Reading in 2020

I realize it’s February, and that yes, I’m already either through or in the midst of several of the below reads, but here is what I’m reading in 2020. I’m usually a firm believer in not setting a reading list for myself since I love the spontaneity that comes with happening upon a new read, but given my spiraling out of control #tbr coupled with a desire for more focused reading this year led me to do some pruning of what’s been lingering on my list for years, and to finally tackle those that I’ve been wanting to read. I’m usually at the mercy of library holds so I can’t get down to the exact order but here you go! And lately some of my fiction has been pretty intense (lots of fiction narratives around some rather painful parts of world history) but I believe those stories are valuable and need to be told (although I’ve learned to stay away from those that glorify trauma or abuse and balance them out with lighter reads) so you’ll see that I’ve broken up my fiction reads into two sections. And I’m a pretty fast reader so I anticipate that this won’t carry me through the entire year of 2020 but I purposely buffered in the space for the ‘must-reads’ that friends inevitably put into my hands. And summer reading? That’s another list entirely. Wink. Let me know what’s on your 2020 list and hope you find some literary inspiration here too!

NONFICTION

An Indigenous People's History of the United States: I’ve wanted to read this one since it came out in 2015 and finally making 2020 the year to learn more about this tragic part of our country’s history.

As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life: The power of memory as it relates to spiritual transformation. As we embark on a new decade, it’s worth musing over how our past affects our future growth.

Atomic Habits: An exploration on habit formation that also provides a framework on how to form effective ones.

Dare to Inspire: Sustain the Fire of Inspiration in Work and Life: My friend Allison Holzer is one of the co-authors and she’s been on the forefront of the positive psychology movement and for years has focused on inspiration as it relates to the personal and corporate world. I’m halfway through and already using it personally as well as with the clients that I coach.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World: When the title says it all. Wink.

Disrupt Yourself: Master Relentless Change and Speed Up Your Learning Curve: I coach many individuals who are looking to change careers, industries, and often, themselves, so looking forward to learning more about effective ways to facilitate inner transformation.

How to Free Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility and Happiness: I picked this one up years back when I noticed the inner critics starting to emerge in my kids. Then it subsided so I put it away, now we’re back in that zone and I forgot how wonderful it is. Whether it’s a phase or your child’s actual emotional make-up, it’s worth reading to learn more how to harness their mental neuro-plasticity. Don’t we all wish we learned this earlier in life?

Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking and Health: I don’t love the subtitle but I am a big believer that we think about does effect us emotionally as well as physically. Looking forward to delving further into this topic.

The Entitlement Trap: How to Rescue Your Child with a New Family System of Choosing, Earning, and Ownership: My husband grew up with an allowance, as a first gen kid, I didn’t. Neither of us were passionate about either style, so this one about how to create a family economy that actually empowers children while stewarding financial resources is intriguing to us!

The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth: I had this one out from the library a few years back but had to return it before I read it and then it fell down the black hole that is the #tbr. Now that I’ve read The Road Back to You, it’s time to dig deeper into the Enneagram with this one.

Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path: It’s been a while since I’ve read a book on creativity specifically as it relates to writing so I’m particularly excited for this one.

FICTION

America for Beginners: A Novel: The US through the eyes of an Indian widow and her tour guide. I’ve heard it’s poignant and humorous at the same time which often makes for a stellar combination.

An Antidote for Everything: Medical care as it relates to transgender patients. Curious to know more? I am too.

The Book of Unknown Americans: This one about a family of Mexican immigrants came out in 2015 and has been on my list since. 2020 is the year!

Little Bee This is from my unread shelf which actually is rather sparse since most of my books come from the library! But a friend gave me this one in 2015 and it’s time to dust it off the shelf and just read it!

The Far Field: From Bangalore to Kashir, a novel about family, love and politics.

The Lost Letter: Inspired by actual resistance workers during WWII in Austria. I read it is a must-read if you loved Lilac Girls, which I did, so adding it the list.

The Lost Vintage: A Novel: What starts off as a weekend in a vineyard in Burgundy leads to a family’s ties with WW2. Every time I think I’ve read everything in the WWII canon, there is a new twist on this part of history and I’m looking forward to this one.

The Overstory: Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer, I’ve read rave reviews about this one on creation, trees and our human interconnectedness and am excited to read it this year.

The Water Dancer: About a 19th century slave with a mysterious power; I’ve heard it described as bold and ambitious with a touch of magical realism and now I’m eager to see for myself.

This is Chance! The Shaking of an All-American City and the Voice that Held It Together: About a town in Alaska in the 1960s that is met by tragedy and the radio reporter that keeps it together.

Middle Grade/YA

A Very Large Expanse of Sea: A YA read about first love and prejudice in a post 9/11 world.

Broken Lucky Girl: Cuban-Jewish immigrant story for the 10-12 age set. A close friend set both of her kids, one boy, one girl, read it and raved about it which knowing her bookworms, was enough for me to add it to the list!

Coral: A story about depression/mental health using the original Little Mermaid as inspiration. I finished it a few weeks ago and am still thinking about it. Review coming soon.

The Fountains of Silence: So far I love everything that Ruta Sepetys has written. This one takes us to 1950s Franco-run Spain.

The Wednesday Wars: Well the cat is out on this one. I read it last week and laughed and cried and loved it so much that I’m hunting down the rest of Gary Schmidt’s books.

On the Lighter Side

American Royals: Teasing out what it’d look like if Washington had been given a crown.

The Curious Heart of Alisa Rae: I’m intrigued about this one regarding a young woman with a fatal heart condition yet who still hasn’t given up on love.

Meg & Jo: Wasn’t sure about a modern retelling of Little Women since I love the original so much but I’ve heard rave reviews so now am curious to see how it is!

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler: Single mom departs rural PA and takes on NYC one summer, it sounds like a great one to read in between some intense ones.

2018 Booklist

It’s no secret that I love to read, a LOT. I don’t use any sort of fancy tracking for my booklist except a Word document that I’ve been updating since 2010. I know many people who set reading goals each year but I’ve never had the compulsion to do that. For me, I consider healthy reading to be akin to healthy eating: essentially doing so intuitively works the best for me. Sure, there are some books that I seek out more aggressively than others, but most times I’m at the mercy of the library hold list. Wink. I also pay attention to book recommendations from fellow bookworms and I love the booklists that our local independent bookstores put out. I’ve also recognized that some seasons I am able to read more than others (when toddlers were afoot, not much!). All that to say is that I’m not hung up on the actual number; I don’t numerate as I track as I’ve always felt then it would begin to seem like work to me, I just tally them up at the end of the year. This year I did read the most I have since I begun keeping track in 2010: a total of 88 books (last year it was 79). Note that this does include middle grade and young adult fiction, books that I’m able to get through quite quickly. I did not include family read-alouds in that total but I’ve included those, as well as audiobooks that we listened to as a family below. As I work from home I don’t have a commute so the audiobooks that we enjoy on road trips tend to be those that we do as a family. I do note trends in my reading though! Two years ago it was year of non-fiction. Last year it was historical fiction. This year was clearly the year of the memoir. I am realizing I read the least non-fiction this year than any other years but I believe this to be due to the fact that memoirs can toggle the line between non-fiction/autobiography. However, there are some topics I look forward to delving into deeper this year. I will look forward to seeing what 2019 brings!

For years I have done my own literary superlatives, I’ve listed those first but the list in its entirety is below as well. I didn’t include middle grade/YA in the superlatives as I don’t read as many in that genre and the ones that I did read were ALL fabulous. Please comment if you see a favorite or a book you’d like to read. Happy Reading!

2018 Booklist Superlatives

Best All Around

Where the Crawdads Sing

Best Fiction

Americanah

The Cactus

Best Historical Fiction

Lilli De Jong

Best Non-Fiction

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life

Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions

Most Helpful (in my season of life)

Going Public: Your Child Can Thrive in Public School

Most Unique

The Monk of Mokha

Most Poignant

The Line Becomes a River

Before We Were Yours

Most Humorous

Dear Mrs. Bird

Best Memoir

The Soul of An Octopus

Becoming

2018 Living by the Page Booklist

FICTION

Americanah Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

In Bloom: Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding Confidence Kayla Aimee

That Kind of Mother Rumaan Alam

Us Against You Fredrik Backman

Lilli De Jong Janet Benton

How to Walk Away Katherine Center

The Great Alone Kristin Hannah

The Cactus Sarah Haywood

Small Country: A Novel Gaël Faye

The Atlas of Love Laurie Frankel

Last Christmas in Paris Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Every Note Played Lisa Genova

An American Marriage Tayari Jones

The Queen of Hearts Kimmery Martin

Happy People Read and Drink Coffee Agnes Martin-Lugand

Still Me JoJo Moyes

Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng

This Must Be the Place Maggie O’Farrell

Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens

Dear Mrs. Bird AJ Pearce

A Spark of Light Jodi Picoult

The Optimist’s Guide to Letting Go Amy Reichert

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane Lisa See

Mr. Dickens and His Carol Samantha Silva

Sourdough Robin Sloan

By the Book Julia Sonneborn

The Good Thief Hannah Tinti

The Space Between Us Thrity Umrigar

The Book of Essie Meghan MacLean Weir

My Oxford Year Julia Whelan

Before We Were Yours Lisa Wingate

Something Like Happy Eva Woods

The Map of Salt and Stars Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry Gabrielle Zevin

MEMOIR

Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening Manal Al-Sharif

The Line Becomes a River Francisco Cantú

Between the Dark and the Daylight: Embracing the Contradictions of Life Joan Chittister

The Middle Place Kelly Corrigan

Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say Kelly Corrigan

The Monk of Mokha Dave Eggers

 Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Bob Goff

At Home in This Life: Finding Peace at the Crossroad of Unraveled Dreams and Beautiful Surprises Jerusalem Jackson Greer

Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of this Wild and Glorious Life Jen Hatmaker

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help that Actually Works-A True Story Dan Harris

Girl, Wash Your Face Rachel Hollis

Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared Jessica Honegger

To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey from Oregon to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regrets Jedidiah Jenkins

The Joy of Doing Nothing Rachel Jonat

From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel Christine Hoover

Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry Katrina Kenison

 The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother’s Memoir Katrina Kenison

The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food and Love Kristin Kimball

A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living Emily Ley

Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful Katie Davis Major

Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted Shannan Martin

Come & Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table Bri McKoy 

Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons Dr. Meg Meeker

Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion Sara Miles

The Soul of An Octopus Sy Montgomery

The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood Sy Montgomery

How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals Sy Montgomery

Becoming Michelle Obama

Beauty in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith and Resilience Allison Pataki

Going Public: Your Child Can Thrive in Public School David and Kelli Pritchard

A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope, and a Restaurant in Rwanda Josh Ruxin

Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith Barbara Brown Taylor

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Lysa TerKeurst

Educated: A Memoir Tara Westover

First, We Make the Beast Beautiful Sarah Wilson

NON-FICTION

Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior Jonah Berger

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life Bill Burnett & Dave Evans 

Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions Valeria Luiselli

The Artisan Soul: Crafting Your Life Into a Work of Art Erwin Raphael McManus

YOUNG ADULT AND MIDDLE GRADE

Where the Watermelons Grow Cindy Baldwin

The Wild Robot Peter Brown

The Wild Robot Escapes Peter Brown     

The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming J. Anderson Coats

Finding Esme Suzanne Crowley

The Great Hibernation Tara Dairman 

The Lifters Dave Eggers

Fortunately, the Milk Neil Gaiman

Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel Kimberly Willis Holt

Bob Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead

The Flourishing of Floralie Laurel Fiadhnait Moser

The Book of Boy Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Eleanor & Park Rainbow Rowell

Front Desk Kelly Yang

POETRY

Devotions Mary Oliver

Audiobooks[1]

·      Mary Poppins

·      The Penderwicks in Spring

·      The Penderwicks at Last

·      Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package

·      The War That Saved My Life

·      The War I Finally Won

·      Who Was? Scientists and Inventors

 Family Read Alouds:

[1] Note that the Audiobooks and Family Read Alouds are in the order that we read/listened to them. This doesn’t include the copious amount of picture books we read this year, please visit my the ‘Book Review’ section on this site or visit my IG @livingbythepagewithnatalie to see those titles and reviews.

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