If there’s one regret from 2020’s reading life it’s I wish I’d read more non-fiction. So that’s my goal for 2021. I especially hope to read or listen to more narrative history. That said, 2020 was a hard year so I’m not feeling that hard on myself. I’m currently in the middle of a long biographical book (thirteen hours!) about Emily Dickinson so I’m trying to start strong next year!
My numbering system reflects the Goodreads numbering system with five stars (*****) being excellent! I also make note of which books were audio vs. hard copy. Here’s what I read in 2020:
Night by Elie Wiesel*****
I put off reading this memoir for years, but finally had to read it for my World Literature class. I’m glad I did. It’s a beautifully written book that is devastating to read but oh so important.
The Call of the Wild + Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment****
A wonderfully inspiring book about home education!
Prepping 101: 40 Steps You Can Take to be Prepared by Kathy Harrison****
This book got me to finally start my emergency disaster plan. So easy to implement with lots of pictures. I went into detail about using this book in this post.
Death in the Air: The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City by Kate Winkler Dawson***
This was a really interesting book about the London Smog episode that I’d heard about in a podcast and was shocked that I’d never heard about. Then I saw the episode on The Crown and was further fascinated. This book was about the smog and a serial killer who was operating at the same time. The only downside is I had a hard time following the political part of the story and while I realize that was important it felt like it dragged the story down.
Girls’ Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World by Sally Clarkson, Joy Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson****
A book that inspires the commitment to female friendship and mentorship.
Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson****
I appreciated this book more than I thought I would! It’s an encouraging and inspiring book about creativity that I really loved reading.
The Son of David: Seeing Jesus in the Historical Books by Nancy Guthrie****
This is a Bible study that I did with four other ladies during these Covid nights and it was a great spine for discussion, although, really it was just getting together that made it so great.
Shadow and Light: A Journey into Advent by Tsh Oxenreider****
This book served as my Advent guide. It had scripture readings, a short devotional thought, and a recommended song and piece of art for the day, which was my favorite part!
Started 2020 off in nonfiction world as is my bent. But as the year went on, I needed fiction more than ever before in my life.
Nevertheless, I read quite a few great nonfiction titles
Just Mercy
Adorning the Dark
In the Pursuit of Love: One Woman’s Journey from Trafficking to Triumphant
The Hidden Life of Trees
The Nature Fix
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers
Danielle,
Hi! I hope you’ll remember me. We went to Mason Dixon Baptist a number of years ago and know you from there. I was hopping around Facebook…which led me to your blog. Well, it looks like we have a love of reading in common! I’ve enjoyed reading through the books you read in 2020 and have some new ones on my list now! In terms of non-fiction, in 2020 two of the non-fiction books I really enjoyed were "An Invisible Thread" by Laura Schroff and "
I hope you are well 🙂
Michelle Carrigan