Certainly, Frank Zappa said it best when he uttered those now famous words for all book lovers everywhere: “So Many Books, So Little Time.” And that is certainly the reason for so many unsurmountable TBRs everywhere. The theme this week for Top Ten over at ThatArtsyReaderGirl is the books we meant to read last year and did not. While I have books from even earlier that I have never gotten to, I decided to stick with the 2020 releases for today’s list (and still could not keep it within ten)
Frank Zappa Said It Best: “So Many Books, So Little Time”
So, here are a few of the
Books I Meant to Read in 2020
The Cybils nominees
These are a couple of the 20+ books I couldn’t get to reading for the Cybils awards (mostly time related; and some because of unavailability)
My Name Is Tani . . . and I Believe in Miracles
Book Info
Title: My Name Is Tani . . . and I Believe in Miracles Young Readers Edition
Author: Tanitoluwa Adewumi, Craig Borlase (Contributor)
Genre: Children’s Nonfiction/Biographies, Immigration (8 – 12 years)
Why I Want to Read This
I have somehow always loved books (and movies ) of young kids playing chess. This is in spite of the fact that I never play chess. I know the rudiments but with all my love for puzzles and math, somehow never went beyond learning the game. That said, I love reading about and watching movies that feature kids learning and winning against the odds.
The Radium Girls
Book Info
Title: The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark
Author: Kate Moore
Genre: Children’s Nonfiction/STEM, History(8 – 12 years)
Why I Want to Read This
From the moment I saw it on the Cybils Awards nominations list, and even more so when I read the excerpt, I wanted to read this book. But I was unable to get a hold of it until recently. This is one of my current reads, and it is as fascinating as I had hoped it would be based on those first impressions. And I plan to watch the show that is out (I realized that in late Dec) after reading this book.
The ARCs
The NetGalley reads
(there are zillions more I need to read, and I am not exaggerating when I say so; but these are among the few I had really hoped to read by now)
Answers in the Form of Questions
Book Info
Title: Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy!
Author: Claire McNear
Genre: Nonfiction/TV History
Why I Want to Read This
While I cannot say I watched every episode of Jeopardy or that I am a die-hard fan of the show or Alex Trebek, I love both the show and its beloved host dearly enough that I felt I had to read this book. Trebek also reminded me of my dad for some reason!
Eli’s Promise
Book Info
Title: Eli’s Promise
Author: Ronald H. Balson
Genre: WWII Historical Fiction
Why I Want to Read This
There is simply something about books set during WWII….
Then the Others..
In An Instant
Book Info
Title: In An Instant
Author: Suzanne Redfearn
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Why I Want to Read This
I have been devotedly adding the Amazon First Reads books to my digital bookshelf for a while now; and like so many books I own, I end up putting them away for another day. And this one sounds oh so intriguing. I need to read this sooner than later.
The Vanishing Half
Book Info
Title: The Vanishing Half
Author: Brit Bennett
Genre: Black & African American Literary Fiction
Why I Want to Read This
Well, everyone else seems to have read it.. And I do admit to being intrigued and totally tempted to read it either way!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Book Info
Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy Action & Adventure
Why I Want to Read This
The cover, the hype, the number of people who have read it, and well, the historical fantastical fiction aspect as well.
The Night Watchman
Book Info
Title: The Night Watchman
Author: Louise Erorich
Genre: Historical Fiction
Why I Want to Read This
I always enjoy reading historical fiction; and recently I read a few books about Native American history and their rights, as part of the Cybils Awards reading. While I am yet to post the reviews of those books here on my blog, I was awed and left wanting to know more, all at the same time. This book promises that through fiction, so of course I want to read it.
Clap When You Land
Book Info
Title: Clap When You Land
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Genre: Teen and YA Fiction
Why I Want to Read This
Fiction in verse, and most importantly, Acevedo. Considering
The Dictionary of Lost Words
Book Info
Title: The Dictionary of Lost Words
Author: Pip Williams
Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction
Why I Want to Read This
I seem to have grown fond of titles that go like ‘The abc of abc‘ lately. And to top it off, this one is based around real events; it revolves around words as well as a book – well, a dictionary; and then that cover! Of course, I want to read this. I added this to my TBR last year and hope to get to it this year.
Pin Me
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, which of these books have you read? And which one would you recommend the most? What are the books on your missed reads list of last year? As always, I welcome your comments, recommendations, and suggestions.
The Radium Girls was excellent (albeit very sad at times). Glad you’re enjoying it so far.
My post.
Yes, I am definitely enjoying it Lydia.. and glad to know that you loved it too
A nice collection to look forward to!
yes, it is Karen..
So many books so little time, am I right? Hope you manage to get around to these. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/books-i-meant-to-read-in-2020/
thanks Stefani, I sure do hope the same 🙂 and will check out your ttt as well
I have Radium Girls, but haven’t read it yet. I hope you get to read these soon!
thanks Diana
These are great lists of books and I am looking forward to reading them someday.
thank you
I think it was so easy to set big reading goals when the pandemic hit. And then our lives got busy again and there wasn’t as much time for reading.
🙂 agree.. and for me, while i know i might not actually meet all these goals, working towards them helps
All these books sound amazing to read. I haven’t read any of them.
i am hoping they will be as amazing as they sound and as i have heard about
Great list of books to read. Thank you for sharing this list. I enjoyed a lot.
thank you
These are all so different and intersting! I’m adding several to my must read list.
🙂 hope you love them as much as i think i will
The Vanishing half is amazing. Such a great book.
thanks Ana.. glad to hear you read and loved it.. I am looking forward to it..
Clap When You Land sounds interesting to me. Something I would read.
I loved Poet X which is also written by her… so yes, this is a must read for me
I have heard so many neat things about Radium Girls, and there is the movie on Amazon too. I have meant to check it out myself.
Yes.. I want to finish reading this one before getting to the movie 🙂
The Radium Girls is a must read. Sad but so good. Thanks for sharing your list. I actually pulled a few of these into my 2021 reading list. So…many…books LOL
I heard that it is sad and while I have started reading it, I have been sidetracked with a few other things (including books). and I always end up adding books to my TBR when I look at others’ lists too …
So many interesting books. Eli’s Promise looks like the book I’d thoroughly enjoy.
Yes..I hope to read it soon and I know I will enjoy it as well
These books look fantastic! My daughter has a book club, I am going to pass them over to her. Thanks for sharing these! 👜👓🍕
thanks Ceci..
Frank Zappa was 100% correct! And worse then that… there are so many books that I want to read 100 times so I have even less time!! LOVE The Vanishing Half! That was a GREAT book!
Oh, I know what you are saying! I am a re-reader as well so definitely lesser time