This marks the fifth year that I have been picking my favorite books that I read during the past year. I like doing this. Some books are so powerful I knew it would be part of the list as soon as I finished, but alas that doesn't always happen. Some books have a slow reveal. By that I mean they just keep staying in my mind throughout the year. Some one will ask me about books and a few books keep coming to my mind and I think of the same book every time. Others are representative of a theme that seems to be frequently a topic of conversation throughout the year. With other books it is full developed character that stays in my mind or it might be a particularly well crafted scene that I keep thinking about.
I think for the last four years the books on the lists have held up quite well. Take a look and see if you agree.
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2016
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2017
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2018
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2019
I know it has been tough year for all of us. The trials of living in and around COVID-19 have been a challenge. At times, I have been extremely productive and then there are days that move like molasses. On the positive side, I have ridden my bike over 2,700 miles. Not bad for 65 year old man. When I started the early morning rides the roads of Las Vegas were nearly empty. It was fairly safe and easy for me to transition from my exercise bike to finding my outside pedal legs after several years neglecting my old bikes. Next, I found myself reading even more. This year it is well over 100 young adult novel and quite a few picture books and a return to some of the adult detective fiction series that I have needed to catch up with.
I think the list of new YA books for 2020 was strong. It was fairly easy for me to find at least ten books that I could enthusiastically support. The difficulty was narrowing it down. So, this year, at the end of the post. I have some honorable mentions.
I will try not to go on and on about these books. Most of them were selected as Weekend Picks during the course of the year. If you want larger annotation visit the weekend pick page for 2020 here or click on the images below to see what some of the Amazon reviewers have to say.
Again, the list is in no particular order.
I think for the last four years the books on the lists have held up quite well. Take a look and see if you agree.
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2016
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2017
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2018
http://www.yawednesday.com/blog/bicks-picks-for-2019
I know it has been tough year for all of us. The trials of living in and around COVID-19 have been a challenge. At times, I have been extremely productive and then there are days that move like molasses. On the positive side, I have ridden my bike over 2,700 miles. Not bad for 65 year old man. When I started the early morning rides the roads of Las Vegas were nearly empty. It was fairly safe and easy for me to transition from my exercise bike to finding my outside pedal legs after several years neglecting my old bikes. Next, I found myself reading even more. This year it is well over 100 young adult novel and quite a few picture books and a return to some of the adult detective fiction series that I have needed to catch up with.
I think the list of new YA books for 2020 was strong. It was fairly easy for me to find at least ten books that I could enthusiastically support. The difficulty was narrowing it down. So, this year, at the end of the post. I have some honorable mentions.
I will try not to go on and on about these books. Most of them were selected as Weekend Picks during the course of the year. If you want larger annotation visit the weekend pick page for 2020 here or click on the images below to see what some of the Amazon reviewers have to say.
Again, the list is in no particular order.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Wow! just wow! Tiffany D. Jackson has not had a miss among her four novels. When I finished Grown. I had to just sit and replay the book in my mind. It is a significant tour de force. Please take a look.
Wow! just wow! Tiffany D. Jackson has not had a miss among her four novels. When I finished Grown. I had to just sit and replay the book in my mind. It is a significant tour de force. Please take a look.
Killing November by Adriana Mather
I had the pleasure to chair a panel a few years ago that included Adriana Mather. Her book at that time was Haunting the Deep. She has stayed on my radar and Killing November was a great find. Maybe the best news is that there is a sequel.
I had the pleasure to chair a panel a few years ago that included Adriana Mather. Her book at that time was Haunting the Deep. She has stayed on my radar and Killing November was a great find. Maybe the best news is that there is a sequel.
The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg
Bill just gets better and better. The Bridge is stunning. Bill has grapple in fiction with an issue that he openly acknowledges that he has struggled with throughout his life. This novel develops two strong characters through four distinct narratives.
Bill just gets better and better. The Bridge is stunning. Bill has grapple in fiction with an issue that he openly acknowledges that he has struggled with throughout his life. This novel develops two strong characters through four distinct narratives.
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
I am sad to say that it took me so long to get to this book. It sat on my shelf for several months. When the long list for the National Book Award was announced I wondered what I was missing. It turns out I was missing a great deal. This is an historical novel with multiple voices; each with a compelling story. It was my favorite among the ten and I was sad to see that it didn't make the final five. I like all of the books in the National Book Award list, but this one struck me especially hard.
I am sad to say that it took me so long to get to this book. It sat on my shelf for several months. When the long list for the National Book Award was announced I wondered what I was missing. It turns out I was missing a great deal. This is an historical novel with multiple voices; each with a compelling story. It was my favorite among the ten and I was sad to see that it didn't make the final five. I like all of the books in the National Book Award list, but this one struck me especially hard.
Lovely War by Julie Berry
I have to admit that Julie Berry had me with her nod to the Olympic gods. I also found that the way Berry comments on race and war throughout the novel is both insightful and engaging. It isn't surprising that this books shows up on so many award lists and among readers best of the year selections.
I have to admit that Julie Berry had me with her nod to the Olympic gods. I also found that the way Berry comments on race and war throughout the novel is both insightful and engaging. It isn't surprising that this books shows up on so many award lists and among readers best of the year selections.
Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth
For awhile now I have been an Eric Gansworth fan. If I Ever Get Out of Here rocked me in so many ways. I love the insider view of reservation life and the flawless connections to music. The arrival of Apple Skin to the Core and its multi-genre approach to memoir is a stunning accomplishment.
For awhile now I have been an Eric Gansworth fan. If I Ever Get Out of Here rocked me in so many ways. I love the insider view of reservation life and the flawless connections to music. The arrival of Apple Skin to the Core and its multi-genre approach to memoir is a stunning accomplishment.
The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
First, I loved the cover. Then, from the beginning, I was drawn by how the author was able to create such empathy for the characters.
First, I loved the cover. Then, from the beginning, I was drawn by how the author was able to create such empathy for the characters.
Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner
This book deserves more attention. To be frank, it isn't an easy read. More importantly, however, it just might be an essential read. Polisner delivers a punch to the gut. She covers female relationships with boys and men and especially with mothers and daughters. If you haven't read a Polisner novel yet, this is as good a book as any to get an introduction to this fine author.
This book deserves more attention. To be frank, it isn't an easy read. More importantly, however, it just might be an essential read. Polisner delivers a punch to the gut. She covers female relationships with boys and men and especially with mothers and daughters. If you haven't read a Polisner novel yet, this is as good a book as any to get an introduction to this fine author.
The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candance Fleming
I find myself reading more and more none fiction. With this book, Fleming provides a first rate discussion of the triumphs and faults of one of America's most notable pioneers of the air. If you don't know anything about Lindbergh, this is a great place to start. If you think you do know about Lindbergh, then you might really want to dive into this book.
I find myself reading more and more none fiction. With this book, Fleming provides a first rate discussion of the triumphs and faults of one of America's most notable pioneers of the air. If you don't know anything about Lindbergh, this is a great place to start. If you think you do know about Lindbergh, then you might really want to dive into this book.
I'm Not Dying With You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal
Few books have influenced my reading, my teaching, and my disposition about society over the last year that I'm Not Dying With You Tonight. I met Gilly and Kimberly at a Source books dinner at NCTE 2019. I was captivated by their energy. I planned to bring them to the UNLV 2020 Summit. Then, COVID-19, George Floyd, and an astonishing contentious election era fraught with racist comments, voter suppression, and a host of fantasy accusations, this book continues to give me hope that we can talk with one another, that we can work together, and that we can make progress.
Few books have influenced my reading, my teaching, and my disposition about society over the last year that I'm Not Dying With You Tonight. I met Gilly and Kimberly at a Source books dinner at NCTE 2019. I was captivated by their energy. I planned to bring them to the UNLV 2020 Summit. Then, COVID-19, George Floyd, and an astonishing contentious election era fraught with racist comments, voter suppression, and a host of fantasy accusations, this book continues to give me hope that we can talk with one another, that we can work together, and that we can make progress.
There Were Plenty Good Books Published in 2020.
Here are a Few Honorable Mentions
Take a look at the honorable mentions. Did I make a mistake or two? Should some of these be in the top ten? Should any of these be replaced with others?
Until next time.
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