The end of the year is approaching and it is time to reflect on the books I read in 2020. I read a total of 105 books. I only planned to read 60. I did change my reading habits by incorporating audiobooks and I have to say it wasn’t that bad. When I finished my list there were about thirty favorites, which is a lot, so I broke them down to just my top ten to share with you.
10. The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg
This middle grade mystery entertained me especially the characters. Shelby Holmes is so much like Sherlock it is funny even though it has to be hard for her being so overly smart. I like that her best friend becomes a black kid who has issues of his own, but they take care of each other in their own kind of way. This is book one in the series and I have loved them all.
9. The Cleaner by Paul Cleave
I fell in love with Joe the main character in this thriller. It intrigued me that Joe was the narrator who was investigating a copycat of his crimes. He was actually upset someone was copying his style of killing and just had to undercover who it was.
8. Verity by Colleen Hoover
I really enjoyed this thriller. The characters drove the story for me. Verity is sneaking, manipulative and cunning. Lowen is gullible since she is trying to find employment. Both of them are in for a surprise. I would love to see this in film and hope the author writes more thrillers soon.
7. Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
This is a legal thriller where the killer is one of the jurors. The problem (which is a go problem) is that I didn’t know who it was and the suspense in finding out kept me on the edge.
6. The Cursed Hunter by Bethany Atazadeh
This has been the best beauty and beast retelling I have read. I like that the beast is a dragon and the determination in both the beauty and beast to make things right is so heartwarming. This is book three in the Stolen Kingdom series and I look forward to the fourth book.
This was a wonderful introduction to epic fantasy with action, adventure, realist issues and characters who fight hard to do what is right and to protect their own. This is book one in the Starchaser Saga.
In book two of the Starchaser Saga, the travels carry on, but there is more to be done and also more to loose. New characters are introduced and I couldn’t help caring for them as much as the ones from book two. The action and adventure is more intense in this book and the suffering will make you cringe.
3. Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Bayron
This has been the best retelling of Cinderella in a while for me. The darkness hidden within these pages kept me reading. The twists in the story was unsuspected but so worth it. The characters are well developed and had me captivated from page one.
2. Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson is my favorite YA contemporary thriller author and here is another one of her books that didn’t disappoint me. I will say this book made me angry, confused, frustrated among other emotions. It deals with realistic issues happening everyday and with young girls in situation they feel there is no way out. I love the realism in her novels and that they are very thought provoking.
1. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
This was my top book of the year mainly because of the investigative nature of the story. Pip’s determination to get answers, to clear a young boys name for his family and to make sure the right person is convicted. I love stories where a teenager becomes the detective and uncovers the evidence necessary to solve a case an adult could not. I like this author’s writing style and the way she structured the novel. I can’t wait to read it’s sequel.
arbookcorner.wordpress.com 