I was debating on whether or not I should break my 4-year tradition of end-of-year wrap-ups until I finally caved and wrote this post. Just because 2020 turned me into a hollow shell of my former self doesn’t mean I should stop with my yearly blogging traditions, right? RIGHT?
Fifth year, here I come!
I’d ideally have loved to do this reading wrap-up on December 31st but I’m afraid I was otherwise occupied channeling all my inner rage into mentally cursing out friends and family out at NYE parties and posting about it on their Instagrams.
Welp.
Books were my only saviour in an otherwise dumpster fire of a year so it’s only valid I compiled a list of all the books I read and loved this year!
Keep scrolling and let me know if you spot any of your favorites on here! The covers are all linked to Goodreads.
Of all the 2020 releases I read, these 10 books stood out for a myriad of reasons. I can see myself re-reading several of these books later down the line as well.
I’ve always struggled with the unread backlist books on my shelf and I’m happy to report that my status is…still struggling. But I’m improving because I managed to read more backlist books than usual! Here are some that I loved this year.
I read so many new-to-me authors I am completely in love with now! In no particular order, here are some of my recent favorites I can’t wait to read more books from:
- Meena Kandasamy
- RF Kuang
- Talia Hibbert
- Julie Murphy
- Alisha Rai
2020 was the year I became obsessed with audiobooks! I sometimes even found myself being carried away by the lovely narration despite detesting the book itself (*glares at The Henna Artist*). Here are a few audiobooks I liked listening to.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve repressed all of 2020 but I totally forgot the nostalgia trip I went on back when lockdown first started. Meg Cabot was one of my favourite authors growing up but this was the first time I was re-reading her books as an adult.
My favourite series by Cabot were 1-800-WHERE-R-U and the Heather Wells Mysteries but I had to make do with re-reading just the ones I already owned. I also don’t want to hate the fat rep in the latter so I just might leave it behind in the past where it belongs.
And incidentally, I binge-read all 3 books in the Queen of Babble trilogy in one weekend while recuperating from having thrown out my back. Totally forgot that happened twice the same month. Anyway, I literally re-read all 3 books for this one ship that happens in the final book that I loved as much in 2020 as I did 6 years back. The majority of Goodreads reviewers seem to disagree, though. Oops?
As always, I want to scale back on new releases so I focus on backlist books I already own. And as always, I will probably fail because HOLY COW, look at these books!
And there’s a whole lot more! These 5 are just off the top of my head, but there’s way more books on my 2021 TBR than I’d like to admit. At least the reading front is going to be brilliant this year!
Related: 11 Books With Fat Rep Coming Out in 2021
I don’t know how 2021 is going to go. But all we can do right now is hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, a better year, and a good future once the world gets its all-clear.
PS: How was YOUR reading year? Did you find any new favorites? Did re-reads give you comfort? Let me know in the comments!
Here’s to hoping a better year ☺️ And wow you read some pretty amazing books. So many of these were on my tar too and obviously I failed in reading them 🙈
All thanks to audiobooks, really. I’m sure you’ll get to them this year and will love them, Sim! ❤️
So glad you discovered the brown sisters! I love them so much an do i am looking forward to the last book
All thanks to your “gentle” nudging. 😉 Ugh, I can’t wait for Eve Brown! 😭
I was also on the verge of not doing that last post as well! I’m glad you talked your way out of it ..all the best for this year !!😀
Ooh, did you end up doing it? Let me go check your blog out! Also, happy New Year! ❤️
Happy new year! 🥳
I’m so glad that you started reading audiobooks, it’s insane how much more you can read with them! Also, I see The Poppy War and R. F. Kuang in this post and I’m just beaming with (happy) tear-filled eyes.
I forgot to mention this in my previous comment but OMG, your new blog is so beautiful! I can stare at it all day, it’s just so pleasant and soothing. 😍 LOVE. IT.
2020 taught me that I shouldn’t think twice before listening to you, be it for book recs or general life advice, so thank YOU! 🥺❤️
Also ahh, I’m so happy you like my blog! I finally found the design and theme I wanted. 🥰
You’re too kind. I love you. 💖💖💖
I’m loving the look of your revamped blog ☺️💖 Also so many good books in there! I’m with you on discovering Talia Hibbert and RF Kuang as my new fav authors in 2020☺️
Ahhh thank you, Prachi! ❤️
I just love Talia and RFK so much omg ❤️❤️❤️
Congrats on reading more backlist books! I am trying to as well and my friend has actually gone to the lengths of bribing me to finish half of the books on my shelf by promising to buy me books if I do so!
RF Kuang is one of my new faves as well! The Burning God killed me *insert crying emojis* Did you read it yet?
I am always looking for audiobook recs and I’ll be sure to check out the ones you loved!
I am really excited for One Last Stop as well and We Free The Stars, although I still need to read We Hunt The Flame!
Okay, your friend sounds AWESOME?! We all need someone to threaten us to get started on our owned TBR haha!
I haven’t read TBG yet — my copy still isn’t here. 😬 They did say they’ll be shipping it this weekend so hopefully, soon?
You definitely need to read We Hunt the Flame! It was one of my favorite reads last year. ❤️
Ken Liu is one of my favorite authors, I was so excited to see him on your list 😊 Also The Poppy War, I love that series so much. Here’s to a better year ahead than last year!!
Ahh, I loved The Hidden Girl and Other Stories! And TPW, of course! ❤️
Absolutely adore your choices so much and I’m so glad that we have so many faves?! Also yes to The Poppy War that makes me so happy🥺 I’m also reading Obit thanks to you and loving it so much!!!🥰
Ahh, I hope you love Obit as much as I did! ❤️