2020 Book recap

Here are some of the best books of 2020. For more details you can view all my reviews here.
BEST CLASSIC: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
I had never read this as a child, but will probably read the rest of this 5 part series

BEST ADULT FICTION: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
Great characters and setting, happy and sad plot, another book by one of my favorite authors

BEST YA FICTION: Kent State by Deborah Wiles
With a grandson in ROTC and the events in Rochester this summer, this book really spoke to me.

BEST NONFICTION: What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance by Carolyn Forché
This author spoke at Brockport in 1984, and I was familiar with her from the Writers Forum. It was a Tales and Talons book club choice.

BEST ON AUDIO: 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
I must have seen the movie, but had never read the book, enjoyed it a lot.

BREAKOUT READ: Book that was surprisingly good or exceeded expectations The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen
My favorite Rhys Bowen book so far! Enjoyed the setting and the characters.

MOST RECOMMENDED: Kent State by Deborah Wiles
I would recommend to everyone

BIGGEST PUSH: Madame Fourcade's Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France's Largest Spy Network Against Hitler by Lynne Olson
This book got me out of my comfort zone, both because of the fact that I had committed to writing a review for it, and the subject matter.

TAUGHT A LESSON: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Sadly, what this taught me about myself is that I am a coward, I could never do what this person or Madame Fourcade did.

BEST BOOK CLUB PICK: Book that sparked discussion Human Touch: A Story in Real Time by Mitch Albom
The first book club choice, this book was reading in real time and made available for free on his website or through Audible.

MOST TIMELY - Book that spoke to our current culture Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
This book was written 70 years ago, how sad that it should remain so relevant today.

BEST TIME MACHINE - Historical fiction book that set the scene Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran
The story of Queen Lakshmi - India's Joan of Arc - who against all odds defied the mighty British invasion to defend her beloved kingdom.

BEST CHARACTERS - Book whose characters stuck with me Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber
I enjoyed this book, hoping there is a sequel coming up.

BEST DRESSED - Book with the most attractive cover Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
I'm not sure whether this actually had the most attractive cover, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

BEST PLACE - Book that was set in an interesting environment The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux by Samantha Verant
Set in both NYC and southern France, this was a very interesting book. Hope to read more by this author.

MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING - Book that made me think the most A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Another Writers Forum author, he's most famous for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.

MOST HUMOROUS - Book that kept me laughing Don't Make Me Pull Over!: An Informal History of the Family Road Trip by Richard Ratay
Humor is not my genre, but this memoir made me nostalgic for the freedom of the road trip.

BEST SHOCK - Book that made my jaw drop in surprise The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Deeply disturbing, chilling and thought provoking. Why do we turn one against another when we should stand side by side?

BEST FEELINGS - Book that made me really emotional The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
Read on the 20th anniversary of my mother's death, this book had me crying the whole time.

BEST FLUFF - Book that broke my routine of misery and heartbreak in books The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
I read so many cozy mysteries, Christian fiction and love stories this year, as a way to escape and smile.

WORTH THE PAGES - Book that was long but worth it Hild by Nicola Griffith
I got this out of Lee-Whedon in 2015, decided I would never finish it before it was due, so I purchased a used copy from the Seattle Public Library. Five years later, I finally finished it!

Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons

Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 rounded to 3.0 stars - At first, I hated this book and wasn't going to finish it. There was racism that made me uncomfortable. I couldn't imagine why the library hadn't purged this book. So I came on and read some reviews, and saw that it won literary awards and even that it was an Oprah Winfrey Book Club pick. I ended up finishing the book, and while it's not one that I'd recommend to anyone, I finally understood that the racism and Ellen overcoming the racism was an important part of the plot. Ellen is an eleven year old child living in the South, whose mother commits suicide and whose father is an abusive alcoholic. She shows resilience and ingenuity as she is shuffled from one bad home to another, until she finally ends up in a loving foster home (now there are three words you don't often hear together). In fact, that is how she ends up with her name - she wants to take the name of her new family, which she believes is Foster.
Last book of 2020 - #220

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$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America by Kathryn J. Edin

$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America by Kathryn J. Edin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5/5.0 - It's hard to believe in a country as rich as ours that people can live in such abject poverty. This book followed 8 families over many years and concludes that there is really no safety net for people since the welfare reform act in 1996. Most of the people this book talks about aren't homeless and living on the streets, but they don't have their own homes, either. Instead, they stay with family or friends, often changing homes several times a year. In one scenario, a house held 20 members of an extended family. The people want to work, and seek even part-time or low paying jobs, just to be bringing something home. But finding the jobs, and then keeping the jobs, are difficult with less than reliable transportation and daycare. This book seemed much more authentic than Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America, which I read earlier this year.
Book 219 of 2020

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The Christmas Shoes by Donna Van Liere

The Christmas Shoes by Donna VanLiere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5.0 stars - Sometimes a book is more than the story, more than the laughter or a way to pass the time. Sometimes, like now, a book feels like it was written just for you. How ironic that on this day, the 20th anniversary of my mother's death, that this little story, of a little boy who loses his mother to cancer on Christmas Day (with a subplot of another character, a middle-aged man, who loses his mother unexpectedly on the day after Christmas) should be the one I read. A few things stick out to me. First, no matter your age, you're never ready to lose your mother. Second, your mother is never really gone, her love lives on in your heart. Finally, the beautiful lesson, God doesn't take her from you, He receives her with love.
This is the first book of the Christmas Hope series, but the third that I have read. They are short books, classified as Christian Fiction, and each one seems to build from the characters of the previous one. This is a book I will treasure, and may read annually on this day.


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The Best of Us by Robyn Carr

The Best of Us by Robyn Carr
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

3.0 stars - I might have series fatigue because I enjoyed this book the least of the five. None of the Jones siblings played a significant part in this one, but Maggie's father, Sully had a large story line, where he falls in love, at the age of 72, with a mystery writer named Helen. Helen is the aunt of the town doctor, Leigh, and meets Sully while visiting her. I think what bothered me was the use of the "oops, I'm pregnant" plot device so soon after it was used in the previous book. And these are not teenagers, but professionals (the town doctor - seriously?) who it accidentally happens to. But never fear, they all live happily ever after. Also showing up in this book was visiting villain, Johnny, and local troublemaker, Alyssa, but they didn't really add anything to the story, for me. It was interesting to have a trio of love interests, young love - Maia and Finn, main love story, Leigh and Rob, and the mature love story of Sully and Helen. (view spoiler)[And kudos to the author, for not killing off Maia, which I was sure was going to happen. (hide spoiler)]
Book 212 of 2020

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Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5.0 stars - Black Like Me tells the story of a Texas journalist, who, disturbed by the conditions he sees around him, decides to look at the problems through the lens of those who live them every day, by turning his skin black and living in the black community. Nothing prepares him for the demoralizing, dehumanizing experience he has, where one day he is a respected man and the next he fears for his life. But Griffin doesn't make this about himself, and afterwards he is clear that he does not speak for the black community, but it cannot be denied that the book had a profound effect on America, coming at what would be the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. For many years he traveled America giving lectures, going to troubled cities, but always saying to the city leadership - why are you asking me these questions, you have so many black leaders among you - ask them!
The story of the 6 weeks he spent in New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama and Atlanta is disturbing and eye-opening. He feared for his life from the moment he crossed into Mississippi until he left it, under cover of darkness a few days later, arriving during a time when lynchings were tacitly approved, when a jury refused to convict members of the mob who murdered Mack Charles Parker.
The story of John Howard Griffin is in itself fascinating, from his wartime experience rescuing children from the Nazis, his temporary blindness, his deep Catholic faith and his experience writing the book and afterwards. In the Afterword, Robert Bonazzi, a Griffin scholar, writes fifty years later, giving us further insight to the author and the book itself.
The most haunting part for me is viewing this book in the context of the Civil Rights movement and the part it played, and seeing that almost 60 years later, it is still relevant and many of the same issues are being played out in city after city across the country to this day.

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2020 Myers Christmas letter

Hello, dear friends - John's aunt and uncle always send a Christmas newsletter and I've decided to take up the tradition 2020 style. First, let me say how much we miss you all, and pray you are all well and happy. Here are some of our 2020 highlights - I hope you will share yours, as well. Of course our biggest highlight had to be our trip to Hawai'i in February for Matt and Niah's wedding and the birth of our granddaughter, August.

And speaking of August, aka Waffles, have you ever seen anyone so cute? Thankfully, Matt is good about calling us regularly on Alexa, so we can visit with them.

Almost immediately upon returning from the wedding, we took a small trip to South Carolina to see Adrienne, who was training for her new job. And then, COVID. Who could have predicted that? So we've been hunkering down and working on self-sufficiency, including gardening and raising chickens.

This fall we took a short trip to Texas to see John's aunt and uncle, my sister Carol, and my friend, Laura.

What else? We've been up to Indy a few times to see Corey and Jess and their beautiful new home. I've read hundreds of books, and participated in a book club for the first time. Our three oldest grandsons are now in their senior, junior and freshman year at Emerson College, SUNY Brockport, and Indiana University, and the younger two are a senior and junior in Medina. The Cross Country team had an excellent year.

From our home to yours, have a blessed holiday and a wonderful new year!

The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr

The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.0/5.0 - This latest installment of the Sullivan's Crossing series focuses on Dakota Jones, the third sibling. After years in the military, he decides to visit Sullivan's Crossing, where older brother, Cal and younger sister, Sierra have put down roots. Sedona, the oldest sister, also has a subplot, involving her mental health. There is a wide cast of characters including their love interests, Connie and Sidney, friends Lola and Tom, and troublemakers, Alyssa and Neely from earlier books. While several love stories were moved along, I suspect we will hear more about Alyssa and Neely's in a future book, as their stories haven't been fully resolved.
Book 208 of 2020.

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The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5/5.0 - I have read books 1 & 2 in this series, but grabbed this one off the new book shelf not realizing there were two more in between. Still, I was familiar enough with the characters in general that I was able to jump right in. Hannah finds herself the guardian of a 5 year old boy shortly after returning from a corporate retreat held in Sullivan's Crossing. Between this unexpected turn of events due to the loss of her best friend, and the betrayal of her fiancée, her life is in upheaval. She decides to take some time to get to know her new charge, Noah, and books the guesthouse for a few weeks, where she meets the owner, photographer Owen Abrams, who harbors a dark secret of his own.
This book is filled with the things you expect from Robyn Carr, family, romance, friends and community to give you the support you need through your times of trouble, along with some mystery, conflict and intrigue. And of course, a happy ending. Now time to read the middle books of this series!
Book 207 of 2020.


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The Second Chance Boutique by Louisa Leaman

The Second Chance Boutique by Louisa Leaman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.0/5.0 - I was taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed this book. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I think the premise, a woman whose dream job is matching vintage gowns with brides by listening to and learning their back story was such a unique idea that it intrigued me. Francesca is happy with her life as it is, until one day a chance find at a clearance (US equivalent of estate sale) turns her life upside down. The gown, from a Paris design house long out of business, is beautiful beyond words. But when she tries it on, she senses a story filled with sorrow and anger. The remainder of the book follows Fran as she searches out the rest of the story and finds and loses love along the way. Will she (and the gown) live happily ever after? That would be telling.
Book 206 of 2020

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The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5/5.0 - If you like Hallmark movies, this book is for you. Short, inspirational, and faith-based, this book by Donna VanLiere grabbed me from the New Book shelf. And like many books that do that, it turned out to be the latest installment in a series that I hadn't read any of the previous ones. I now have the first two on hold.
The book is told through a dual timeline - 1972 and 2012, and follows two young families throughout a year in their life. What ties the families together is a handmade walnut table and a stack of recipes written by a loving mother for her newlywed daughter. The story of the original owners and how the second family works to find them - to return the family heirloom recipes makes for an enjoyable holiday read. A cup of tea, a warm fireplace, and a blanket or cat in your lap completes the setting.
Book 205 of 2020.

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Love Finds You in Lake Geneva Wisconsin by Pamela S Meyers

Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin by Pamela S. Meyers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5/5.0 - In 1933, Meg Alden wants nothing more than to be a reporter and live the life that God intended for her. Meg is the older of two daughters in a deeply religious family, and at 25 still lives at home under her parents' jurisdiction. When she is unable to complete college due to low grades and financial worries during the depression, she takes a job with the local weekly newspaper writing want ads and the occasional society piece, all the while hoping to further her career as a reporter. When one male reporter leaves, Meg hopes that she will be given an opportunity to prove her ability, but that is dashed when handsome Jack Warren, of the Chicago newspaper family is given the job instead. But as time passes, Jack and Meg find themselves drawn to each other. Initially, they struggle to communicate and be open with each other, Meg about the man who hurt her in the past, Jack about his feelings for her. But the more they work together, the stronger their partnership grows.
I enjoyed this book, even though Christian fiction isn't my normal genre. The historical details about the town were interesting and I'd like to learn more. The peak into the newspaper world of that time also interested me, as I had a job at a local newspaper 50 years ago.
Book 204 of 2020
Hah, not surprisingly, I've spelled her name wrong both times I wrote it.
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2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.0/5.0 - This famous 1968 science fiction classic was written concurrently with the Stanley Kubrick film of the same name, which is considered one of the greatest films ever made. The story opens with a primitive alien race who comes across a monolith which enables them to develop tools and changes their lives from one of a constant fight for survival. Fast forward to 1999, when a scientist discovers the monolith on the moon which sends a radio transmission to Saturn. A spaceship is sent to Saturn, containing two scientists who are awake and three more who are hibernating, and a sentient computer named HAL. Towards the end of the journey, HAL starts to malfunction and before Dave can stop him, he has killed Frank and the three sleeping scientists, saving himself just in the nick of time. He continues to travel by himself and finally reaches a monolith and is turned into an immortal star child.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this audiobook, science fiction is not my normal genre. The narrator is Dick Hill, who does an excellent job! This is the first of a four book series, on the 1000 books to read list, and book 202 of 2020.

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Threading the Needle by Marie Bostwick

Threading the Needle by Marie Bostwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.0/5.0 - This officially moves Marie Bostwick onto the "Authors that I've 5 or more books" list! A Christian author, she doesn't come across as preachy, she just quietly shows how having God in your life makes it better. In this Cobbled Court Quilts offering, two childhood friends turned enemies both move back to their hometown of New Bern, CT. Tessa and her husband Lee come here to escape the rat race of corporate life and the busyness of Boston. They are struggling during a poor economy with trying to get two small businesses (a farm and an herb shop) up and running. Madelyn returns to a town she thought she'd never see again, when her husband, a Wall Street mogul turns out to be the next Bernie Madoff and everything they own is taken away, and he is sent to prison. Madelyn doesn't have happy memories of living here, but her (cruel) grandmother has left her the house and that provides her a place to live and start over.
Anchoring the town are the women of the Cobbled Court Quilt shop and circle, and they provide friendship and support to these newcomers. Finding their way back, moving on from the past, healing for the future and learning to trust again are all themes that play out on these pages.
Book 203 of 2020

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Downton Abbey - A Celebration by Jessica Fellowes

Downton Abbey - A Celebration: The Official Companion to All Six Seasons by Jessica Fellowes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5.0/5.0 - A beautiful (coffee table?) book to accompany one of my favorite tv series, which I am in the middle of rewatching again. The book is organized beautifully, as a well run house might be. Its major divisions include rooms/areas of the main house, upstairs and downstairs characters along with their actor's profile, locations beyond Downton including the village, London, and other great homes. The writing is interwoven so well so that it flows with the plot lines, and is supported by costume details and behind the scene photographs.
Book 201 of 2020

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