In general, I average reading at least a book a week. This year, I did the same, but even though I had more available time, it was sometimes hard to settle down. One of the effects of worrying about Covid-19. My reading was heavily novels with a few mysteries, memoirs, and other nonfiction mixed in. Here are some of my favorites for the year. Several of these titles are now showing up on notable and best-of-the-year lists.
NOVELS—CONTEMPORY, HISTORICAL, AND DYSTOPIAN
Monogamy by Sue Miller
Wonderful prose by this noted author in a reflection on marriage after the spouse has died. Finely drawn characters.
Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
Marriage and parenting entries in a log kept by a woman on a momentous sea voyage with her husband. Superb!
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
A poignant coming of age story about Casey, an aspiring novelist, grieving the loss of her mother and confused about the two significant men in her life. Great setting in Cambridge, Mass.
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
From the other end of the spectrum, prickly Mainer Olive Kittredge confronts aging and challenging relationships. For fans of the earlier Olive novel, this is another winner.
Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati
Two female doctors in late 19th century Manhattan search for missing women. A tome for long winter days and a sequel to her earlier book.
Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Atwood has crafted an excellent story of torture and treachery in Gilead, a most worthy successor to The Handmaid’s Tale. I liked it even better than the earlier book!
MEMOIRS—Political and Personal
Education of an Idealist by Samantha Power
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Power was raised in Ireland and then served in Obama’s administration. A candid and engaging political memoir.
Self-Portrait in Black and White by Thomas Chatterton Williams
This is the lone nonfiction book I read about race in 2020. Williams is a contributor to Harper’s Magazine and a Black man married to a white woman. How it feels to straddle both the Black and white worlds when your daughter is a blue-eyed blonde.
NONFICTION—Illness & Ireland
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
Since an abnormal psych course I took in college, I’ve been fascinated by schizophrenia and autism. Kolker’s account of six siblings out of twelve suffering from schizophrenia in the 1950’s is riveting.
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
Motivated by a planned June trip to Ireland that didn’t happen, I delved into this account of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. It’s dense and highly detailed, but I learned a great deal and found it worth the investment of time.
MYSTERY—Favorite Author
Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming
After a hiatus of some years due to deaths in her family, this author returns with a multi-layered mystery about three murders, years apart. Cleric Clare is here, but the focus is on her spouse, police chief Russ, over several decades. Meaty and satisfying!
CURRENT READING
Meanwhile, I’m working my way through Obama’s memoir. Very well written, but better read during the day than before bedtime!
Note: Book jacket images are from Amazon and several other web sources.
