At the start of the decade, I made a list of 101 things I wanted to do in 1001 days. One of these goals was to read at least 10 books over the next 2.75 years. I’m not a big reader (but huuuuuge book purchaser, holler) so 10 books seemed like a reasonable number for me. At some point during 2020, I decided I wanted to read 10 books throughout 2020 – and look at me now, I did it!
One of my favorite hobbies is buying books, if you consider that a hobby. Do I read them? Probably not, but I wanted to change that. My overall plan is to read through *all* of the books I already have before purchasing new ones, which seems pretty reasonable. However, I learned this year that you can borrow E-books from your local public library via the Libby app! So to curb my itch to purchase new books, I moved on to borrowing them.
Here is a list of 10 books I read in 2020:
1. Next Level Basic by Stassi Shroeder (4/5)
Read if you like: Celebrity / reality TV personality memoirs
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a pop culture and trash TV fanatic. I would consider myself an OG Vanderpump Rules fan, dating back to Season 1 when Sandoval and Kristen were dating (um what). When Stassi said she was coming out with a book, I HAD to read it (side note: this was before her “canceling”). This book was exactly what I expected from her: a sassy, *basic*, serial-killer sprinkled book with life advice, dating backstory, and realness (I mean she even called out FRANK for being a lunatic). I wouldn’t consider this a profound literary novel, but an entertaining peek into a reality star’s life.
2. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (4/5)
Read if you like: Fiction, mystery, mother/daughter character dynamics
A story about a mom who moves to a new town to start a new life for her and her daughter, but she can’t hide the truth of what brought them there. I listened to the audiobook version of this novel via the Libby app (even though I have a hard copy) over a few days driving back and forth between Austin and Houston. Little Fires Everywhere was one of those “can’t put down” books. It kept me interested and on my toes the entire time. Immediately after I finished the book, I watched the Hulu series. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a fan of how Mia was portrayed in the show so I couldn’t make it past the second episode, but I highly recommend the book.
3. Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure by Amy Kaufman (3/5)
Read if you like: Reality TV behind the scenes, a Bachelor fan
Another peek into pop culture life, this book takes you into the Bachelor Nation world and pulls back the reality TV curtain. Let me tell you – the world is just as bad as you imagine, think mental and emotional manipulation, forcing storylines, and straight-up creepiness (yes, I’m talking to you, Mike Fleiss). Written by a self-proclaimed Bachelor Nation expert, it was a great behind-the-scenes of how the show was created and how the producers produce the “most dramatic seasons ever”. I’m not sure I could watch the series with any sort of seriousness after reading the book, but it was eye-opening.
4. Incomparable by Brie and Nikki Bella (2/5)
Read if you like: Reality TV star memoirs, an easy read
For any Total Divas or Total Bellas fans, this book is for you! Written by Brie and Nikki Bella from the WWE world, this book is their autobiography of their personal and professional lives and how they got into professional wrestling. This was a super easy read – partially because I was super interested in their lives and partially because the writing is very simple. While they do go into the details of their lives, it’s nothing you couldn’t search on the internet or that they haven’t already discussed on the show. They didn’t even talk about John or Artem! Um hello, we wanted the TEA!! So unfortunately, I was left feeling disappointed.
5. A Sucky Love Story: Overcoming Unhappily Ever After by Brittani Louise Taylor (2/5)
Read if you like: YouTuber books, real-life stories that could be a movie
I read this book via Libby with a friend as part of our “book club” because we are both avid YouTube video watchers. The title of the book perfectly describes the story: A wild love story involving a YouTube star, love, and deceit. Brittani wrote this book in a way that sounded like she was just a girlfriend re-telling her sucky love story. It’s wild how she was caught in this web of deceit all while she was thriving on YouTube. Another quick read but again, nothing you couldn’t find already discussed on the internet.
6. Untamed by Glennon Doyle (5/5)
Read if you like: Self-discovery novels, need some inspiration in your life
So many people recommended this book to me and I’m so happy I read it (via Libby)! It’s a story about how Glennon Doyle left her marriage with her husband, fell in love with her wife, and has dealt with her lifelong struggles of self-worth and trusting your Knowing. While I didn’t agree with everything she discussed in her book, I learned some profound things that really hit home with me (I even screenshot pages for future reference).
7. Know My Name by Chanel Miller (5/5)
Read if you like: Memoirs depicting the process of navigating through the aftermath of sexual assault and the criminal justice system that fails the victims
This memoir is a heartbreaking yet beautiful account of the journey Chanel Miller went through after being sexually assaulted by Brock Turner. I knew of the “story” when it was first published a few years ago, but to read a personal account from Chanel’s perspective was incredibly meaningful. As I was reading her story (via Libby), I felt angry on behalf of all survivors yet empowered by Chanel’s metamorphosis. It was eye-opening to the world of how the “justice” system treated survivors prior to the #MeToo movement. I couldn’t recommend this book enough – but be prepared for an emotional read.
8. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (5/5)
Read if you like: Mystery, thriller, plot-twists
I had put this book on hold at my library via the Libby app and nearly forgot about it until I got a notification that it was available to borrow. This was my first murder mystery book I’ve read all year and I was quickly reminded why I loved them so much. The story is about a woman, Alicia Berenson, who was committed to a psych ward for murdering her husband, Gabriel, but chooses to stay silent when a therapist, Theo Faber, tries to help her. I read this with every free moment I had during the week (I’m talking while getting ready, before work, lunch, while snacking, dinner, before bed, etc).
9. The Guest List by Lucy Foley (5/5)
Read if you like: Murder mysteries, chapters from each character’s POV
As recommended by my sister, I packed The Guest List (and #10 below) for our weekend Getaway trip and it was a PAGE. TURNER. Let me tell you. This book was about an uppity “celebrity” couple who were getting married on a creepy island off the coast of Ireland. You know how wedding and creepy island mix (spoiler: they don’t). I particularly enjoyed the writing style: diary-type entries by each character. That made reading more interesting and seemed faster to get through. I found myself literally covering lines in pages because I didn’t want to “spoil” anything. There were multiple points throughout the book where I thought I knew what was going to happen but Lucy had me gasping at the end. I have already purchased Lucy Foley’s other novel, The Hunting Party, and can’t wait to read it!
10. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (5/5)
Read if you like: Fictional old-Hollywood memoirs, love stories, drama
You guysssssssss, this book was good. And when I say good I mean “I literally could not put this book down and finished it in 6 hours” good. To be honest I wasn’t sure if I was going to be interested in the old-Hollywood theme but who knew I was a sucker for even 1960s *drama*. It’s filled with heartbreak, badassery, scandal, love, and everything in between. I laughed, I cried, I was furious and wanted to punch some fictionalized people – but I enjoyed every second of this experience. Of course I researched the story after and was disappointed to find out it was truly fictional, but Freeform is developing a movie based on the novel and I CANNOT WAIT.
I’m hoping that I can keep up reading, even if it’s not for my 101 in 1001 goals. Based on what I’ve read this year, I think my favorite genres are memoirs and murder-mystery thriller types. Luckily for me, I have about 471846 of those sitting on my bookshelves.
Hopefully this inspires you to read too! Happy reading!
Vivian
