Past year’s events, gave me a fortuitous chance to read as many books as I could. For nerds like me, it was bliss. I did make most of this opportunity- or so I think as the book-pile next to my bed stares at me- by reading more books than ever before.
I caught up on exciting new releases and some old books which disconnected me from the unnerving reality. From them, here are my 5 best reads of 2020 in no particular order.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Shuggie Bain, Douglas Stuart’s brainchild and the winner of 2020 Booker Prize, deserves all the praise. I loved how skillfully the author has written about alcoholism while painting Shuggie’s complicated relationship with his mother. The multi-faceted characters prove that love triumphs over everything else. You can find my whole review here.
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
After reading two books by Adichie (both of which are my favourite), I don’t think I will ever get tired of her work. Purple Hibiscus is a story set in Nigeria, told from the POV of a child who suddenly get exposed to real poverty after growing up in privilege. This tale proves that no amount of money can buy satisfaction. Check out my whole review here.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
No one forgets when the Vigness twins disappear from their little town. As one of them ‘passes over as white’, the other gets married to a black man. This story of Stella and Mallory deals with race, identity and fickleness of a human mind. A looming question that traps a reader, if it is worth living a lie your whole life? Check out my review here.
Hamnet focusses on Shakespeare’s family and marriage, without his name ever mentioned in the whole book. I didn’t think something like this would be possible had it not been for Maggie O’ Farrell’s creative genius. The narration revolves around Shakespeare’s son, Hamet, who died of a plague (it’s not a spoiler). While the prose has a melancholic vibe, O’ Farrell shows you the unimaginable grief and repercussions of losing your child. Read my review here!
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Jude has to be the most hapless bookish character that has ever lived. With that said, while reading A Little Life, keep your tissue boxes ready as you don’t want to be caught sobbing in the middle of the day over a fictional character. To summarize, this narrative dwells on friendship of four college friends who go their separate ways in life. I have reviewed this book here.
Which books have impacted you the most? Let me know in the comments!
Infernosgarden 