My Book Reviews From 2020
2020, the year that travel plummeted but reading soared. At least for me, anyway. As well as some book reviews from 2020.
My love for travel and books go hand in hand but while we pretty much were not allowed out in 2020, I had precious time for a good read or two.
My total reads for 2020 = 38.
I set myself a goal on Goodreads to read 25 books in 2020 (one book a fortnight) and went way past my goal from book recommendations 2020. I thought I’d share some of my reads and reviews with you here. So enjoy and keep reading! 🙂
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Contents for Book Reviews from 2020
Contents (jump to)
My 2020 Reads
- Mythos by Stephen Fry
- Lonely Planet Best Of Australia
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany, Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowling
- Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (Pottermore Presents, #1) by J.K. Rowling
- Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (Pottermore Presents, #2) by J.K. Rowling
- Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (Pottermore Presents, #3) by J.K. Rowling
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
- Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
- Us by David Nicholls
- The Only Plane in the Sky: The Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- The Killings at Badger’s Drift by Caroline Graham
- Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World by Layla F. Saad
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
- The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
- Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
- The Suspect by Fiona Barton
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
- A Fly Girl: Travel Tales of an Exotic British Airways Cabin Crew by Amanda Epe
- 52 Times Britain was a Bellend: The History You Didn’t Get Taught At School by James Felton
- Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce
- Anthony Bourdain: The Last Interview and Other Conversations. With an Introduction by Helen Rosner
- The Prison Doctor by Amanda Brown
- The Welsh National Anthem by Siôn Jobbins
- Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Time Federle
- Pisces: The Art of Living Well and Finding Happiness According to Your Star Sign by Sally Kirkman
- The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8AM by Hal Elrod
- In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
- On Writing by Stephen King
- Heartburn by Nora Ephron
- Imitations by Zadie Smith
- Lonely Planet Best Of South America
- Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- The $100 Start Up by Chris Guillebeau
- Olive by Emma Gannon
- Vagina: A re-education by Lynn Enright
- Pisces by Stella Andromeda
My Rating System for Book Reviews from 2020
5 ***** = Loved a huge amount / Couldn’t put down / Amazing story and writing / Outstanding feel / Original.
4 **** = Great page turner / Loved / Easy to read because of writing or gripping / Nice or emotional feel to the story.
3 *** = Liked the story a lot but didn’t love / Good writing / Easy read / Average or Good story / Didn’t have a huge opinion.
2 ** = OK story but nothing special / Something was missing / Removed from characters or story in bad way / Didn’t hate it all / Didn’t like a particular character or attitude or writing.
1 * = Did not like book / Wouldn’t recommend / Didn’t like various parts of book / Felt the need to give low rating or would have left no rating.
No rating = Cannot remember how I felt at time of reading (Not a huge impact on me – good or bad)!
Books With 2 Stars and 3 Stars
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – **
Although I gave this book 2 stars, I really didn’t hate it. I sometimes feel that 2 stars sounds like I hated it, but I didn’t. To give this book four stars, however, just didn’t feel right especially when there are some books I LOVED and gave four stars.
I couldn’t relate to any of the characters. I could empathise with them but not fully relate. The story follows a Chinese American family who struggle when the eldest daughter’s body is found at the lake and each family member’s own secrets are revealed.
Buy Everything I Never Told You Now:
Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org
Us by David Nicholls – ***
I gave Us three stars because it was a good story and I enjoyed it. Although I started in May and only finished in December because I couldn’t get through the middle parts. When I picked it back up, I finished it in one sitting and am really glad I did. I will be watching the drama when it comes on TV.
The main reason I was drawn to this book was because it follows a man, his wife and son travelling around the top museums of Europe in order to salvage his marriage after his wife tells him she wants a divorce. My biggest problems with this book were Connie (the wife) and her and their son’s attitude to the travel that the protagonist has planned for them. I’d do anything to have travelled this year and feel that they took it for granted.
See for yourself and get the book:
Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org
The Killings at Badger’s Drift by Caroline Graham – ***
My mum LOVES the Midsomer Murders TV series so I thought I’d give the very first book a go.
It was good to be introduced to DCI Barnaby and the story was good but I sort of seen the ‘whodunnit’ coming and sort of didn’t. There was one moment that caused me to gasp but I won’t give that away just yet. I think I’ll give another one in the series a go but it didn’t grip me the way other thrillers / murder mysteries have.
Discover the shocking part of The Killing at Badger’s Drift:
Amazon | Bookshop.org | Kindle | Waterstones
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I included these in my book reviews from 2020 because while I may have only given them 2 or 3 stars, they could sit on your 5 star shelf.
Other Books With 2 or 3 Stars
- A Fly Girl: Travel Tales of an Exotic British Airways Cabin Crew by Amanda Epe **
- The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell ***
- Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park ***
- The Suspect by Fiona Barton ***
- The $100 Start Up by Chris Guillebeau *** – This book is for anyone who has a business idea but not the guts to start it. It’s really encouraging and I come up with all sorts of potential business ideas but really, I just liked the enthusiasm and the other success stories and inspired me to keep going with my writing dream! Buy on Amazon or bookshop.org.
- Pisces: The Art of Living Well and Finding Happiness According to Your Star Sign by Sally Kirkman ***
- Pisces by Stella Andromeda *** – I’ve read a lot of books on astrology and my sun sign is Pisces so I’ve read a fair few on those including this one and the previous book bulleted. This is a fun mini-size and lovely front cover. Great for the coffee table! Buy on bookshop.org or click picture below to get from Amazon.
Books With 4 Stars
Normal People by Sally Rooney
This is one of my favourite books of the year and I completely recommend to anyone. It follows two young, opposite, students; one’s mother works for the other’s mother. They begin a secret relationship, understanding one another like nobody else does and what follows is distance, hurt, gravitating and comfort. It’s not a typical love story (as the title might give away) but it’s a typical page-turner. I started this at night before bed and finished it before I woke up that next morning. If you want a recommendation for book reviews from 2020, read Normal People.
Buy Normal People:
Amazon | Waterstones | bookshop.org
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
I started this book thinking it was going to be a cliché rom-com read because I just fancied something easy to read. It certainly wasn’t a usual rom-com and it really jerked my emotions. The awful thing that happens between two best friends, I know far too well and it really saddened me because it felt so personal. I related on this for the wrong, emotional reasons.
Read In Five Years:
Amazon | Waterstones | bookshop.org
Other Books With 4 Stars
- Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World by Layla F. Saad
- Anthony Bourdain: The Last Interview and Other Conversations. With an Introduction by Helen Rosner
- The Prison Doctor by Amanda Brown
- The Welsh National Anthem by Siôn Jobbins
- 52 Times Britain was a Bellend: The History You Didn’t Get Taught At School by James Felton
- Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
- Olive by Emma Gannon
- Vagina: A re-education by Lynn Enright
- Pottermore Presents #1, #2, #3 – Any HP lovers out there will enjoy these extras that came from Pottermore website and includes extras behind the beasts, Professors, Horcruxes and Ministers for Magic. Click on images below to read for yourself from Amazon:
Related Post: How to Visit Dobby’s Grave in Wales
Books With 5 Stars
On Writing by Stephen King
A Christmas present from Scott but gifted and finished before Christmas, I felt like I was having a masterclass from one of the greatest. Part memoir, Stephen King On Writing gives us a look back at King’s early writing days and writing advice for all of us tryna make it out here! This book gave me a boost, inspiration and reminded me why I want to be a writer. This is the best Stephen King books (non-fiction, of course) ;).
If you want to be a writer too, get On Writing:
Amazon | Waterstones | bookshop.org
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
A huge recommendation for book reviews from 2020 is Heartburn. Even though it was written decades ago. This was my first ever Nora Ephron read but certainly not my last. I love this author because her writing is so down to earth, so real. I never knew this was the woman who wrote When Harry Met Sally or Sleepless in Seattle but after reading Heartburn, I recognised the style of writing and story themes. Heartburn is a short book (part autobiographical) about a woman who, at 7 months pregnant, find out her husband is having an affair. It’s a humbling story, all too true for so many people.
Read and weep at Heartburn:
Amazon | Waterstones | bookshop.org
Lonely Planet Best Of South America
These are the Lonely Planet books I read, collect and love. There are concise and feature the very best things to do/places to go in that specific area/country/city. I finished both South America and Australia this year (with the intention at the start of the year to visit the places listed in Australia, but to no avail). They are worth every penny, I thoroughly enjoy reading through these at night before bed and if you’re stuck for what to get me: this is it!
Get Your LP Best Of South America:
Amazon | Waterstones | bookshop.org
- Lonely Planet Best Of Australia
- Imitations by Zadie Smith
- The Only Plane in the Sky: The Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- Mythos by Stephen Fry
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
- The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8AM by Hal Elrod
- Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay
- Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Time Federle – For any literary and cocktail lover, here is your book! It gave me joy to read this and figure out which book and which cocktail I’ve read/drank and which I’m adding to my to-read or to-drink lists. Buy from Amazon by clicking on the picture below:
My 2021 Reading Goals
- 2021 Goal of 52 books
- Read at least 5 classics I haven’t read before
- Read at least 5 more LP’s Best Of
- Listen to at least 1 audiobook
- Read (and cook from) a cook book by a British chef
- Read 5 anticipated books of 2021
- Read 5 books I have already bought! (I have a habit of just buying books and leaving them for years)
- Read 1 (or 2) Stephen King books
Thanks for reading my book review 2020. Hope you’ve found a few to add to your to-read list.
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