2020 what a year, am I right?
Well, for me it was the year of watching a lot of movies, binging TV shows, and catching up on some reading. So, as we close out this less than stellar year, I gift to you the top 10 books I read this year that made my days just a little brighter.
1) Night Spinner by Addie Thorley
This retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame truly began my year on the right note. I loved its rich prose and the characters that Thorley created. And GOOD NEWS: Book Two, Sky Breaker, is set to release May 4, 2021!
2) Dangerous Alliance: An Austentacious Romance by Jennieke Cohen
Oh Jane Austen. I loved reading about a character who was reading Jane Austen at the time she was publishing. A proper fangirl in Regency England. I loved the mystery, the feeling it gave me. It felt like reading Austen, and I loved every second of it.
3) Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally Carter
I am a huge Ally Carter fan. There is truly nothing she can't do. This middle grade was so fun and refreshing, and I can't wait for book two, Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery, to come out March 2, 2021!Bring on all the booby traps, heists, and inventions!
4) Circe by Madeline Miller
I was a little late to the game since this book came out in 2018, but it was easily one of my favorite books. I love Greek mythology and haven't read much about Circe outside of her role in The Odyssey. This was such an amazing story and Miller is a wonderful writer. She made Circe's story come to life, and made her feel so real.
5) Shielded by KayLynn Flanders
I love fantasy books, and this one was so good, so refreshing, and I simply cannot wait to read more! We love a princess in disguise, plot twists, rich magic, a rich fantasy world, and a little love to go along with it all. Book
two, Untethered, comes out July 20, 2021 and I can barely contain myself!
6) Fable by Adrienne Young
Okay, so this may have been my favorite read of 2020. I love Young's writing and was so excited to get my hands on this one. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. I loved the adventure, the stakes, the characters. Everything about this world was so strong, I felt like I was in the book. And don't get me started on the love story. I can't tell you how excited I am that book two, Namesake, comes out March 16, 2021!
7) The Daughter of the Pirate King/Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller
Once again, I know I'm behind as these books came out in 2017 and 2018, respectively. And I know I'm cheating my own system by allowing two books in one spot, but hey, it's my list. I loved these books so much and I don't know why I didn't see the hype for them when they came out. I loved the characters, the love story (give me enemies to lovers anytime!), and I'm a little upset more people don't rave about them! Give me all the high seas adventures, please.
8) The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
I'm going to pretend this didn't come out in 2018 and that it hasn't been sitting on my shelf since 2019. What matters is I read it, I loved it, and I'm mad that I didn't read it sooner. Fairytales are my jam. Scary fairytales (which is how fairytales started out anyway) are right up my alley. It was such a fresh story, and I loved the grayness of it all.
9) ACOTAR series (thus far) by Sarah J Maas
Again, I am aware that I am include 3 1/2 books right here and that is perfectly okay. I love Sarah J Maas, and yes she is the queen of fantasy in my book. I devoured the Throne of Glass series and I did the exact same to the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. AND it's not even over yet. We get more High Fae, love stories to last a lifetime, and magic on February 16, 2021 when A Court of Silver Flames releases. I'll be spending the rest of that week curled up with that book.
10) The Camelot Betrayal by Kiersten White
We love when a sequel can match up to its predecessor! I'm a huge King Arthur fan and have been obsessed with any adaptation of him and his knights since I was young. And now I get to read a take on Guinevere, who is way more than just the girl who fell in love with Lancelot and destroyed Camelot. And the party doesn't stop here, as book three, The Excalibur Curse, is set to release sometime in 2021!