I thought making this list would be easy. Yet this year has gone by so quickly in hindsight (and so, so slowly in the moment) that somehow I forgot just how many fantastic books I read this year. In the midst of everything that became 2020, I managed to read 70 books, several of which … Continue reading The best books I read in 2020
Category: Books
This includes reviews, facts, and other bookish things.
Dear Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: a take on the Gothic novel
Dear Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: After a bit of an Austen drought for me, I decided to listen to the audiobook version of you. I have been slowly working my way through Austen's novels for years (besides you, I have read Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion, and Emma), so I was excited to finally read … Continue reading Dear Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: a take on the Gothic novel
Dear The Reivers by William Faulkner: a much-needed exhale
Dear The Reivers by William Faulkner: After finishing what ended up being my most stressful semester of school yet (third semester of law school, it was a lot), I immediately knew what book I needed to pick up: you, the unread Faulkner book that had been waiting for me on my shelf for months. I've … Continue reading Dear The Reivers by William Faulkner: a much-needed exhale
a book for every song in Taylor Swift’s album “evermore” | recommendations
During my first listen through Taylor Swift's recent album "evermore" I knew that I would eventually make this list. Each song so clearly and lyrically tells a story. It's hard not to get swept up in the emotions of all these lost loves, lost chances, bittersweet memories, newfound feelings of contentment, and realizations of one's … Continue reading a book for every song in Taylor Swift’s album “evermore” | recommendations
Dear THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Alexandre Dumas: A gold star for this year’s Big Book of the Summer
Dear The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: For the past handful of summers, I’ve chosen a larger, more intimidating book to read over the summer months. Previous participants in this little challenge have been Moby Dick by Herman Melville, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. … Continue reading Dear THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Alexandre Dumas: A gold star for this year’s Big Book of the Summer
Dear SUMMER CROSSING by Truman Capote: A triple-layered surprise
Dear Summer Crossing by Truman Capote: Lately it seems as though I’ve acquired a knack for picking up the most recent book an author has written or published without ever having read any of their other work. Although you were the first novel ever written by Truman Capote, you weren’t published until over fifty years … Continue reading Dear SUMMER CROSSING by Truman Capote: A triple-layered surprise
Dear DIGITAL MINIMALISM by Cal Newport: Interesting from a pandemic perspective
Dear Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport: Given the current pandemic and ensuing lockdown measures, it’s not an overstatement to say that the majority of my daily communication for the past few months has been digital. From online classes and Zoom lectures to work emails and phone calls, I’ve gotten used to going about my day … Continue reading Dear DIGITAL MINIMALISM by Cal Newport: Interesting from a pandemic perspective
Dear LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng: What genre do you belong in?
Dear Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng: You've been one of the most recommended books on my TBR ever since I watched and enjoyed Big Little Lies a few years ago. I had never read anything by Celeste Ng up until this point, and numerous other bookworms recommended you both for your gripping story and … Continue reading Dear LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng: What genre do you belong in?
Dear THE SECOND PERSEPHONE BOOK OF SHORT STORIES: Lovely, bittersweet snapshots of the twentieth century
Dear The Second Persephone Book of Short Stories: I purchased you on an amazing return trip to England last summer, and have been waiting to read you ever since. As I wrote about in this post, I honestly never thought I would get the opportunity to visit Persephone Books, and when I did I knew … Continue reading Dear THE SECOND PERSEPHONE BOOK OF SHORT STORIES: Lovely, bittersweet snapshots of the twentieth century
Dear SHE SAID by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey: Striking, moving, eye-opening, and so, so important
Dear She Said by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey: Written by the two New York Times reporters who broke the story of several accusations of sexual assault and harassment against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, you provide a detailed account of this investigation and how it evolved over time. You had been recommended to me by … Continue reading Dear SHE SAID by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey: Striking, moving, eye-opening, and so, so important
