At the beginning of the year, I set my bar to read 50 books. Then well you see what happened with the year I aimed my bar higher and read 104 books in the year 2020. I have set my bar at 60 for this year and can raise it as I go. Reading helped me to escape this year with the stress and anxiety that came with the year. My kids and I spent a lot of time by our small backyard pool. They swam and I sat in my lounge chair and read. Below is my Top 10 Books that I thought were at the top of my list:
The Book Thief by Mark Zusak
This made my Top 10 because it was so good. I just read and read. The story being from the point of view of death was fascinating. Liesel’s act of stealing books as Hilter was burning books was an act of bravery in my book. Her thirst for knowledge was wonderful. The fact that she and her family hid a Jew in their basement and they became friends with what was going on was powerful. I can’t believe it took me so long to read the book.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
The Star in the Sycamore by Tom Springer
This book made my Top 10 for so many reasons. It got me over a hump that I had hit with reading. The stories were heartwarming and thought-provoking. They made me look at some things from a different perspective that I probably wouldn’t have thought of them from. The fact that my Uncle also wrote this book helped a tiny bit but the book itself won on its own merits. I hope I don’t have to wait 12 more years for another book.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of The Star in the Sycamore HERE!
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
This made my Top 10 because of the sheer determination of two of the women in this story. A Socialite, a young Polish teenager. The German woman isn’t super high on my list even after finishing the book back in Nov. The teenager was a test subject at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. She overcame so much to get where she got in life. Not only was this book well written and well researched it was powerful as well.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of Lilac Girls HERE!
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
This made my Top 10 because it was absolutely adorable and such a feel-good book. The two main characters in my mind fell in love with each other without even meeting each other. They shared a one-room apartment and left little notes and food. The writing was great and the premise was great. I have already read another book by this author and have a third one on my wish list.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of The Flatshare HERE!
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
This made my Top 10 because it was such a good romance. It had a great storyline and the main character had autism which is something that is not normally seen in books, at least the ones that I have read. The characters are loveable and endearing. The family is crazy and reliable. I have read the second book in this series just need to read the third!
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of The Kiss Quotient HERE!
The Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles by Laura Farenthold
This book made my Top 10 list because of what it was about. The book made my cry multiple times. The book was well written and engaging. A woman looses her husband tragically in front of her eyes. She takes his ashes on a trip around the US with her daughters and sprinkle his ashes as she goes. It was a powerful book about grief and how we overcome it.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of The Pink Steering Wheel Chronicles HERE!
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
This made my Top 10 because it was one of the most sweeping adventure stories that I read this year. There was adventure, romance and family. I was a bit fed up with eh main characters antics but he grew on me and I loved him in the end. I have already purchased the next two books in series and really hope I can read them soon!
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue HERE!
Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
This book made my Top 10 because well, I have no idea. It was just such a good book. It was about women in Britian trying to cook for their family with what they have been rationed. The book also has a cooking competition so they can find the next woman host for a radio show by the BBC. This book has yet to be published but when it does make sure to read it.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
This made my Top 10 list because it was such a gripping novel. It was slow to start but when it did oh man hang on to your pants. I think I binged the last 150 pages in one night because I needed to know what happened. It was a peek in to Cuba that I have never had. I don’t think I have ever read a book based in Cuba. I have already read the sequel to this book and it was just as good.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of Next Year in Havana HERE!
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
This made my Top 10 because it was a thriller that I actually liked. I am not a thriller reader. I did, I have to admit only read this book during the day because I was to scared to read it at night. The book kept me guessing the entire time about what was actually going on. While I am not a huge thriller reader I would probably read more by this author in the future.
Pick up your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or check your local bookstore. Also add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads for 2021!
You can read our review of The Winter People HERE!
