best books i read in 2020
i realize i am 9 months too late for this, and yet here i am because 1. i have rediscovered my love for reading during the qu- [gunshot], 2. i want to revive this blog even though i was never really active on here (i miss the vibes), and 3. these books deserve a lot of love! so, without further ado, here are the best books i read in the year 2020 (in order of date read):
1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- this got me out of my slump, ate it up in one sitting, and i was left a changed person (had me sobbing at 5am on a weekday)
- i still have unprocessed emotions
- i suggest just going into this blind
2. The Poppy War (trilogy)
- high stakes magic system involving fickle gods
- takes inspiration from chinese history (war heavy so check TWs)
- Chen Kitay my beloved <3
3. Jade City (Green Bone Saga)
- probably the best sff i’ve read in a looong time
- one of the simplest yet most interesting magic systems and worldbuilding i’ve encountered
- amazing characterization, rich imagery, the visuals are insane
- the old hong kong / shanghai vibes + martial arts !!!!
- the politics, the family dynamics, the plot twists? excellent.
4. The Lies of Locke Lamora
- best con artists in the city pulling their biggest scam yet
- the planning of a grand theft is so absorbing and the execution is so entertaining
- great dialogue, detailed worldbuilding, charming found family and freindships
- i don’t really recommend this because it’s just too heavy, so if you want to read this please please check TWs because i didn’t and i regret it
- it’s just.. heartbreaking ? but i need a more extreme word for that because that’s an understatement
- changed my brain chemistry for the worst
- japanese-inspired sff revolving around war, family, duty, etc.
- cool magic system (reminds me of atla)
- brilliant storytelling and execution
7. The Bone Shard Daughter
- uncomplicated magic system (reminds me of computer programming)
- the plot !!!! the characters !!
- dilf adopts a strange adorable animal sidekick
- themes on privilege, class disparities, and revolution
- set in a drowning empire on the brink of revolution
8. This is How You Lose the Time War
- sapphic rivals to penpals to lovers
- yearning blue-red couple
- gorgeous prose, it’s so addictive (i can’t get over it)
9. The City of Brass (Daevabad trilogy)
- 18th century ME setting with a clever con artist and idealistic prince as protagonists
- heavy politics, explores cycles of abuse, racism, oppression
- lovely worldbuilding and characters
- read it for Alizayd al Qahtani
10. The Rage of Dragons (The Burning quartet)
- african-inspired (xhosa) military fantasy with brilliantly executed themes
- action-packed, gory, and fast-paced
- unhinged protagonist prone to vengeance and drama (and comedy in the 2nd book especially)
- interesting magic system, dragons, a little political intrigue
- everyone is sexy and funny
- set in 1890s malaya, very atmospheric
- relatable protagonist because she’s always crying lmao
- marrying a dead man ? going to the chinese spirit world ??
- a little chinese family politics
- dragon deity love interest? yes please, we love some dragon di-[muffled]
12. Gods of Jade and Shadow
- adventuring through 1920s mexico (jazz era!)
- mayan myths and gods! amazing storytelling
- immortal god falling in love with mortal done right
- the only romance book i read that i absolutely love
- athletes in love !! ice skating !!!
- rivals to reluctant friends to best friends to lovers
- softest, fluffiest couple
- set in pre-columbias americas
- amazing, unique worldbuilding, rich imagery (the visuals are just *chef’s kiss*)
- chosen one trope with a twist???
- murderous priests, resurrected god, siren pirate ?
- the most seamless lgbt rep in epic fantasy i’ve read, everyone’s just casually queer as it should be! (xe/xir, they/them pronouns used)
- mutual pining and yearning
15. Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle)
- probably the best YA fantasy i’ve read (i’m actually fucking obsessed, i can’t recommend this enough !!!!!!)
- inspired by literary classics like Plato’s The Republic, Virgil’s Aeneid, Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad
- dragon riding school setting with political intrigue
- childhood friends to rivals to whatever the fuck they have going on
- the angst is maddening i wish i were kidding they drive me so insane
- brilliantly executed themes, so nuanced and complicated
- the protagonists are smart but they are also human and they make mistakes and it’s just so wonderful to read (the 2nd book levels up everything and the stakes are unbelievable i swearrr)
- historical romance set in ww1
- story told through greek gods’ perspective and it’s so unique i love it
- racism during the war, black people’s role in the war and influence in music
- it’s not *really* sad but i cried like 9 times lmao
- about twins who are black, but white-passing
- wonderful storytelling, explores themes on racism, colorism, and white privilege
- well, i finally read it !
- i like how achilles’ myth is told from patroclus’ perspective, so imaginative and beautiful
- i didn’t cry because i know the myth already, but it is still emotional and worth a read
alright, i think that’s it! i’ll be back at the end of the year for my 2021 version lmao i promise <3
janainaart
theartofmadeline
areudirty
yousharknotpass
pixelskylines
gummygunk
annaxmalina
