Best Of 2020 From Lynnfield Public Library

Press release from the Lynnfield Public Library:

December 30, 2020

Jen:

Books: Sweet Magnolias series – available in audio on Hoopla – Listen before you watch them on Netflix.

Red White & Royal Blue
Sun Down Motel
Widows of Malabar Hill

Nancy Drew audiobooks – They are narrated by Laura Linney!

Jill: The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai – I fell in love with this cover instantly and felt compelled to read it. The story, set in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, punched me in the stomach graphically and squeezed my heart. At the same time, this multigenerational journey left me with a sense of hope.

Carolyn: The BEST thing I’ve watched this year was the Korean Drama “Crash Landing on You” on Netflix.

The 2nd best thing I watched was also a Korean Drama – “Secret Garden”. Both starring Hyun Bin!

Actor Hyun Bin

Barbara K.: These books were my favorites of the year:
The Prague Sonata by Bradford Morrow
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Crossings by Alex Landragin
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Jon Mecham

Kathe:

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano ….if you lose everything how do you survive sums it up
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins …one of the most well-written books I have ever read
Joker with Joaquin Phoenix … really dark but really I watched the whole movie with anticipation

So many more, I had plenty of time to read and watch so I am sneaking this in too …I never watched Schitt’s Creek before. I was laughing out loud !!! So funny and light, 20 minutes and the episode is over if you have only a short attention span!

Chris: 1. Schitt’s Creek. Once I got used to this odd bunch of self-centered people, their absurdity just drew me in. Then, in their own idiosyncratic ways, they all slowly learned generosity and kindness. It turned out to be one of the funniest and moving series I’ve seen.

2. What You Wish For by Katherine Center. When I started this novel, I thought it would just be all predictable fluff, but it got better. It was a pleasant and entertaining look at the power of joy and being brave.

3. Tales from the Ant World by Edward O. Wilson. Even at the age of ninety-one, Wilson still shows enthusiasm, eloquence, and scientific rigor in his writings about the natural world, even about what we may consider lowly, ants.

Marilyn:

Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Crown – DVD all seasons
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Pat:

DVD- City on a Hill – great Boston crime drama
The Witch Elm by Tana French
One Last Lie by Paul Doiron

Kat:

Lady Takes the Case – Eliza Casey – historical cozy mystery
The Split – Sharon Bolton – psychological thriller
A Princess in Theory – Alyssa Cole – romance (available in NOBLE, but not Lynnfield)
Witch Hunt – Cate Conte – paranormal cozy mystery

Patty: My choice is Schitt$ Creek. It has wonderful actors and is very funny. Good take for the year of the COVID.

Samantha:

Book: Grown by Tiffany Jackson
Album: Folklore by Taylor Swift
TV Show: Killing Eve (not released in 2020, but I binged it recently by checking out the DVDs!)

Nicole:

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
100 Cookies by Sarah Kieffer
Knives Out

John: Movie: Villains (2019)

Books: You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Abby:

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – This book was a touch of Dracula, a touch of Rebecca, and just excellent.
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh – Hyperbole and a Half was a favorite ages ago and I have been anxiously awaiting her second book. It did not disappoint.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert – Hibbert writes wonderfully human, diverse love stories.
The Mandalorian – Not available on DVD yet, but Baby Yoda got me through 2020.
Taskmaster – Also not available on DVD in the US currently (but you can find it on youtube!), this hilarious reality show features British comedians completing absolutely ridiculous tasks. Season 7 is my favorite.
Off Menu Podcast – Food and British comedians are two of my favorite things and this podcast combines them! Hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster interview other comedians about their dream meal and I could listen all day.

This press release was produced by the Lynnfield Public Library. The views expressed are the author's own.