3 Books That You Didn’t Know About But You Should Read in 2020

Which month are we in? That’s right, we’re already in the month of September! 2020 didn’t seem like it would end especially when the whole world was under a tense and strict lockdown but it is coming closer to the end. Wondering what you’ve accomplished so far and what you can do to feel more fulfilled this year? Then starting reading again! This year isn’t over yet and that’s a small step you can take to exercise your brain. ’Tis the perfect season to do it as fall rolls in and you cozy up in your sweater to read your favorite book. If you feel lost in which books to read, don’t worry because here are three underappreciated books you should definitely read before 2020 ends.

1. Zucked by Roger McNamee

This is a must-read if you’ve been keeping up with tech/social media world. The book tells a detailed story about the birth of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. While there have been many books on this topic, this stands out because the author himself spent an extensive amount of time with Zuckerberg as an investor to Facebook. It also serves as a chilling warning as we enter the era of complex digital world and what we are giving up to the tech giants in the Silicon Valley.

2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

If you appreciated The Murder of the Orient Express, then you’ll certainly appreciate The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Our intelligent, quirky detective Hercule Poirot returns to solve a puzzling murder under uncanny circumstances. The highlight of the book is the magnificent twist that you could have never guessed. Additionally, this particular book has consistently received high praises from critics for its enthralling plotline. Picking this out will be liking finding a hidden gem since it’s been extremely underrated compared to any other books by Agatha Christie. It’ll be a great light read if you’re a mystery fan!

3. Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

Who hasn’t heard of Shakespeare? We know the basics: Hamlet, King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and etc. But I bet that you’ve never heard of Coriolanus until now. This play is one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known tragedies. It follows Caius Martius—who later goes by Coriolanus—and his rise and fall in the Roman Republic. In a way, the political world Coriolanus enters bares an eerie resemblance to our reality even if they are thousands of years apart. The play itself demonstrates the theme of how we reap devastating consequences when we forget about others around us and start pursuing our selfish ambitions aggressively.

There’s a reason why reading will never go out of style. It gives us the sensation, knowledge and wisdom that films or TV shows cannot provide. If you’re worried about what’s going on around the world nowadays and what you can do to make positive changes, then stop by at a library or a book store and start reading a book. That’s the best thing you can do now to stay educated.

About Veronica Chung

Veronica is a communications professional based in Toronto who is passionate about diversity, politics, and equality. She is also an avid reader who enjoys reading Agatha Christie mysteries and inspirational biographies. When she is not working, you can find her grappling with Portuguese and Swedish. You can follow Veronica on Twitter and LinkedIn.