#37: Best Reads (and watches) of 2020
It's the end of a crazy year and one of my favorite things is end of year lists!
Here are a few of my favorite things from 2020. Please reply and let me know what books, shows, and movies made your list.
Fiction
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - It will come as no surprise to many that this was my favorite book of the year. I read it back in April and have been recommending it and gifting it ever since. I wrote about it in depth here and the only thing I need to reiterate is that this book was the perfect medicine for me. Shout out to Justin and Sara Skidmore for recommending it.
The Dutch House by Anne Patchett - Maybe it was Tom Hanks narrating the audiobook that made me feel so warm and cozy while I read this, but more likely it was the beautiful writing. This won't be for everyone but it worked for me. Full review here.
Non-fiction
Educated by Tara Westover - Was this really a 2020 read? Feels like I read this a long time ago even though it has stuck with me as equal parts horrifying and inspiring. Full review here.
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander - This book felt like taking the red pill in The Matrix where the curtain was peeled back and I can't see the world the same anymore. It doesn't present a conspiracy theory and is not out to expose any particular group, rather it sheds light on a collective bias that began hundreds of years ago and has prevailed until now. I'd call it my most important read of 2020.
Honorable Mentions
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - I'll definitely be checking out more of Backman's work - so charming.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - I'm not what you would call a Gilbert fan but this book made me feel things while I was reading it.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon - A literary work of art that has unfairly become a standard I hold other books against. I've said the phrase "Well, it's no Kavalier and Clay" several times this year. Full thoughts here.
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan - I'm not sure I want to read all of McEwan's books but this one struck a chord and I'll be checking out more of his work in the years to come. It will also be a part of our at home sex education curriculum.
Fantasy honorable mentions
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman - Though I didn't love it, there were moments in the His Dark Materials trilogy that thrilled me and most of them happened in this, the second book of the series.
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire met all my high expectations and really blew me away. This entry, the third in the series, was by far my favorite.
Children's books
The husband and wife duo of Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead. We checked out as many of their books as we could get our hands on and marveled at the beautiful illustrations and chuckled at the silly and heart warming stories. The most well known is probably A Sick Day for Amos McGee but there are several charming books that either one or both of the couple had a hand in.
Matilda by Roald Dahl - I loved it and my kids loved it. I was surprised by a few things that I needed to censor or have a larger discussion about, but by and large this captured my sons' attention and held on.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis - It was a toss up between this and Prince Caspian but my kids enjoyed both immensely and the character arc of Eustace prompted a good discussion.
Favorite things I watched this year
Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ - This show is my jam. I can't rave enough about it! Not since The Office or The Good Place have I found a show that brings so much joy. The characters are good people who take care of each other and it's truly inspiring. The darts scene alone is a reason to invest in this show.
Palm Springs on Hulu - Probably a perfect time loop movie. Funny and full of heart, I watched it 3 times this year and enjoyed it each time.
Parasite on Hulu - I can't believe I saw this in 2020...in a theater. Seems like another life! It was quite the viewing experience although I probably won't watch it again unless it's with someone who hasn't seen it.
Hamilton on Disney+ - This is a no brainer and by itself would be worth the monthly subscription fee.
Never Have I Ever on Netflix - I don't remember what happens in this show but the lead, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, is wonderful, the family dynamics are hilarious, and Sendhil Ramamurthy has the best smile since the invention of smiles. His dad grin during the ping pong scene just melts my heart.
The Mandalorian on Disney+ - Serious but also silly, action packed but also character driven, this show is the perfect Star Wars filler now that we aren't getting a movie for another year or so. Season 2 was much better than season 1 but you can't really skip the season 1 stuff.
Onward on Disney+ - I have yet to watch this without crying and I watched it a lot. 2020 is just an emotional year, man!
Tenet - I actually went to the theater for this and wore a mask the entire time, which is kinda meta since so many Nolan characters wear masks. My media club at work rented out the theater to keep everyone safe and I had a mind bending-ly good time watching this and discussing it after. I need to re-watch with subtitles. And with IMAX.
Greyhound on Apple TV+ - An awesome war movie that I really liked and recommend to all naval history buffs.
Catastrophe on Amazon Prime Video - This show is hilarious and perfectly captures the awkwardness of middle-aged marriage and parenting. I love the characters so much and it consistently makes me laugh.
Extraction on Netflix - I have no desire to watch this again, but dang this was a rush. Excessively violent, but I have to tip my hat to the technical achievements. Hemsworth is awesome. There is some decent comedy but I mostly watched for the action which was non-stop.
I'm looking forward to 2021. I'm reading War and Peace as part of The Big Read that my friend Jeremy put together. Check it out because it will be a great way to consume the book with an online community and a knowledgeable host.
Happy New Year! Please share your lists!
Kyle