a sad tale that may enrage you!
#10 Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Keiko Furukuru has always been a little “different” and finds it difficult to relate and behave as others do. That’s why finding a job as a convenience store worker has been so rewarding to her: there is order! Keiko experiments with life outside the store to find out who she really is: just a convenience store worker? Maybe, and that isn’t a bad thing!
Thank you for sharing, Warren! The Miracles of Namiya General Store (I heard it’s been made into a movie) and Convenience Store Woman have been on my TBR list for a long time, I will have to bump them up. I really like the true crime genre, so Gone at Midnight sounds fascinating (but rage inducing). Actually, most of the books on your list appeal to me!
Keigo Higashino’s book is a hoot! You will enjoy it, I am certain!