Reading Roundup | The Best Books of 2020 | Lilly Fei

I’m extremely late to the game, but what can I say. It’s been a hectic month and the world has been imploding. Nevertheless, It’s my honor to share with you my favorite books from 2020. These books were not necessarily published in 2020, they were just ones I discovered and read. You’ll almost notice that many of these books are by people of color and are considered #ownvoices. As I see get more representation in the material I read, I realize just how amazing it feels to be able to relate to the protagonists. I am so glad to see more representation being offered for readers and I continue to make decolonizing my shelves and top priority. 

Please note that some books were gifted to me in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions, thoughts, and images are my own.

Daisy Jones and the Six 

Daisy Jones had something really special. Her natural talent and beauty solidified her fate to be a rock ‘n’ roll star. The Six, led by Billy Dunne, was a band on the brink of making it big. When the two acts team up, it’s clear they’re going to be the true stars of the rock ‘n’ roll era. They shocked their fans when the group abruptly dissolved without an explanation… until the members finally spoke up about what happened. 

I was unsure about this book because I typically don’t read historical fiction, and I didn’t think the format would interest me. I was so, so wrong. I devoured this book in one day. The interview style added a level of humor and complexity I could not have imaged. I could almost picture a documentary with cuts to the different band members giving conflicting accounts of their history. The style forced me to take in the different perspectives and consider the many ways the same event could be interpreted differently.

For full review click HERE

Such a Fun Age 

Emira is a 25-year-old black woman who is still figuring life out. She’s currently the babysitter of a quirky toddler. The toddler’s mother, Alix Chamberlain, is a privileged, white woman who encourages being a confident, independent woman. In fact, she has created an entire brand and career out of those values. The women’s dynamic changes when Emira is out babysitting and is accused of kidnapping the child. The incident brings to light a shared connection with someone who could change everything… 

Where do I begin? This was such a great read. I was drawn in from chapter one (where the accused kidnapping incident occurred) and could not put it down. The story follows the perspectives of Emira, Alix, and their shared connection. The story was incredibly witty and clever. It delves into the concept of white feminism and trying to be inclusive while really committing microaggressions instead. The characters were complex and well developed. They were perfect depictions of having good intentions but still having a less-than-positive impact on someone. 

For full review click HERE

You Should See Me in a Crown 

Liz Lighty had her plan. She was going to attend an elite college and become a doctor. She would finally leave the town she can’t fit into. When her financial aid plan falls through, she has to do something she thought she’d never do… run for prom queen. Her town cares more about prom than anything else and offers a hefty scholarship for the prom king and prom queen. Suddenly, Liz finds herself in the spotlight and doing what she has to do in order to win… even if it means not being true to herself. 

I really enjoyed this book. It features a girl that’s just “too black, too poor, and two awkward” for her town. Liz was a lovable and relatable character. She had a lot of depth and really encapsulated being the odd-one-out in high school. I also liked the supporting characters. They added details to the plot that helped Liz’s development and growth. They also had some depth to them and helped show how complex high school can be. 

For a full review click HERE

Verity

Lowen is a writer that could really use a big break. She is struggling financially and her books aren’t really selling. An unusual and once in a lifetime opportunity comes along that could solve all of her problems. Verity Crawford is an accomplished writer. Unfortunately, she was in an accident that has prevented her from finishing the last three books of her nine-book series. Lowen is hired to co-author the final books. While researching in Verity’s office, she comes across Verity’s autobiography manuscript that is clearly not meant for anyone to read. As she delves further into this book, she learns of horrid secrets that could just ruin someone’s life.

This was a different type of read than what I’m used to with Colleen Hoover and I was not disappointed. I was curious how she would write a psychological thriller after I had read contemporary romances/general fiction. This book had me turning the pages and I finished in two days.

For a full review click HERE

The Vanishing Half 

While the Vignes sisters are twins, their lives have taken them on vastly different paths. After growing up in a southern Black community, they parted ways in complete opposite directions. Ten years later, one returns to their hometown with a daughter whose dark skin has people talking. The other sister is passing as white in a completely different life and no one around her suspects a thing. After being estranged for so long, the twins’ paths will eventually meet again, but how will they handle the confrontation? 

This was a complex story that resonated with me. As I expected from reading the book jacket summary, this book broadened my perspective of the black community, (internalized) racism, and colorism. While racism, colorism, and identity struggles also exist within the Asian community (and in my life as a transracial adoptee), I really appreciated the perspectives of these issues within the Black community.

For a full review click HERE

Pachinko

In the early 1900s, teeanager, Sunja, becomes pregnant by a married man. Knowing she cannot marry her child’s father, she instead marries a sickly minister on his way to Japan. Her decision to move from Korea to Japan catapults her family and future generations into an epic saga of heartbreak and resilience.

Time traveling with Sunja and her family was emotional and riveting. I see now why so many people consider this a masterpiece. I was immediately drawn in and connected with the characters. I found myself caring about them and struggling with them as they endured Japanese occupation and its aftermath. 

For a full review click HERE

The Black Kids

Ashley Bennett has had the same friends since kindergarten. There have been moments when she’s silently questioned the things her friends said to her, but she typically just brushes it off. It all changes when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating Rodney King. Ashley is no longer just one of the girls. She has become one of “the black kids”. 

This was an outstanding debut novel by Christina Hammonds Reed. The events of the book occurred before I was born and as an Asian woman, I have lived with a privilege not afforded to Ashley Bennett and her family. Despite Ashley describing her family as the “good type” of black people that go to work and don’t make waves, she soon realizes that the world sees her differently no matter how hard she works. The Black Kids discussed very relevant and necessary topics including police brutality, racism, classism, and identity. It made me realize how much more work I need to do to be educated on the topics. 

For a full review click HERE

The Girl with the Louding Voice

Adunni is 14 years old and only wants one thing. An education. She wants to learn and to be heard. Instead, her father marries her off to an old man who was looking for a third wife. A tragedy in her new family sends Adunni to Lagos where she will work as a domestic servant for a wealthy family. It is there that she works to figure out what happened to the servant, Rebecca, she replaced and figure out who she is in the process.

This was a brilliant debut. I finished in two days because I could not put it down. While the content could be heavy and sometimes triggering, Adunni captured me. Her character development throughout the entire novel was strong, and I felt extremely connected to her. I loved her interactions with the fellow employees who often acted like mentors, friends, and parents. Her resilience was inspiring. I didn’t want to put the book down because I was so invested in her future.

For a full review click HERE

The Hate U Give

Starr Carter has two personas. One she uses at home in Garden Heights and one she uses at her prep school in another neighborhood. After she witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil, get fatally shot by the police, she is thrust into a new role. She must decide if she wants to keep her two personas split and figure out how much power words can have.

Despite its length, I devoured this book in three days. Starr was such a strong character and I felt connected with her throughout the entire novel. Her relationships with other characters and her development were complex and realistic. Just like in reality, you can’t keep everybody in your life and as you learn more about yourself, you learn which people are your genuine support system.

For a full review click HERE

The Sun is Also a Star

Natasha believes in science and not love. Daniel is a poet who knows there is someone out there for him. When these two meet, their polar opposite personalities are the base for something beautiful. The only question is, will the universe keep them together? 

This was such a quick and easy read for me. Yet, in the short book I found a moving and complex story of two teens from immigrant families trying to create their own American dreams. I loved the structure of the book. The chapters were very short and intermingled were short perspectives of people they meet along the way. 

For a full review click HERE

Those are just 10 of the 90 phenomenal books I read in 2020. Have you read any of these? Did you add any titles to your TBR stack? Let me know!