Best Books of 2020
Despite the trying year, I did read some very good books. Though I didn’t reach my GoodReads goal of 30 books, I got pretty close with 27, technically 28 as I reread and annotated the Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I set my reading goal for this year back down to 25 books because I want to take my time, especially with nonfiction books so I can take notes and really get the most out of them. Reading has been the hobby that gets pushed to the side for the past couple years as I rush to get everything else done. I love reading and I want to do it more and use it to relax as well as a way to learn again. Also reread any I wish to as GoodReads hasn’t made rereads count toward your yearly goal yet. Here are my favorite reads of last year in no particular order.
1. Rules for a Knight by Ethan Hawke (nonfiction)
A bit of a strange one. I didn’t expect it to touch me in such a spiritual way. It is about a knight writing letters to his children and passing on his rules for being a knight which honestly were just great rules for life in general. It is a small volume that is easy to read quickly, but I want to go back and take my time, take notes and really study the message in the rules.
2. Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan (contemporary)
THIS BOOK! I’ve talked about the Fence comic by C.S. Pacat here before, but now the story has come to novel form! You don’t have to read the comics to read this book, but in does add background and it gives you a picture of the characters. Similar vibe to Running with Lions, a feel-good cute gay sports contemporary with all the best tropes; friendship, fake dating, angst and, of course, fencing. I read all this book minus the first two chapters in an afternoon and it is probably my favorite read of the year. I cannot wait for book 2.
3. The Witch Doesn’t Burn in This One by Amanda Lovelace (poetry)
The second book in her first poetry and my favorite having a few poems mentioning witchcraft. I just love the simple almost journal entry-like structure of her poems that make you feel a connection to something you haven’t experienced.
4. The Dragon Riders of Pern (1-3) by Anne McCaffrey (fantasy/sci-fi)
I got the bind-up of the first three Pern books (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, The White Dragon) and read them all pretty much back to back which was good because you get a lot of characters in this complex world with an ever evolving plot. A strange, but amazing blend of fantasy and science fiction and the first book ever to have humans riding on dragons. A must-read for all dragon and high fantasy fans as the classics are considered for all readers. Fun fact: I’ve met the son of the author who later finished his mom’s books after she passed away.
5. Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell (spiritual)
Recommended to me by a friend, I think this was the first spiritual book I had picked up that wasn’t related to witchcraft. The author does talk about God a few times which doesn’t usual sit well with me, but she crafted it in such a way that left it open for you to insert your own beliefs into the sentence. My favorite part was all the journaling prompts at the end of almost every chapter. I did feel my conscious growing as I read it.
6. Bewitching the Elements by Gabriela Herstik (witchy)
My favorite witchy author from Inner Witch came out with this beauty all about connecting to the elements through rituals, glamour magick and more. If you are new to the craft, definitely check out her first book before diving into this one.
7. The Goddess is in the Details by Deborah Blake (witchy)
Author of Everyday Witchcraft, this book actually came first, but you really don’t need to read them in order. Another witchy author I highly recommend because she focuses on everyday magic and fitting your magic and spirituality around your busy life and really walking your talk.
8. The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare (urban fantasy)
It wouldn’t be a yearly favorite list without a Cassie Clare book. I love this series because it brings you back to the nostalgia of the first series, the Mortal Instruments with everyone’s favorite gay dads, Alec and Magnus. Excited to see how this series ends.
9. The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (mystery)
This book didn’t get a picture because I actually listened to this on audiobook. My mom recommended the Stephen Fry narrated one on Audible and it was incredible. I had heard most of the Sherlock Holmes stories in one way or another, but I actually had never read the first two novels; A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four, as well as a couple other. I really enjoyed getting to finish this classic and I think the audiobook really added to it.