2020

What I Read in 2020

1. Coraline — Neil Gaiman

2. Twelfth Night — William Shakespeare

3. The Sense of An Ending —  Julian Barnes

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — J. K. Rowling

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — J. K. Rowling

6. Fangirl — Rainbow Rowell

7. Norwegian Wood — Haruki Murakami

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix — J. K. Rowling

9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince — J. K. Rowling

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — J. K. Rowling

10.25 Bloom — Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

10.75 Mooncakes — Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

11. Carry On — Rainbow Rowell

12. Sharp Objects — Gillian Flynn

13. The Catcher in the Rye — J. D. Salinger

13. A Visit From the Goon Squad — Jennifer Egan

14. Bridge to Terabithia — Katherine Paterson

15. Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic 1) — Rachel Roberts

16. Ella Enchanted — Gail Carson Levine

17. Wayward Son — Rainbow Rowell

18. The Giver — Lois Lowry

19. It's Kind of a Funny Story — Ned Vizzini

20. Gone Girl — Gillian Flynn

21. Dear Evan Hansen — Val Emmich

22. Romeo and Juliet — William Shakespeare 

23. Murder on the Orient Express — Agatha Christie

24. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue — Mackenzi Lee

25. Be More Chill — Ned Vizzini

26. The Goldfinch — Donna Tartt

27. Persepolis — Marjane Satrapi

What I Thought

1. Coraline — Neil Gaiman

This book gave me vague nostalgia as I'd read it previously but didn't remember it too well. Nice read.

2. Twelfth Night — William Shakespeare 

This was my favorite Shakespeare play before I played Antonio in my school's production this year. Now I think its only my 2nd or 3rd favorite. The more time I spent with the text, the more I appreciated it though. 

3. The Sense of An Ending —  Julian Barnes

This book does not deserve the award it got. I wouldn't dislike it so much if it hadn't received so much praise. I found the story too slow at the start and undeveloped at the end. I think it was an interesting concept but there was a plot point at the end that was brought up but not explored to the fullest extent. Nothing at the end felt fully explored. And yes I understand that that is supposed to be the point of it. That the ending is left up to interpretation. But instead of finding this interesting or subversive, it felt like an easy way out and cheapened the story. Just because the book is self aware in its title doesn't mean its good. In short, I didn't like it. I would not read it again or recommend to anyone. 

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — J. K. Rowling

Classic. Love it. 

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — J. K. Rowling

My favorite HP book! Great mystery! Love the Triwizard Tournament.

6. Fangirl — Rainbow Rowell

I read this before I went into my freshman year. This was before Covid so I didn't know things would be different. It was longer than it needed to be but I liked the story of personal growth and also the sections of Carry On were great! 

7. Norwegian Wood — Haruki Murakami

I liked the atmosphere of this book but I feel something was lost in translation. I didn't appreciate how every female character was sexualized and I felt the story was meandering and pointless. ALSO, I do not appreciate the use of suicide in such an overused and plot convenient fashion. When so many characters kill themselves, you start expecting it and nothing is surprising or impactful. I understand how harsh this criticism is but its how I felt. However, that won't deter me from reading more Murakami in the future.

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix — J. K. Rowling

A bit long but a goodie.

9. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince — J. K. Rowling

Perfection.

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — J. K. Rowling

I love Harry Potter.

10.25 Bloom — Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

A good, light hearted, quick read. There isn't a lot to develop in a graphic novel since its less story in the same number of pages. I think the fact the one guy's (Eli? maybe?) friends made fun of his romantic interest should have been explored more since I felt they didn't properly apologize. I liked it though! Summer vibes. 

10.75 Mooncakes — Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

This was very cute and good! I don't read enough queer stories and I think I've never read a queer story that wasn't about (mostly) white gay men. I liked the magic. Very cute. 

11. Carry On — Rainbow Rowell

Second read. I LOVE this book. I love Simon and Baz. I love Penny! I love Agatha and how she finds strength in her femininity. The romance makes me squeal. The adventure gets my blood pumping. This book has such a soft spot in my heart!

12. Sharp Objects — Gillian Flynn

This is the first thriller I've ever read and it FLOORED me. This book is fantastic. The main character is so complex and the setting is vivid. The mystery and twists and psychology! Fantastic!

13. The Catcher in the Rye — J. D. Salinger

This book has the reputation of either being hated or idolized so I expected to have a strong opinion or reaction. Instead, I was... neutral. I was annoyed by the narrator and it was somewhat boring. I found the reference to Holden's history of abuse was impactful and subtle. Beyond that, it was profoundly mediocre. I did like the 50s atmosphere. The language and setting felt like being transported back in time.

14. A Visit From the Goon Squad — Jennifer Egan

I really loved this book. It may be in my top 10 though I'm not sure. I loved the shift in perspectives and how each chapter was its own story. I loved the intersections of the stories and to follow the characters over time. There was a lot to unpack. In short, I will definitely reread this one. I really liked it.

15. Bridge to Terabithia — Katherine Paterson

A classic from my childhood. Very emotional.

16. Circles in the Stream (Avalon: Web of Magic 1) — Rachel Roberts

I remember this being super good but then again I read it when I was 8 or 9. It was ok.

17. Ella Enchanted — Gail Carson Levine

This book holds up all these years later.

18. Wayward Son — Rainbow Rowell

My tiny shriveled heart! I should have waited for the 3rd book to come out so I'd know it would all be okay in the end. I liked the new setting and story. Spending any time with these characters is a treat. The world building really picked up as well. This has branched so far from Harry Potter satire. I want the next book so I know it'll all be okay for them.

19. The Giver — Lois Lowry

This was one of my all time favorite books as a child and I think that will never change. The story and messages have captivated me for much of my life. I will likely continue rereading this book.

20. It's Kind of a Funny Story — Ned Vizzini

This book handled mental health in a direct way. I read it in one night, when insomnia had a violent grip on me and I'd rather read than sit quietly in the dark. The relationship the main character had with Aaron was similar to a friendship I had in high school. This book also demystified the idea of a pysch ward to me. It wasn't a stellar story but I ended up reading another Vizzini as a digestible, somewhat heavy, but still witty and funny book. He really captured the mind of a depressed teen boy. I found the main character deeply relatable in certain aspects, like his stressful, competitive school, some of his perspectives, and his experiences. I liked this book a lot though it wasn't anything spectactular. I just read it at a specific time so it hit me really hard then.

21. Gone Girl — Gillian Flynn

This book is fantastic. I was disgusted, enthralled, invested, confused, shocked, and dizzy. I didn't realize I liked thrillers. I liked the characters of Sharp Objects more but the story of Gone Girl twisted me up inside the brain. Especially as I didn't have any spoilers so I was desperately trying to figure it all out before each reveal.

22. Dear Evan Hansen — Val Emmich

The parts with Connor were my favorites. His voice and perspectives and backstory really drew me in. Unfortunately, that was only a few chapters. The rest wasn't very good. I liked the idea and concept but the execution wasn't good. The pacing was off, there were few consequences and they were glossed over, the time jump at the end felt bizarre, the relationship with Zoey seemed really messed up. This book uses the main character's depression to excuse his actions and doesn't give him consequences. This is a dangerous message and also makes the book worse.

23. Romeo and Juliet — William Shakespeare 

Classic. 

24. Murder on the Orient Express — Agatha Christie

I felt transported to the 1930s. I couldn't figure out the mystery but I felt like Christie was trying to give me clues and wanted me to figure it out before the end. I'm not so sure I'm a mystery person but good mystery. Not so memorable compared to others books I read this year.

25. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue — Mackenzi Lee

I loved this book so much! I don't normally like/read historical fiction but this book was iconic. I love Monty so much and Felicity is such a badass queen. The adventure was high stakes and the vibes were spot on. There were also a lot of tender moments and emotional beats that made me quite invested. Monty's drinking problem and history with his father was also handled in a thoughtful way. The inclusion of queer and mixed race characters (as main characters) in a historical fiction was also great. Love it!

26. Be More Chill — Ned Vizzini

I didn't like this as much. I think I was not the intended audience so I couldn't connect with it very much. I listened to the musical after and disliked it way more than the book though. It wasn't bad, just not for me. Teenage straight boy. Girls are hot, high school parties, etc.

27. The Goldfinch — Donna Tartt

This book is LONG. 900+ pages, 32 hours of audiobook. That being said, I finished it in a week or so. This book really connected to me. The themes of art, aesthetics, and the value of cultural artifacts resonated with me. Though, the book was longer than it needed to be and dragged on a bit. I loved Boris as a character and often felt I wanted the book to be about his life. The ending felt a bit rushed and I wanted a longer more nuanced epilogue. Overall though, I really liked this book. I felt connected to the story and concepts. I keep thinking about certain moments and passages. It is a deeply emotional and broad story.

28. Persepolis — Marjane Satrapi

This is a fantastic graphic novel. I think it should be assigned in schools. I learned a lot about Iran and the history of the Islamic Revolution. Beyond that, the growing understanding of the gravity and injustice surrounding her at a young age was impactful. This was an experience to read. I would highly recommend.

This was a weird year. Reading helped me through it. Things were rough in 2020. I don't have any goals for 2021. I just hope that it is better.