Welcome to The-eLPy Dimension

We all know 2020 was a…year to remember to say the least. While much of it was not great, I can say it was a good reading year. I listened to a lot of audio books and read some physical and e-books as well. It was my best reading year yet, at least in terms of quantity though that’s not to say the quality was low. So here’s what I read in 2020:

According to my Goodreads stats I read 46 books. The longest was Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare at 669 pages (paperback). I gave it 3 stars. The shortest was Summer Frost by Blake Crouch (audio book) at 75 pages, which I also gave 3 stars.

Of those 46 books I gave 23 of them 5-stars; 12 got 4-stars; I gave 10 books 3-stars; and I DNF’d one book.

Thirty-six of what I read in 2020 were audio books; eight books were physical copies; and two books were e-books, one of those two a giveaway prize.

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• The Talon series: Talon, #1; Rogue, #2; Soldier, #3; Legion, #4; Inferno, #5 by Julie Kagawa (all audio books) – 4/5, 3/5, 4/5, 4/5, 5/5 stars
• Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices, #1) by Cassandra Clare (paperback) – 3/5 stars
• What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra (hardcover) – 5/5 stars
• The Ruin of Kings and The Name of All Things (A Chorus of Dragons, #1 & 2) by Jenn Lyons (audio) – 4/5 & 3/5 stars
• Akata Witch & Akata Warrior (Akata Witch series, #1 & 2) by Nnedi Okorafor (hardcovers) – both 5/5 stars
• Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor (hardcover) – 5/5 stars
• Trail of Lightning & Storm of Locusts (The Sixth World series, #1 & 2) by Rebecca Roanhorse (audio) – both 5/5 stars
• The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray (audio) – 4/5 stars
• The Red Hunter by Lisa Unger (audio) – 3/5 stars
• Patience and Nor-Forsaken by Alix E. Harrow (audio) – 4/5 stars
• Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor (audio) – 5/5 stars
• Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee (paperback) – 5/5 stars
• The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (audio) – 4/5 stars
• Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina (paperback) – 5/5 stars
• Bluebird, Bluebird & Heaven, My Home (Highway 59, #1 & 2) by Attica Locke (audio) – both 5/5 stars
• The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (audio) – 5/5 stars
• Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst (audio) – 5/5 stars
• The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (audio) – 5/5 stars
• Vicious by V.E. Schwab (audio) – 5/5 stars
• Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro (audio) – 5/5 stars
• Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (audio) – 5/5 stars
• Wild Seed (Patternmaster, #1) by Octavia e. Butler (audio) – 5/5 stars
• The Beautiful Thing that Awaits Us All by Laird Barron (audio) – 4/5 stars
• The Shack by William Paul Young (audio) – DNF’d
• Far From the Tree by Robin Benway (audio) – 5/5 stars
• The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell (audio) – 4/5 stars
• Summer Frost by Blake Crouch (audio) – 3/5 stars
• The Bone Jar (Detective Lew Kirby, #1) by S.W. Kane (e-book) – 4/5 stars
• Clap When you Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (audio) – 5/5 stars
• The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin (audio) – 4/5 stars
• Lanny by Max Porter (paperback) – 5/5 stars
• Kindred by Octavia E. Butler (audio) – 5/5 stars
• The Caged Queen (Iskari, #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli (e-book) – 3/5 stars
• The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot, #1) by Peter Brown (audio) – 4/5 stars
• The Red Thread by Ann Hood (audio) – 3/5 stars
• The Memory Painter by Gwendolyn Womack (audio) – 3/5 stars
• The Test by Sylvain Neuvel (audio) – 3/5 stars
• How to Pronounce Knife: Stories by Souvankham Thammavongsa (audio) – 3.5/5 stars

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Reading Notes & Thoughts from 2020

• The Bone Jar (Detective Lew Kirby, #1) by S.W. Kane – Kindle edition – mystery, thriller
  • I won this through a Goodreads’ Giveaway (thank you!) though I didn’t discover that fact until last night. Probably I should have waited to finish some of these books but I had my tablet and…sigh… Who doesn’t need a good mystery book in their lives? I used to read a lot more of this genre.

• In Search of Black History with Bonnie Greer by Bonnie Greer – Audible original, Audible audio book, narrated by the author – nonfiction, history
  • This is a really, really informative book and essential reading. Most of these stories and facts I did not know, sad to say, but I am thankful for this resource to have crossed my path. The only reason I haven’t finished it (I’m on the last chapter) is becasue I want to listen with more focus.
  • This is a book I will come back to again and again so that I may better retain the information. I recommend it to everyone.
  • ***I have yet to finish this *** Jan 2021

• Akata Warrior (Akata Witch, #2) by Nnedi Okorafor – hardcover – fantasy, YA
  • Really enjoyed the first book, Akata Witch, and so far this one does not disappoint.
  • What’s disappointing is my ability to sit down and read an actual physical book! Lol.

• Kind of Coping: An Illustrated Look at Life with Anxiety by Maureen Marzi Wilson – harcover – nonfiction, graphic novel
  • This is a cute but interesting little book. I’ve read half of it so far. I appreciate the light-hearted nature of this book though the subject is something very serious. I do recommend it to anyone with anxiety or who knows someone with anxiety. It’s nice to laugh while relating about something that’s not so funny, and sometimes drop a tear to know I’m not alone when feeling X.
  • ***I have yet to finish this*** Jan 2021

• Thick: and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom – Hardcover
  • This find is thanks to the podcast Reading Women. Do check out my page about the podcasts I listen to, mostly about reading and/or writing. Those lovely women raved about this book. There have been others talking about it as well and then I saw it on display at a local bookstore. I said okay, let’s go, you’re coming with me. It’s been looking at me ever since and well, today I figured what the heck, they’re essays so I can read them as I please. So far, so good. I’m looking forward to seeing the life of a person so different than me through their lens.
  • ***I have yet to finish this*** Jan 2021

I desperately need to finish Voyage of the Basilisk – The Memoirs of Lady Trent #3 by Marie Brennan (started, oh, forever ago last year). So I’m kind of also currently still reading that though admittedly I keep forgetting about it…hm…what does that say about this series that I’ve liked but…ugh…

***And as of Jan 2021 I still haven’t finished this…***

• Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro – Audible audio, narrated by the author – memoir

Finished August 13, 2020

• Without a doubt five star read. Really intriguing story, heart-wrenching and well-written. Dani Shapiro is certainly a talented writer. Highly recommend.

• Vicious by V.E. Schwab, narrated by Noah Michael Levine – Audible audio – urban fantasy, maybe mafical realism?, super powers…

Finished August 6, 2020

• Now this is a different book and it was great. It’s all about anti-heroes.
  • 5 stars on the story/book, but if I had to I’d knock it to 4.5 because of the narrator. He’s not terrible, horrible no. In a lot of ways he fits, but I really didn’t care for the newscaster feel to his performance, though he did manage different voices well. So it strangely works, but…

• The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, narrated by January LaVoy – Audible audio – fantasy, historical fiction, magical realism

Finished August 4, 2020

• This was as great as I’ve heard other bloggers say. Not that I read any real reviews because I wanted to be surprised, but in my opinion it’s worth the hype. And I teared up a few times. 5 stars

• Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst, narrated by Emily Ellett – Audible audio – fantasy, adult & YA?, adventure

Finished July 20, 2020 —> My 5 Star Review

• The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie, narrated by Adjoa Andoh – Audible audio – fantasy, adult

Finished June 24, 2020

• Found this as an Audible daily deal and I couldn’t resist. Let me tell you, I do not regret it. This was a really intriguing and different story. And narrator did a beautiful job. 5 Star review coming soon (promise, just need to post it).

• Heaven, My Home (Highway 59, #2) by Attica Locke, narrated by J.D. Jackson – audible audio – mystery, thriller

Finished June 19, 2020

• What’d I say, I had to get to it. New fan of this author, as well as the narrator.

• Bluebird, Bluebird (Highway 59, #1) by Attica Locke, narrated by J.D. Jackson – Audible audio – mystery, thriller

Finished June 15, 2020

• I devoured this book! I didn’t know there was already a second but jumped on it quickly. Really looking forward to more.
  • This book comes to me at a great time, the time we’re living in. It’s good to experience the experience of others even through fiction. There is ugliness and wretched human nature, but also beauty here. Review coming soon[er than later]

• Akata Witch (Akata Witch, #1) by Nnedi Okorafor – Hardcover – YA, fantasy, children’s middle grade
  • Just started this 8 May after finishing Lagoon by the same author. I’m about 3-4 chapters in and interested. The main character is a young albino girl born in New York City to Nigerian parents who moved back to Nigeria. She gets bullied and makes new friends, so far and there’s something going on, something different about these kids. Even though Sunny gets bullied for being albino, which some in their culture affiliate with witches, she is touch and sassy. It’s great.

• The Name of All Things (A Chorus of Dragons, #2) by Jenn Lyons, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Dan Bittner, Lauren Fortgang – Audible audio version – Adult Epic Fantasy
  • I actually started this at the very beginning of May. I think the third book comes out this fall so I decided I should go ahead with this.
  • So far I don’t love that the main narrator is new, well different from the last book. I get it, it’s someone else reading the story of what happened but from an audio book perspective it isn’t great to now hear your main character with a totally different voice. That said I’m enjoying it, four chapters in. Looks like this book is going to be a lot more about dragons than the first.

What Else I’ve Read this Year

Now that we’ve moved into August, I see that it is not efficient to leave the list of titles and notes that I’ve already finished. Therefore, I will continue to share notes and thoughts of what I’m currently reading and recently finished however I will archive older notes and just list the books I finished and a short bit of thoughts, that is only if I don’t have a review available. Recently finished, by the way, will refer to books I finished in the last month and so far in current month.

• Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor – Hardcover – sci-fi/fantasy, first contact

Finished May 8, 2020

• Got another five-star read here! As I write this this was my most recent finish and it was great. Very unique and original first contact story that takes place in Lagos, Nigeria. I recommend this book and this author. To read my review CLICK HERE.

• Storm of Locusts (The Sixth World, #2) by Rebecca Roanhorse, narrated by Tanis Parenteau – audible audio book – Fantasy, post-apocalyptic

Finished April 30, 2020

Awesome fast-paced story. I think it was even better than the first, not that the first was less than but rather this adds to what was already built there. Definitely a five-star read/listen. I really like listening to Tanis Parenteau read this story as well.

In this story you get new scenery as well as some really cool new characters. I highly recommend this story though I will be anxiously awaiting the 3rd book. The author says on Goodreads that she has two more books planned for this series, four total. HECK YEAH! 😀

• Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin & Ezekiel Kwaymullina – Paperback – YA, paranormal fantasy, mystery

Finished April 24, 2020

• I really enjoyed this short novella and give it five stars. It’s different, it’s original, it’s an easy read, and I highly recommend it.

• Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee – paperback

Finished April 19, 2020

• Update: I really enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars. This story is intense and emotional. Read my Review HERE.

• What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra – hardcover

Finished April 3, 2020 —> My Quick Review Here

• The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle #1) by Patrick Rothfuss – Audible audio book, narrated by Nick Podehl

Finished April 22, 2020 —> My Sort of, For Now Temporary Review

• Lady Midnight (Dark Artifices, #1) by Cassandra Clare – Paperback, fantasy, YA, romance

Finished April 4, 2020 —> My Review – 3 stars

• This has been on my list since March of 2019. Ms. Victorious over at Victorious Pages

• The Ruin of Kings (A Chorus of Dragons, #1) by Jenn Lyons, Audible Audio edition narrated by Feodor Chin, Vikas Adam, Soneela Nankani; epic fantasy

Finished March 3, 2020

• Upon finishing: What I said above came to be, I really liked this book. However, I don’t feel that it would necessarily be served by cutting it down. This is a journey and taking the journey makes for a complete story. Could some sections have been shorter and the story still great? Sure thing. But it’s still an excellent book. I’m giving it 4 stars. I do recommend it and I will continue with the series THAT I DIDN’T KNOW WAS A THING! 🙂

• Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse, narrated by Tanis Parenteau – Audible audio book – loved this, highly recommend and will read next –
• Oh and while editing this to adjust for my review of Strange the Dreamer I discovered that I think I can thank SilverWolfReads for this book. She picked up the sequel during her Great American Book Haul! That’s at least plus 2 for you girl!

• Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor , narrated by Steve West- Audible audio book ; fantasy

Finished February 11, 2020

• This book I found thanks to SilverWolfReads after her trip to NYC and her giant book haul. Please do visit her blog (click the link above) and read my review of this book. I most recently finished this book & after what I’ve said above you’ll be surprised to know I’m rating this 5/5 stars.

Reading Plans for August/September

Please see my post 20 Books for Summer 20 Challenge for more on what I should/might/want to/need to read yet this summer. I myself am going to head over there right now.

I really love engaging with folks in comments. I’d love to hear what you think about this list and I really thank you for taking the time to read this.

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Psst, hey! Want to look into the past and future? Well here’s What I Read in 2019 and here’s What I Will Read in 2021. Go check out those links and let me know what you think.

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What’s that? You like to garden? Oh well check out my garden aspirations at Grow Elpy Grow!

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Stay safe & well!

Black Lives Matter.