There are many wonderful novels that I read this year. In addition to the series of books that I love, I discovered new to me authors. There were also debut novels.
DEBUT NOVELS
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Note: The Henna Artist was a Reese's Book Club pick and I was introduced to this wonderful novel. The story takes place after India gained their independence from Britain. The heroine is Lakshini, who escapes an abusive husband. Lakshini moves far away and we follow her journey to becoming an Henna Artist. She earns her own living and we meet different characters that she encounters. After Lakshini leaves the village, a lot happens without her knowledge. That leads to a big surprise in Lakshini's life years later. The reader gets a glimpse into what life is like for an independent woman living in India after Independence. I loved the language in the book. I flew through the reading in one evening. This novel was nominated for a Goodreads Best Debut Novel of the Year.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Note: I received a free digital copy from NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press. I read the advanced copy and loved the novel. I bought a copy from A Great Good Place for Books because I loved the book. The Chawton house has a starring role in this novel. We meet different characters from different walks of life who love reading novels by Jane Austen. I really liked the characters and the story was wonderful. The story takes place after the Second World War in England. This was another Goodreads nominee for Best Debut Novel of the Year.
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Note: Since I have a bookstagram account, I have been following many bookstagram accounts. I learned about this poignant novel from many readers who loved the novel. I read the novel in March before the pandemic started. And this novel won the Goodreads Best Debut Novel of the Year. The story is a contemporary novel and I thought it was very timely since the story reflects what is happening now with racial tensions. The story is about a black babysitter who is taking care of a white child. This story follows two women from different walks of life. The white mother, Alix, hires a black babysitter, Emira, to take care of her white children. There is a very scary moment in the beginning of the novel. Although the scary incident is resolved, there are aftershocks from this incident. I read this book because it was another Reese's Book Club pick. I blew through this novel because I could follow the characters and the story. The book was very thought provoking.
NOVELS
All about Evie by Cathy Lamb
Note: Cathy Lamb is a new to me author and I loved the book. This beautiful novel was my first novel read in 2020, which means this novel was published in 2019. Many bookstagram accounts raved about this novel. So I decided to read this novel. I loved this story about Evie and the women in her family. Evie has premonitions and she sees it as a curse. Her sister, Jules, is getting married. To celebrate the coming marriage, Jules gets DNA tests for Evie, their mother and aunts, with surprising results. This novel is about redemption and hope.
Content warning: There is domestic violence and stalking.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Macksey
I loved this book so much that I read it again in 2020. I saw bookstagram posts about this beautiful book and I read it. After reading the book, I bought copies and gave them as Christmas gifts. This book was exactly what I needed to stay sane during the pandemic, which started in March though there were hints earlier in 2020. I loved the drawings and the wonderful messages of kindness. I am still laughing at the mole wanting cake! Note: Charlie Macksey is a new to me author.
The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister
I loved the book. This story takes place in the Pacific Northwest. I loved the language and how the author described different senses like the sense of smell vividly. The coming of age novel is about childhood stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories capable of shaping our lives. Emmeline lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father who teaches her about the natural world. I loved the writing and the language. Note: Erica Bauermeister is a new to me author.
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
I discovered this novel after a dentist's appointment at a local independent bookshop. The staff wrote glowing reviews about the novel. After reading the staff's written note accompanying the novel, I decided to try the novel. I read the novel and flew through the book. I loved it! This story is about how a solitary green notebook connects six strangers in England and leads to unexpected friendships. The solitary green notebook has a Question and a shared thought written on the first page. "Everybody lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth?" was written by someone who leaves the pale green exercise notebook titled "The Authenticity Project" behind in Monica's Cafe. The reader meets different characters and how their lives intersects with each other.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Vanishing Life is about identical twins growing up in a town called Mallard. The town was founded by a former slave who was fathered by a white slaveowner. Each generation gets lighter as if cream is added to dark coffee and this is a quote from the book. By the time we meet the identical twins, the sisters could pass as White people. Despite that, the white racists knew that the family was colored. The sisters are named Stella and Desiree, which made me think of the Tennennesse Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire. As young children, Stella and Desiree witness a murder, which leaves a big mark on their lives. The twins run away from home and live in New Orleans. While living in New Orleans, the twins take different paths. Stella decides to pass over as White when she applies for a job as a Secretary in 1950s New Orleans. Stella leaves a note for Desiree, letting her know that she moved on and disappears from Desiree's life. Without Stella, Desiree moves to Washington, DC and gets a job with the FBI. Desiree marries the darkest man she can find then disappears with their black blue child Jude. The darkest man turned out to be abusive so Desiree decides to return to Mallard. Meanwhile, Stella continues to pass herself off as White, marries a White man and has a blonde blue eyed daughter named Kennedy. Stella's White husband is from a Boston family and I wondered if there was a connection to the political dynasty. The novel follows the lives of the identical twin sisters and their daughters. I loved the writing and the story.
Note: I saw many posts about this brilliant novel on bookstagram. This novel is by a new to me author.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
I thought this was one of the best novels that I have read in 2020. I stayed awake all night reading the novel and loved it. There are many quotes that stayed with me. I loved this quote "Never underestimate the importance of small things". Even a simple act of kindness can make a big difference for someone. "Between life and death , there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever". Nora Seed decides to commit suicide because she is not happy with the choices that she made in her life. At the midnight library, Nora gets the opportunity to get many chances to make different choices when she opens a new green book. The reader learns about different stages in Nora's growing up years and young adulthood. Each book is a story of another reality.
Note: I started following Matt Haig on Instagram after I read his wonderful children's book THE GIRL WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS and I loved the book. He mentioned the new novel The Midnight Library and I grabbed the opportunity to order the U.K. edition of the novel when he spoke at the Edinburgh Book Festival. It went virtual because of the pandemic and I saw the conversation with English subtitles.
Content warning: Suicidal thoughts
HISTORICAL FICTION
Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women's Olympic Team by Elise Hooper
This historical fiction novel is based on three real women who competed in the 1936 Olympics. The author explores the real life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women's Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany. Chicago's Betty Robinson competes as a member of the first women's track and field team in the 1928 Olympics. She returns home, destined as America's Golden Girl until a nearly fatal plane crash threatens to end her athletic hopes. Boston's Louise Stokes, one of the few Black women in her town, sees competing as an opportunity to succeed in life. Missouri's Helen Stephens, tomboyish and poor, is considered an outcast by her schoolmates, though she dreams of escaping farm life through athletic success. The reader follows their journeys to attaining their dreams of competing in the Olympics. We learn about what life was like for women from different walks of life at that time in history. I loved the book so much that I bought copies.
Note:The author sent me an advanced copy of this wonderful novel when I won a bookstagram giveaway. I had read other historical fiction novels by Elise Hooper and loved all of them. She wrote THE OTHER ALCOTT about a sister of Louisa May Alcott and LEARNING TO SEE about Dorothy Lange.
Content warning: There are scary moments in the story. Some violence.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Another wonderful novel by Sue Monk Kidd. I loved her previous novels. This time the author writes about Ana, the wife of Jesus. The reader gets a glimpse into what life was like for women that far back in history. Ana is from a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of Gailee. Ana is brilliant with a curious mind. Defying the expectations of women, she engages in scholarly pursuits. The book gives us insight into Jesus the man and the husband of Ana. I loved the language and the details. I could follow the book.
