Farewell and Good Riddance 2020 - but I did read some good books!
So that was 2020…….I’ve had better. Intense, stressful and scary. My inner introvert has always thought being forced to stay at home for a while would be fun...I can confirm it is now not.
On the blog front the blog is now over four years old. The blog has significantly seen an increase in traffic which perhaps may be explained by so many of us having so much free time but perhaps I’m getting the hand of reviewing too but it is nice seeing so many regular readers. The blogger and vlogger community has been like all of us through the pain of this year and some days reading is hard let alone writing or talking about a book; some days just trying to be human is hard at the moment and for all of you to finish the year alone is praise enough. Subjective Chaos had a difficult third year as trying to read to a schedule with all this going on is very hard. There will be a fourth year but we will be trying hard to avoid causing further stress for our juries while still trying to find some amazing books for you.
On top of that I got involved in the Starburst Brave New Words award which was another jury panel that helped explore what makes a great read and was a lot of fun to just be able to talk about books again.
I will finish the blog with about 266 entries this year which is productive and scary considering how many ARCs there are to go but that’s for 2021 to fix. Holding myself to the mark how did my reading go?
I got through 185 books in 2020 which surprised even me as free time felt rare. I definitely slowed down in October as I had an unexpected bereavement and work went manic (again) but the Xmas break is doing me the world of good. Not sure if I can ever beat this or even if I want to but aims for reading as per usual will be unveiled 1/1. My brain however didn’t do structured reading anymore – I picked the wrong year to try multiple weekly readalongs as I zipped from story type to story type and weekly features on the blog came and went as talking about the week, I’d had felt slightly daunting and repetitive.
Reading stats look like (after excluding mixed anthologies and graphic novels)
45% male
54% female
1% non-binary
And 17 % of the books were by authors of colour
That last stat is still not good enough as I’ve talked about earlier this year. even if a bit higher than 2019’s 14%. SF&F still is behind the curve of literary fiction with decent levels of representation and while I see a lot of evidence that people want to change it is not where it should be. Bloggers are part of the environment and should do their bit. I shall now be working hard to ensure that at least one book per week is by a non-white author. These are not special goals this is me just trying to apply some basic good practise to the blog.
Now how did I do on reading aims for 2020?
a) Keep up the pace – despite the collapse in weekly features for 2020 I enjoyed blogging it was a useful respite from work and talking to people via laptops plus endless worry. What I do want to do is restore The Week In Womble and a fortnightly Booktempting feature.
b) Book Tags – First few months of the world this was OK but then lost all shape. One to resume
c) Readalongs – A fail this needs some rethinking for 2021 but like cylons I have a plan…
d) Release dates – Needs improvement still. I’ve some ideas I’ve been trialling the end of the year that work for my brain and intend to use more going forward
e) Happy Endings – not happened at all I finished one series!
f) Indies – Much better this year. Putting out the call for people to talk about their stuff helped and I’ve found a lovely set of new publishers to keep an eye on. Horror in particular is doing some great things at the moment. If you think you may have something that looks up my street please contact me at the link at the top
So that leaves….my faves of 2020!! Still many 2020 books to read but these are the ones I loved and as I read a fair bit there will be some ties as its 2020 and I don’t care as I don’t want to make many tough decisions.
The Why by Great Uncle Bulgaria Have I Not Read This Earlier?
One of the most powerful reads I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. A book that makes you take a very strong look at its subject in all its unflinching horror. Just a beautiful piece of work and totally worth its classic status.
The Tomsk – Scream if you want to go faster?
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
It has been a horrific year on many fronts but a great year for horror fiction which I think has firmly taken its place back in the limelight. This tale is a chilling read of revenge, loss, madness and despite it all hope for the future. An author I will will be watching out for forever more.
Thirteen Storeys by Jonathan Sims
One of the smartest British horror stories I read this year. Manges to be a portmanteau horror with different styles all by one author and still make a cohesive wider story. So so good and also evillll
The Wellington - Novellas Have I told you Lately How Much I Love You?
Wild Time by Rose Biggin and Keir Cooper
It’s refreshing, sexy, bawdy, inventive and funny plus tackles some of the things I hate in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Triggernometry by Stark Holborn
Maths meets a western. A smart and fun weird tale that also explores how the public can turn on experts while also giving us gunfights, betrayals and geometry
Dark, smart and has many points about where our society has been going. Its uncomfortable and true and I loved it
The Aldernay – Anthologies are the bees’ knees
Cursed - An anthology of Dark Fairy Tales edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane
Look at the list of authors. An anthology that gives you quality, quantity and entertainment was what needed this year
The Madame Cholet - It’s the End of the Tastiest Series as We Know It
The Saints of Salvation by Peter F Hamilton
Slight cheat as this is the only series I finished and that was more by accident of blog tour than design
The Bungo – Hold Me Kiss Me Kill Me Thrill Me
One of the most interesting thrillers I’ve read with a unique focus on the families of those involved in a tragedy. A compelling mystery and two very powerful lead characters. A delight
A story that feels modern using a podcast, youtube video, horror story and crime story in one compelling narrative with mysteries left right and centre. A brilliant ride
The Wellington - Let Me Be Your Fantasy Award!
The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K S Villaso
One of my favourite female characters ever has arrived this year in the shape of the Bitch Queen. I love characters; smart storytelling, fascinating worldbuilding with multiple facets and this story is a great example of using inner and outer voices for a character - a highlight
Best Fantasy - Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
Subjective Chaos is a blessing because I missed this book the previous year. Compelling worldbuilding, wonderful characters and a set of powerful reveals has made this a memorable debut and an author to watch out for.
The Tobermory – The Together in Electric SF Dreams!
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
SH that explores issues with class are rare and this tale explores so much more, racism, denial of opportunities ad our inner characters and ability to change or stay true to who we are. One of the most intriguing stories this year that can be both brutal and beautiful.
An SF novel that in it’s depiction of the world that tells us far more about the last few years and where we may be still going. Add to that a thrilling space ride and a mystery to solve this was a brilliant read.
The Runalong – One ok Two I just loved
There were two books that I tend to think about at least several times a week long after reading them
Fantasy on the edges of a strange tale of two women in a mental hospital who take a trip through time. Heartbreaking, uplifting and pointed about mental illness and the treatment of women with them – one of the most unforgettable reads I’ve ever had.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is now one of the authors I want to read everything by. Each book different and yet high quality. In this a blend of horror, gothic thriller and discussion of colonialism all wrapped up in 300 pages with not a page wasted
Last year I ended on these Gareth L Powell in Fleet of Knives which after this year feel even more prescient
“Sometimes it’s better to be useful than heroic, better to bathe in gratitude than glory, and better to serve than demand service”
“If you’re going to punch a hole in the universe…you might as well do it looking fabulous”
May there always be cake and please let’s continue to punch this universe into a better shape
Take care x
