Well, I think it's safe to say that 2020 was full of surprises. Me, a girl obsessed with reading and keeping track of her books, basically quit counting in the fall because I was feeling very "what's the point" about everything haha. So, I can't tell you exactly how many books I read. But here's a list of my favorite book from each month last year!
JANUARY
Catch and Kill - Ronan Farrow
I thought Farrow did an excellent job of telling their stories in a respectful way, and also telling his own story without making it all about him. One of my favorite non-fiction/true crime books ever.
FEBRUARY
Strange the Dreamer (and it's sequel, Muse of Nightmares) - Laini Taylor
I don't know that I've ever read a story crafted like this one. It feels like an old story, but the words flow like song lyrics. I may never recover from the emotional rollercoaster Laini Taylor took me on, but I'm ok with that.
MARCH
The 71/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - Stuart Turton
My favorite read for March because I was completely consumed with trying to solve the mystery. Like, I had notebooks with notes trying to figure out whodunnit... I have such a love/hate relationship with this book! I can't deny that I was sucked in, but I also can't deny looking back it kind of drove me crazy.
APRIL
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Holly Jackson
ALL THE VERONICA MARS VIBES. I read it in one weekend and I loved it so much. It's such a quality mystery for the Young Adult genre. I was so pleasantly surprised.
MAY
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating - Christina Lauren
TBH I only read like 3 books in May. It's classic Christina Lauren - funny, sweet, steamy. But it's not even my favorite of theirs. At times it was a little too out there for me, and the ending was a bit much. However, it was a great escape from reality for a little while.
JUNE
My Lady Jane - Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Pride - Ibi Zoboi
June was a tie for me. I just couldn't decide between Pride and My Lady Jane. Pride was hands down the most creative remix of Pride and Prejudice I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It was such a vibrant story, and I loved seeing the world through the Benetz family!
My Lady Jane was just a wild ride from start to finish. What category does it even fit in? Historical Fiction? Fantasy? Romcom? Historical Romantic Fantasy??? Is that a thing? I don't even know. It was delightful from the dedication page to the end, and it was like nothing I've ever read before.
JULY
Find Me - Anne Fraser
Possibly my favorite read of 2020 because it totally felt "ripped from the headlines." Anne Fraser is one of my go to authors for the Thriller genre, and she definitely did not disappoint me. If you like criminal minds, or like any serial killer documentaries, you will love this book.
AUGUST
My Sister, the Serial Killer - Oyinkan Braithwaite
Such an original take on the typical Thriller formula. You know who the killer is (hello, read the title) but somehow Oyinkan still keeps you turning pages like your life depends on it with the suspense. I also thought the main character had a wicked dry sense of humor that I felt guilty for laughing.
SEPTEMBER
He Started It - Samantha Downing
Literally not a single likable character in the entire story. All of them fall on the scale somewhere between totally annoying and utterly reprehensible. Lots of family drama, a road trip, and more twists than a pretzel factory. And don't even get me started on the end of this story. Whew...
OCTOBER
Air Awakens (the entire series) - Elise Kova
How this series has lived under the radar for so long is a mystery to me because it was fantastic. All five books were great. I was sucked in from the start with our library assistant and the dark, brooding prince and I never got tired of the story. It had great magic, great characters, and a compelling story. I highly recommend to YA Fantasy lovers.
NOVEMBER
Undercover Bromance - Lyssa Kay Adams
I didn't read a ton of books in November, but I did enjoy this one. It's part of a series and TBH I wasn't crazy about the first one, but this one surprised me. In a bold move for a contemporary romance novel - it tackles the major issue of sexual assault. I don't think it was done flawlessly, but I thought it was a step toward making this issue easier to talk about.
DECEMBER
The Winter Riddle - Sam Hooker
By far the strangest book I read all year. I was looking for Christmas books, found this gem on Kindle Unlimited, and downloaded it based solely on the cover art. I had no clue what was happening for most of the book, and I wouldn't necessarily call it a Christmas story... But it was hilarious and insanely creative. I'm glad I read it. Don't ask me who I would recommend this to, because I have no idea.
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