Short books I enjoyed this year and one great reading week
Plus anticipated 2021 books, books to cheer you, and John la Carré for beginners
Hey, readers!
This week was one of my best reading weeks of the year. I finished several books that I absolutely loved, read a much-anticipated 2020 release that I hadn’t gotten to yet, and listened to a backlist title that I couldn’t put down. Most importantly, I didn’t overthink any of it. Rather than agonize over what to read next between each book, I started the books that entered my house most recently and whatever showed up first in my Libby app. Without those agonizing gaps between books, I read a lot more than I do in a typical week. It’s been wonderful!
Since this is the last newsletter before Christmas, I also wanted to briefly reshare my three favorite last minute gifts for bookworms. If you’re a champion who’s finished with your Christmas shopping (go, you!!), skip ahead to see my week in books!
First is a Page 1 Books subscription. As someone who spends a lot of time recommending books, I can tell you this is a team of experts. They nail my taste every time and I love that they always include a few little goodies in each box. Gift subscriptions are perfect because you can print or email the news to the recipient, but they also have adorable bundles (I’ve been eyeing this “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” box). These won’t arrive before Christmas, but who doesn’t love a good New Years gift? You can use my link or code FICTIONMATTERS to get 10% off your order.
A Libro.fm subscription. I’ve sung Libro’s praises again and again, but what I particularly love about gift subscriptions is you can choose anywhere from a 1- to a 12-month membership, so it fits every price point!
A Bookshop.org gift card. This is the perfect gift for picky readers because they can get the books at the top of their to-be-read lists and support indie bookstores.
This week in books.
This week I read…
A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier. I picked up this YA book after seeing it on the NPR Book Concierge, and it was the perfect holiday escape. Set at a fancy Swiss hotel, the story follows intern Sophie Spark as she fumbles through her various duties and stumbles upon a mystery that may close Castle in the Clouds’ doors forever. Of course, there are also hijinks and romances and sneaky hotel cats and truly just oodles of fun. I also loved that this has a wintery setting and takes place over New Years. I don’t particularly like Christmas books, but this was just holiday-themed enough for me to get into the spirit of the season without feeling too cliché. Amazon | Bookshop
Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey. I love books set in small towns because a) they’re cozy and b) I love reading about how people’s lives are interconnected in surprising ways. This novel is about a town that was found to be the most homophobic community in America and the LGBTQ task force that intends to change that. It’s told through multiple perspectives and I thought Laskey did a great job portraying characters from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs. The book is also incredibly hopeful without feeling too neat and tidy. Amazon | Bookshop
I also read one of my most highly anticipated 2020 releases that I hadn’t gotten to earlier, this backlist thriller, and (for a forthcoming episode of Novel Pairings) this delightful collection of letters.
Michelle here! This week I read You Lucky Dog by Julia London. This one hasn't gotten a lot of love on bookstagram but I thought it was very cute. Two dog owners have their basset hounds accidentally switched by their dog walker and end up falling in love, despite their opposite personalities. I loved the setting and the twists and turns the plot took in the second half of the book. Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O’Donnell. I received an early copy of this from Tin House and started reading it immediately. It’s a mystery set in Victorian London that begins with a seamstress throwing herself from a fourth-story window. The subsequent investigation leads readers through a twisty interconnected web of seedy characters, violence, and secrets. I’m really enjoying this book, but it’s written very much like a Victorian novel, which means it’s slow and it takes about 100 pages to see some of the storylines start to come together. Amazon | Bookshop
My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shappard. I haven’t read as much nonfiction as I typically like to this year so I picked up this short National Book Award finalist on audio and I’m absolutely enthralled so far. Amazon | Bookshop
5 short works I enjoyed this year.
Earlier this week, I read two books in a single day. I happened to have a very clear schedule, and they were particularly short books. There’s such joy in reading a book in a single sitting and it was satisfying to add two new books to my 2020 read list. Here are some options for a short book to read in one sitting and a quick reads to help you meet your 2020 reading goal.
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. For a quietly beautiful book about friendship and reading. Amazon | Bookshop
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson. For Woodson’s poetic language and a father-son story that will both warm and break your heart. Amazon | Bookshop
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. For a dark yet quirky novel with an unforgettable protagonist and quite a few surprises. Amazon | Bookshop
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire. For a magical story about found family, celebrating difference, and the meaning of home. Amazon | Bookshop
A Luminous Republic by Andrés Barbas. For a brutal fable about what it means to be wild and what it is to grow up. Amazon | Bookshop
Bookish reading.
I love Constance Grady’s book recommendations so I very much enjoyed perusing her 15 best books of the year.
Authors recommending books is truly the best. These 22 authors shared the books that gave them hope this year.
2020 has been a great reading year, but I am more than ready to dive into 2021 books. Here are 55 anticipated releases readers are already buzzing about.
These suggestions for how to read more in 2021 are so good. Seriously, this is the best how-to-read-more article I’ve ever read.
Need a good laugh to get you through this disastrous holiday season? Here are 10 of the best comedy books of the year.
I haven’t read any of the books deemed by the New York Times to have the best covers of the year, but now I want to.
After the death of author John le Carré, I’ve been curious about picking up some of his books. This article is a great beginners’ guide.
End notes.
Watching: We watched four of the movies in the Alien universe: Alien (one of my all-time favorites), Aliens (highly entertaining), Alien 3 (really bad), and Alien Resurrection (truly terrible).
And Michelle has been loving Dash and Lily on Netflix. A very cute YA watch, especially for those who love New York City!
Listening: I don’t typically listen to The Popcast but their episode on the business of their podcast was absolutely fascinating and extremely helpful for anyone in a creative pursuit.
Making: Browned-butter makes everything better, including these Rice Krispie treats. I recommend halving the recipe and putting in fewer Rice Krispies than indicated.
Loving: The Libby app! It’s shameful, I know, but I am not a frequent library user. However, the last couple of weeks I’ve been requesting ebooks and audiobooks through Libby and reading whatever comes in first. It’s been helping with my indecision over what to read next, which has, in turn, meant that I’m reading a lot more.
Readers, I hope you have a day this holiday season where you can sit in one spot and read all day. For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. Michelle and I love hearing from you!
If you’re looking for more book recommendations and delightful bookish community, consider supporting FictionMatters on Patreon.
And if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please forward it to a book-loving friend. That’s a great way to spread bookish cheer and support the newsletter!
Happy reading!
Sara
This email contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting FictionMatters!