2020 sucked! But, books and music didn’t!
So I think it’s a little bit of an understatement when I say that everybody hated 2020. I won’t get into that. Okay fine I’ll say fuck Donald Trump, that’s it. Let’s move on.
Still, there can always be positives even within a legit global crisis. (shout out the homie Marcus for this. Btw shameless plug, while we’re here, go check out his first collection of clothes released over the new year). Yeah, you definitely have to try pretty hard to find the positives if you have a real conscience within you, which we have learned that an unhealthy amount of people don’t have.
What got me through the year is music and books. So since I got bored (and because a book friend guilt tripped me into it), I decided to share some of my favorite books since my previous post, while also sharing some of my favorite music from all of 2020. Hope you enjoy and please share any recs!
Books
The Guest List - Lucy Foley
A classic mystery, whodunnit novel that I finished in 24 hours, I kid you not. The drama, entertainment, twists and turns that I just never saw coming got me flipping pages endlessly. I haven’t read Agatha Christie yet but I have seen a lot of reviews say that this book is basically following that type of format. Can’t confirm nor deny that out of my own experience but nonetheless, HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
The Sandman - Neil Gaiman
Alright so I’m notorious for not giving a shit about comic books or DC or Marvel or anything like that. (Seriously, what does Batman do that’s cool?) Okay anyways. This comic series that my bro told me about is unlike anything I’ve read so far. I’m only through three out of ten volumes and I can tell you there is never a dull moment. This comic is literally about everything. Life, death, dreams, stories, consequences, experiences. And it’s just so extremely weird and creative and meaningful. It’s one of the best selling comics of all time and one of the few graphic novels to make a New York Times Bestseller list, yet it hasn’t been developed into a TV show or movie yet. Netflix announced in 2019 that they picked up a developed script for it, so here’s to (me) hoping it goes through.
Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? - Mumia Abu-Jamal
I don’t think I need a whole spiel here for what this book is about. But short synopsis: Mumia Abu-Jamal walks you through numerous examples of black lives not mattering throughout American history. And bluntly asks the question, Have Black Lives Ever Mattered?
Anxious People - Fredrik Backman
This book is one of my absolute favorites and I would recommend this to literally every single person I know without hesitation. A perfectly crafted story addressing depression and mental health, while filled with friendship, love, hope, and forgiveness.
Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
If you read my previous post or just have talked to me about books, you know how much I hate The Alchemist. Well, this is what The Alchemist wished it was and was trying to accomplish. A co-worker of mine read my previous post and agreed with me and in turn recommended Siddhartha for me. God bless you, James.
Music
I was going to just have a top 5 of 2020 for music but I decided to just dump albums, because what the hell. Here are some of my favorites.
Okay I lied, this first album is in order because it’s not even close: This was easily my favorite album of 2020. I knew very little of Chloe x Halle before listening to this album for the first time, months *after* the release. I meant to listen to it early on and just never did until my sister-in-law (hi Sarah, you’re probably not reading this) basically full caps’d my ass to listen to it. And she was right. This was one of those albums I loved on first listen, which doesn't happen very often for me. Chloe x Halle’s Ungodly Hour is absolutely a perfect album and immediately launched themselves into my list of artists whose next project I can’t wait for.
I’m a big fan of singers who have distinct voices I feel like I’ve never heard before, and I get that feeling whenever I listen to Jessie Reyez. Oh, plus she interpolates Kendrick Lamar. Another artist I didn’t know much about coming into 2020 and yet I left 2020 excited for what Jessie has next.
If you listen to Levitating and don’t at the very least bob your head, are you even alive?
Know how I said I typically don’t like albums after the first listen? Okay well I legit hated this album so much the first time I couldn’t even finish it. Or the second. Or the third. I’m still shocked today that I recovered from that and it grew on me so much that I’m sitting here writing about it being one of my favorites out of this year. Her special acoustic version of the album on Disney+ probably had a lot to do with me eventually liking it. I just need to experience it one time in the woods near a fire and smores and it’ll be perfect. Too bad camping sucks.
This was an older brother's recommendation to me because he knows the style of music I’m into. Can you see the trend yet? Anyways, this is just a super fun album to listen to and I wish I could hit a summer party with it.
Heaven or Hell - Don Toliver
Not sure if I’m in the minority here but I kind of felt like it was a down year for hip-hop/rap? Maybe? I also haven’t heard everything yet so maybe I’m doing that lagging thing again! This album gave me very Travis Scott Astroworld vibes and I’m all about it. And fuck covid for not letting me get hyped to After Party somewhere at a SF bar with the homies.
Something about Kali Uchis’ voice resonates with me in every song she does. Sure Erika may not like her, but it still gets played. OH WELL. *shrug emoji* 🤷
Kid Cudi returning with another Man on the Moon was such a happy moment for me in 2020 to make me feel like I was in high school and college again driving around San Mateo and smoking with friends. Good times.
070 Shake was my last concert I went to before covid shutdown!!!!! And it was amazing!!!!! Just like this album if you’re into a little weird!!!!
Alina Baraz’s voice is the voice of a goddamn angel. Go listen. Thank me later!
I cheated. This isn’t an album. But it’s an awesome, hope-inspiring song for the future.
What are some of your favorite books and/or music from 2020?
— Danny
PS: Erika here…we moved! More to come on that soon, Happy New Year! 🎉
