We all know 2020 sucked (as I write this, England has gone into another national lockdown so I don’t know how well 2021 will go at this point), but I found so much solace in books last year. I particularly loved reading poetry before bed to distract my brain from the various statistics on the evening news. I found quite a few of these reads from others and while I wanted to list all my reads here for my own personal reflection, I also thought some of you might find this list helpful in some way.
I might do some reviews on my favourite reads in the future but I don’t want this post to be too long or overwritten so I have included only a sentence or two alongside these titles below.
*to mark any books that are rereads
Mr Salary, Sally Rooney (Faber Stories): These little Faber editions are so great to grab on the go and stuff in your bag, wherever your headed. I actually read these two whilst on the train to the city -while we could still do things like that.
Intruders, Adrian Tomine (Faber Stories)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King (Audible): While I do have the copy of this book, I mainly listened to it on audible whilst busying myself with other stuff.
*The Phantom of the Opera, Gaston Leroux (Folio Society): Quite honestly the most beautiful edition of this classic, actually any book for that fact, that I have ever come across.
*All the Wrong Questions: “Who Could That Be At This Hour?”, Lemony Snicket (Audible): Having loved A Series of Unfortunate Events as a child, I really wanted to give this new series of books a go. As you can see from below, I got through three of them but haven’t managed the last yet.
Flux, Orion Carloto: Absolutely amazing!
*All the Wrong Questions: “When Did You See Her Last?”, Lemony Snicket (Audible)
Love Looks Pretty on You, Lang Leav: This was my first Lang Leav book that I read and I quite honestly loved every minute it of it. It weren’t my only Leav book of the year but I still need to get my hands on more.
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson: This film is one of my all time favourites so reading the screenplay was sooo dreamy!
All the Wrong Questions: “Shouldn’t You Be in School?”, Lemony Snicket (Audible)
Empty Bottles Full of Stories, r.h. Sin & Robert M. Drake
Pillow Thoughts, Courtney Peppernell: If I could insert the heart eyes emoji here I would. Such a talented writer, I really need to get more of her books.
A Game of Thrones, George. R. R. Martin: After watching the final season of the HBO series, I have been wanting to delve into the books but have been put off by everyone saying how long-winded they are. While I won’t disagree to that last part, I’m so glad that I did take the plunge.
wild embers: poems of rebellion, fire and beauty, Nikita Gill: Another amazinggg poet.
Poems to fix a F**ked Up World, Various Poets: I finally picked this up off my shelf during the original lockdown -great timing, right?
Lullabies, Lang Leav: another amazing book from Leav.
Ten Poems about Tea, Various Poets (Candlestick Press Pamphlets): a great light read. I’d highly recommend any of the pamphlets by Candlestick Press -my personal favourite is The All Night Bookshop.
Sea of Strangers, Lang Leav: …how many times can I use the word ‘amazing’ to describe Lang Leav’s work? I should probably check out a thesaurus by now.
Love Her Wild, Atticus Poetry: a beautiful book, with both black and white photography and poetry. Some of his words really hit home for me.
Beyond Beautiful, Anuschka Rees... have to be honest, wasn’t entirely entranced by this read.
A Clash of Kings, George R. R. Martin
How to Survive: Lessons For Everyday Life from the Extreme World, John Hudson: not exactly my usual read but actually a really interesting book, recommended by my grandfather Stanley.
Midnight Sun, Stephanie Meyer: This is the book that I have been waiting for since I was thirteen and believe me when I say, it did not disappoint. True, it was a bit longer than I thought it would be -should’ve taken the whole Edward-mind-reading stuff into consideration.
A Storm of Swords, George R. R. Martin.
Film for Her, Orion Carloto: a beautiful second addition to my Carloto area on my bookshelf.
Christmas Lights, Ten Poems for Dark Winter Nights, Candlestick Press
A Feast for Crows, George R. R. Martin
You Matter, Dhiman: super underrated poetry book.
Burning the Books: A History of Knowledge Under Attack, Richard Ovenden: another recommendation from Grandfather Stan-lo… not actually completed as of yet. I’m currently on the tenth chapter, four more to go so this one can half be on this list and half on the 2021 list.
I always say I am going to commit to the Goodreads challenges but have never quite managed to complete them however, this year I am truly hoping and giving it my best shot. I am hoping to to read three books a month, making it 36 books by the end of 2021. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan but I do have quite a pile of books to get me started.
Did you read any ‘stand-out’ books in 2020? And, what are you hoping to read in 2021?
Cheerio for now!
withsomejam 
[…] of reading for me. I really hit a great stride with my reading and the books I came across. Like my reading in 2020, I read a fair bit of poetry and discovered some new writers who I already have a list of their […]
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