I am an avid book-buyer. My friends bemoan when we walk past a Waterstones knowing that I have to go in, and I will undoubtedly return a good thirty minutes later (on a good day) with at least one new read to add to my ever-expanding bookshelf. Pausing to reflect on my reading over the past year, I realise it’s been a mix. Although half of the year was spent indoors with ample time for novel consumption, I did at times find it hard to focus my attention with so much going on. Having said that, though there were times when I neglected the mini-library of the corner of my room, I eventually found my groove and read some really great books. Doing a literature degree means that for me, during the academic year I find it difficult to read for pleasure. My weeks are spent working my way through endless classics, plays and criticism, so when it comes to my own downtime, I don’t often find myself reaching for a book. However, this summer (and autumn and winter) provided me with plenty of time to get back on track with my 2020 to be read (TBR), so I thought I would share a few that I found particularly compelling – and there were many!
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Definitely one of my favourites reads of 2020! Jones follows the story of a young, African-American man (Roy) who is sentenced to 12 years in prison after being wrongly convicted for a crime his wife had no idea he had committed. This powerful story centres around the injustice of the American criminal justice system and witnesses the breaking down of a marriage through the largely epistolic form of the novel. It is a moving, and tragic story that holds a mirror up to the society that condemns Roy.
Expectation by Anna Hope
Tracing the lives and careers of three young and excitable women in East London, Expectations is a novel that resonated with me because of its representation of female friendships – the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a high energy read that is punctuated by flashbacks and the intricacies of careers, parents and relationships in your 20s. The character’s experiences and pressures are so vividly drawn and are a perfect representation of modern women finding their way in the city.
The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison
I loved Toni Morrison’s Beloved so when I saw this on a reading list on a module last year I had high hopes, and it did not disappoint. Morrison submerges us in the lives of a poor black family in the post-Depression of 1940s Ohio. The protagonist, Pecola, wishes for blue eyes every night like the ones she sees in her white classmates and through this she embodies the way popular culture elevates a racist hierarchy of beauty. A heartbreaking story written almost like poetry, and although published some 20 years ago, seems just as relevant and of the moment in our current social and political climate.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
You’d have to have been living under a rock over isolation to not have heard the hype about Sally Rooney’s latest hit. This is the novel that was made into a short series by the BBC and is everything from nostalgic, emotional, to gut-wrenching. I’m normally a book over TV person and this was no exception. I loved the series but the book is definitely worth reading – if you can bear to relive the pain. The world Rooney creates for her characters has great emotional poignancy, and she captures so profoundly the experiences of growing up and the complicated nature of identity.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
One of my favourite books I read over isolation, and for good reasons too. Evaristo is a master of plot and her novel follows the interweaving lives of twelve black and British women and their navigation of modern womanhood. I loved how all the different stories fit together so seamlessly, keeping me on my toes whilst also being an extremely laidback and enjoyable read. She gives a voice to a diverse range of women, bringing together many aspects of race, class, sexuality and occupation and is rightly described as an ‘illuminating tapestry of modern British life’.
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron
You may be familiar with the film ‘When Harry Met Sally’ or ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ but less so with the figure behind these masterpieces. Nora Ephron takes on the complexities of being a woman from dating, self-love, ageing and everything in between in this collection of short essays. Nora speaks to the female experience on a level deeper than just simply which men broke her heart, whilst also making her intense love affair with cabbage strudel so compelling. I love love love this book. Nora writes in a way that is witty, sharp and always clever. It’s perfect if you want something easy and entertaining but also come away from feeling like you’ve gained something- even if that is just a new goal to always over-tip and to never buy a red coat.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
I’m a big Zadie Smith fan, it’s no secret. I’ve loved every book I’ve read of hers and I generally think she’s such an interesting writer, but White Teeth was definitely one of my favourite novels of 2020. This novel is satirical and witty, whilst also covering the complexities of multicultural London in the 1990s. The plot is busy, but Smith keeps up the momentum with her fast-paced speech and interweaving narrative. It’s not a quick read, the entire novel just short of 600 pages, but is definitely one that absorbs you into the world of the characters through her elegant and poised tone.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
While I’m a contemporary fiction fan at heart, I thoroughly enjoyed this modern classic – especially as I haven’t read any Steinbeck since my Of Mice and Men years in secondary school. Steinbeck takes inspiration from the story of Cain and Abel and writes a compelling story, huge in narrative scope, about two families whose destinies are inevitably entwined. Although heart-breaking at times, dealing with love and loss, Steinbeck moves through generations to explore the thought-provoking nature of good and evil. Not a light read, but 100% worth the time to bask in his literary expertise.