I’ve been doing a LOT of reading this year so far and I know there’s two reasons for this. One – because at the start of EVERY SINGLE YEAR I always set myself a goal to read more books, which I always do really well with during the first few months. And two – because of covid. Having all the time at home has definitely encouraged me to focus much more on self care and for me, reading books is a great form a self care. So today I wanted to share some of my best books of 2020 so far!
Once I said a fond farewell to my book blogging days a few years ago, I kinda stopped talking about books altogether. With the exception of the occasional book related blog post, books were by no means a main feature on my blog anymore. And that makes me kinda sad to think about. I stopped reviewing books and took myself away from book blogging for a variety of reasons – but none of those reasons were the fault of the books.
Related: How To Become a Book Reviewer – Tips From An Ex Book Blogger
Related: 25 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers
Books have always been my true love. My first love. Books have been there for me through some of the worst times in my life. And some of the best. I’ve learned more from books that I did at school and I always stand by the fact that holding a book is like holding a little piece of magic. So why the heck shouldn’t I continue to talk about books on my blog now and again?
These last few months have been a bit of an eye opener for me in regards to my blog, my content, my career and what I want to do going forward. I switched up my Instagram and it feels more like ‘me’ than it’s done in years and I’ve established some new goals and a new path for myself. I want to start talking about more things I’m passionate about, rather than things I think I should talk about. And books is 100% one of those things. So I can’t wait to share my best books of 2020 so far with you!
If you need some book recommendations, here are my best books of 2020 so far (in no particular order):
Suicide Club by Rachel Heng
Genre: Dystopian / Fiction
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
“The older she got, the faster the years sped by, and the less of an impression anything made. The facts of her adult life were couched in general truths rather than in details.”
Suicide Club had been sitting on my bookshelf for YEARS. Like literally years. I got it for Christmas a few years back because I was so desperate to read it but something was stopping me for all that time. The hype? The expectations? Idk. But I finally picked it up this year and I’m SO glad I did. It was an incredibly easy read so I absolutely zoomed through it and it’s such a unique and thought provoking story-line.
They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera
Genre: YA / Contemporary Fiction / LGBT
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“But no matter what choices we make – solo or together – our finish line remains the same … No matter how we choose to live, we both die at the end.”
Oh maaaan this book! I had heard sooo many great things about this book for ages before I actually read it but I did go in with an open mind. I had a brief understanding of the plot but so much of it still came as a surprise. This is such a life-affirming read. I think that quote I mentioned above alone shows that. Definitely one that makes you think. Also makes you laugh. And cry. And everything in between.
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Genre: YA / Mystery
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
“I don’t know why it’s so hard for people to admit that sometimes they’re just assholes who screw up because they don’t expect to get caught.”
I really really loved The Breakfast Club-esque feel of this book. Albeit a much darker breakfast club. With murder instead of pancakes. It took me a little while to get in to but once I did, I was completely hooked on the mystery of this book. At no point did I really suspect what was going on and I think I was just as confused as most of the characters were. I can’t wait to pick up the second one!
Your Life In My Hands by Rachel Clarke
Genre: Non-Fiction / Medical
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
“In medicine, needless to say, the moment you feel as if you’ve mastered something is invariably the point at which your next experience will knock you straight back down to earth.”
I don’t read an awful lot of non-fiction but I tend to be attracted to medical themed books. I love all the squeamish details and find it all very interesting. This book was not what I expected to be totally honest but it actually taught me so much more than what I thought it would. This is a seriously eye-opening book. About junior doctors, politics and a severely broken system that a lot of us owe our lives to.
The Man Who Didn’t Call by Rosie Walsh
Genre: Fiction / Romance
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“Nobody warns you that life continues to be complicated after you’ve Done the Right Thing. That there is no reward, beyond some intangible sense of moral fortitude.”
Look, I am not a romance lover or a romantic person so the fact that this book has 5 stars AND features in my top books of 2020 really is saying something. I just loved it. I loved the concept and it’s something a lot of us can relate to. We’ve all been ghosted in one way or another and the anguish that Sarah felt in staring at a silent phone for so long is something I can painfully sympathize with.
Coraline by Nail Gaiman
Genre: Fantasy / Horror / Children’s
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“I don’t want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn’t mean anything? What then?”
This one is a bit of an honorable mention because Coraline is my favorite ever film and I’ve read the book before but I finally gave it a re-read this year because I wanted to be reminded of just how good and creepy it is. It’s still just as good and creepy as I remember. There’s just something about this story that completely draws me in every single time so glad I gave it a re-read!
Those are my best books of 2020 so far! I’m sure that the rest of the year will bring with it some more amazing books but for now, I hope you grabbed a few good recommendations! Leave me a comment and tell me the best book you’ve read this year so far!