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My 2020 in Books

If there’s one thing I managed to do during this pandemic year, was stay inside and read. To date, I’ve read 68 books in 2020 and I might just squeeze another one in before the we ring in the New Year. I know some people found it very hard to concentrate on doing anything, including reading, this year, but I found it a great way to escape my thoughts and the confines of my house.

Let’s have a look at what I filled my head with this year.

(Please note, I’ve added affiliate links to some of these books – they won’t cost you anything extra, but if you decide to buy from the link I’ll get a small commission to help feed my reading habit.)

Books That I Read for Review Purposes

When Covid struck, the company I do freelance book reviews for saw a huge dip in the amount of people willing to pay for reviews. As a result, I only had three books on my plate. One of them was quite good, the other two were mediocre (I’ll leave it to you to guess which ones). Frankly, I’m relieved that I don’t have to read books that I didn’t pick for myself anymore. The money was nice, but the frustration levels were just too high.

Books by Author Friends

I’m fortunate to know some very talented writers via my Facebook writer’s group and this year they’ve amazed me with some of my favourite books! I especially loved the two short story collections, The Space Between Dreams and Chaos and Sticky Fingers, chasing after serial killers with Garnet in The First Time I Hunted, and Keyflame was an absolute triumph and you should definitely read it if you enjoy young adult / new adult paranormal romance.

Books on Writing and Marketing

I’m always trying to get better at this writing and marketing gig. I’m extremely glad I stumbled upon Save the Cat! Writes a Novel – it’s been an eye-opener and I’m sure it’s going to be very useful for future story planning.

Other Non-Fiction Books

Last year I was appalled at the small number of non-fiction books I had read, so I made a resolution to read at least 12 non-fiction books in 2020. I’m happy to report that I did it! And I learned so much by doing so. Some of these books were horrendous (I’m looking at you, Byron in Love), but others were simply fantastic. My standout favourites were Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered, Spying on Whales, and The Secret Life of the Mind. I will definitely continue with this resolution next year.

Books that were Okay

This section is reserved for books that just didn’t do much for me. I was completely and utterly disappointed in Children of Virtue and Vengeance and really should have added that to a Books that I Actively Disliked category. The rest of these books all had some redeeming features, but were just mildly entertaining in general.

Books that I Liked

Unsurprisingly, this category has the most entries and they are all books that I would recommend one way or another. The Magebreaker series is fantastic and I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment. The Night Circus was whimsical and fantastical, and The Saviour’s Champion surprised me with a romance that I actually enjoyed.

Books that I Loved

I can’t recommend any of these books enough. They are the ones that make me feel like I will never be a good enough writer and that I should just give up now and forever read books by these authors only. Add them to your TBR pile right now if you haven’t read them already. The Renegades series is a brilliant superhero extravaganza with fantastic characters, while the Six of Crows heist duology leaves you breathless as you try to keep up with the intricacies of the plot and the scheming characters.

My absolute favourite book of the year is Uprooted by Naomi Novik, although Circe comes in at a close second.

What was your favourite book this year? Recommend something I have to read in 2021 in the comments below.

2 comments / Add your comment below

  1. I read and reviewed Uprooted in 2018.
    Absolutely loved it.
    A book that keeps you thinking long after the last page.
    Also, if you’ve never read “Floating Worlds” by Cecelia Holland, it’s another must read.
    I reviewed this in December 2018.
    My best book of 2020? I didn’t have time for much reading due ill health.
    Mostly read indie authors for reviews.
    Dragonlove by Marc Secchia, but another review from earlier.
    I loved Hazel Storm’s The Stolen Art Trilogy
    – quick easy reading with lots of twists.
    Just read Floating Worlds – it’s amazing.
    Anna O

    1. I read Jerusalem by Cecelia Holland years ago, but I remember enjoying it. The other authors are new to me – so I will definitely check your recommendations out, thank you!

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