Library staff picks best books of 2020
Although it was a genuinely horrible year, there were some excellent books published, and some wonderful old ones to be rediscovered. Here are our annual Westbank Library staff favourite reads for 2020:
The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild By Lawrence Anthony and
Graham Spence Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of “rogue” wild elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand. Lawrence was the herd’s last chance of survival: they would be killed if he wouldn’t take them. In the years that followed he bonded with the herd and became a part of their family. He came to realize that they had a great deal to teach him about life, loyalty, and freedom.
I do not normally read non-fiction titles, but I am so glad that I picked this one up. The Elephant Whisperer is adventurous, compelling and informative. This book was a roller coaster of emotions for me; I was laughing at the witty things Anthony would say or do, cry at the sad moments when nature inevitably took its course and anger at the terrible things the reserve faces every day when fighting poachers.
Everything about this book was fantastic and well worth the read!
Petra By Shaena Lambert
This is Shaena Lambert’s latest book, a novelization of the life of Petra Kelly, founder of the German Green party. I didn’t know anything much about her before reading this book so I was keen to learn about the early days of the Green Party, fighting for nuclear disarmament and other causes in Europe.
Petra herself is a larger than life figure, an electrifying speaker and a woman with many passions. She begins a surprising affair with a high-ranking general who takes up the cause of the Green Party but struggles with the shadow of his Nazi past. Their tumultuous affair ends badly but you will have to read the book to find out the rest! Lambert is an engaging writer who really draws the reader into this chaotic time in Germany through the eyes of Manfred Schwartz, one of Petra’s ex-lovers.
Recommended by Catherine Mamo,
ACL, Westbank Branch
Exhalation By Ted Chiang
This collection of sci-fi stories brought back the intrigue and suspense of reading sci-fi. Chiang’s stories often turn away from the expected horror/thriller forms of sci-fi and move towards compassion and hope. Each story pursues a different idea skillfully to its surprising end, but all spark wonder and thought.
Recommended by Krista Vejvan, ACL,
Westbank Branch
The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm
By Hilarie Burton
When I initially came across this audiobook I was intrigued by the wording "mischief farm.” I immediately saw images of Peyton from One Tree Hill knee deep in mud surrounded by all sorts of farm life. Although I wasn’t too far off, I soon learned Hilarie Burton is no Peyton Sawyer, and I couldn’t be happier to discover how witty and charming Hilarie comes across in her first book.
Hilarie shares her most vulnerable moments, from childbirth and fertility issues to her role in the “Me too” movement and struggles with her own mental health while working on One Tree Hill.
Combined with Hilarie’s soothing voice, this book has a cosy charm that will leave you inspired and yearning for your own mischief farm. I laughed out loud, shed a tear or two and overall felt uplifted by the wonderful stories she bravely shared.
The Ten Thousand Doors
of January by Alix E. Harrow
In the early 1900s, January Scaller lives as a ward in the mansion of an antiquities collector, while her father is out travelling the world. One day she discovers a strange book that tells a tale of different worlds linked to each other by doors. As she runs away from the mansion to search for her father, she finds that perhaps the story told by the book isn't as unbelievable as she first thought.
I couldn't put this book down! I loved the mix of history and fantasy, and how it takes the reader on an adventure through a different time and different worlds. The characters were an engaging group and watching while January went on her journey of self-discovery was a lot of fun. I found myself wishing I was there in the story with her.
Recommended by Melissa Scott, ACL,
Westbank Branch
A raw and emotional read, Yasuko Thanh delves into her life from having emotionally abusive religious parents, being a teenage sex worker with addiction problems, and her struggles with mental health as an adult. Thanh writes with an honesty and frankness that speaks to her character and growth during these turbulent times. Raised in Victoria, BC,
At the Library
Thanh showcases the dark underbelly of Vancouver Island, while also acknowledging the journey she has been on. This book seizes control with an overwhelming feeling of empathy and compassion for the writer and doesn’t end even when reading the last word on the last page.
Recommended by Jocelynn te Lintel
Hekkert, ACL Westbank branch Favourite books as chosen by some of our Westbank patrons: The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins The Lovely War by Julie Berry Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn Island of Sea Women by Lisa See Sapians by Yuval Harari
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Maybe You Should Talk Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Chop Suey Nation by Ann Hui Midnight Library by Matt Haig Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris Born a Crime by Trevor Noah Lamb by Christopher Moore Educated by Tara Westover
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone
The Upside of Hunger by Roxy Harms
There’s something here for everyone. Happy new year and happy reading!
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