Looking for a silver lining, I’d have to say that 2020 was a really good year for reading. As I’m a compulsive list keeper, it was fun to glance over the titles of the books I read last year, so I decided to make a list of the best of 2020. I’d have to start with:
The Glass Hotel – Emily St. John Mandel: Because I (and everyone else I know who read it) loved “Station Eleven”, I couldn’t wait to read “The Glass Hotel”. I’m giving it first place on my list because I read it twice: once to find out what happened, and the second time to study closely how St. John Mandel made it work.
The Friend – Sigurd Nunez: Death, grieving, writing, and a dog? Never have I enjoyed myself more since reading Abigail Thomas’s “Three Dog Life”.
Petra – Shaena Lambert: I’m going to read this again, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Although “Petra” is a work of fiction, the story is based on fact. I knew almost nothing about the roots of the activism that contributed to the dismantling of the Berlin wall. I didn’t even know that Petra Kelly was instrumental in forming the original Green Party before I read this book. It was super interesting and beautifully written.
Watching Me Without You – Lynn Coady: So far, in my opinion no one beats Coady for creep factor.
Primary Obsession – Charles Demers: Apparently Demers is planning to write a series of mysteries that center on mental illness, featuring Dr. Annick Boudreau. I can’t wait. This first one was candy. I enjoyed it so much that I bought 2 extra copies for Christmas presents.
Stars Uncharted by S.K. Dunstall gets an Honourable Mention for being just plain fun; shout-out to my Sci Fi pusher, L. Jane. Thanks, friend!
Happy 2021, folks–may you never get to the bottom of your “To Read” pile!