Top Ten Tuesday – Favorite Books I Read In…. 2020!

Posted by Kay on June 1, 2021 12:15 pm in Book talk | 8 comments

Last year, I did my “Top books of 2019” in June, and while this wasn’t something I had originally planned to do this late in the year, I actually enjoyed it. It was much easier, with more distance, to see which books had stuck with me through time and were actually favorites.

So this year, I purposefully chose to wait to put this list together. I read 146 books in 2020, and I managed to pick a top 10 + 2 honorable mentions. I read a lot of really good books in 2020, but these 10 are the ones I still regularly think about and/or had a huge impact on me.

Starting with my top 2 favorites :

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent : This book was heartbreaking. I knew going in that the story would be emotional, but I wasn’t expecting it to hit me this hard. I read it in small doses and months later, I still regularly think about Agnes.

Vita Nostra by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko : I’m still not sure I understood everything going on in this one, but I absolutely, completely loved it. The writing, the story, the themes, the complexity; it was perfect. It’s not a book I’d recommend to everyone, but if the idea of a fantasy book that is more about ideas than plot intrigues you, maybe give it a try?

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo : I feel like I’m the only person I know who enjoyed this one! And I can see why it might not be for everyone, but I absolutely loved it. The setting, the atmosphere, the world building, I was hooked.

Tidelands by Philippa Gregory : I loved the plot and the setting of this one. It was slow moving and immersive, and Alinor was such a strong main character. I plan on reading the sequel this year and I can’t wait.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell : This was not an easy read. I think the author did a great job with the story and the complexity of the themes. It’s not one I would reread, but it had a huge impact on me when I read it.

Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis : If you’re looking for a short and intense survival story, give this one a try. I read this one in one sitting. Every page was captivating and the tension was on point!

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott : Two rereads. These were two of my favorite classics when I was growing up. I hadn’t read them in years and years – in fact, I don’t think I had ever read the original texts in English. It was a very pleasant experience rediscovering them both, and I’m so glad I can still call them favorites!

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole : This was my first book by the author and I loved it! I loved the setting (America during the Civil War) and the plot (who can resist spies?!), and I thought the way some more difficult topics were integrated into the story was thoughtfully done. And the romance was lovely.

The Sky Weaver by Kristen Ciccarelly : The Iskari trilogy is one of my favorite YA fantasy series. I loved the world, the characters and the romance! The first book was among my favorites of 2019, and I though the ending was strong too (though The Last Namsara is still my favorite!)

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Honorable Mentions

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno : Katrina Leno has a really distinctive style. The atmosphere is so unique and her writing a bit lyrical. I was completely charmed by this story (and love the cover!)

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner : This was such a cute romance! I know some readers didn’t enjoy how slow the book was, but this is precisely why I loved it : the stakes were low, the drama minimal, and I really liked the characters.