top of page
Writer's pictureBrandie June

2020 Book Highlights


Busy reading.

2020 was a crazy year, right? So many changes and disruptions to our normal life. One of the things that kept me sane this last year was books. I read over 69 books. Here are a few of the books I read last year that really stood out to me.

Note: these are books I read last year, not necessarily books published in 2020.


Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright

by Jennifer Wright

I think people will love or a hate a book about plagues during the time of COVID. I read this near the end of the year, and in a strange way, it was reassuring to hear about plagues of days past, knowing that they eventually ended and life went on. Plus, Jennifer Wright is the sort of author you really want to be friends with.



Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

by Aiden Thomas

Oh. My. God. This book was so good. There was romance, humor, mystery, and ghosts. Plus, a trans boy dealing with issues of acceptance and self. Damn. Did I mention this was a good book?



American Royals by Katharine McGee

by Katharine McGee

American Royals, along with its sequel, Majesty, was such a fun, frothy, escapist romance read. I have a weakness for royal romances, and this delivered along with some unexpected twists and turns.



Circe by Madeline Miller

by Madeline Miller

I love mythology and retellings, and Circe delivered both with a powerful feminist punch. Now I kinda want to be an exiled witch with my own island.



Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett

by Terry Pratchett

This was a reread that I started at the very beginning of last year, curled up by the fire and remembering how much I adore Terry Pratchett and Discworld books. This twisted fairytale is such a fun take on the Cinderella trope.



A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

by Bethany C. Morrow

You know how I love mythology and retelling? Add a modern tale with sirens who are black girls with a secret power that is dangerous, magical, and feared, so of course I was hooked. And the real world issues of oppression could not be more timely.



Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

by Louisa May Alcott

After watching the new movie, I felt it far overdue time to read the book. This classic proved everything I was hoping for. I wanted a story about sisterly love and finding oneself and being a good person. I really needed some extra love in 2020, and Little Woman was perfect for that.


While this is not an exhaustive list of the books I read last year, or even a list of all the books I enjoyed, it is a slice of those books that really stood out for me. I’m looking forward to another year of literary delights in 2021. Happy reading!

15 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page