It was a year we won’t soon (or possibly ever) forget… but at least the books were good… to quote EPL Director Maryellen Kanarr. So were some of the movies, TV shows, and even podcasts that captured our imagination, helped us briefly escape reality, and got us through quarantine, reopening, curbside, and everything in between.
EPL Services Manager (and über-reader) Angie polled library staff and volunteers for their favorite reads, movies, and other hidden gems that stood out this year — for adults, children and teens.
See how many made your ‘best of 2020’ list as well — and how many you may want to check out in the new year.
Adult reads …
Listed in alphabetical order (and published in 2020 unless otherwise noted).
FICTION
- The Coffee House Mystery Series by Cleo Coyle. Includes Brewed Awakening (2019), Dead Cold Brew (2017), Once Upon a Grind (2015) and others. [Reader’s note: I started this series right before quarantine — easy reads with great recipes and COFFEE.]
- A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik. [Reader’s note: Think Harry Potter, but more deadly. Novik is an author to watch.]
- The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett. [Reader’s note: Prequel to Pillars of the Earth, one of my all-time favorite books. I needed to be entertained and transported in 2020 and this book did it.]
- Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (2019). [Reader’s note: I still am not sure if I loved or hated these parents, but I loved the honesty and reality of the scenes in this book.]
- The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test by Helen Hoang (2018, 2019). [Reader’s note: Romances with flawed and strong women, funny and heartbreaking — you want them to win. Not a series, but similar tales from the same author.]
- Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession. [Reader’s note: A character-driven book with a lot of warm, laugh-worthy scenes. It’s a happy, positive book.]
- Network Effect by Martha Wells. [Reader’s note: This is the last book in an amazing series. All I can say is, Long Live Murderbot!]
- Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (2019). [Reader’s note: Weird, warm, and memorable. One of my favorites, recommended to me by staff member Angie, who says…’loved it; weird, silly, completely unpretentious – -just a good book.’]
- Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (2018). [Reader’s note: It had all my elements — great writing, great story, a mystery to keep you intrigued, and a historical setting.]
- The Overstory by Richard Powers (2018).
- Your Favorite Band Cannot Save You by Scotto Moore (2019). [Reader’s note: a sci-fi novella about the power of music and its ability to change the world; also aliens…]
NONFICTION
- The Best of Me by David Sedaris.
- Caste: The origins of our discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.
- Clanlands: Whisky, warfare, and a Scottish adventure like no other: by Graham McTavish and Sam Heughan. [Reader’s note: Two dudes from the drama series Outlander tour the Scottish countryside to discover more about their roots, and get up to some antics as expected. Tandem bicycles and whisky feature prominently.]
- Dumpty and Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown by John Lithgow (2019, 2020). [Reader’s note: They are political satire in rhyme, illustrated by the author. I think I actually learned some facts of which I was unaware.]
- Here For It: Or, how to save your soul in America by R. Eric Thomas. [Reader’s note: Humorous and thought-provoking essays about the author’s life, ultimately hopeful.]
BIOGRAPHY
- All Blood Runs Red: The legendary life of Eugene Bullard — boxer, pilot, soldier, spy by Philip A. Keith (2019). [Reader’s note: I can’t believe I haven’t heard of Eugene Bullard before this. His life story is riveting. This needs to be adapted for the screen!]
- The Beautiful Ones by Prince (2019). [Reader’s note: Need I say more? Just looking at his notes is remarkable. Truly genius.]
- Educated: A memoir by Tara Westover (2018).
- No Time Like the Future: An optimist considers mortality by Michael J. Fox. [Reader’s note: Open, honest look at the way his disease has changed his life — sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad — and how one choice can change everything.]
- A Promised Land by Barack Obama.
- Untamed by Glennon Doyle. [Reader’s note: My favorite of this year. This book destroyed me and then rebuilt me.]
Young Adult reads …
Listed in alphabetical order (and published in 2020 unless otherwise noted).
FICTION
- Chasing Starlight by Teri Black. [Reader’s note: A unique mystery set in 1930s Hollywood.]
- Dry by Neal Shusterman (2018). [Reader’s note: Not too long ago, states in the US went to war with each other over water rights. Now, imagine this as the future. Dystopian fiction for fans of Neal Shusterman and Scythe.]
- Snapdragon by Kat Leyh. [Reader’s note: An inventive graphic novel about an unusual family.]
- The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, The Pool of Fire, and When the Tripods Came (the prequel), by John Christopher (2014). [Reader’s note: Action and adventure, as a young man discovers that the Tripod rulers on earth were not always here, and are defeatable.]
NONFICTION
- Stamped: Racism, antiracism, and you by Jason Reynolds.
- What Is Poetry? The essential guide to reading and writing poems by Michael Rosen (2019).
Juvenile reads …
Listed in alphabetical order (and published in 2020 unless otherwise noted).
PICTURE BOOKS
- The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak (2014).
- The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham.
- Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker.
EARLY READER
- Charlie & Mouse Outdoors by Laurel Snyder.
- Swim, Mo, Swim! by David Adler.
FICTION
- Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series by Dana Simpson. [Reader’s note: The unicorn’s name is Marigold Heavenly Nostrils — which tells you the fun, creative and wild ride you’re going to have with these graphic novels.]
- Three Keys: A Front Desk novel by Kelly Yang.
- Yasmin the Writer by Saadia Farugi.
NONFICTION
- Mindfulness and Digital Devices by Amber Bullis.
- You Can Encourage Others: Tease or inspire? You choose the ending by Connie Miller.
BIOGRAPHY
- No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon’s battle for women’s rights in Japan by Jeff Gottesfeld.
Movies, TV shows and podcasts…
MOVIES
- The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity.*
- Eurovision Song Contest: The story of Fire Saga. [Reader’s note: Just stupid funny but based on a real contest. Who knew?]
- The Farewell* (2019). [Reader’s note: Get the tissues.]
- Hamilton. [Reader’s note: Lin-Manuel is a genius.]
- Never Rarely Sometimes Always.* [Reader’s note: A movie about pregnancy and its outcomes. Hard to watch because it’s so true.]
- The Trial of the Chicago 7. [Reader’s note: I found this to be a fascinating piece of history told in a way that was entertaining but did not undercut the seriousness of the subject.]
* Available in our DVD collection.
TV SERIES
- The American West (2016).
- Bosch (2014-present).
- Flesh and Bone (2015).
- Fringe (2008-2013). [Reader’s note: All of the far-out pseudo-science could be real?!? All-star supporting cast.]
- The Mandalorian (2019-present). [Reader’s note: Because of the cast and many other things that I can’t mention without spoilers, except Baby Yoda. ❤ ]
- New Girl (2011-2018). [Reader’s note: ‘Friends’ for a new generation, where bad deeds do get punished and the characters learn from their mistakes. I wish I was Jess, but I’m probably Schmidt… also one of the best TV proposals EVER.]
- Outlander* (2014-present).
- The Queen’s Gambit. [Reader’s note: Great storytelling, great acting, great period piece with amazing costumes and settings. This show has everything you want.]
- Schitt’s Creek* (2015-2020). [Reader’s note: Laugh out loud hilarious. I want to be Moira Rose when I grow up.]
- Unsolved Mysteries (2020 edition, Netflix). [Reader’s note: Amazing mini-documentaries about unsolved cases. I miss Robert Stack.]
- Vikings* (2013-2020). [Reader’s note: Powerful women, leadership changes, family dynasties, and Norse legends all woven into one (fairly bloody) story which includes famous historical figures and fictional ones — with some timeline shifting to get them all in a room together.]
* Available in our DVD collection.
PODCASTS
- The Cure for Chronic Pain. Psychotherapist Nicole Sachs speaks about treating herself and her patients with debilitating chronic pain in an unexpected way. Her message is: ‘The pain is not in your head, but the solution is not in your body.’ Lots of stuff to think about.]
- Family Secrets. Dani Shapiro wrote Inheritance, an autobiographical book about her discovery that her biological father was a sperm donor, not the man who raised her. Each episode is devoted to a guest’s story of their life-altering family secret.
- My Favorite Murder. True-crime enthusiasts and comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark tell true stories of murder and mayhem in an empathetic way. They pick apart cases for red flags, sometimes speculate lazily, and make fun of each other. It’s like listening to your fun-yet-morbid friends chat.
- Unlocking Us. Brené Brown (research psychologist, professor, New York Times bestselling author and wise-cracking Texan) speaks about courage, empathy, and other subjects of the universal human experience. Most episodes revolve around guest interviews, including Joe Biden, Dolly Parton, Laverne Cox. Gotta love her sign-off: ‘Stay awkward, brave, and kind.’
If you like podcasts, be sure to also check out these ‘bookish podcast’ recommendations from early 2020 shared by Lauri, adult services librarian.
Bonus …
BEST HOLIDAY SPOOF
- Hamildolph (2016). [Reader’s note: A hilarious YouTube take-off on the Rudolph story, Hamilton-rap style.]
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There you have it! We’re excited to start finding the great reads and DVDs of 2021.
So what books, movies or shows topped your list in 2020? Share your top picks in the comments.
