It’s important, as a writer, to also be an avid reader. Not only is it enjoyable, it’s a great way to improve as a writer, to see how other writers are approaching their work, no matter the genre (in fact, I think it’s best to read across many genres).
In my day-to-day life with a full-time job coupled with being a full-time mom and wife, I don’t often have the time and inclination to read “proper” books. It’s hard to really get into a book if I only have 10 minutes here and there, or at the end of the day when my brain is fried. So, I end up reading a lot of short blog posts, fanfiction, magazines, and innumerable re-readings of children’s picture books. The last few years, I’ve attempted to at least read one full-length book a month, but I have failed miserably. However, I managed to not only read at least 12 books in 2020, but I’m very happy that the majority of them were written by female and POC authors.
I was going to do this huge long analysis of the books I read in 2020, but instead, I found this great end-of-the-year book ask on Tumblr, so I’ll answer these questions instead:
1. How many books did you read this year?
13 books (hooray!)
2. Did you reread anything? What?
I started re-reading Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (still working on it…). I’d convinced my husband to read it after years of trying, and he liked it so much, it made me want to re-read it.
3. What were your top five books of the year?
Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language by Gretchen McCulloch – combines so much of what I find interesting: technology, linguistics, and history, written in a fun, approachable manner
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – lush, beautiful book written as an ode to lovers of story (of which I am, wholeheartedly)
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein – my most recommended book this year; really spoke to me
Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman – such a thought-provoking book; I still think about it off and on
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo – this was written in such a lovely style, and it inspired me in my own work
To be honest, this was super hard to choose because I liked all the books I read this year, and I loved a large majority of them.
4. Did you discover any new authors that you love this year?
Out of the 13 books I read this year, 9 were by authors who were new to me, and I liked all of their books. I’m looking forward to exploring more books by these authors in the future.
5. What genre did you read the most of?
6 out of the 13 books I read could be loosely classified as speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and everything in-between). 6 out of 13 books I read were non-fiction, but they were all over the place in type/style (plus I don’t really know the specific genres of non-fiction).
6. Was there anything you meant to read, but never got to?
I mean to read every book I buy, but it never quite works out the way I want it to. Specifically, I want to read What Matters Most by Chanel Reynolds for more practical reasons. I’ve really been meaning to read The Overstory by Richard Powers, but for some reason, I keep reading other books instead. And my husband really wants me to read Sapiens by Yuval Harari, and I’ve promised him I will (…just not yet…).
7. What was your average Goodreads rating? Does it seem accurate?
My average rating for 2020 was 4.8 stars, which seems totally accurate because I liked all the books I read this year. I’m very proud of my selectiveness this year!
8. Did you meet any of your reading goals? Which ones?
Yes, I managed to read at least 1 book a month (or 12 books in a year), even if a few were short.
9. Did you get into any new genres?
I read a lot of great non-fiction written in interesting styles this year (I don’t read as much non-fiction in general). This was my first time reading a gardening book (Mrs. Greenthumbs: How I Turned a Boring Yard into a Glorious Garden and How You Can, Too by Cassandra Danz). The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair was like a short non-fiction anthology, which was a style I hadn’t encountered before. And I discovered The Moon by Hannah Pang (illustrated by Thomas Hegbrook), which was like part gorgeous art book, part informational reference book, a style new to me as well.
I also read a very interesting speculative fiction book told as a series of physical letters that one can take out of envelopes in the book, which was a cool conceit (Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock).
10. What was your favorite new release of the year?
The only book I read this year that actually came out in 2020 was The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo (most of the recent books I read came out in 2019, a byproduct of only reading books from the library, used bookstores, or Kindle sales). I loved it, so I guess it’s my favorite new release of the year.
11. What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?
Not sure I would call it my favorite book of the year, but I’d been meaning to read The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson for a really long time, and I’m glad I was able to finally get the chance to read it this year.
12. Any books that disappointed you?
I found out that one of my favorite YA novelists, Patricia Wrede, had this whole other series I hadn’t known about. I read the first book in the series, Thirteenth Child, which I did like, but it didn’t have the same wow-factor as her other books had for me. I wouldn’t say it was disappointing, so much as underwhelmed. However, my sister, who also loves Patricia Wrede, loved Thirteenth Child, so I guess it’s just personal preference.
13. What were your least favorite books of the year?
My least favorite book was probably Affair by Amanda Quick. Don’t get me wrong, it was still a really fun read. But it was predictable (to be expected as it’s a romance novel from one of my favorite romance novelists so I’ve read at least 50 of her books) and was a good palate cleanser in-between more intense reads.
14. What books do you want to finish before the year is over?
I am currently in the middle of 4 different books. As I only have 1 more day to read before the year is over, I highly doubt I’m going to finish any of them. It’s fine; it’ll pad my 2021 book list!
15. What is the most over-hyped book you read this year?
The only books I read this year that were hyped up to me were The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson, The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, and Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, but all lived up to the hype, so I can’t complain.
16. Did any books surprise you with how good they were?
The Mrs. Greenthumbs book was my biggest surprise because, well, it’s a gardening book, and gardening books aren’t really known for being page-turners. However, this one definitely was, and it was awesome.
17. How many books did you buy?
Way too many books. Do not let me loose in a used bookstore because I will always come out with another armful. Also, Kindle sales are way too tempting. Then again, if I must have a vice, I choose buying books I probably won’t read for years.
My favorite buy was a letterpressed edition of Edgar Allan Poe to add to my collection.
18. Did you use your library?
Of course! I love the local library! Not just for access to great books, but for storytimes for my daughter, interesting community events, and access to old movies I can’t find elsewhere.
19. What was your most anticipated release? Did it meet your expectations?
I don’t really follow new releases of books, even for favorite authors. I’m really scattershot with how I acquire and read books.
20. Did you participate in or watch any booklr, booktube, or book twitter drama?
I have no idea what this question means (*peers over the tops of my glasses with a squint*). If this is like a drama show related to a book, then I had no idea these things existed. If this is about some controversy that everyone is freaking out about, then I have assiduously avoided all drama since my first year of college.
21. What’s the longest book you read?
According to Goodreads, the longest book I read was Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern at 498 pages.
22. What’s the fastest time it took you to read a book?
Definitely Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock. It’s 46 pages of mostly art. Even with me admiring the art and subtle details of the book, it really took me like an hour tops to read it from beginning to end.
23. Did you DNF anything? Why?
Not really. I’m in the middle of a lot of books, but I plan to finish all of them even if they take me a long time.
24. What reading goals do you have for next year?
Should I go for 15 books next year? Let’s do it!