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Are you a part of the Uncorked 2020 Reading Challenge? Discover book lists and books to read for our upcoming January 2020 themed book discussion: Books That Change Your Perspective.
I’m not going to lie, guys. This is my first year hosting a reading challenge, and we are going to figure out this bad boy together. Thank you so much to those who have already signed up and messaged me with your excitement. 2020 is going to be a wonderful year for community reading.
If you haven’t seen the complete 2020 Reading Challenge, you can find it here. This is a casual reading challenge with monthly themes and book suggestions per category. You can read as much or as little as you like.
How Tt Works
There is no pressure to participate every month. You can silently follow along, although we’d love to hear from you.
Each month, I will add a supplemental blog post with book ideas and book lists–like this post for January’s theme.
Share Your Journey In The Comments
The comment section of these posts is meant to be our mini-book club and forum. Please let us know what you are reading and your thoughts in the comments. I’ll end each post with ideas. You may engage with other commenters [in a respectful way] and just have fun.
I will *try* to have each monthly discussion/book suggestion post up by the 15th for the upcoming month. For February’s topic, you’ll see a matching blog post around January 15th.
Please make sure that you are on TUL’s mailing list to receive challenge updates and even more book suggestions not listed below. And maybe my cats…or sexy cocktail pics.
What Is The January 2020 Book Discussion Theme?
A Book That Changes Your Perspective About The World
Why not start off the New Year on the right wine trail? I’m not 200% into self-help books, but I do love inspiring podcasts and books that make us think differently about the world.
This January 2020, we are reading books that have the potential to change or broaden our views. Now isn’t this every good book? I’d say yes!
But I want to know your all-time favorites. Choose a story that has the potential to blow your mind or teach you something new. Maybe even pick something that makes you uncomfortable.
What are some book ideas if you are stuck? Let’s get started!
January 2020 Book Ideas
Book Lists To Get You Started
Books To Make You Think is one of the best book lists on TUL for the January 2020 Reading Challenge theme.
Uncover picturebooks like The Little Prince, find yuppie YA titles like Paper Towns, and see some of my favorite travel memoirs from writers like Anthony Bourdain.
A Cook’s Tour speaks to the perfect meal and demonstrates food as a language across cultures. Bourdain truly enhanced the way I traveled in my 20s and how I connected with the locals and travelers that I encountered along the way.
Both of these lists have something for everyone including historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction. A few more titles that you’ll find:
- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
- The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
- Empire Falls by Richard Russo
- Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
- Quiet by Susan Cain
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
- Empire Falls by Richard Russo
Book Reviews Fitting For January’s Theme
A few books from 2019 that made me think differently or showcased diversity–with full book reviews–on TUL include:
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult – With a TW for abortion and gun violence, Picoult explores different women’s perspectives at a Planned Parenthood-like facility as a gunman holds them hostage.
The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson – Also a great read for March’s Mulan category, Dickerson imbues calming faith into her fairy tale retellings. While I typically don’t read Christian fiction, find an uplifting but not preachy retold classic filled with feminist vibes.
The Unfortunate Expiration of Mr. David S. Sparks by William F. Aicher – If you are looking for an indie book, Aicher takes readers on a wild philosophical science fiction ride, asking what happens when the world and environment fights back.
Popular Titles You May Enjoy:
While I haven’t written complete reviews, these are two more books that you might want to explore for January’s theme:
Don’t Keep Your Day Job by Cathy Heller – Full disclosure: I didn’t love Don’t Keep Your Day Job. However, this nonfiction read sparked my interest in Heller’s podcast, which is inspirational for bloggers and entrepreneurs. Heller believes that in order to pursue happiness, we have to find our purpose, be creative, and turn passion into a profit. Each chapter ends with journal prompts.
Children Of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi – If you follow TUL, you know that I am always early to work but late to the party. However, reading Children of Blood and Bone with the second book just out is perfect timing. While the YA storyline felt a tad overdone (don’t hate me–people LOVED this book), this is a stellar pick for representation. Adeyemi’s West African heritage blends fantasy with culture in a fast-paced romance and thriller.
What I Am Currently Reading
Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe – After moving to Asheville, I knew that I had to read Wolfe’s most infamous book about “Altamont.” I’m not going to lie: I cracked up at the alleged name changes. Wolfe paints a vivid picture of small-town family life in the early 1900s. This mostly autobiographical story is the epitome of wanting so much more and pursuing education. Historical fiction and classic lovers will dig this wordy but beautiful read.
Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker – Dagney from the dark tourist blog, Cultura Obscura, gave me this one for my birthday. I’m incredibly excited to learn about the wine underground and what it takes to be a sommelier. Will Cork Dork make me think differently about…wine?!
I am awaiting Over The Top by Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness. Will I ever get off the library holds list?
January 2020 Book Discussion Questions
I’d love to know what book(s) you are thinking of reading for January 2020’s Book Challenge. After you have completed this phase in the challenge, please tell me how you made out, too.
A few questions that you may consider for the comment section below:
What are you reading this January 2020?
What are your thoughts about your chosen titles?
Were there books that you loved? And didn’t love?
Did certain titles meet up to the hype?
What are some of the most influential books that you’ve ever read?
What’s on your to-be-read list for the year?
What is one take away from this month’s theme? How did your chosen book(s) change the way that you think about the world?
Will you change your actions or behave any differently because of what you read?
I’d love to get feedback for how helpful this post and newsletter updates are, too! Would you like to see more book ideas? Is this enough? What type of book suggestions are you craving?
Of course, you can write about whatever you want in the comments, too. Don’t forget to check your inbox for even more great book suggestions.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #UncorkedReading2020 whenever sharing updates on social media.
February 2020’s Book Theme and Discussion Is Happening Here.
If You Are Behind, The March 2020 Book Discussion Is Here.
You made it so easy for me! I totally plan to read Cathy’s Hellar’s new book. Don’t Keep Your Day Job has been on my list for a while and now that it is out, it’s time to read! So I’m excited to get to it. This challenge has given me a reason to.
I am so excited you started this challenge! I’ve been waiting for sort of a TUL book club for a while now. Loving it!
I think you’ll like Don’t Keep Your Day Job, especially since you love these types of podcasters like Jenna Kutcher. I find them so encouraging and uplifting. I cannot wait to hear what you think.
I’m hoping this reading challenge will at least keep all of us reading a tad more this year while having fun doing it. I always seem to sacrifice blogging for reading, and I need to read more. I’m aiming for almost every night again.
I should have told everyone to grab some wine [or sparkling cider] for whenever they leave a comment. Hehe.
Thanks so much for participating. I’m so excited for this new TUL initiative. Glad to have my blogging bestie here too.
Children of Blood and Bone is one of those books I really want to read but keep forgetting to request from my library. It basically has all the things I love, YA, fantasy element, unique setting. One of my favorite books of 2019 also falls neatly into this category – Tidelands by Philippa Gregory. It’s set on the coast of England back in the 1600’s and features an independent, strong women in a time when that was not the norm. There’s accusations of witchcraft, forbidden love, spies, betrayal! So good and so thought-provoking.
Thankfully–and unlike Where The Crawdads Sing, my library had an ebook version of Children of Blood and Bone with an extremely short wait. The storytelling is magical. I’m still deciding if I will read the next in the series. I am sure that I could have gotten all of these early on NetGalley, but FAIL on my behalf–I just updated my profile that was 2 years old…sooo…
I remember you talking about Tidelands! Those are all of my favorite topics! Sounds amazing.
I was planning on *finally* picking up COBAB early next year so that will be my choice for January! I’m pretty sure I got it for xmas last year and, like you, I’m very behind on the trend😂Excited to see what all the fuss is about🤞🏽
Haha, I feel SO behind. Thankfully, I waited so long for COBAB, the holds list was nonexistent. I cannot wait to hear what you think. I have mixed opinions, but it’s definitely worth a read. I’m wondering if all of the hype all year set my expectations too high. Kind of like Gone Girl and Girl On The Train.
I’m already expecting to be a little underwhelmed after all the hype. But I’m trying not to be too judgy before I’ve even begun! I’ll be picking up later in the week, once I’m finally in my apartment and unpacked.
Did you move again? I haven’t been on IG very much to look!
Ooops I missed this comment, I’m in Melbourne now which I think I maybe told you elsewhere haha. So I just finished COBAB and as much as I enjoyed the setting and the real-life representations, I thought the ending draaaagged out and just as it was ending she’s like nope, wait for the sequel. I can’t really be bothered to read the sequel, I’ll have forgotten the story by next week hahaha.
I totally agree–I just saw your bookstagram review too. I really wanted COBAB to be a stand-alone. It just fizzled for me.
I’m planning to start my 2020 reading with Brene Brown’s newest, “Daring Greatly.” I was already planning on that being my first book of the new year, so I’m happy it fits into your category! I love Brown’s work as a writer and speaker. “The Gifts of Imperfection” blew my effing mind! It’s a short book—barely 100 pages—but it took me weeks to read because I had to digest it gradually; it hit so close to home! Brown has an uncanny way of articulating truths I don’t know I need to hear, so I’m looking forward to this latest work of hers.
I absolutely love your selection and cannot wait to hear what you think of Daring Greatly. Brown’s book has been on my radar for years, and I still haven’t read it yet. I feel like as a blogger who is constantly putting myself out there (and definitely taking some hits here and there), Daring Greatly might be awesome for me to pick up at this stage in my life–thank you so much for the idea.
I will have to check out The Gifts of Perfection. I hadn’t really heard much about that one, but it sounds right up my alley, as well!
Enjoy the holidays!
Thanks! You, too!
(And I just learned DG is not her “latest”, as I said. I picked up the new edition of the book recently and I guess assumed it was new, but it’s a few years old, as I’m sure you know! Haha! Anyway, just wanted to clarify)
Sometimes everything seems brand new to me because I read all over the place, lol! Thanks!
So I got the ebook of A Cook’s Tour from our library, so I think I’m going to read that. Don’t Keep Your Day Job sounds interesting too. I hope I actually finish reading a book! Lol.
Anthony Bourdain is always my favorite! I hope you enjoy A Cook’s Tour. I also liked Kitchen Confidental because it taught me how crazy the world of chefs and the restaurant business is–kind of like Cork Dork. Because I am a boozy traveler, Bourdain really taught me how much eating and drinking abroad opens us up even more to a culture and the history of a place. Food is so telling! I love the idea that it’s also a common language, value, and meeting place. Man, I miss him!
I am planning on starting the reading challenge with either Educated by Tara Westover, or Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston. Both will push me to dig in and sit with the writer’s emotions throughout their self-discovery and healing. I think starting with a book of this nature is a great way for me to start the new year. I am a very empathetic person, and a lot of times I find myself reaching for books that are going to be easy and lighthearted – So this will be a big switch for me!
I’ve heard that Educated is incredibly thought-provoking and well-written. One of my best friends read it recently this year and highly recommended it. I cannot wait to hear what you think. Deep Creek wasn’t on my radar but looks amazing, too. If you read it, let me know if there are any gruesome animal scenes, please. Those always do me in. I tend to read more light-hearted novels as well–sometimes I just need an easy cheer-up or escape. Can’t wait to see how January’s reading challenge goes for you.
I read Margaret Atwood’s, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” several month ago and just finished Angie Thomas’, “The Hate U Give.” I have also read her latest book, “On the Come Up.” Both of those books opened discussions with my co-workers about the world we live in. I work in public education in a very ethnically diverse neighborhood, and Angie Thomas’s books showed me a literal vocabulary I knew nothing about. I have read several of the other suggestions on the list and I think my next choice specifically for this challenge will be “Nickle and Dimed” by Barbara Ehrenreich.
I cannot wait to read Angie Thomas’s newest book. How was it? Better than THUG or the same? Which one did you prefer?
I actually used to be a public/charter school teacher in an urban area too. I’m glad that Thomas teaches us more about different communities and vocabularies–I agree, she’s fantastic for tackling relevant issues and opening our eyes by better explaining occurrences and injustices in the world around us. Thomas also created a story that teens (and adults) sorely needed.
Nickel and Dimed will exhaust readers from all of the hard work that she puts in for such little pay. I think we all at least understand that the wage gap is for real, problematic, and part of a vicious cycle, but man, you see how bad it is for families trying to survive. Stereotypes are smashed apart. I know the book received some minor criticism as well, but overall, Nickel and Dimed is pretty enlightening.
Oh, I have the perfect book for this! My dad lent me a copy of The Point of It All, a collection of op-eds and speeches by former political pundit Charles Krauthammer. Not my usual fare, but my dad says Krauthammer was the most brilliant journalist he’s ever read. Curious to see how it shifts my perspective.
I hadn’t heard of The Point of It All, but I just looked it up. Sounds fascinating. Definitely not a title that I’d pick up right away either, but I expect that it might be pretty intriguing and thought-provoking. Can’t wait to see what you think.
I read A Spark of Light a few months ago and really loved it. Jodi Picoult is great.
One book I would add to the list is Essentialism by Greg McKeown. I’ve read it a few times now and it legitimately changed the way I look at a lot of things. Short, but a great read!
I’d like to read A Cook’s Tour. I was always a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain and really loved Kitchen Confidential. I’m sure this book is good!
I love that Picoult is so timely and relevant. She isn’t afraid to discuss controversial or heated topics, no matter what. I don’t always love all of her books but many are truly heartwarming or thought-provoking.
Essentialism sounds like something I need: time management and being stressed too thin is what I (and probably most of us) constantly struggle with. What has been your biggest takeaway from the book?
I loved Kitchen Confidential and learning about the inner workings of the kitchen. What is it: Don’t order sushi on a Tuesday?! Or something like that? Bourdain will forever be one of my favorites. Cork Dork that I am reading now is a lot like Kitchen Confidential.
So excited for this 2020 reading journey. I think I needed something like this and didn’t even realize it! For January I am reading The Ethical Gourmet by Jay Weinstein. How to enjoy great food that is humanely raised, sustainable, non-endangered, and that replenishes the earth. I have been vegetarian/vegan in the past and recently have been eating A LOT of animal products. For 2020 I am eager to get back to a place to be a bit more mindful about what I put into my mouth. This was a perfect excuse to work on “changing my perspective” as the prompt reads. I’m super excited for this reading challenge. I took the year of prompts and went through my bookshelf and ID’d books that I already own that fit into the topics. Looking forward to making my way through these books and perhaps picking up a few new, unexpected books.
Happy reading!
I’m so excited that you are joining us! Even I didn’t realize how badly I needed an online reading challenge and “book club” until starting this new endeavor–I’m loving it so far, especially discussing what books everyone is reading. I’m getting so many good ideas.
This past year, we’ve been focusing more on taking better care of the environment, doing our part (I finally killed my really bad plastic water bottle habit), and eating healthier as well as just more consciously. The Ethical Gourmet sounds like a fabulous book to pair with this lifestyle change. We cut back on our animal product consumption and love vegan options–although I don’t think we will ever go full out veggie or vegan (we have a ton of dietary issues). However, I’d love to make sure that what I am eating is part of a more ethical practice. I love the idea of being ‘more mindful about what I eat’–like you said; that’s the perfect way to sum it up.
I cannot wait to see what you read each month! I’m hoping that I have plenty of time to pick up some of these great titles that I am learning about.
Have a great weekend, and happy New Year.
I just finished The Only Plane in The Sky and I think it totally fits in with this theme! A book that totally opened my eyes to more realities of 9/11 beyond what I knew from TV and what I could remember of my own experience on that date. It was such a meaningful and important book and I would highly recommend it. The way it’s told – all oral histories directly from people involved – is so unique and so powerful.
Hoping to fit in another book this month along the lines of this theme – maybe Becoming or How to Be An Anti-Racist.
Thanks for starting up this 2020 book challenge! I usually just read whatever hold is ready from the library but I like the idea of having a theme in mind and picking up suggestions from other readers.
The Only Plane in The Sky sounds like an amazing life-changing book perfect for January’s theme. I haven’t read it yet, but I’d definitely like too. I agree–most of my memories of 9/11 are from what I saw and heard on the news (I think I was in the 11th grade). First-hand accounts are so important to history and a great way to pay respect to everyone who lost or risked their lives. I always love oral histories, too. I feel you about the library book holds lists–you just never know what is going to come in first, and my list is always pretty long. Thanks so much for participating in the challenge–it’s definitely motivating me to read more. I’m going to try to send out participants’ book suggestions for January’s theme in my next newsletter (around Jan. 15th). Have a great weekend!
So you know how I said I picked up Girl, Stop Apologizing? I was wrong. I picked up Girl, Wash Your Face. Sometimes I wonder where my memory went.
This is good though! We can compare, now! I’m a few chapters in. Not sure how I feel about it yet. We shall see!
HAHA, so many people said the same thing about confusing the two books…which my understanding is that they are both very similar anyway.
When you get to the part about Hollis allegedly failing in front of her gazillion followers (only to really not fail at all, get her bestselling title the next week after she sobbed and sobbed, and then crack open her expense champagne), let me know what you think. ; )
Girl, I have learned not to pick up a book just because of the hype. Though, in retrospect, it was heavily discounted, which is why I got it. I should have known.
I feel like her books are more autobiographies of her own struggles rather than actually helpful for others’ self-development. Only a couple of the chapters felt like sound advice, and she kept telling the same stories in different chapters, only to reveal a new struggle each time. I think that people who genuinely follow her and are fans, may find her books more entertaining, but I went into it not knowing much about her at all. I don’t really want to know more.
Collectively we have read both books now, so I think we don’t need to go any further. Ha! I now know that I prefer my self-help books to have a little more research and a little less personal stories. Now I’m going to go read The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black to recover before I choose an Icelandic book (which I am SO excited about!).
Because I am a former librarian, I ALWAYS had to pick up a book because of the hype. LOL!!! I wanted to know what I was missing and what people were talking about. Partly, this was because my patrons would always ask me if I read the book, and I felt less qualified if I did–which was really not the case. That was just my thing. That’s how I ended up reading books like Gone Girl and the Fifty Shades series. Although, I have no regrets.
The most interesting part about Hollis’ stories are that they are something that I couldn’t personally relate to unlike the storytelling in Stay Sexy. In Stay Sexy, those authors painted a vivid picture with some piece that you just felt in your heart or mind…even if you didn’t have a family member with Alzheimer’s. Hollis’ stories just seemed privileged and eye-roll worthy–like you said, they didn’t provide much value (it’s like blogging: you can tell stories but you have to do something more for the reader). Granted, and in fairness, Hollis might have been targeting moms, which I am not. But, nothing she said was original. My impression is that people liked her because she was direct?! Eh… I respect directness but get off the soapbox.
I don’t follow her on SM, but like you say, I think that is her main fan base, and maybe she’s much better in that realm. I kind of got that impression, too. And: Agreed–we can call it quits since we tag teamed her books!
I LOVE HOLLY BLACK!!!!!!!!!! She co-authored Zombies vs Unicorns. Let me know what you think.
What Icelandic books are you eyeing? I’m so excited that I just got a brand new one out from the end of Dec. 2019.
Thanks so much for participating in the reading challenge. I am so thrilled that you are participating and book chatting with me.
Finished Educated by Tara Westover last night. It has been a while since I have read a memoir, and I found myself having to remind myself that this was not fiction. I wanted it to be fiction for her benefit, but that is what makes Tara’s story so stunning. It will make you think deeply about family, religion, mental health, and education. I highly recommend it.It’s uncomfortable to journey through someone’s struggles and grief with them, but I think it’s also incredibly valuable. Allowing my perspective to grow has added much gratitude to my life.
Thanks so much for the update, Victoria. I’ve heard a few other people say that about Educated, too: that they had to remember that it was a true story and not just a fictional tale. I will definitely have to read Educated. I’ve only heard amazing things. I love stories that make us uncomfortable but teach us so much.
I just discovered your blog on Pinterest and I am always up for a good reading challenge. I recently finished Such a Fun Age and really enjoyed. This book definitly gets you thinking about things and how you would also react in a situation similar to this. I might also finally read my Rachel Hollis book I picked up last year since that seems to be a popular one in the comments 🙂
Hey Becky, I am so glad that you found us! Pinterest is great for discovering tips, recipes, books, and new things, right?! I kind of love it–it’s becoming my favorite search engine/everything tool.
I’m excited that you want to do the 2020 Reading Challenge. This is the first year that I’ve decided to host one, and it’s been so much fun. There are hundreds of people participating, which is wild.
I have heard so many wonderful things about Such A Fun Age. I also think that I’d love the title since one of the characters is a blogger that is building her brand. (Sounds like me, minus the rest of the wild plot.) This was a great reminder to add the book to my Goodreads TBR list. Thank you!
Ahaha, oh Hollis. We had a big Hollis discussion over on @theuncorkedlibrarian Facebook page, too, if you are interested. I think we went wild at the beginning of January there. I totally respect that she has helped so many women. Did you know that her husband is coming out with a book, too? I think I saw his coming March 2020, Get Out Of Your Own Way. Is it wrong that I am super curious… Please let me know what you think of Hollis. Do you think you’ll read her husband’s book, too?
Thanks for doing this challenge – it encouraged me to read a book I normally wouldn’t! I just finished reading A Spark of Light (Jodi Picoult) and I was left wanting more. While the book was a compelling read, I wanted more depth in the character stories and more complexity in the handling of such a controversial issue. As someone who is pro-choice, I was hoping for characters and stories that would challenge me to think differently about the pro-life extremists, but I felt like those characters were stereotypical and flat.
This book did encourage me to think more about my views on abortion and how I approach others about their views. It has encouraged a lot of interesting conversation in our house, so I think it was definitely worth reading.
Thank you so much for participating and letting us all know your thoughts.
Have you read any other Jodi Picoult novels? I feel like a lot of them are exactly how you describe A Spark of Light.
Sometimes Picoult is hit or miss for me, and while I enjoy many of her books for the varying perspectives, I agree: she doesn’t always fully flesh out her characters and stories. I also think that while Picoult tries to show all sides, she retains bias, which is totally fine (for me, at least) since she fully admits to doing that in interviews and is also a fiction writer vs say a journalist. I can see how her failure to better plump up the other side, though, is equally a disappointment. I agree, too, I thought parts were a tad stereotypical.
Like you, I also think A Spark of Light is worth reading and also what I come to expect from Picoult. I liked My Sister’s Keeper, Small Great Things, and The Storyteller, but I think you’ll find the same valid points, good and bad.
Thanks so much for again for sharing your thoughts and joining in on the challenge. Are you ready for a book set in Iceland?
This was my first Jodi Picoult book and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I will check out your other recommendations and give her another shot.
For February, I’m going to read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. It looks intense and I can’t wait to read it!
If you don’t like Picoult after another shot, it’s not just you. lol I go back and forth.
Burial Rites is definitely intense. Can’t wait to hear what you think! It’s usually not my type of read, and I was surprised by how much I liked it!
Read “The Hate U Give” for the January challenge and loved it! I will put the proper hashtag when I post. Thank you for this challenge! I am also in a challenge to read unread books on my shelf (The Unread Shelf) of which there are many. When I can combine these two challenges it is definitely a win!
The Hate You Give is such a powerful YA novel; I am so glad that you enjoyed it. I cannot wait to read Thomas’ newest book, On The Come Up. I love that you are doing multiple reading challenges, and I know that you aren’t the only one. I need to clear my TBR shelf as well. That’s a fabulous idea for a challenge. Good luck!