Well. That’s all folks.
I’d like to say that 2020 was utterly awful. And, in many ways, it was. But, it wasn’t all bad. I got to spend over six months living with my parents — something that hasn’t happened since I was 17, and which I’m so grateful for. I’m now an aunt. I’m enjoying my new job.
It was a bit of an unusual year for reading. I almost broke my reading record – I logged 112 books on GoodReads … most of which were read last winter, spring, and summer. With the start of residency (and trying to finish my dissertation) reading has really slowed down in recent months. I’m hoping to pick up some momentum in January, now that a couple major projects have wrapped.
All that said … here’s my year in review!
My 2020 Stats
- Number of books: 112
- Average rating: 3.7/5.0
- Number of pages read: 43,649
- Shortest book: Galatea by Madeline Miller
- Longest book: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
- Least favourite (non-DNF) book: The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
- Favourite book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Non-Numeric Trends
I read a lot of really amazing books this year.
I’ve posted a list of my five-star (re)reads of 2020 — which included well over 25 books. In addition to these, I read a number of absolutely stellar three- and four-star books, like House of Salt and Sorrows, Circe by Madeline Miller, and Bunny by Mona Awad.
I tried new things.
At the urging of a postdoc friend, I strayed from my fantasy trench and dove into thew world of science fiction — starting with Red Rising by Pierce Brown. It’s proving to be a fun and fast-paced genre, and I’m new enough that much of the content seems fresh and innovative.
I also tried different formats this year: short stories, novellas, and web comics – all of which have been delightful. I’m excited to continue with these into 2021!
I read more middle-grade and young adult.
One of my goals for 2020 was to stop worrying about what other people think of my reading — and to just read books that I enjoy. This year, I found myself reading more middle-grade and YA fiction relative to previous years … and, I loved it.
Amazing stories. Complex characters. Achingly-lovely prose. Strong messages. Challenging themes. Emotionally-ridden plots. There is so much to this evolving genre.
I continue to feel super awkward browsing the MG/YA section.
… whether it’s the bookstore or library. Thank goodness for library reserves.
My TBR is expanding exponentially.
Both my electronic TBR — currently at over 1000 books — and my physical one — which is not exactly 1000 books, but is probably getting close.
The Geeky Jock 