Books I’ve read in 2020: A Thread

will add books & brief reviews as I read throughout the year.

1. Dear Girls by Ali Wong.

Made me laugh out loud many times sometimes to the point of tears. A hilarious & heartwarming book covering everything from working in comedy, the importance of your upbringing and heritage, dating and more.

2. China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan

Second in the Crazy Rich Asians series, just as delightful as the first book. Can’t wait to read the third.

3. Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Needed this book. It resonated with me more than any of the other Brené books I’ve read, deeply moving & convicting & encouraging.

4. Dream More by Dolly Parton

Y’all already know I loved it because Dolly Parton is my hero. This is a short book based on a commencement speech she gave once and I know that were I at that commencement I’d be blubbering like a baby.

5. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I thought I wasn’t going to get into this book at first & then was sucked in & needed to know what happened next every page. It takes quite a plot turn & ends on a cliffhanger that I’m not sure if I love or not?

6. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (an alternate history novel)

It’s painful to get through, but brilliant. Reflects on the harsh realities of slavery then & continued racism & hostility in the USA Today through a “what if” story about the railroad. /5

(also want to say that I don’t finish books unless I like them, so I’ll let you know if I pick something up and it just doesn’t seem worth it too, but they won’t be numbered in the list)

7. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehesi Coates

An absolute must read.

8. Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling

My last few reads were really heavy and I just needed something fun & uplifting and I LOVE Mindy- this book is heartfelt & hilarious. Just what I needed.

9. The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

Cait went on a shopping ban for a year & got rid of all her belongings that she didn’t need/use on the regular and now I want to purge my house of everything and never buy anything ever again

OKAY I’VE BEEN TRYING TO READ “WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING” FOR I KID YOU NOT SIX MONTHS AND I JUST CAN’T GET THROUGH IT I’M GIVING UP I’M SORRY

10. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

The drama of people actually having money and far too much of it is astounding to me

11. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the last trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep



true crime and biography at its BEST

12. Caffeine by Michael Pollan

Quick read about a man giving up caffeine and discovering what it does to his body. I have mixed feelings because now I feel like I should give up caffeine but that’s a lot.

13. Alone with the Stars by David R Gillham

I was super hype about this cause it’s about Amelia Earhart (badass right?) but I was kinda...sorry disappointed in the way this book portrays all women including Amelia? Idk I’m bummed

14. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

“Hard work is the only true path to dignity.”

There is a reason this is an American Classic coming of age novel. It is absolutely delightful & reflects about the mundane and magnificent things in life.

15. Rising Strong by Brené Brown

As always, love Brené.

16. Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

This book made me cackle and I felt incredibly seen the whole time I was listening to it (thank you @LibbyApp ). Grateful for a humorous and real look into life with depression and anxiety that didn’t make me sad- it made me feel known.

17. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (recommended to me by @theboggyden ) It was really lovely!! But also makes me hope that I don’t have to wait fifty years and experience extreme scandal before finding true love

18. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb



Made me laugh and cry and is basically a perfect book for anyone with emotions of any kind

19. Little Bee by Chris Cleave

The most on the edge of my seat I have been reading a novel in some time. Beautiful narration & important content.

20. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

A short but powerful poetry novel that I enjoyed so much I may re read it and I almost never re-read things.

21. You are a Baddass Every Day by Jen Sincero

Quick read full of positive affirmations and I am here for it

22. My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

My favorite fiction book thus far this year!

23. The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

A lovely memoir about a girl & her dad who made a promise to read together every night. I loved it cause even though smitty doesn’t like to read if reminded me so much of our relationship.

24. Come Matter Here by Hannah Brencher

The first spiritual book I’ve read in a while, loved and sorely needed it.

25. How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

/5 stars. First book I haven’t been crazy about this year that I actually finished.

26. I am C-3PO: The Inside Story by Anthony Daniels


This was absolutely delightful. I love Star Wars. I loved this book.

27. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

I loved this book so much I read it in a day. The first novel I could not put down that I’ve read in a while!!! @kileyreid

28. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Honestly? It’s a perfect novel. It’s gorgeous it’s brilliant I’m gonna get a hard copy and re read it I loved it so much Erin Morgenstern can write novels forever