It’s a new year my lovely readers. Be 2020 and welcome 2021! I’m writing this with Miss Congeniality on New Year’s Day and I reliving my Top Ten Books of 2020! Last year, wasn’t my finest year for reading. But I still read some amazing literature from Children’s to Adult. I felt last year I really read outside of my comfort zone, not too much but just enough to be comfortable in reading different genres. I read some fantastic middle grade books to fluffy, contemporary adult fiction. After each of my suggestion I will add a reason why it’s my favourite this year.
In no particular order, my top books of 2020 are…
Midnight Sun (Twilight, #5) by Stephenie Meyer Published by Atom on August 3, 2020
Genres: Fantasy & Magic
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When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?
Well waiting for 10 years for this book and it was everything I hoped for and more. So of course it’s in my top ten. Probably top 3! | My Review
The Beautiful (The Beautiful, #1) by Renée Ahdieh on October 8, 2019
Genres: Fantasy
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New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with a sumptuous, sultry and romantic new series set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.
In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as Le Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sèbastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of Le Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sèbastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.
When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.
At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.
I read this way past the hype and I loved the the atmosphere and world building of this. | My Review
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell Published by Bloomsbury Childrens Books on May 28, 2020
Genres: Middle Grade, Historical
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Everyone tells Sophie that she was orphaned in a shipwreck - found floating in a cello case on the English Channel on her first birthday. But Sophie is convinced her mother also survived.
When the Welfare Agency threatens to separate her from her guardian and send her to an orphanage, Sophie takes matters into her own hands, starting with the only clue she has - the address of a cello-maker in Paris. On the run from the authorities, Sophie finds Matteo and his network of rooftoppers - urchins who walk tightropes and live in the sky. In a race across the rooftops of Paris, will they be able to find her mother before it's too late?
Hopeful, inspiring and thrilling in equal measure, this is a classic adventure story about pursuing your dreams and never ignoring a possible.
First Katherine Rundell and certainly not my last. Absolutely magical this book. | My Review
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary Published by Quercus on March 10, 2020
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
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An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.
Tiffy Moore and Leon Twomey each have a problem and need a quick fix.
Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.
Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.
Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course...
As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.
Can true love blossom even in the unlikeliest of situations?Can true love blossom even if you never see one another?Or does true love blossom when you are least expecting it?
I adored this book, it lived up to the hype and I can’t wait to read The Switch the soon. | My Review
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson Published by Egmont Books on April 30, 2020
Genres: Mystery
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The highly-anticipated and brilliantly crafted sequel to the bestselling crime thriller A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER
Pip Fitz-Amobi is determined that the media won't rewrite the truth of the local murder case that she and Ravi Singh worked so hard to just recently solve. And so, she releases a podcast covering exactly what happened - and unexpectedly finding herself with a massive and passionate following.
When the six-year anniversary of the victims' deaths arrives, fresh from hearing the truth of her podcast, Pip's town decide to host a memorial. And the past, it seems, has finally been laid to rest. But when another young person goes missing, it turns out that Little KIlton is hiding more than one dark secret . . . and this time EVERYONE is listening to hear whether Pip and Ravi can find the victim, before it's too late.
Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying, Eva Dolan, C L Taylor, We Were Liars and Riverdale.
The sequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, who knew it could beat it and for me the sequel triumphed. | My Review
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston Published by Egmont Books on January 21, 2021
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy & Magic
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An epic middle grade supernatural adventure series, soon to be a major movie starring Marsai Martin. Perfect for readers aged 8+ and fans of Percy Jackson, Nevermoor and Men in Black!
Amari Peters knows three things.
Her big brother Quinton has gone missing.No one will talk about it.His mysterious job holds the secret . . .
So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon.
Amari must compete against kids who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent – one that the Bureau views as dangerous.
With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton . . .
My last book review of 2020 and what a way to end the year. It was amazing. It’s out in January and I urge you all to read it. Especially if you love Harry Potter or instead of. | My Review
The Paper and Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie Published by Hachette Children's Group on May 28, 2020
Genres: Contemporary
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The much anticipated second book in THE PAPER & HEARTS SOCIETY series by Booktuber Lucy Powrie. Will you be the next recruit for The Paper & Hearts Society book club? For fans of Holly Smale and SUPER AWKWARD. Olivia Santos is excited for her last year at secondary school. But when a parent complains about LGBTQ+ content in one of the books, the library implements a new policy for withdrawing books. Olivia is distraught - she's demisexual and knows how important it is for all readers to see themselves represented. Luckily, she's the mastermind behind The Paper & Hearts Society book club, and she knows exactly what to do: start a new club, find ways of evading the system, and change the policy for good! With two book clubs to run, exams to prepare for, and a girlfriend, just how long will it be before Olivia burns out? After all, creating a book club and trying to get the #ReadWithPride hashtag to get noticed is going to take a lot of energy.Sometimes, when you're in too deep, it's up to your friends to look out for you ...
This is the year of sequels, I loved Lucy’s debut novel and bookclubs and bookish societies. Who wouldn’t?! | My Review
Thorn by Intisar Khanani Published by Hot Key Books on March 31, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
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For Princess Alyrra, choice is a luxury she's never had... until she's betrayed.
A princess with two futures. A destiny all her own
Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.
When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.
But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.
With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.
A cracking, sublime, wonderful debut fantasy based on the tale of Goose Girl. Absolutely loved it, the writing is amazing. I have a short story called Brambles that is out too. | My Review
Venom by Bex Hogan Published by Hachette Children's Group on April 14, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
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Marianne has never wanted to be a fighter, but with unrest and discord threatening the Twelve Islands, she will have to battle threats both inside and out in an attempt to attain peace for her homeland.
Power, politics and pirates collide in the second book of The Isles of Storm and Sorrow - for fans of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean.
Marianne is now the Viper, but her hopes for peace in the Eastern Isles are being frustrated. The corrupt King remains on the throne, bandits are proving hard to stop and Marianne is not sure who among her crew she can truly trust.
For the islands to prosper, the invisible bond that once existed uniting land and sea must be reinstated. There's only one way that can happen - the return of magic. To do that Marianne must put aside all her fears: she must return to her roots, the Western Isles, and call on the power that runs in her blood.
She must become a Mage.
Only then, can she possibly command the army needed to finally take down the King.
Another sequel, and one I couldn’t wait to read and now I need the third and final book, Vulture in my hands. | My Review
The Pieces of Ourselves by Maggie Harcourt on April 2, 2020
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Romance
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Flora doesn't do people", not since the Incident that led to her leaving school midway through her GCSEs. The Incident that led to her being diagnosed with bipolar II. The Incident that left her in pieces. Until Hal arrives. He's researching a story about a missing World War I soldier, and he wants Flora's help. Flora used to love history before the Incident, but spending so much time with Hal is her worst nightmare. Yet as they begin to piece together the life of the missing soldier, a life of lost love, secrets and lies, Flora finds a piece of herself falling for Hal.
Last but no means least, The Pieces of Ourselves that made me heart sour and one I cried at the very end. Absolutely loved it. | My Review
So there you have it. My top ten books of last year, 2020! I thought it would be harder but actually it wasn’t! I can’t wait for more new books, authors and genres that I want to explore in 2021.
Have you read these? What your favourite book of 2020? Let me know in the comments.
Finally, Happy New Year my wonderful readers!
