THE BEST BOOKS OF 2020 : Kayne Belul / Editor, Submissions
It’s the end of the year. And the end-of-the-year means end-of-the-year lists.
Let us say this: we love end-of-the-year lists.
So, while we hammer away at our Top 5 Books of 2020, we’re highlighting our small, but mighty staff, and their favorite things they’ve read this year.
Kayne Belul is our not-intern, Submissions Editor and relatively youthful person.
5 BOOKS I READ THIS YEAR
Cyrano de Bergerac
Edmond Rostand
Translated by Brian Hooker
Dover Publications
I’m pretty sure someone called this the greatest work of translation ever. Whether or not that’s actually true, it’s the reason I chose this edition to revisit Cyrano, a play that’s been on my mind since freshman year of highschool, when my English teacher had us read it, perform it, then write love letters in the style of the hero. Can you imagine the tension? Half of us had crushes in the class; it was brilliant. Oh, and the play is brilliant, too. Read it, or—if you don’t like reading—watch the 1950 film adaptation with José Ferrer and pretend you’re a hormonal teenager trying and failing to pay attention because you keep glancing over at your crush to see how they’re liking it. (I find that enhances the experience, even if you never end up asking them out and regret it for the rest of high school). (ed. note - this is not a link to the Brian Hooker translation, but you should still buy it because Cyrano de Bergerac rules. We recommend Roxanne starring Steve Martin as well.)
Is this a popular book? Was everybody reading this at some point? It’s the #1 Best Seller in Amazon’s “Popular Psychology Pathologies” section, but like, what does that even mean? The audiobook is #2. The Kindle edition is #12, but that’s not as impressive. I’m getting distracted. Somebody lent me this book, not because they knew of any trauma in my past, or because they thought I’d be idly interested, but because it seemed like I needed it, and I did; it ended up being kind of my luxury item at a mental hospital. From personal experience, I can tell you it’s a great way to pass the time when you really need the time to pass, and it might even lead to an emotional revelation or two. Try it out.
A Few Figs from Thistles
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Ragged Hand - Read & Co.
This book of poetry is so short, and so good, that you have no reason not to read it. It rhymes—it does—but the voice is modern, and there’s even a singular free verse poem thrown in, just for y’all who refuse to read meter. If you’re not familiar with Millay, suffice it to say that she’s one of the best sonneteers ever. This mini-collection contains, among other things, four of her sonnets: one bad, one okay, one good, one great. Overall, it’s the perfect introduction to a poet who sometimes makes the anthologies, but rarely makes the syllabus. Read it, then take a look at her Sonnet Central page for more great love poetry (and loss poetry, and infidelity poetry—all three kinds!).
The Hatred of Poetry
Ben Lerner
FSG Originals
If you read that last recommendation and thought “ew I hate poetry,” this is the book for you. It’s also the book for you if you love poetry. It’s also not really a book—it’s a monograph, which will make you feel smart while you’re reading it, even though it’s short and entertaining and easy to read. And if you don’t like it, at least in considering its faults you’ll imagine a more perfect book that doesn’t have them, and so experience greatness anyway. That’s a joke for people who’ve read the book already. For those who haven’t: don’t read the book just to get my joke—it really wasn’t funny—but do read the book. It’s good.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Translated by [Kayne doesn’t know]
Mariner Books
Re my not knowing the name of the translator: in my defense, this is, according to Wikipedia, the second or third most translated book there’s ever been, including the Bible, so it’s not like I could just compare a couple opening lines and figure out which one I read. Whatever. Would you consider yourself an adult? I’m just making conversation. This is a really good children’s book. There are snakes and elephants and sheep and a prince and a rose and it’ll make you cry (or not—no promises). If you haven’t read it, this is your chance. You’re only 77 years late.
Honourable Mentions:
Coeur de Lion by Ariana Reines and The Book of Frank by CAConrad
There’s no reason these books didn’t make it onto the list, and actually, I should have put one or both of them on the list because people are more likely to click on articles with unusual numbers in their titles. 5 is boring; 6 or 7...that’s gotta be an instant click, right? Anyways, if you need more poetry in your life, these two books are that. Good writing. Free verse. You’re welcome.
You can purchase all of our BEST BOOKS OF 2020 here.
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Kayne Belul is a writer living in San Francisco.
