A few years ago I set a reading goal of at least two books every month and I’ve stuck to that goal, more or less.

Last year was supposed to be no different, but then it was. I normally don’t put together a reading list but tend to get referrals from friends, social media or podcast. I read a blurb about what the book is about and decide if I want to read it or not. A lot of the times, I’m more risky when it comes to my book selections – I basically have no clue what the book is about and simply dive in and wait to be surprised, delighted or disappointed. Luckily for me, there are so many great books out there that I’m rarely disappointed and if I am, it’s short lived because another gem is always waiting to be picked up.

I wanted to share the books I’ve read in the weirdest year we’ve lived through. Ever. Having access to books and time to lose myself within the pages was an absolute life saver during the pandemic and I am so grateful for that.

The Books are in no particular order but I do have some favourites that I would recommend:

• The Vanishing Half
• The Henna Artist
• Girl Woman Other
• Where the Crawdads Sing
• Nine Perfect Strangers

The Swagger & Greys Reading List for 2020

#1. The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennett 

#2. Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens

#3. Girl, Woman Other – Bernardine Evaristo

#4. American Spy – Lauren Wilkinson

#5. Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

#6. Kindred – Octavia E. Butler

#7. The Henna Artist – Alka Joshi

#8. The Nickel Boys – Colson Whitehead

#9. Nine Perfect Strangers – Liane Moriarty

#10. The Spanish Promise – Karen Swan

#11. Kendra Michaels Mysteries – Iris Johansen (4 books)

#12. Pleasantville – Attica Locke

#13. A Noodle Shop Mystery – Vivian Chen (3 books)

#14. Eve Duncan Series – Iris Johansen (4 books)

#15. Carlotta Carlyle Mysteries – Linda Barnes (2 books)

#16. City Girls – Elizabeth Gilbert 

#17. Untamed – Glennon Doyle

#18. Happy Go Money: Spend Smart, Save Right and Enjoy Life – Melissa Leong

#19. How I Built This: The Unexpected Paths to Success from the World’s Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs – Guy Raz

#20. The Fifth Agreement – Don Jose Ruiz / Don Miguel Ruiz

#21. Bad Feminist– Roxane Gay

#22. How to be an Anti-Racist – Ibram X. Kendi

#23. Get Over It: Thought Therapy for Healing the Hard Stuff – Iyanla Vanzant

#24. Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom

#25. The Four Tendencies – Gretchen Rubin

#26. Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior – Leonard Mlodinow

#27. In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from Over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs – Grace Bonney