Fave Reads of 2020 (#Bestof2020)

I did mean to publish this end of 2020/early 2021. I had 80% of it drafted and everything, y’all! As the saying goes: better late than never. So here are my faves of 2020.

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From 2020 draft: I’m gonna say something similar that many have said this year: I had a hard time. With a lot of things but especially my tried & true love: reading. Jess Zimmerman at Electric Literature wrote a really good post about having a hard time reading due to the events of 2020 that are also bleeding into 2021 and will be in our psyche for a long while.

Now, I did start and stop many books. Some that I just didn’t have the bandwidth to finish due to content but were/are great reads and others I just wasn’t feeling and gave up on 50 or more pages in. If I had included those my tally would’ve been 50+, which is still less than my 62 aim for 2020. Perhaps next year I’ll go above and beyond my goal or perhaps I won’t and may get stymied from our current situation extending. Who knows? I do know that by not reading, notice the dearth of poetry on this list (sigh), really hampered my own creativity. I get SO much inspiration from arts and not being able to go to museums or live shows, socialize, or read steadily/daily impeded other ways I was absorbing methods for my own artistic expression. TV and film can do but so much. And a hope I have for 2021 is to not only be healthier by moving/exercising more in my current WFH life but to also carve out time to read at least 45 minutes a day to help get the mind percolating. Wish me luck! Now on to some of my favorite reads of 2020.

The Illness Lesson by Clare Beams (2020): I believe this may have been one of the first books I read start to finish in 2020 and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. The premise had me intrigued and the writing dug the hooks in so that I couldn’t stop. I even wrote an essay about the themes in Illness Lesson because Beams’ prose really tapped into how much the world can beat you down and make you second guess yourself.

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (2021): The writing is sparse but the emotions run high in what would become an immediate bestseller for Engel. This is the kind of book you can also learn from, tightly packed, clear details, sensory utilized consistently. So beautiful and not a “typical” immigration story as labeling it as such is not only inaccurate but a limitation. Really enjoyed this and can’t wait for more from Engel, and to read her backlist.

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry (2020): I am a huge fan of Mabry’s National Book Award longlisted YA novel All the Wind in the World. So I was pleasantly surprised when I received a copy of her latest book smack dab at the start of quarantine. This was one of the first books I read start to finish once quarantine was officially in play throughout the United States and Mabry did not disappoint! Mabry’s writing is always excellent and her sentences are to be savored. Get this one if you hadn’t already.

Class Act by Jerry Craft (2020): I wouldn’t dare compare the bestselling Class Act to the bestselling/award-winning New Kid because they stand solidly on their own. This was exactly the type of book I needed during quarantine. Graphic novels in general have, finally, been more sought out by major publishers. And I’m glad because books that combine humor, commentary, and put you at ease like this one are really great for kids, especially Black kids, to have when times are dreary.

Twins by Varian Johnson & Shannon Wright (2020): As I mentioned, I craved graphic novels as we headed into fall and several months in quarantine. I needed the visuals and “lighter” fare. So you’ll see a few on this list because I wanted more and more. I loved the sisterly bonds in Twins and how their love for each other, even as they were coming into their own never wavered.

A Is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z by John Robert Allman and Peter Emmerich (2019): Emmerich’s illustrations really make this book for me, no offense to the wonderful rhyme from Allman, connecting each letter and person(s). It’s so vibrant and encapsulates the beauty of Broadway that I miss so much. Whether you’re a fan of Broadway or not I highly suggest this book as a celebration of women in the arts.

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans (2020): I’m a big fan of short stories and wish I had been able to read more or had more on my radar. Either way, Evans’ latest was a great read utilizing humor and reality and, on occasion, turning the world on its head slightly to show how what we’re dealing with now has been part of a larger history. Read this and her debut Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self ASAP if you hadn’t already.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (2020): One of the biggest bestsellers of 2020, Bennett’s second novel was one everyone heard about. And it is a lovely and piercing read. Switching POVs over time—and you know I love multi-POV stories—as well as looking at passing and giving us a bit more context from a contemporary lens, though a good chunk of the story is in the past/recent past, outside the Harlem Renaissance tomes, Bennett’s look at two sister’s choices in how to live their lives doesn’t skirt hard truths.

Max & the Midknights by Lincoln Pierce (2019): Another graphic novel! And a fun one to a bestselling series from Pierce. Max and his merry friends are on a mission and it’s great to see a kind of Scooby Doo gang vibe in this medieval look at young people finding their destinies. Super cute and funny.

How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C. Pam Zhang (2020): Longlisted for the Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, Zhang’s debut is phenomenal and a great first read of 2020. I’m hoping we’ll see a worthy adaptation of this to the screen because Zhang’s storytelling is absolutely cinematic.

Running by Natalia Sylvester (2020): Sylvester’s YA debut is just the book we need. As the daughter of a conservative politician comes into her own politics and beliefs there’s a lot to traverse. You can love folx and also disagree but this is hard. How much have people sacrificed for other’s dreams and what about broaching hard conversations? In Running, there are no easy answers, which is why I love this book and what it provides for young readers who are more politically aware than I was at their age.

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi (2020): As always Emezi’s prose is pristine, taut, and emotionally charged. The beauty of Vivek Oji is the love for a character we know from the start will pass, but has such a bright life on the page as a corporeal being and in the after life.

Other enjoyable reads in 2020 include: Real Life by Brandon Taylor, Memorial by Bryan Washington, Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds & Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.

Happy reading!

Fave Reads of 2019 (#Bestof2019)

It’s that time of year again folks! I got my act together to actually get this (and last year’s list) posted in a timely manner. How lovely is that?

This was a busy reading year and, somewhat regrettably, I have not always had time to read for pleasure. Much was work-related (not a bad thing at all!), but it does put more of the titles I’m eager to read and support (with ratings, since I bought most of them and they’ve been lounging in my stacks) soon after publication. But what matters is the journey not the time right? (Or so I keep telling myself.)

I read a bit more poetry this year but still would like to get it full on up to about one-quarter, at least, of the books I read for the year. Nicole Sealey’s August Poetry challenge almost helped with that but I had to bow out for more (you guessed it) work-related reading. Much of which was divine and you’ll find listed below. How much did you read for 2019? What are you stoked for in 2020? I’ve read one or two coming out next year so it’s going to be a stupendous time for books (and political anarchy which may also be in book form!).

Cuicacalli/House of Song by ire’ne lara silva (2019): When I say this poetry collection packed a punch I mean it. I heard Silva recite some of the poems in Cuicacalli at a festival in Texas we were a part of. So enamored I bought the book and it took a month for me to read it. In transit I found myself so in awe I had to immediately post my admiration for this title. As I said on Goodreads these poems cut deep because of the sharpness of the words Silva uses. Survival. Family. Loss. Love. Identity. This is a collection I teach for a reason. Women especially and those who have experienced grief in various iterations can truly feel how Silva captures this and lays you down gently after. SO good!

I’m Telling the Truth But I’m Lying by Bassey Ikpi (2019): Been a big debut year! And that includes Bassey Ikpi’s I’m Telling the Truth, which hit the NYT bestseller list deservedly. Ikpi’s background as a poet really does make this standout in the rhythm and cadence she builds. There’s momentum in these essays as well as a rawness to letting others see that bipolar disorder is not easily described. She puts you in her body so you can see why this feels frantic and uncontrollable…because it is. If you haven’t read this one I encourage you to do so, and take your time with it.

Ordinary Girls: Memoir by Jaquira Diaz (2019): Diaz’s debut memoir was much lauded before it even hit shelves. This is because Diaz’s essays have been making a mark for the impactful writing she’s built. As she said it’s a story she had to get out of her because it kept resurfacing and to be this brutally honest in nonfiction is no easy feat (also see Ikpi’s book above). Diaz’s work is to be applauded as well as her candidness in the telling.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (2019): National Book Award finalist Pet is truly unique. Angels and demons? Creatures born from blood and paint? BFFs forever? Count me in for all of this! Emezi and I had spoken about the importance of friendships in stories, especially for young readers, and how that’s often not showcased. This is a big part of Pet (as well as New Kid and Watch Us Rise) which I think is why I took to these titles so much. Wanting to be good and do good and protect those we love is inherent, who couldn’t relate to that? In Pet, Emezi raises the stakes yet never loses the emotional impact.

Dominicana by Angie Cruz (2019): A much hyped book online, offline, and on TV—hey GMA Book Club—Angie Cruz’s latest novel takes you through many emotions as Ana’s journey is not only across land and sea, but internal when she experiences marriage and love (not necessarily with the same person), the harshness of responsibility, and the toll of immigration. This is not a preachy novel at all, it’s a completely immersive one. I couldn’t put it down so I dare you to once you pick it up.

Heed the Hollow by Malcolm Tariq (2019): I happened to pick up Tariq’s debut at a BEA party; I am so glad I did. Blackness, queerness, masculinity, and so much more is encapsulated in this collection. It’s been put in comparison with Jericho Brown and Danez Smith, but Tariq really does hold his own as those poets do as well. Savor this one as it’s meant to be savored.

When Aidan Became a Brother written by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (2019): I don’t put picture books on my lists enough, but I read several a year. This book was one I bought several copies of: one for myself and others for those I knew with little ones! The story is so lovely and deep. It’s the perfect way to introduce kids to understanding not to make assumptions and to allow children to be themselves without judgment or dismissal. I loved the family dynamic of how everyone learned together. A HUGE fave and a BIG recommendation.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (2016): Yes, I am late to the Newbery party on this one. I had it in my stacks for a bit and am so glad I took a moment to read it. I loved Barnhill’s style in this one, how she went about narration, how she didn’t hold back in the difficulties of raising a child with (unlimited) powers, and the lengths that people in power will go to stay in power. At heart it’s a story about love in all ways and that pierces through the whole plot. I adored this book and it deserved the Newbery honor.

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019): I read several romance books for a Publishers Weekly feature earlier this year and McQuiston’s debut, along with another listed below, were my FAVES! McQuiston’s is truly a rom-com through and through hitting all the notes with an initial love-hate turned love-love relationship between the First Son of the US and a Prince of England. Hijinks ensue when they’re thrust together for a PR conciliation tour and wow does this become one of the most heartwarming, funny, and deep romances I’ve had the opportunity to read. I need to get back into the genre. This one has been well hyped for a reason and I was one of those cheering it on.

Magical Negro by Morgan Parker (2019): I really really enjoyed Parker’s latest collection. The title alone had me sold but then I read it and woooo this is some deep stuff. Too much to encapsulate in the amount of space I have in this post. What I will say is she pulls no punches and holds nothing back. Her work not only fresh air but freshness. Don’t believe me? Read it for yourself.

Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud (2019): I read a bit of romance because I also got to read it for the Publishers Weekly feature on royal romance. I ended up gobbling it up in one evening because I just had to know how this would end. The coupling is great. The Black girl independence and her being desirable—by a prince by the way—is refreshing! The main character has goals, social justice goals! She doesn’t need a man but dagnabbit if she doesn’t deserve to be treated well. This is the type of book I want more young Black girls to read and I think Rigaud did an amazing job showcasing this.

The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell (2019): The Old Drift is one of the longest books I read this year and it’s worth it! What Serpell does is take us from dark times to dark times spanning a couple centuries. There are no boundaries and reality includes folklore that works incredibly well in the world she divined. Speaking to her more about putting Zambia at the forefront of a historical, contemporary, and futurist story it feels like parts of Africa should inherently be part of every futurism read.

New Kid by Jerry Craft (2019): I was lucky to get an advance copy of Jerry Craft’s latest book and it’s one of my faves this year for a reason: plenty of heart and humor which isn’t always easy to balance period, especially for young readers. Jerry mentioned he actively wanted to make something lighthearted that also spoke to what Black kids deal with when you’re “out of your element.” If you’re from NYC many of these jokes will land extra hard. I recommend this one to everyone’s kids! It’s been wracking up some great praise.

How to Sit by Tyrese Coleman (2018): As I said on Twitter I am upset I didn’t get to read this book when it first came out. A PEN Award finalist, deservedly, Coleman’s debut mixture of stories and essays (you don’t know which is which) is fascinating, relatable, and expertly crafted, as well as succinct! It’s a great study in how to play with form and subject. Add this to your shelves!

Severance by Ling Ma (2018): Ling Ma’s debut was one of the first books I’d read in 2019. I’d heard so much about it and usually when that happens I hedge on whether it’s really as good as everyone says—at least in my opinion. Turns out it was! Zombies or at least an apocalypse are my jam and the subtlety in this one was great. Not to mention the main character is a production editor, like myself, so I totally fell into the details of her mundane life while the world was actively going to hell. Don’t expect blood & gore but do expect to be creeped out.

Homie by Danez Smith (2020): As I keep saying, who knew I’d love a poem about trees?!? Smith’s latest quantifies them as a poet of multitudes! Language, geography, identity is all revealed throughout poems of relationships and growth, looking at the past and experiencing the present. These are sounding boards for deep observations along with clear dedications to the beauty of so much that encapsulates Blackness. The collection’s “real” name is My Nig, but out of respect, please refer to this as Homie and Homie alone.

Books I also thoroughly enjoyed this year include: Renee Watson & Ellen Hagan’s Watch Us Rise, Rion Amilcar Scott’s new collection The World Doesn’t Require You, Crystal Hana Kim’s If You Leave Me, Morgan Parker’s debut YA Who Put This Song On?, Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by TKira Madden, and Diversity Inc. by Pamela Newkirk.