Here are the next 10 books I read in 2020. Nothing crazy, definitely had a hard time keeping up to my plan of reading 25 during quarantine (naively thinking we would be free come the end of summer…cute).

Circe by Madeline Miller (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

This is one of the first books I read that was released this year. I started to read this because of Jenn Im’s book club, @curlupclub, and I wanted to join into the discussion. (Reminder to self: join in next book for accountability). This was an interesting read. If you love Greek mythology, this is definitely one to check out! I thought it was a decent read, but it was quite long and the prose was really played out.

The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I think this book was one that was a $3.99 book deal. I got it because I knew I was going to take a Kpop in North Korea class in the upcoming semester (post to come soon). I realized that I didn’t know that much about North Korea and wanted to stretch myself too. It was a weird time to be reading it just given the political nature of America at the time. My parents don’t have much to say about North Korea, which is normal, but I thought a lot about my grandparents in South Korea and just thought a lot about the idea of this strange country. I also watched “The Last Princess” around the same time and had to take some time thinking about my Korean American identity.

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I was starting to feel anxious about being home all summer and about going into senior year of college online. This was given to me by a friend, and it came at just the right time. I felt mentally drained, but this book served its purpose by motivating me and sustained me to keep going. It was temporary, but it was what I needed, I walked away feeling better than I did than when I started. I found small things to be motivated with. This was, coincidentally, the 13th book I read this year, so I used that as a sign to keep going.

Educated by Tara Westover (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

This was an impulsive Costco purchase and to justify my purchase, I went home and started reading. I think I read this before my semester began and I used it to be more thankful for the way my life is. I thought about my public school teachers. Ward, Markham, Kirk, Sindelar, Abels, Gillan, Evans, Reseigh, Wills-Keely, Bowdre, Ruffert, Ville, Kennedy, Murphy. These are all teachers from first grade to senior that had an impact on me. As I am tutoring, I began to understand how important a teacher can be and it motivated me to treat this as an “essential” job, because without those teachers, I wouldn’t be at this point.

How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

This book was an inevitable read. I didn’t know how I felt reading it but it was definitely one I am glad to have read. I don’t think this is an answer, but merely a tool. It reminded me to constantly use this time that I have to educated myself in things that I don’t understand. I can never settle for where I am, I need to do better.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

This might be a cheat, but I wanted to read easy books. After the last book, I was mentally really drained and hesitated to read. I wanted to read something I knew I would enjoy and wouldn’t be a burden. This was perfect. Not all the books you need to read as an adult need to be 800 pages of political dialogue or an analysis of social justice issues. It was a good read, it felt good because I liked reading. My charge to you, find a balance. I had been reading so many deep heavy books ((both nonfiction or fiction) that reading something like this genuinely brought me joy.

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Again, I feel like this is cheating……but whatever. It was good and cute and a feel good. Sue me.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I couldn’t stop at two, so I just finished the trilogy. This counts towards reading books from AAPI authors (HA).

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I only read one (for now). Mainly because I am on the waitlist for the other two books. I think the plot is building and it may be predictable, but at least that’s one thing I will be able to predict in the near future haha. You’ll see it on my list for 2021.

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwak (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Guess I was just on a role. I think I started this earlier in the year, but just didn’t finish it. I took a weekend to just finish it and added to my list of diverse authors/I wanted to read the book before the movie comes out (👀 )

PART 3 COMING SOON!

Comment your book recommendations!

Happy Reading

JLee