The Books of 2020

Hello everyone! It's that time of year... the END!!!! The time when we look back to either feel great over our accomplishments/experiences (pats self on back), feel very discouraged over all those resolutions that went nowhere (sniff sniff), or a strange mixture of both (c'est moi). So instead of looking at the events/ accomplishments (or lack thereof) I shall today be reviewing my year in regards to the books I have read. There is a John Wooden quote that says"5 Years from now, you're the same person except for the people you've met and the books you've read." so let us begin!!

Apparently I have read 61 books this year! How do I know the exact number? Well for the first time this year, I set myself a Goodreads Reading Goal of 50 books, which I completed a month or two without really trying too hard. I figure I could do 75 books next year if I push a bit more. Anywho, here are my most memorable titles from 2020 and yes, there are quite a few!

The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope

What is there not to love about his book? A kingdom in peril, a case of mistaken identity, adventure, suspense, intrigue and a forbidden romance all live between these pages. Do give it a read and help me convince Katherine to read it!

D-Day Girls by Sarah Rose

I have an obsession with spies/WW II/France in general , so a book all about the women of the French Resistance during WW II ? Yes, please! Chock full of interesting facts and stories, (though, I think there were a few *ahem* moments, be forewarned), and the exhaustive bibliography in the back has added greatly to my TBR List!

The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

You know when you devour a book and then have to re-read it because the story and you were going so fast you didn't catch everything? That was this series for me! Oh my word I could not put it down! The story is about a young man who awakens to find himself strapped to a metal table and the last thing he remembers is going to sleep in his own bed after a normal high school day. I have yet to find and read the 4th and final book in the series, but my goodness did I fly through the first 3!

Secrets and Spies by Reader's Digest Association

Did I mention I have a Spy obsession?? I learned some VERY interesting facts that I had NO idea were even a thing. Did you know that the British government moved pretty much all of it's physical money to a Canadian Bank vault without loosing a single ship in U-Boat infested waters? Did you know the first Red Baron escaped captivity twice (or was it three times?)? A very cool book especially if your a History nerd like me! 

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

I am in love with Georgette Heyer's books! She reminds me of Jane Austen, but her books are more fun and with more colorful characters. She describes things so vividly it's like your right there dancing at a ball or riding out on a hunt. Her male characters can be a bit annoying (picture the Mr. Darcy from the 1980's P&P - kind of stiff and polite), but in the end you like them. All her books (that I've read so far) are very enjoyable and funny.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I so wish I had read this book in November or at the beach, it would have lent so much to the overall effect, but I still loved it a lot. The relationship between Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly was just wonderful and the ending.... amazing!

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

I had absolutely no idea how this book was going to end and my heart was thumping the whole time!! AHHHHH!!! So good! The only thing I didn't like was that... well, the story is about a couple who live on the island of Janus off the coast of Australia. They tend the light house for 6 months at a time and when a boat washes up with a dead man and a baby inside, the wife convinces her husband not to report the incident and keep the child as their own. I didn't like how the entire book I was hoping the couple would keep the baby which isn't the right thing to do, but other than that it was a really good book.

The Phantom of The Opera by Gaston Leroux

Way different from the play! The story is told like a mystery and nearly all from Raoul's perspective, so it's better in some ways, worse in others. I have less love for the Phantom, but also more..., I'm glad Christine married Raoul, and I loved hearing all about the behind the scenes in the theater. If you like the play/soundtrack, you should definitely read the book.

Christy by Catherine Marshall

Such a good book! Different/Better from the TV Show, and HORROR OF HORRORS NEIL MACNEIL HAS NO SCOTTISH ACCENT!!!!! Ruby Mae was way better, too and Miss Alice was amazing! How could they ruin her character???

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Again MY HEART!!! I don't cry over books that much, but I cried at the end of this one. This past year I lost a very dear family friend and then I read this book and let's just say it was good timing.

There's A Sheep In My Bathtub by Brian Hogan

Such a cool story of God's faithfulness and love for His children. I've always been a part of small Bible Study groups instead of a big church so Mr. McClung's mission to set up small home churches was very familiar. I love missionary stories.

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Neilsen

I saw this one at a thrift store, snatched it up, and devoured it not caring that it was the second book in a series that I had no previous knowledge of! Oh my was it good and now I can't wait to read the 1st and 3rd books.

Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent

Baby Catcher is all about a midwife who practiced in CA and boy, does she have some crazy stories!! Incredibly interesting and entertaining.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

I am so proud of myself for reading Hamlet!! I conquered Shakespeare and it wasn't that hard! I probably missed most of the subtle nuances, but I enjoyed it immensely. It helped that I'd seen a few clips of Andrew Scott's Hamlet, so I kept hearing his voice and picturing him while I was reading.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

First time reading this all the way through and it was quite the roller coaster!!

Yeshua Matters by Jacob Fronczak

This one really expanded my view of our Messiah by bringing you the obvious facts and intricacies of His Jewish identity. I Highly recommend it.

Well, there you have it! Have you read any of these? What did you think? What were your favorite books that you read in 2020? Do you have any recommendations for 2021? Let's chat in the comments and Happy New Year Ya'll!!