When I set a reading goal of 50 books for 2020, I was sure that I could finish one book a week.
I have done so many times before. Not necessarily reading one book a week, but the equivalent by year-end.
At the outset of the year, I decided to dedicate my reading year to Black history and Black thought. I defined this as reading through the history of Black Americans through a few chunky tomes. As well as feminist literature, poetry, and biographies/memoirs from Black American authors.
I began the year pretty good, and then fell completely off. Unfortunately, I could not have anticipated how depressing and motivational a pandemic could prove to be.
I picked reading back up again in April… with a barrage of Romance novels. Like, 10 in one month! All I can say is that those e-books provided a necessary escape.
At some point in May, I was able to re-focus and get back on a mostly non-fiction binge.
The Best So Far
I keep track of what I read via the Bookly app on my phone and on Goodreads. Rating books is not really my thing, but there are quite a few highlights within my reading goal thus far.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: She’s done it again! The way Acevedo writes characters just jumps off the page. I found myself immediately captured by this work, and couldn’t put it down until complete. 4/5
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin: For such a short work, there is sooo much depth between the pages. Baldwin explores the difficulty of trying to live free in a same-gender-loving relationship within a world that deifies heterosexual relationships. The reader gets to experience love, inner turmoil, and sacrifice through the classic viewpoint of a summer romance. For me, what stands out most is Baldwin’s beautiful prose. 5/5
A Taste of Power by Elaine Brown: What a ride! Elaine Brown takes the reader through her journey from joining the Black Panther Party to becoming chairwoman and now a life-long activist. Brown manages to give great insight into the innerworks of the party, the ideology, all while chronicling the gripping story of her personal life. 5/5
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn: I haven’t read enough about the American immigrant story. Dennis-Benn weaves a story of love and heartbreak mixed in with the difficulties of immigrating to America from the perspective of a Jamaican woman. What I enjoyed most was how I felt when reading, which attests to the beautiful writing style of Dennis-Benn. There is so much more between the pages, and if you are still looking for a great summer read, look no further. 4/5
Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins: The first time I read this work, I was in my early twenties and it shaped so much of my interaction with the world. Now, in my thirties, I was able to pick up on more of the nuances in this work and fully appreciate the overview it provides. So much of feminist thought is tied up in Academia, but Collins is able to provide real-world examples that tie the experiences of the Black community together as a whole. Also, the theory behind intersectionality has been twisted around so much since I read this work that I felt it important to go back and get a primer on the research behind the theory. 5/5
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod: After I came out of my COVID-19 slump, I decided to reinvigorate my morning routine. So, I went back to the source behind the idea to gain new inspiration. At this point, there are so many people who have expounded upon this idea that it is easy to forget the original intent. Nonetheless, the idea of a self-motivated morning routine is still a gem. 4/5
Ain’t I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks: This is a re-read that details the history and ideology behind feminism. The analysis of the role of the Black woman within the feminist movement and the fight again oppression is clear and concise. I found it gratifying to see my lived experience on paper. 5/5
All About Love by bell hooks: I no longer have edges. In this visionary work, hooks defined what love is and what it is not. How love shapes the self and the world around us. I picked this up for the Smart Brown Girl book club, and I think reading this may have changed my life. 5/5
Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire: I try to re-read this work every five years because the praxis within is the basis for many works and movements thereafter. This is not an easy read. Though short, I usually have to spend a month deciphering the message. However, Freire identifies the root problem behind the oppression of people and offers actionable solutions. 5/5
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Reading hooks led me to re-read one of my favorite works of all time. I found myself exclaiming out loud several times during the reading of this book, and still find it to be one of the greatest expressions of the often oppressive relationship between Black women and the Black man as well as our surrounding world. 5/5
Deacon King Kong by James McBride: I would consider this the most surprising work of my year thus far. Mainly because I had no expectation going in. McBride spins a great tale adding layer upon layer, giving way to a fun yet complex mystery. I can’t say too much without giving away anything, so I will just say pick it up! 5/5
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson: Man oh man. I cannot recommend reading Wilkerson’s latest release enough. This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the year and it dealt the blow I was expecting. Wilkerson clearly lays out how the Caste system shapes much of the world, oppressing people based on genetic human characteristics. While also making connections that detail how our world is still shaped by ideas of the Caste system. I will definitely be re-reading this one next year. 5/5
What will I do now that I met my reading goal?
The year isn’t over yet and I have definitely read several heavy hitters. Two new releases I’m looking forward to devouring next week: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole and Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyassi. Plus, I have plenty of books on my shelves to get me through the end of the year and into the next.
If you care to share, comment below with a great read from 2020 so I can add to my never-ending stacks of unread books!
