First, a note!
It's no secret that reading was tough for me in 2020. Uh, anyone else? But the silver lining (hooray, hoooray, Jenny Lewis-style) was that I genuinely liked almost every book I posted last year, and so choosing my top five was a really mind eff. Don't worry, I'm fine! Also, if you're interested in buying any of these books, please do so with the links below. Yes, I get a kickback (trust me, it's not paying the bills), but your purchase also supports indie booksellers. Here we go!

TOP 5
(in no particular order bc they all rule) 

1. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
The dialogue between the friends is so realistic that I swore she snuck a mic into my last girlfriend hang (like, a year ago).  

 2. One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
A story about a plus-size Bachelorette (how has there never been one?) that I sometimes confuse with actual Bachelorette storylines.

3. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The story! It's about sisters and race, with a side of theater. 

4. Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Required reading for anyone who's ever had a BFF. Read it with a highlighter. 

5. Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Two words: Ugly crying. 
 

THE COMPLETE LIST
(* = nonfiction)
1. Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
2. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
3. Long Bright River by Liz Moore
4. Open Book by Jessica Simpson*
5. Uncanny Valley by Anna Weiner*
6. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
7. The Herd by Andrea Bartz
8. Here For It by R. Eric Thomas*
9. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
10. All Adults Here by Emma Straub
11. Writers & Lovers by Lily King
12. Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman*
13. They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman
14. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
15. One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
16. A Burning by Megha Majumdar
17. Luster by Raven Leilani
18. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
19. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
20. Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam



Stay safe, stay home, and see you next week!

xx,

JULES