my favourite books of 2020!

my ultimate 2020 recommendations! check out likewise: on.likewise.com/arielbissett!
books mentioned (*affiliate links):
☞* libro.fm: libro.fm/redeem/ArielBissett
☞* see physical copies here: bookshop.org/lists/best-books...
Bastard by Max de Radiguès
Albatross by Terry Fallis
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel
Aquicorn Cove by Katie O'Neill
How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Right Now by Jaron Lanier
Sheets by Brenna Thummler
Anne of Green Gables Illustrated by Brenna Thummler
Kim JiYoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Ju
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
☞ Support my channel by joining my Patreon family: / arielbissett
☞ Instagram: / arielbissett
☞ Goodreads: / arielbissett
☞ Website: www.arielbissett.com
☞ My book podcast: www.booksunboundpodcast.com/
☞ Music by: cjbissett.com/
☞ My name is Ariel and I’m a Canadian writer, poet, and KZbinr. I organize my shelves by genre and then colour and my favourite book is Animal Farm. I've been making bookish content online for over 8 years and love spreading a love of reading through videos, panels, articles, and more! Think we could make something cool together? Send me an email!
☞ Thanks for watching! ☜

[@undeniabl3]

time stamps bc they might be helpful 4:27 Bastard by Max de Radiguès 5:30 Albatross by Terry Fallis 7:30 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 8:34 Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 10:15 Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill 12:14 How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell 14:29 The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 16:56 Ten Arguments For Deleting your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier 19:12 Sheets by Brenna Thummler 19:28 Anne of Green Gables by Mariah Mariden 19:57 Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Ju 21:03 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

[@BethatGirlSis_Andrea]

THANK YOU ❤️

[@undeniabl3]

@@BethatGirlSis_Andrea 😅❤️

[@albasapri3265]

Cool thanks!

[@sofhiakriziacalma5169]

Will you predict the next Goodreads colour? 😁

[@ArielBissett]

Something very big is coming your way...

[@katnaz_]

I'm very excited

[@cerendiken7750]

@@katnaz_ i was just about to comment on this thanks i am not alone

[@just_ella17]

Good to know I'm not the only one who cares about that 😂

[@narflet]

Most anticipated video of the year.

[@zuperzstar]

"..that's why I read! That's why I read in general, is to try and understand my life and the world, and our options and our choices." - Ariel Bissett, 2020

[@nataliesoutlet]

Love all your videos Ariel! Always full of humor and just fun 🌈✨🤓

[@rafia2918]

omg u read!! thats so cool. i used to watch your videos when i was younger lol

[@ihasvideo1]

Lo siento no sé qué pasó No hablo inglés pedon

[@amxranthine2766]

Omg Natalie, hii I love your content and Jupiter ❤🐶

[@axilla7154]

NATALIE!!!!!!! 💓💓💓

[@praalgraf]

'everything was shit but i read a lot so stuff's good' - my mood this year

[@naomy_v.c]

Anne of green gables helps me learn to cope with loss. I absolutely adore that book and recommend it to anyone and everyone!!!! It will relate with you at any moment in your life 💛✨

[@bertfechner417]

Would you recommend Anne of Green Gables the book or the graphic novel first?

[@viraswaggy6480]

she's back !! ❤

[@ArielBissett]

yay!!! thanks for tuning in, I'm so excited to be settled in to my new house enough to be back to making videos!

[@viraswaggy6480]

@@ArielBissett yay oml I love you !! ❤

[@Pepperroni08]

I got interested in "Station Eleven" and then I realized I already have it in my bookshelf.

[@AoifeCRyan]

What a mood

[@heathersumner4766]

Station Eleven was my favorite book I read in 2019...and I’ve thought about it ALL 2020

[@buythisnow9837]

I read station eleven at the beginning of 2020 and it got me real depressed

[@pcr395]

Ariel, I love how you passionately talks about your favorite books , it really motivates me to read more books! ❤

[@ankitachawla5]

I once didn’t open my boxes of books while in-between homes and when I finally did, there had been significant damaged and some were completely lost in the process. I do hope you’ll open the boxes and meet the books every now and then, even before you get the shelves in. That said - Congratulations on your new home! May you be happy here ☺️💜

[@ArielBissett]

nooooo i'm so sorry

[@hannahs_blog]

When I see your videos in my subscriptions I treat them as little presents and get so excited to watch them!! 🎁 I saved this one for after work so I had something to look forward to when I got home!

[@JulEnglefaris]

The Bell Jar does the "slow descent into madness" thing so well.

[@Pouroverthepages]

I just discovered your channel the length of one video ago! Perfect timing!

[@ArielBissett]

hahahah i love that. HI!!

[@Thomas-kk7te]

I came across your channel from your house videos. I don’t really read to often but these videos have 100 INSPIRED me to pick up a book. I’ve never been excited to read until now. Thank you!

[@bloominglillies]

Going through a really hard time right now and this video made me feel so good. Seeing you talk about something you love so much and exploring the world through the beautiful art form of BOOKS is so inspiring when the world feels so dark sometimes. I love your content Ariel and keep posting❤️

[@Reading_Tamishly]

Okies adding all these books in my wishlist. Thank you for being such an inspiration

[@danahkopsida]

watching your videos always puts a smile on my face, glad you're back!!

[@kimwicks5540]

Oh I was just sitting here listening to books unbound and painting when I got the notification 🧡

[@ArielBissett]

that makes my heart sing!!!

[@ocean4763]

I always have your video up in one tab and Goodreads up in the other to add all these books to my tbr! Always look forward to your recommendations :)

[@ifortunata]

I just love your videos Ariel... the way you speak so earnestly is so comforting to me and I've really enjoyed your videos over the years. You are a lovely and timeless gem, I can't thank you enough and I look forward to seeing whatever you do next :)

[@victoriamann5540]

love love love your sweater!! can't wait to check out some of these books!

[@emmaf8264]

I started Station Eleven the day before the shut down order was given, totally on accident. it was absolutely surreal and scary reading it as it began, terrifying. But it’s a GORGEOUS book, I still have a hangover.

[@katnaz_]

This is exactly what I needed right now! Thank you for being a great human being ✨❤️

[@franceswu8687]

love hearing your favorites!! so great to see that you're still reading a bunch of genres and trying to diversify your tastes - anne of green gables was definitely one of my favorites growing up. also wanted to read kim jiyoung, so it's encouraging to hear you liked it!

[@dean_in_china]

Just re-read The Bell Jar too and was blown away. It's one of those books that you instantly want to read again to unpick all of the characters

[@StaciaHillGoldNuggetAquariums]

Thank you Ariel! I feel like I needed this video. I’ve been really down in the dumps lately and needing a beautiful, impactful book in my life to give me some respite. I’m definitely checking out a few of these from my library this week!

[@jodiesimone8291]

Love how articulate and enthusiastic you are! Happy holidays to you!

[@MrNekomew]

I'm so locking foreward to the house content 😍 thanks for all the book rekommendation 👌🏻

[@acelgas3virtudes]

your hair looks amazing in this video!! curly hair goals smh

[@ArielBissett]

thank you 🙈i was worried about the frizz levels so thanks for the kindness, haha!

[@rsnnyct]

Sooooo excited that you are backkkkkk!! Looking forward to your contents and specially the house and bookshelf tour. Hihihi Congrats and all the best!! Will definitely try and check out The Bell Jar and The Vanishing Half. 👀

[@neja2768]

I'm glad you're finally back. 💙 I was literally thinking about when you finally might start posting again when you uploaded this. Looking forward to all the house transformation videos.

[@KA-gy3lz]

can you give us an update on your “Fear of Big Books” video?? I wanna know how it went!!!

[@acorn_woman]

On her podcast she talked about how she didn't complete it due to the stress of 2020

[@KA-gy3lz]

@@acorn_woman oh okay thank you!

[@shaeweir9882]

I also freaking LOVED the vanishing half. They are twins! 🖤🖤 also added most of these to my goodreads which looks BEAUTIFUL BY THE WAY DUE TO YOU! xx

[@MrsJasminJo]

Yay you're back! I love your videos! 😍

[@o_o-lj1ym]

I’m so ready for the goodreads colour prediction

[@whistletoe]

You got me really interested in Station Eleven! Definitely will pick it up soon.

[@PriyaPatel-wn2wr]

Most peaceful 23 minutes of my day ❤😭 Thank you Ariel ❤

[@ashleyrinker4374]

I had a similar experience with Anne of Green Gables. My Mom passed away this summer and I was going through so much. This graphic novel was the right thing at the right time and it gave me so much comfort and peace.

[@kassyl4355]

I'm a fairly new subscriber and I just wanted to say I love how passionate you seem about reading, it really helps when people are in reading slumps and need that push to help get out (like I am needing now haha) thank you!

[@nikoolion]

ARIEL!!!!! I need a whole detailed video of that amazing house of yours! I neeeeed it😌😌❤️✨

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Such a joy watching you discuss all these. You've made me want to read a lot of them especially Jaron Lanier and Jenny Odell's nonfiction books. The way you talked about The Bell Jar made me think of Jade Sharma's novel Problems which I'd definitely recommend if you haven't read it. Also, I loved The Vanishing Half too. So good! It deserves award!

[@alyslim5234]

I just love listening to Ariel 🌞🌸🌹 she’s such a pocket full of sunshine

[@janinejohnson1898]

Missed your videos! Thank goodness for your podcast with Rueben!!!!Congratulations on your move. Thank you for this list of books; half I have not read!!!☮️♥️

[@seaquarian]

YESS the Katie O'Neill shout out!!! If you haven't already read Tea Dragon Society it's easily my favorite of hers by a large margin. it's so lovely!

[@ArielBissett]

... CMON SANTA

[@alexislirette3451]

Your hair is everything 💕

[@rafia2918]

i had seen the vanishing half all over my goodreads but never thought of picking it up until your explanation, wow!

[@luisac9752]

I’m so pleased the hunger games is on this list, I also reread it this year and I was so impressed

[@ArielBissett]

RIGHT? IT HOLDS UP.

[@annaschffr]

oh my god station eleven!!! one of the best books ever, and i never hear people talking about it!!!!

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

You're definitely going to make a brilliant graphic novel *(Hecate rocked my world)* & a beautiful novel about being mixed race. I believe in you

[@ArielBissett]

😭😭😭😭😭 thank you, Nkanyiso

[@kv2661]

Ariel out here making the videos we didn’t know we absolutely needed❤️

[@bimsdawns]

Love this video! I've never been a huge reader, but I started prioritizing it more in 2020!! With all these awesome recommendations, I can continue on with great reads for 2021 & STAY AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA! :)

[@katm9999]

your videos always make me want to put my phone in a closet and read all day and i love it :)

[@mihmarcondes]

Just picked up Albatross to read yesterday based on your previous recommendation. I'm super excited for it!

[@kathleenbrashier2579]

Yes! Love that you gave a shout-out to libro.fm. That's where I get all my audiobooks!

[@janniahjusay3930]

You made me read Albatross by Terry Fallis and I do not regret listening to you!

[@northernruby2116]

Gosh everytime I’m watching one of your videos, it costs me so much money! 😅 You’re so good at selling stories! My TBR pile just keeps getting higher! Love your reviews, always!

[@readingcuzmurderisbad.5861]

QUEEN IS BACKKK 💗💗💗💗

[@luisagarcia2494]

Thank you for these recommendations. Love your personality, you're like a long lost friend who have the same passion for books :)

[@mrssamwisegamgee]

Ever since you mentioned Albatross I have wanted to read it!! So you definitely sold me on it right from the get go!!!

[@miriamt.1008]

So excited to see your new house!!

[@slightlybookishslytherin]

I love seeing you so enthusiastic 🤩

[@meganmeaney3900]

Can't wait to try Albatross! Thanks for the tip!

[@erintrolley805]

I fully agree with the vanishing half and the bell jar! Two of my favourites from this year :)

[@rudig5698]

Heyy, I just uploaded a new video on the topic of books for 2021, I would really appreciate if you could check it out and leave me some feedback. If you don’t have the time or if you don’t want to, that’s okay too. Thank you and have a nice day.🥺❤️

[@A97XD]

I read the Hunger games trilogy for the first time this year and I was blown away by how good it actually was and how much I enjoyed it! I definitely will be recommending it from now on!

[@jime9525]

i just found you and your energy is everything that i've ever needed

[@clairerutkowski4694]

I love your videos they make me so happy!!! 😊

[@juliane9547]

I’ve been waiting for this one🥳

[@kiravoit6845]

less than 30 seconds in and have already laughed out loud, thank you!!!

[@jime9525]

SAME KAJDKA

[@ArielBissett]

hahahhahahhahaha

[@uhhhhiimclaire]

I received Sheets for Christmas, after hearing you recommend it many times :) I loved it. It is so charming, and cute!!

[@SensibleShoes]

I want to read every single one of these!! (Well except Hunger Games because I loved it but only want to read it once). Thanks for such enthusiasm in your recommendations! It's contagious.

[@ruqaiyakhan2595]

Love love love ur content man

[@ScullyPopASMR]

You're so fun to watch. I love your knowledge of books.

[@zuzanatimulakova5041]

I also read Station Eleven this year for the first time and oh boy, it was an experience to read it in an actual pandemic. Such a wonderful and perfect book!

[@Julia-kk7ph]

I reread The Hunger Games triology this year too and I was blown away! Never remembered them being so good when I first read them at 13..

[@taylornicole4316]

Love your videos and your personality! So witty and quirky. :)

[@fuuuvale7139]

I re-read the hunger games as well thanks to one of your videos! It's just SO good! Ahah I spend a few days just waiting to get home from work to read it, obsessed ahah

[@Unicorniosymonstruos]

You made me really excited for Station eleven and The vanishing half!

[@rudig5698]

Heyy, I just uploaded a new video on the topic of books for 2021, I would really appreciate if you could check it out and leave me some feedback. If you don’t have the time or if you don’t want to, that’s okay too. Thank you and have a nice day.🥺❤️

[@Kenziebeatty]

Happy to see Albatross make your list! So so good, and definitely not talked about enough!

[@dobyemable]

I read Station Eleven in January before the pandemic really hit the states, and it definitely did help me process everything and put it all in perspective this year. It’s a great book.

[@muskanpatwari9139]

Wow Great recs. Surely gonna read 3 to 4 of them Thanks

[@StJimmyWhatsername1]

I also read and loved Station Eleven this year! Have to pick up some of the other books on this list too.

[@shellyseward6321]

Station Eleven is one of my favourite books! I was planning on reading it again this year but I read two other Emily St. John Mandel books instead; The Glass Hotel and Last Night In Montreal. I love her writing.

[@ross7107]

I read so many incredible books this year because of Books Unbound: Station Eleven, The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore, Pumpkinheads, Nineteen Eighty-four, 172 Hours on the Moon, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed and My Year of Rest and Relaxation... among others !! Thank you SO much ❤️

[@c0wjeep]

this video is incredible and i need to know where you got your sweater???

[@abbypage4722]

During this wild year, I wrote my dissertation (partially) on the Hunger Games and one of my other papers on King Lear & Station Eleven, and it's just so fascinating that like, you know, I don't know you and we both were so moved by the same (not exactly new) books this year. Thank goodness for literature.

[@nataliakozlowska6156]

It's the first time I've heard about "the vanishing half", but thanks to your recommendation- can't wait to grab it!

[@ArielBissett]

you'll love it!

[@piggypige]

So glad to see you again !

[@inesbenoist6761]

Hey, would you mind listing all your Orwell's books ? Or have you done that on a video or whatever ? Loved 1984 very much and want to read more from him. Your videos are great btw

[@aparnasanjay9079]

So excited to see and hear about your new house even though I know a little about it from the podcast

[@alyssacascos8665]

I love the Likewise app! I use it all the time❤❤❤also your sweater is beautiful 🌹🌹🌹

[@dallasnateweyes3288]

She's back 🔥🔥

[@rachelchristie2229]

These are amazing! Just looked and the app isn't available in my country :(

[@z111.01]

uuu i just love u sm and this video!!!!!!!

[@TaylorMeadowSun]

You are the best! Thank you for your positive energy! 🌟🌟🌟

[@allycanuck]

Glad to see you made it safely to your new home! I saw it on Instagram and it is a gem... I'm so thrilled for you! Can't wait to see the whole tour! I also dream of owning my own historic home that I get to make my own, so I am with you 100%! Congratulations! Those stairs though... carpet be gone!

[@Emily-gi2jq]

You're so beautiful!! And now I have so many books to add to my TBR, yay!!

[@juliana43]

ive had.... the worst morning imaginable. even if i explained it, the dread im feeling couldnt be conveyed (yes im dramatic lol). but this video has the best vibes, and hearing you talk about your favorite books this year is just so calming. thank you.

[@audiofandoms]

loved this vid! also, i'm a first year college student and for this coming semester i'm enrolled in an american lit course, for which 3 (3!) of the 7 books on the syllabus are graphic novels. blew my mind. what are some graphic novels that you would teach in an academic setting?

[@lizgregoryy]

Your jumper is SO pretty!!

[@ArielBissett]

thank you!!! one of my best thrift finds!!

[@soflodance2535]

Need to add these to my list. Only read the vanishing half and that was truly amazing.