Year in Books 2020
In July of 2020 I became a professional book reviewer. A few months later I became a professional book editor as well. It should come as no surprise, then, that I've read a few books this year. Although I can't say every one of the 253 books on my goodreads shelf was spectacular, here are my top 20 favorite books that I read in 2020.
The 100-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
By Jonas Jonasson
What it's about: This one is pretty self-explanatory. It's about an old man who decides he has better places to be than a nursing home, so he goes on an adventure.
Why I liked it: This book is generally silly and playful, but it has an interesting undertone. At the beginning of the story the old man seems like just another washed-up vegetable waiting to die. His children and grandchildren don't even have time to visit him on his 100th birthday. Throughout his adventures, however, it is slowly revealed that he had a beautiful and interesting life. While his past exploits are exaggerated to the point of being ludicrous, it reminded me that everyone has a story and every life has value. I've since had the opportunity to work on a series of children's books about Alzheimer's disease (details coming soon!), and it's been heartbreaking to see the way that elderly people are often disregarded, neglected and even abused. I'm glad that this book started my journey into this research.
I was disappointed that this one didn't make it onto last year's post because I started reading it in December of 2019, but it's worth waiting for ;)
Fun fact: This book was originally written in Swedish and became so well-respected in its original country that Hyperion couldn't help but get on board with it. There is a film based on this book. No comment.
Pugtato Finds a Thing
By Sophie Corrigan
What it's about: Pugtato is a little spud who wants to find out what the thing is that he has found. The main character is a creature with a potato body and a dog's face, and his friends are similar hybrids of animals and vegetables, which sounds horrifying, but is actually really adorable.
Why I liked it: Basically, this book is adorable. This 32-page picture book is filled with cheerful illustrations and clever rhymes and it's a lovely book to curl up with on a rainy day. The message is fluffy and warm, but sometimes that's just what a child-or a caretaker-needs on a rough day. This is one of three books I purchased in bulk to give to my students this year.
The Scarlet Pimpernel
By Emmuska Orczy
What it's about: Set in the French Revolution, this story follows a young dandy whose unexpected antics save a number of French nobles from the guillotine. There's action! Adventure! Funny disguises! Humor! Romance! It was written in 1905 originally and has that lovely Victorian style mixed with clever diction that make it amusing to read from beginning to end.
Why I liked it: If you've read a Tale of Two Cities, you might think you've had enough of the French Revolution to last a lifetime. I hesitate to say that the Scarlet Pimpernel is on par with Dicken's classic, but it's good in a different way. Although it can be a bit difficult to follow at times, it's really a very clever book and offers something of the other side. I listened to the free audiobook at LibriVox and was highly satisfied with the narration and production. This is one I'd be happy to pick up again if I were ever on a road trip and needed something to keep me awake without worrying about any R-rated details popping up.
How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems
By Randall Munroe
What it's about: Another self-explanatory title, this book presents a number of real world problems (not sure how to dig a hole?) and then offers precise calculations for solving those problems (try dynamite!) and explains why a solution may or may not work as well as any drawbacks (Do stand far enough away). The math sometimes gets incomprehensible to someone who hasn't been trained in it (it's been a long time since high school geometry, okay), but the humor makes up for it.
Why I liked it: Really this book just appeals to my sense of the absurd. It's written in a satirical style that I can't help but love. Although I don't think I'll be taking any of Munroe's advice, I feel much more equipped to explain why not.
Cinder
By Marissa Meyer
What it's about: As you might have guessed by the title, this is another Cinderella story. Haven't we had enough of these? Well, if I had to pick one beyond the original Grimm, this is the one I'd take with me to the proverbial desert island. Meyer skillfully introduces themes including pandemics, sci-fi curiosity, racism, immigration issues, grief, police brutality, genetic modifications, adoption, the struggles of leadership, war and child abuse throughout the series. Although the plot includes a romance between Cinder and Prince Kai, the main focus of this Young Adult series is on doing what is right despite all the odds.
Why I liked it: This was really a refreshing take on fairy tale retellings. I've read way too many of those this year, and most of them are not unique. This one stands out with its brilliant writing and careful insistence on treating heavy themes with care. And, yeah, the romance is pretty endearing as well. I listened to the audiobook read by Rebecca Soler and I now have a favorite voice actor. Expect to see Soler showing up in future lists of my favorite books.
Summer Bird Blue
By Akemi Dawn Bowman
Uh, Sirah? This book was on your list last year.
Yes, yes it was. I read it again, and I loved it just as much this time as well. Read it. To be fair, I did warn you.
What it's about: Summer Bird Blue is entirely about dealing with the death of a loved one and learning how to move past a devastating loss. Although it has a beautiful plot and stunning characters, the key feature in this book is how we get a look inside the main character's head as she grieves.
Why I liked it: Very few books really make me feel something. Sure I can get emotional over a romantic plotline or sad about a dog passing away, but only a few books I've ever read get to this level of empathy in my soul. The writing is just so good. I hope everyone reads this book at some point, though obviously it handles some pretty dark themes.
Fortunately, the Milk
By Neil Gaiman
What it's about: this is a fun children's book that is ostensibly an excuse for why one man was late bringing milk home for his children's breakfast. It's a rumpus adventure that sometimes makes sense and is full of all sorts of childhood fantasies that you sort of want to believe in but feel like you should know better.
Why I liked it: This is another book that is really just fun. Gaiman does an excellent job keeping the story light and amusing while keeping up with the complexity of strangely-named flying machines, inter-dimensional portals, magic crystals, time travel, alien police forces, and a variety of other fascinating elements. It's a short book and it includes a number of illustrations reminiscent of Roald Dahl's children's books. Both the audiobook and the print versions are phenomenal. You need a sense of humor to appreciate this book, but fortunately I have one and I do.
Harley in the Sky
By Akemi Dawn Bowman
Uh, Sirah? Akemi Dawn Bowman showed up on this list twice. Is this a conspiracy?
What it's about: Harley dreams of being an acrobat. Her parents think she should get a college degree. Harley runs away and joins the circus and discovers that things are a lot more complicated than she was hoping they would be.
Why I liked it: I'm starting to think that I couldn't dislike anything by this author, but I'll say again that Bowman is something of a genius. She skillfully puts together themes of family, mental illness, growing up, injustice and other critical forces and builds a breathtaking masterpiece that deserves to be read again and again.
Love Advice from the Great Duke of Hell
By unfins
What it's about: Paul has a crush on Elena, but he doesn't know how to tell her. Therefore, he summons a demon to help him get the girl. What could possibly go wrong?
Why I liked it: I was initially drawn to this comic because of the title, and every single episode made me laugh, so I stayed. The series has gotten really complex and honestly very clever, but it still holds onto the brilliant humor that made it such a hit in the first place. It's a little sacrilegious and occasionally cringe, but it's worth it. You can read it today for free on Webtoons.
Tune It Out
By Jamie Sumner
What it's about: Tune It Out starts out as Lou is attempting to help her mom earn some money so the two of them can eat dinner and afford gas to heat the pickup truck they live in. Well, that doesn't go so well when Lou, a 12-year-old, attempts to drive the truck through a snowstorm to pick up her mom from work. She is apprehended by child protective services and ends up spending a semester with her Aunt in a posh suburb with a private school. Here she discovers that what she accepted as normal is subjective and that her mom is just a person too. Can Lou forgive her mom?
Why I liked it: Although Sumner's previous novel, Roll With It, fell pretty flat for me, Tune It Out is among the most beautiful and brilliant middle-grade novels I've read this year (and I've read over 100, so I know). Another master of weaving together difficult themes, Sumner finds a way to address so many social issues in one little book without making anything seem crowded. This book gave me a second look into how child neglect cases are handled and the way mentally disabled children are taken care of in a variety of settings. Each character is believable and intricate, and I wish I could give them all hugs.
Every Heart a Doorway
By Seanan McGuire
What it's about: Have you ever wondered how Alice put her life back together after coming back from Wonderland? The Wayward Children were all summoned by worlds where they truly belonged, but for some reason they were obliged to come back, and now they live desperate lives as mentally-ill individuals looking for a place to belong. In this first novella in the series, Nancy comes back from the underworld where she could finally relax into stillness and darkness, but her parents don't understand where their colorful, noisy daughter went. Nancy arrives at Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, but not everything is right here either. Tragedy and mystery fall, keeping the plot interesting and the characters on their toes.
Why I liked it: Okay, so there is a plot, but I think within every human soul there is a longing to find where you belong. The rawness of losing something that so perfectly suits you is palatable in nearly every page of this book, and the relief of finding it again brings me to tears every time. I love the poetic style of this book juxtaposed with grisly murders. It's truly a stunning work of art. I didn't particularly love the sequels, but maybe they'll get better.
The Tea Dragon Tapestry
By Katie O'Neill
What it's about: This is the third book in the Tea Dragon series and it follows the story of two girls: Greta is working to become a master artist while learning to care for a small animal who recently lost its owner. Minette has lost her memories and is looking for a way to be at peace with what she left behind and how to move forward. Fluffy little dragons and cozy illustrations are peppered throughout this 128-page graphic novel.
Why I liked it: I spent the better part of the summer reading middle-grade graphic novels for my third-grade shelf. This is the only one I bought. The art is simply lovely, and the themes of tea and craftsmanship really appeal to me personally. I love how gently the author treats each character, showing respect and tenderness for each one's struggles and offering hope that no matter what happens, there is hope. I was able to read the first and second books as well, and the whole series just makes me smile.
Adultolescence
By Gabbie Hanna
What it's about: Adultolescence is a collection of poetic works on themes including adult life, romance, work, depression and bacon, among other things. It's written in a quirky straightforward style and comes with a variety of contour sketches.
Why I liked it: So, I have both physical and mental chronic illnesses. Gabbie Hanna gets it. Sometimes she's way off the mark, but sometimes she's the most relatable thing I've ever read. With choppy little poems like "life isn't fair/but it's unfair to everyone/so that's fair i guess" [sic], you can't call her poems beautiful, but they are emotional, and that's what they need to be. I hesitate to buy this book, because I still haven't decided if Hanna should get the Ferrari she writes about wanting in the last poem, but I think I'd enjoy reading it if it were on my coffee table every day.
The Prince and the Dressmaker
By Jen Wang
What it's about: Prince Sebastian enjoys dressing up in wigs, makeup, and glorious dresses. Unsurprisingly, that doesn't go over well in a conservative Victorian-esc family that wants nothing more than for the prince to get married and become a great king.
Why I liked it: This graphic novel is almost definitely written to send the message "it's okay for boys to wear dresses" and at a casual glance, it seems pretty simple. As an adult reading a children's book, I'm equipped to think more critically than the target audience, and that got me thinking more and more about gender representation and why it matters. The key theme in this book is that a parent's love means more than any amount of cultural acceptance. Regardless of where your opinion falls on the gender debate, this book reminds you that you don't have to approve of someone's actions in order to love them.
How To Be a Movie Star
By T.J. Klune
What it's about: Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. When he meets a really cute book author and discovers that the man is about to make a film, Josie wants in. With a cast of crazy characters and the ridiculous scene of a surrealist movie set, an adorable gay romance blossoms.
Why I liked it: This one is totally a guilty pleasure for me. If you don't like romance, gay romance, marijuana use, coarse language and awkward phone calls to internet companies, don't read this book. However, if all that is fine, you'll be swept away by Klune's compelling writing style and sensitivity as he creates a truly funny rom-com that isn't full of cringe humor. Klune is an absolute master of writing romance without making it sexual, and I think this one would be just as good if it were hetero as well. Klune is just good at his craft. I wish this one were more family-friendly, but it's really charming despite that.
Primer
By Jennifer Muro
What it's about: Ashley is attempting to find the right foster home while her father makes his way through jailtime for homicide when she discovers a cool new superpower. By putting enhanced paints on her body, she can become a superhero.
Why I liked it: Like the other graphic novels I've loved, this one has absolutely delightful illustrations. I loved every page of this book. Art alone doesn't get a book to a 5-star rating though--I need well-built characters, and this book delivers her also. Ashley has a unique and upbeat character that makes you just want to be her friend, although you'd expect to get into trouble more than a little bit if you hung out with her much. Her friends and family are similarly well-designed, and each scene is powerful and endearing.
See You in the Cosmos
By Jack Cheng
What it's about: Alex is heading to a rocket convention to send his homemade rocket to outer space. His goal is to follow in the footsteps of his hero Carl Sagan by recording all sorts of things on to a Golden iPod so that life out there will know what it's really like down here. The story takes on some unexpected twists when Alex discovers that his dad might still be alive and his mom has a mental illness. Alex sets out on a quest to make things right, because if he tries hard enough and believes with all his might, anything is possible... right?
Why I liked it: First of all, make sure you get the audiobook version. Although the story is good, it's written as transcripts of Alex's recordings, and the detailed effects and cast of characters really help this book come to life. The print version is good too, though. I loved how detailed Alex's character is. Although he is very mature in some ways, he's still just a child, and it was really endearing to see him grow throughout the story. He learns so much, and I felt like I was growing right alongside him.
Erik vs. Everything
Christina Uss
What it's about: Erik is afraid of a lot of things. He tried to make a list once, but it's just too long, so he's satisfied to say he's afraid of everything. His family, however, doesn't seem to understand what fear is, and when his sister formulates a battle plan to attack and defeat fear itself, Erik is characteristically afraid.
Why I liked it: I've found a lot of books this year that deal with hard topics. This one is pretty straightforward in that it deals with anxiety. Children often have trouble understanding and regulating their emotions, but typically by age 10, they can grasp things and get their feelings under control. This is not usually true of children with clinical anxiety, but that doesn't mean the situation is hopeless. Erik vs. Everything offers a comical background with real world tips for how to deal with anxiety as well as how to be supportive around those who struggle with the illness.
The Night Circus
By Erin Morgenstern
What it's about: The Night Circus is sometimes surreal and sometimes grindingly concrete, but always majestic. It's written in an elegant Victorian style and follows the lives of two young magicians who are cursed to battle each other until a winner is declared. Their competition results in the Night Circus, a glorious spectacle that seems too good to be true.
Why I liked it: It's not often that you come across a book that allows you to simply lose yourself in the wording. This was like a 391-page poem. Morgenstern introduces characters and plot twists with the grace of her star contortionist and spins brilliant fantasies in just a few sentences. I hated to put this book down. Morgenstern is a truly promising author, and I can't wait to read more of her books.
Fun fact: the first drafts of this novel were written as part of NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month) between 2005 and 2008.
