It is that time of year again. When we all reflect back and decide which books will make our favorites list… I always find this task extremely difficult. This year I read 108 books, many of them spectacular, making the choices harder than ever.
First I thought I’d share my TOP TWENTY titles that I enjoyed the most overall (in no particular order – with links to my reviews underneath the graphic).
These are a mixture of new releases and backlist titles.
“Firewatching” by Russ Thomas
“River Bodies” by Karen Katchur
“The Silence” by Susan Allott
“Mercy House” by Alena Dillon
“All in Her Head” by Nikki Smith
“Mile Marker 139” by Cynthia Hilston
“The Lost Children” by Theresa Talbot
“The Creak on the Stairs” by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir
“The Sea Gate” by Jane Johnson
“Seven Lies” by Elizabeth Kay
“Remain Silent” by Susie Steiner
“The Hit List” by Holly Seddon
“The Song of Hartgrove Hall” by Natasha Solomons
“Death Deserved” by Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst
“Blacktop Wasteland” by S.A. Cosby
“The Big Chill” by Doug Johnstone
“Grave’s End” by William Shaw
“The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant” by Kayte Nunn
“The Au Pair” by Emma Rous
“The Crossing” by Matt Brolly
Then, because I read a lot of crime fiction, I also want to share my TOP TWENTY CRIME FICTION titles. (I entered the review links beneath the graphic for those titles that are not linked above).
“Dear Child” by Romy Hausmann
“A Bad, Bad Thing” by Elena Forbes
“Strangers at the Gate” by Catriona McPherson
“Killing Mind” by Angela Marsons
“Nine Elms” by Robert Bryndza
“Death of a Mermaid” by Lesley Thomson
“His & Hers” by Alice Feeney
And, because there were so many stellar titles that didn’t fit into the crime fiction section, I’m sharing my TOP TWENTY non-crime titles. If crime is not your ‘thing‘, then I’m sure you’ll find some lovely reads here. (Once again, I’ve included links to my reviews for the ones not already linked previously.)
“Eudora Honeysett is quite well, thank you” by Annie Lyons
“Rules for Moving” by Nancy Star
“Summerwater” by Sarah Moss
“My Kind of People” by Lisa Duffy
“The Authenticity Project” by Clare Pooley
“The Boatman, and other stories” by Billy O’Callaghan
“The Second Home” by Christina Clancy
“The Wife’s Secret” by Caroline England
“Miss Benson’s Beetle” by Rachel Joyce
“Letters from the Past” by Erica James
“The Garden of Lost Memories” by Ruby Hummingbird
“Before You Go” by Kelly Heard (aka “The Fortune Teller’s Promise)
“The Doll Factory” by Elizabeth Macneal
Now, because you can’t love every book you read… I thought I’d share the four titles that I read in 2020 that I enjoyed the LEAST. You might have loved these novels, but sadly they were just NOT FOR ME and I cannot in good faith recommend them to others.
I’m looking forward to another year of excellent reading.
Hopefully I’ll be tempted by fewer new titles so that I can work on my backlog of review commitments.
Also, in 2021, I want to regain my NetGalley 80% badge and earn my 500 reviews badge.
It has been a dreadful and sadly very different year for all of us. I hope that everyone sees good health, happiness, and a return to normality in 2021.
Thank-you all for your continued support of my book blogging efforts. ♥
Fictionophile 
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Wonderful list! Really want to read Anxious People. Happy New Year! 😀 ❤
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Thanks. Happy Reading in 2021 📚😘
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Wow, it sounds like you had an excellent reading year in 2020! It’s always hard to pick favorites. I haven’t heard about most of these, so thanks for the heads up!
Hope that 2021 is another year of great books for you!
Sue
Book By Book
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And to you Sue. Thanks so much for your support of my blog. ❤🎉🥂📚
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This is an excellent list! Thank you for sharing. I’ve been looking to include more crime fiction in my reading list for 2021. This list will do great!
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Glad to be of assistance Jeffrey. Happy New Year and Happy Reading. 🥂🎉📚
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I was waiting to see which books you selected as your best. I have read a few, but there are a lot on here that are waiting patiently on my TBR. I am going to save this post so I can refer to it throughout the year. Happy New Year Lynne. 🥂🍾🎉😃
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Happy New Year to you too Carla. I expect you’ll be missing your usual trip south of the border. Perhaps the following year?
Enjoy the little things in life, sometimes they actually do turn out to be the big things. ❤
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Thanks Lynne. I am looking forward to more time with my granddaughter as school will still be online in January. I will miss the sun, but have lots to keep me busy.
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Interesting list, glad you enjoyed so many books this year!
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Thanks. Happy New Year. 🎉🥂
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An amazing list Lynne. Thank you for sharing.
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You are VERY welcome John. 😘
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108 books! I tip my hat. I just finished Sourdough, a charming and whimsical novel by Robin Sloan. Happy New Year, Lynne!
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Happy New Year to you and your lovely wife Neil. Thanks again for all of your continued support over the past year. 🎉🥂🎉📚
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There’s a couple I’ve made a note of, but oh, so many books, so little time 😉
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I know… just so many good books out there. Happy Reading!📚😍🎉
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Interesting titles. Noting some of them for future reading. 🙂
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Wonderful. My job here is done. ❤📚
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It’s always fun to look back over the reading year and notice the standouts! Thank goodness we had some marvelous stories this year! Looking forward to a brighter 2021! 🥂🎉
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Exactly Carol. Thanks ❤🎉🥂
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