While not all of these books were published in 2020, they were among my reading list for the year. The books I read this year sprung out of the major events, particularly and obviously COVID-19 (my pandemic activity was spice mix-making and improving my cooking) and national demonstrations for social justice (which led me to try and better understand racism and how to fight it).
As I mention in a previous post, Caste (2020) was by far the best non-fiction book I have read this year, and in a very long time.
The #1 book I read, however, was Black Leopard, Red Wolf. From the time when I was a child, I was always fascinated with Africa, specifically West Africa. After years of courses on African ethnography, living in Ghana for over two years, and reading mostly non-fiction books that take place in West African countries, reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf made me feel giddy reliving African humor, ideas, fabrics, smells and taste vernacular, colors, dangers, and stories. I've never read Marlon James, but I am eyeing his other books. I think he will be writing more to expand the stories of Tracker (the protagonist), and there might be a TV series in the works based on this book, with Michael B. Jordan playing the lead role. My god I can't wait.
For those who enjoy horror (me), Paul Tremblay's Growing Things is one of those books where every short story was excellent, and I even went back and re-read a few. I cannot recommend this book enough! I also read Survivor Song, which is another novel by Tremblay, about an outbreak of a fast-spreading strain of rabies. This came out around the time that the world was introduced to the realities of COVID-19, so strange timing but excellent reading as well.
As for the other books, Montessori Toddler is a must-have for anyone who has a new born, a toddler, or teaches children. It really helped me understand our toddler.
Negative Self-Talk is an excellent book if you are too harsh with yourself or end the day unhappy with conversations or the traps of bad habits.
Sandcastle caught my eye because it looks like it is being adapted into an M. Night Shyamalan movie. Normally I don't read too much graphic novels, but this story is pretty intriguing.
Tiny Crimes was something I started in 2018, but with so many short stories, I picked it up, read a quick two- or five-page short story, and carried on with whatever else I was doing. I finally finished it about a week ago, but I really enjoyed the book.
Flavor Matrix is a beautiful book with creative recipes. Spice Mix Recipes is great for making mason jars with ready-to-go flavor for the kitchen.
Is Everyone Really Equal? is another book educators should read about equity and equality.
All in all, great readings this crazy year. Let me know what your top books are.
As I mention in a previous post, Caste (2020) was by far the best non-fiction book I have read this year, and in a very long time.
The #1 book I read, however, was Black Leopard, Red Wolf. From the time when I was a child, I was always fascinated with Africa, specifically West Africa. After years of courses on African ethnography, living in Ghana for over two years, and reading mostly non-fiction books that take place in West African countries, reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf made me feel giddy reliving African humor, ideas, fabrics, smells and taste vernacular, colors, dangers, and stories. I've never read Marlon James, but I am eyeing his other books. I think he will be writing more to expand the stories of Tracker (the protagonist), and there might be a TV series in the works based on this book, with Michael B. Jordan playing the lead role. My god I can't wait.
For those who enjoy horror (me), Paul Tremblay's Growing Things is one of those books where every short story was excellent, and I even went back and re-read a few. I cannot recommend this book enough! I also read Survivor Song, which is another novel by Tremblay, about an outbreak of a fast-spreading strain of rabies. This came out around the time that the world was introduced to the realities of COVID-19, so strange timing but excellent reading as well.
As for the other books, Montessori Toddler is a must-have for anyone who has a new born, a toddler, or teaches children. It really helped me understand our toddler.
Negative Self-Talk is an excellent book if you are too harsh with yourself or end the day unhappy with conversations or the traps of bad habits.
Sandcastle caught my eye because it looks like it is being adapted into an M. Night Shyamalan movie. Normally I don't read too much graphic novels, but this story is pretty intriguing.
Tiny Crimes was something I started in 2018, but with so many short stories, I picked it up, read a quick two- or five-page short story, and carried on with whatever else I was doing. I finally finished it about a week ago, but I really enjoyed the book.
Flavor Matrix is a beautiful book with creative recipes. Spice Mix Recipes is great for making mason jars with ready-to-go flavor for the kitchen.
Is Everyone Really Equal? is another book educators should read about equity and equality.
All in all, great readings this crazy year. Let me know what your top books are.
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