Read on Twitter
I read 40 books this year, and I’d like to tell you about a few of my favorites. I’ll also add some tips about reading more if you’re interested in that.
This was January/February and I have no regrets. Absolutely every title here is worth your time. Also, I kept track of the books on @goodreads. It helped me stay accountable and actually finish the books I started. Did I later count Understanding Comics as a book? Yes, I did.
MILKMAN is a nightmarish view of Northern Ireland through the lens of a woman having multiple thoughts at once as she navigates everyday life during serious political turmoil. It’s an incredible novel. Highly recommend.
UNCANNY VALLEY by @annawiener. I think the through line for this year’s books was “what is work? How different is it than what it once was?” Well, this book cuts through a lot of bullshit about big, cool companies. It’s also a beautifully written memoir. Great stuff. Please read.
I loved @joshgondelman’s NICE TRY. It’s sweet, it’s funny, and I’m happy he didn’t call me out for saying I read it in September 2019 when it came out even though I read it months later. My MOM loved it too. Buy a copy for your mom.
I reread the opening chapters of MOBY DICK every time I feel the seasonal depression set in. This year, I decided to reread the entire thing and I loved it. Strange, deep, funny, informative (even though some of it is wrong). Everything a book should be: https://twitter.com/danwilbur/status/1115659728695234561
“That a big book, Dan, and I hated it in high school. Don’t waste my time!”
Try it now. I promise you’ll enjoy at least a few chapters. It’s so varied, there’s something in there for everyone. Like the devil told Faust, you know? Throw everything in there and see what sticks.
Try it now. I promise you’ll enjoy at least a few chapters. It’s so varied, there’s something in there for everyone. Like the devil told Faust, you know? Throw everything in there and see what sticks.
All right. Now would also be a good time to tell you two things: I did not have a “real” job at the beginning of this year. Secondly, I took long breaks from Moby Dick to read shorter books. You’re not always going to have the energy for Melville. Mix it up!
You’re never going to believe what happened, Dan of 2019. You’ll have nothing but time to read in 2020. You’re finally going to start drawing. It’s sadder than you think. :(
COVID started. I picked up something I always wanted to read: William Gaddis’ The Recognitions. Wondering why it’s not on this list? I didn’t finish it. I never will. It’s... too much. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead. But it’s Christmas and at Christmas you tell the truth.
I’m also 400 pages into Caro’s Power Broker, but that book is incredible. I needed to put it down or this list would be short! If I didn’t finish it this year, will I ever?
From this batch, I really enjoyed FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE by @taffyakner. Funny, smart, sexy, sad. Forty-somethings going on Tinder for the first time. It sounds more fun than how I pitched it right here. It’s good.
UNDERSTANDING COMICS by @scottmccloud was short and had a lot of pictures in it, yes. But I felt like I had a better understanding of all visual art (and writing!) after reading this book. This book was my grad school. And it only took a day to read!
“The Weirds” begin. The unemployment checks kick in. And I read some truly exceptional books when I’m not staring at a map.
I had to leave my wild NYC nightlife behind because it’s currently illegal to do indoor comedy, so the book that stood out is @EmilyGould’s PERFECT TUNES. It’s sweet and about dealing with personal tragedy in New York and leaving the music scene behind. MORE LIKE PERFECT TIMING!
Now — you guessed it — I’ve started working on my own novel. After all, I haven’t been on stage for 8-9 days so... gotta do something. That’s what the short Jesuit book is doing in there. OLIVE KITTERIDGE and THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS blew me away. Terrific books.
If nostalgia for NYC wasn’t enough, my man @imjasondiamond gave a lot of nostalgia for my suburban youth! Also... Anyone who had a book come out in 2020 deserves a medal.
TRUST EXERCISE by Susan Choi was up there with Asymmetry for making me rethink the rules of storytelling. An absolute mindfuck. What a novel.
Whew. This thread is becoming a novel, am I right?
Had to throw in my coffee table Garry Schandling book in there to make sure I hit my goal of 40 books. Much like George Washington, Garry was also attempting to build a house during the peak of his career.
TEMPORARY should be given to anyone who’s had a bad job. It’s the funniest thing I read all year (sorry, Josh). You might think you know where it’s going, but I promise, it takes you on a real journey. Read it. It’s great. My favorite book of the year? Yes.
And now, as a reward for actually hitting my goal... I’ve started a book I’ll finish sometime in 2022. It’s a thousand pages, mostly a single sentence. I love it.
Now some tips:
I heard this at the beginning of the year, and it really helped. Mostly, the tip of “tailor the book to the situation.” https://www.npr.org/2019/11/21/781673493/how-to-read-more-books
I heard this at the beginning of the year, and it really helped. Mostly, the tip of “tailor the book to the situation.” https://www.npr.org/2019/11/21/781673493/how-to-read-more-books
I read fiction with no distractions. If I could sit at a desk in silence whenever I wanted to read, I would. Sadly, the world is full of noise. Occasionally, especially with nonfiction, I read while stuff was happening in the house. Music. TV. Talking.
For fiction, especially something that’s a bit of a stretch, I block out a half hour to get into the book. No interruptions. If you can get that out of the way, you won’t want to put it down.
But nonfiction... I supplemented the physical books with audiobooks. If you can, it’s a good way to stick with the long reads. 2020 was the year of the stupid fucking stroll. Why let it dig into your reading time? Nothing felt better than coming home and moving that bookmark. https://twitter.com/ben_awareness/status/1243656750588362760
I can’t read if I’ve had more than two drinks. Can’t write anything either. Sorry to burst the bubble on the image of a writer with a bottle of whiskey on the desk. I know people who can do it. But not me. Sober, awake. If I read at 3 PM, I fall asleep. No idea. Lunch, I guess?
At night after 8 PM. Mornings. These are the best times to read for me. You gotta find the time you can read without nodding off, especially when you’re starting a book. That’s when the book needs you the most!
Lastly, I have a page number in my head for how long I’m allowed to continue a book that I don’t like. Usually it’s 70 or 100. You should give it a chance, but don’t force yourself. Move to something else. You can always come back. I probably started 20 other books this year.
Anyway, next year, I’ll do 50. But I have a job, a novel to write, and a dog to walk. Hopefully, though... there will be less news to read? I doubt it.
I hope this is helpful and adds some good books to your TBR pile. Buy from @CommunityBkstr. They mail the books fast!
Saturday night, baby!!!
