By popular demand (and also because I feel this digital record fits my blogging goals & style) — here is my own personal list of 2020 books, including those already read and those I plan to read in future quintiles. I get my picks from a combination of sources but my favorite is Modern Mrs. Darcy! Definitely check out her blog and podcast if you haven’t already.
Brief note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links may be affiliate links. I may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.
All of that said, you certainly do not have to use amazon to check these titles out. I personally mostly use the library (grateful for this resource on a daily basis). Independent bookstores are also wonderful to support – look up your local shop or explore on IndieBound. And if you are looking for anti-racism books (or to support Black business-owners in general), find great places to shop on this list.
Symbols Key:
If I really enjoyed a book and can highly recommend it, there will be a ✅
If I obsessively tore through a book and loved it, there will be a ♥️
Don’t get me wrong; I still enjoyed many of the others! The icons are reserved for standouts. If I abandon a book, I will remove it from this list.
2020 TOTAL THUS FAR: 50 (12.31.20, 18 nonfiction / 32 fiction)
Q1: Jan – Spring Break
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by Ryan Stradal ✅ Finished 1/3
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mendel. (NOTE: This almost get a heart because it’s a fascinating read (and thought experiment), but it haunted me too much after the fact even BEFORE COVID-19 broke out. Sensitive people would NOT benefit from reading this now.) Finished 1/7
Your Money Or Your Life by Vicki Robin Finished 2/11
Celine by Peter Heller ✅ Finished 1/19
Indistractible by Nir Ayal Finished 2/8
The Snow Child by Even Iver Finished 2/20
Mindset by Carol Dweck Finished 2/15
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett ♥️ Finished 3/5
(Not a ton of reading initially after the outbreak began — too shellshocked to concentrate, I think!)
Q2: Spring Break to End of School Year
The Antidote to Everything by Kimmery Martin ✅ Finished 3/31
Topeka School by Ben Lerner Finished 4/17
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton ✅ Finished 5/20
The Cortlandt Boys by Laura Vanderkam ♥️ Finished 4/17
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary Finished 5/1
How Artists Work by Mason Currey Finished 5/14
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson ♥️ Finished 5/5
The Getting Things Done Workbook by David Allen Finished 5/22
I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel ✅ Finished 5/24
Q3 SUMMER (ie, whole portion with kids out of school)
Joy at Work by Marie Kondo Finished 6/20
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles ♥️ Finished 6/16
Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld ♥️ Finished 6/28
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler Finished 10/10
How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi ♥️ Finished 9/2
Big Summer by Jennifer Wiener ♥️ Finished 7/20
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (resident book club pick!) ✅ Finished 8/20
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid ♥️ Finished 8/2
Beach Read by Emily Henry Finished 7/15
How to Stop Losing Your Sh!T With Your Kids by Carla Naumburg ♥️ Finished 7/24
Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton ✅ Finished 9/7
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas ♥️ Finished 7/8
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett ❤️ Finished 8/29
Sex & Vanity by Kevin Kwan ✅ Finished 8/11
Q4: Back to SCHOOL (dare we hope . . . ) to Halloween
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachie ✅ Finished 9/18
Citizen by Claudia Rankine ✅ Finished 9/30
I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman Finished 10/10 ✅
I’d Give Anything by Marisa de los Santos ❤️ Finished 10/27
Brunch & Other Obligations by Suzanne Nugent Finished 10/17
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn Finished 9/27
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum ✅ Finished 9/18
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson ❤️ Finished 10/4
Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes by Kathleen West ❤️ Finished 10/20
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo ✅ Finished 10/29
Q5: End of Year Reflection (Nov 1 – Dec 30)
Deacon King Kong by James McBride ❤️ Finished 11/11
Essentialism by Greg McKeon Finished 11/17
Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler ❤️ Finished 11/21
Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing and Underliving by Celeste Headlee Finished 11/29
Writers & Lovers by Lily King Finished 11/19
This Tender Land by William Kent Kreuger ❤️ Finished 12/1
Becoming by Michelle Obama
The Paper Organizing Solution by Lisa Woodruff ❤️ Finished 12/26
The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia Finished 12/21
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes ❤️ Finished 12/26
Plus likely catchup & TBD!!!