On Reading In 2020

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.”

— Joyce Carol Oates

Reading is always an important part of my year, so this is a mere smattering of thoughts on my favorite reads and rereads of 2020.

At the start of the year, I was still writing my monthly column on book-to-film adaptations at Birth.Movies.Death. (RIP). If interested, you can still read my complete thoughts on The Night of the Hunter and To Die For on the site. My goal in writing Cover to Credits was never to make any claim that one medium was superior to the other, but to explore how every book and film worked together to tell the same story. Both have much to offer a story in varying degrees. Yet, in reading these two novels I felt, as always, that the pages were filled with more intrigue and internal details than their adaptations were capable of depicting. And that’s why I’ll always encourage fans of any film adaptation to seek out the source material, because reading the book will only offer greater insight into the characters and stories you already know and love.

A perfect example: I’ve just finished reading Mermaids by Patty Dann for the first time, although I’ve seen the movie at least a dozen times. As is usually the case, I found my favorite moments in the book aren’t even present in the film. If you’ve ever longed for more of Charlotte’s angst-ridden thoughts; to know more about Joe and the nuns at the convent; or if, like me, you’re just a sucker for a well-written coming-of-age tale, I highly recommend you pick up this book immediately. Then watch the movie again, which is exactly what I’m gonna do!

This year I started a book club with my mom and sister, which we began by rereading one of my all-time favorites, To Kill A Mockingbird, followed by a virtual screening of the movie together. We then continued with each of us selecting a book — my sister brought us to a Little House in the Big Woods and Mom took us on an unforgettable journey East of Eden. Our weekly video conversations were a highlight of my year and I can’t wait for the discoveries we have yet to make together as we continue our little club in 2021.

Rewatching Bryan Fuller’s HANNIBAL launched a major obsession for me this summer. I watched it in its entirety three times, leading to rewatches of all the films and a reread of Red Dragon. I fell in love with the dark and fascinating complexities of Will Graham, earning him a permanent spot on my list of favorite fictional characters (and of all the adaptations, Hugh Dancy is my favorite in the role). I’m already missing my #MurderHusbands and have no doubt I’ll return to the show again and again. Seriously, if you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for?! #SaveHannibalSeason4

In February, I spent an inspiring, magical weekend with Patti Smith and Sam Shepard. Her Year of the Monkey led me directly to his Spy the First Person and I was astounded by the synchronicities I found on the page. Born not only from a life they shared together, but in how similarly they perceived and processed the world. It resonated in ways I have yet to articulate, but it’s a weekend I will never forget.

Finally, I cracked open a book I’ve owned for quite awhile, and in its pages I found personal and creative salvation. The Artist's Way launched my love for journaling and helped me forge a better and more rewarding path for my own creativity. Combined with Amie McNee’s Journaling Compendium, as well as her books For the Procrastinator and For the Perfectionist, I have finally discovered a level of confidence I’ve never had in my own artistic journey. I’ve been working diligently on myself and on my novel since summer and these books, along with 143 consecutive days (and counting) of self-reflection through journaling, kickstarted it all for me. So, if you’re still searching, I encourage you to let these books be your guide. Amie’s Instagram is also a gentle and welcoming refuge for artists across the board: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtowrite/.

All the books pictured above offered me an escape from the trials of this grueling year and I’m grateful to have spent my time with them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the artists who created these works.

Here’s to many more discoveries, on and off the page, in the year ahead.