Last year, and in years before, I have really enjoyed putting together a reading guide at the beginning of the year that features books coming out throughout the upcoming year. And, nothing against that, but my reading goals have changed this year, so I’m changing up the reading guide, too!

As I mentioned in my list of 2020 goals, I am aiming to read books that are already on my bookshelf. It’s not that I have an issue buying a bunch of books since most of the books I’ve read in the last two years have been from the library.

But there’s no reason why I shouldn’t just read what I already have, and I think it will allow me to be more intentional with my reading instead of just seeing what book is up next on my library list. I also think it will remove the obstacle of actually going to the library to drop-off or pick-up library books.

So, for this year’s reading guide, I took a look at all of the unread books on my shelf, picked ones I want to read this year, and then put them during times of the year where the subject-matter will be more timely.

Here’s my 2020 reading list for Blanche’s Book Club, with one FOR SURE book each month and then one back-up choice in case I finish my number one pick 🙂

January

Top pick: “Rich People Problems” by Kevin Kwan

This is my last remaining library book that I’m currently reading. It’s the third and final installment in the “Crazy Rich Asian” series (I read the first two books last year) and I’m excited to see how things conclude.

Backup pick: “Dear Sweet Pea” by Julie Murphy

I got this book for Christmas this year — a signed copy! I have read ALL of Julie Murphy’s books and love them.

This is her newest one and it is her first middle-grade book (should be pretty easy for me to get through – ha!) about a girl whose parents are getting divorced, but they decide to live in identical houses on the same street.

February

Top pick: “The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers” by Maxwell King

I got this for Christmas in 2018! As the title suggests, this is the complete story of Mr. Rogers’ life and career. I watched “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” as a kid and really enjoyed it — I still remember specific episodes — and am looking forward to learning much more about his accomplishments.

Backup pick: “Loop Group” by Larry McMurtry

I bought this book at a library book sale likely last year or possibly even in 2018. I’ve never read anything by Larry McMurtry, and I felt like this was a good place to start as it’s about an all-female road trip from Texas to California. Here for it.

March

Top pick: “No Way Down: Life and Death on K2” by Graham Bowley

This is a book my dad left for me. He left several, and many of them are true stories of survival or incredible challenges. The reviews for this book say it’s similar to “Into Thin Air”, which I read in 2018 and absolutely DEVOURED. I’m heading to Iceland at the end of March and although I won’t face any life-death situations while I’m there, I figured this would be a good book to read beforehand.

Backup pick: “Make Trouble” by Cecile Richards

I got this in 2018 when I saw Cecile Richards on her book tour! As far as I know, the book is about specific moments in her career, particularly with Planned Parenthood and times when her work became the center of political turmoil.

April

Top pick: “The Distance Between Us” by Maggie O’Farrell

I bought this book in London last year. Before going on the trip, I was looking up “London-ish” books, but I couldn’t find a lot of them for sale in the US, so I was excited to find this one! Here’s the scoop: On a cold February afternoon, Stella catches sight of a man she hasn’t seen for many years, but instantly recognises. Or thinks she does. At the same moment on the other side of the globe, in the middle of a crowd of Chinese New Year revellers, Jake realises that things are becoming dangerous.

They know nothing of one another’s existence, but both Stella and Jake flee their lives: Jake in search of a place so remote it doesn’t appear on any map, and Stella for a destination in Scotland, the significance of which only her sister, Nina, will understand.

Backup pick: “The Engagements” by Courtney J. Sullivan

Another library book sale purchase. I have read two other books by Courtney J. Sullivan and a,ways enjoy them 🙂

May

Top pick: “Out East” by John Glenn

My mom bought this book for me last year when a local bookstore was donating proceeds to help those who were being held and/or separated at the border. I had been eyeing this book for awhile after seeing Carl from “Summer House” (if you know, you know) say he was reading it on a plane. It’s about partying in Montauk for the summer and I cannot think of a better book to read the month before SUMMER.

Backup pick: “The Coincidence of Coconut Cake” by Amy E. Reichert

I’ve had this book for years… it’s a rom-com foodie book and I’ll likely have to bake or buy coconut cake while reading it.

June

Top pick: “Darling Days” by iO Tillett Wright

Another book I’ve had for awhile, but had to get as I found it at a thrift store. iO Tillett Wright is an activist and an artist, and I first saw him on an episode of “Catfish” working alongside Nev to catch the catfish. This is his memoir, particularly about growing up in New York in the 80’s, family and gender identity.

Backup pick: The Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber

I have been attending library sales and searching thrift stores to get the complete Cedar Cove series… and now I have them all! I have actually read the first two books, but it was several years ago so I want to start over and read them all close together… so I’ve listed them as my “Backup pick” for all of the summer months.

July

Top pick: “American Dreamer” by Tommy Hilfiger

Another find from a library book sale! These books are usually $0.30-$1.00 and I get so excited to spend $10 and leave with a pile of books. I hadn’t heard of this book before seeing it at the sale, but I snatched it right up. I have always been interested in the workings of the fashion industry, and Tommy Hilfiger is one of the longest-lasting, most-successful American fashion houses. I think this book will be fascinating!

Backup pick: The Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber

August

Top pick: “The Power Trip” by Jackie Collins

I’m certainly not one to turn away from a Jackie Collins novel! This one takes place on a birthday cruise sailing in Cabo San Lucas, but of course it has a bit of an evil twist… because, Jackie Collins. This was yet another library sale find, and I think it will be a perfect poolside read if I’m brave enough to go outside in the Texas heat.

Backup pick: The Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber

September

Top pick: “The Beautiful Ones” by Prince

My mom got me this for Christmas this year — I will never toss a memoir, especially one about an artist such as Prince! Oddly, this book weighs a ton, I think because the paper is so glossy. There are loads of pictures and most of the book is scanned journal entries, much like “Journals” from Kurt Cobain (justice for Kurt Cobain). I’m really looking forward to this one!

Backup pick: The Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber

October

Top pick: “Final Girls” by Riley Sager

Another book that’s been sitting on the shelf for years… possibly because I’m too scared to read it. But, not this year! This is a classic serial slasher movie, in book form and I am pretty sure I picked it up because Stephen King gave it a good review.

Backup pick: “Picking Cotton” by Jennifer Thompson

Another one I really wanted… but yet haven’t read. This is a true story I saw on the news and almost couldn’t believe it. A woman is raped and picks her rapist from a lineup and he goes to jail… but she picked the wrong person. When he gets acquitted years later, he forgives her and they become friends.

November

Top pick: “The Year of Voting Dangerously” by Maureen Dowd

Another one I’ve had for years and I think I’ve been avoiding it because I don’t want to relive the 2016 election. But here we are, in an election year and it’s time to read it! It would be nice if I could read it at the end of October prior to the election, but we’ll see.

Backup pick: “The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling

Ugh. Why did J.K. Rowling have to say those things about trans and gender rights and become an asshole? This book was donated to me, so I didn’t financially support the author with this one… but it’s also about an election. I need to read it and then trash it.

December

Top pick: “A Week in December” by Sebastian Faulks

This is another book I bought in London and that’s where it takes place! This is a story that looks at the patterns of every day life — especially a group of very different strangers that cross paths daily. I think there will be some twists, too, so I’m look forward to it.

Backup pick: “What Light” by Jay Asher

Jay Asher wrote “13 Reasons Why” which I LOVED, and this one seems much lighter, a little romantic, and is definitely holiday-themed.

There you have it; my 2020 reading guide! What books are you planning to read this year?

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