My Favourite Books of 2020

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year we will need forget. For some books have been a salvation, somewhere to escape to in these troubled times. Others have found it difficult to concentrate on reading, many loosing their reading mojo, including me for a month in the summer. However, I have still manage to read one hundred and twenty books this year in a wide variety of genres. I normally do a top ten post but this year I have found that impossible so have just chosen some of the best books from my list. I have included the link to my full review of each book if you want to learn more.

The Binding by Bridget Collins. This is one of the first books I reviewed in 2020 and it has stayed with me. Just imagine you could erase grief, pain and secrets from your life and have them bound into a book taking tham away from your memory. This is the premise of this atmospheric and haunting novel. The Binding by Bridget Collins

Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton. One of the best crime thrillers I read this year.A school is taken under siege, the headmaster shot and students hiding in the library, Theatre, pottery and junior school. As the title suggests this book is set over three hours, the plot from the view of the trapped students and the DCI, Rose Polstein running the investigation. Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G Parry. Charley Sutherland has the magical ability to bring characters from books into the real world, an ability his odler brother Rob hopes will disappear. As literary characters start causing touble Rob and Charley have to find out who also has this ability before they destroy the real world. This is a book lovers dream, after all we would all love to meet some of the characters from our favourite books. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coats. I was impatiently awaiting the release of this book after seeing it as part of Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club. This is the story of Hiram Walker, the son of a slave and the master of the plantation, with a gift that can help him and others to escape this life of servitude. This is definitley one of the most powerful books I have read this year, shocking in parts but beautifully written. The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Set on the remote Norweigan Island of Vardø on Christmas Eve 1617 when the men of the Island go out fishing but are killed by a storm, leaving no survivors. The women are left to fend for themselves, but after the church sends over a representative, suspicion and accustions tear the community apart. Based on a true story, this a gripping read. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue. Just the start of this book gabbed me; Twenty five years ago, a sixteen year old schoolgirl and her charasmatic teacher disappeared without a trace.. This book reminded me of The Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay, with its sense of atmosphere, bohemian lifestyle and class distinction. There is always something salacious about a student teacher realtionship, the dynamics and sense of unease, and Rachel Donohue brilliantly captures this dynamic creating an immersive read. The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue.

The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart by Margarita Montimore. What would our lives be like if our lives were not lived chronologically, instead jumping to any year in your future. We follow Oona through seven birthdays, that take her from 19 to fifty and everything in between. Full of emotion, and plenty of laughs along the way, this is a quirky and compelling read. The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart by Margarita Montimore.

The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. I was so excited when I heard that this book was being published as I loved the previous two books in this series, Wolf Hall and Bringing Up the Bodies. This lived up to all my expectations, beautifully told in Hilary Mantel’s wonderful prose, a fitting end to the trilogy. If you are a fan of historical fiction this is a must read. The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel

Strangers C.L Taylor. C.L Taylor is my my favourite thriller writer, and one whose books I always read in one day as they are so compelling. Three strangers lives collide when they find themselves standing over a dead body. Just what brought these three people to this particualr point? Intelligent, full of tension and suspense this is another thrilling read from C.L Taylor. Strangers by C.L Taylor

Hamnet by Maggie O Farrell. Winner of this years Women’s Prize for Fiction, this is the story Shakespeare’s twins Hamnet and Judy, and their mother Agnes. Rich in historical detail, this is a stunning read that weaves fact and fiction as we learn more about Shakespears family. An emotional and heart breaking read at times, this is a beautiffully told story. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. By the bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees this is the story of Ana, the fictional wife of Jesus. Ana is intelligent and strong willed, quaities not suitable for a woman of that time, but it is what draws Jesus to her. Ana’s story is the story of marginalised women in history, in a time where they are owned and controlled by men. This is thought provoking and a remarkable read. The Book Of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten. I love my historical fiction and this book had been on my radar for a long time and it did more than live up to expectation. This is the real rags to riches story of Catherine the first Empress of Russia and wife to Peter the Great. Intrigue, political machinations, and a wonderful heroine make this such a fabulous read.Tsarina Ellen Alpsten

Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald. This a novel that really packed a punch in its two hundred pages. Fran has had to reurn to her childhood home of Ash Mountain to look after her father. Recently seperated from her partner she is vunerable and old memories she tried to forget come back to the surface. Little does she know that a bush fire is coming that will change the town forever. Drama, humour and a shocking conclusion make this a fascinating read.Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald

Isalnd of Secrets by Rachel Rhys. Set in 1950’s Cuba this book is exotic, colourful and full of glamour in a corrupt country run by rich Americans. Iris, an artist from London finds herself attending the wedding of Hollywood Director Hugh Hardman to the much younger Lana with a mystery surrounding a his previous wife’s death. A fabulous and fascinating read.Island of Secrets by Rachel Rhys

A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson. Set in 1960 on the Greek Island of Hydra an artistic group of writers, poets and musicians hold court, includung Leonard Cohen and Charmain Clift. Into this group comes the young naive Erica. Hydra and it’s hedonistic residents are a far call from Erica’s quiet life in London, and Erica’s ideals soon start to shatter. Beautifully written, evocative of the period this is an ode to a more simplistic life. A Theatre For Dreamers by Polly Samson

The Curator by M.W Craven. Mike Craven’s Washington Poe thriilers are fast becoming a favourite of mine, I literally devour them in one sitting. The relatonship between Poe and the computer genius Tilly Bradshaw is what makes these books so special for me. This book is the dakest and most intelligent so far seeing Poe and Bradshaw, looking for a serial killer who just leaves fingers at crime scenes. I literally can’t wait for the next book. The Curator (Washington Poe) by M.W. Craven

Safe by S.K Barnett. Another dark and twisted thriller where a young girl who went missing six years ago suddenly turns up.The parents are obviously over the moon to have her back, but her brother Ben has his suspicions and doesn’t trust her story. This book plays on every parents worst nightmare, and the dark and twisted plot had me gripped. Safe by S.K Barnett

Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce. This was simply a joy to read with two very different central characters. Margery Benson leaves her job as a teacher to go in search of the Golden Beetle in New Caledonia with her new companion Enid Pretty. This reads like an old fashioned advanture with plenty of humour, disasters and comradship along the way. Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce

Feathertide by Beth Cartwright. Feeding my new obsession with fantasy fiction this book reads like a fairytale for adults. Maréa was born with feathers on her back, preotected and hidden away by her mother until her eighteenth birthday whe she decides to travel to the City of Murmers to find her father. Beautifully written, with poetic and desriptive prose this is a book about difference and belonging, acceptance and loving yourself, I can’t waitto read her new book due out next year. Feathertide by Beth Cartwright

Final Cut by S.J Watson. Alex is starting out as a filmmaker when she takes a job to film a documentary in a small town where a couple of teenage girls have gone missing. Alex soon finds out that there are secrets in this town that could put her life in danger. A real rollercoaster of a thriller with a menacing undercurrent. Final Cut by S.J Watson

The Evening and The Morning by Ken Follett. Along with The Mirror and The Light this was one of the most anticipated releases of this year. This is a prequel to Ken Folett’s Kingsbridge Trilogy, and is the story of how the small hamlet of Dreng’s Ferry became the bustling town of Kingsbridge. Full of historical detail, with wonderful characters and a fascinating plot this is a spectacular read.The Evening and The Morning by Ken Follett

Unto This Last by Rebecca Lipkin. This is the fictional account of the relatonship between John Ruskin, art critic, poet, writer and philanthropist, and his young student Rose LaTouche, a love that had devestating consequences for both. Rebecca Lipkinn’s historical research shines through in this book, but she writes with such skill as to not make the reader feel bogged down in detail. A doomed love affair with a troubled hero and heroine make this such a compelling read, and an outstanding debut novel. Unto This Last by Rebecca Lipkin

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton. This historical thriller is set on an East India Ship, going from Batvia to Amsterdam. Famous detective Smauel Pipps is in manacles after being arrested by the Governor General, but as they are due to board a strange symbol appears on the sail. As the voyage progresses, strange whisperings are heard on the ship, and people are murdered. Witchcraft, suspense, malevolence and adventure combine to make this a stunning read. The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue byV.E Schwab. In my fairly new venture into fantasy fiction the name V.E Schwab was one that I came acoss several times. This story in a new take on the Faustian Pact of making a deal with devil. France 1714 and Adeline loves her free life and doesn’t want to be married, she runs off into the wood where she prays for help. In return for her freedom she will be immortal but will never be remembered by anyone, lving life as a shadow, nable to write or day her name, that is until she walks into a bookstore and meets Henry. Magical and captivating, Addie may not be remembered by characters in the book but she will be forever be remembered by the readers of this book. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab

Immortal by Jessica Duchen. Written to tie in with the two hundred and fiftieth birth of Beethoven, this book’s premise is to solve a real mystery, that of his Immortal Beloved, reffered to in a letter found in his desk after he died. Seemlesly blending fact and fiction, this is an intimate portrait of Beethoven, his descent into deafness, his depression and love for an unknown woman. Jessica Duchen captures the Zeitgeist of the period, the opulence of society and the destruction of the Napoleonic Wars. Immortal by Jessica Duchen

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow. Last year, Alix E Harrows debut novel The Thousand Days of January was one of my favourite reads of last years and this book is as good if not better. This is the story of three sisters, James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth and Beatrice Belladonna, who in New Salem join the suffrage movement and at a rally a tower appears with a magical sign on the door, bringing back the old ways of magic. What makes this book stand out is the use of nursery rhymes as a way of handing down magic spells. Beautilly written with a touch of folklore and magic this book had me enchanted from start to finish. The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

Paris by Starlight by. Robert Dinsdale. Described as a fairytale for adults, the setting of Paris is perfect. Levon and his family have travelled to Paris for a better life, for asylum from their occupied home. With them they bring a book of folktales from their country, The Nocturn, and with each story they begin to live by the night as their ancestors did. Changes happen to the Paris nighttime, beautiful flowers bloom, nightjars fly and magic is in the air, but not everyone is happy. This is a story of of acceptance, heritage and love across the divide, a magical read in full technicolour. Paris By Starlight by Robert Dinsdale

The Smallest Man by Frances Quinn. The Smallest Man in the title is Nat Davy, a dwarf, sold by his father to the Duke of Buckingham who in turn gifts him to the new queen Henrietta Maria. The Queen and Nat are both homesick and strike up a freinsdhip that sees him become her trusted confident. This books gives a different perspective to the start of the English Civil War and he Court of Charles I. Nat may be small but he has a big heart, and is a character you cant help but take to your heart. The Smallest Man by Frances Quinn

When I Come Home Again by Caroline Scott. This book has one of the most beautiful opening chapters I have ever read, and sets the feel for this emotive read. Adam doesn’t remember who he is, only that he was a soldier in the First World War. Sent to recover in Fellside House, three women come forward to claim him as their husband, son and brother. The focus of this book is the men who came back from the war with no memory and those left behind desperate to find their loved ones. Haunting and gripping, this is a book I really became invested in. When I Come Home Again by Caroline Scott

The Daevabad Trilogy; The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper and The Empire of Gold by S.A Chakraborty. This is a bit of a cheat, but I couldn’t choose one book and not the other two. This is an epic fantasy trilogy with it’s roots in middle eastern folklore. This tells the story of Nahri, an orphan living in Cairo in the nineteenth century, living by her wits. Along side the mortal world is a world of magic, enchantment and djinn, a wold Nahri suddenly finds herself thrust into. The three books follow Nahri, Prince Ali of Daevabad and Dara a djinn, as their lives interweave in the fight to save Daevabad from corruption and destruction. My review of the third book will be posted in January as I have just finished it. This really is an amazing trilogy based in a fascinating world. The City of Brass by S.A Chakraborty: Shelf Indulgence. The Kingdom Of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy Book 2) by S.A Chakraborty: Shelf-Indulgence..

In 2021 I am really looking forward to reading The City of Tears by Kate Mosse, The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell, The Four Winds bu Kristin Hannah, The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley and Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd Robinson. It just leaves me to wish you all a Happy New Year, and thank you for your support.