I completed all my reading challenges on time this year but only just. I was 19 books short of 2019 total too, only clocking in at 152 books.
You would think that would make it easier to pick a top 5 best and worst list. Now, the top 5 worst list was pretty east but the top 5 best list was very hard. There are so many great books that could have been on this list. Enough to make a top 20 best list if I had the time. Sadly, I’m even more pressed for time than I was last year so it’ll have to be just five.
Top 5 Worst Books of 2020
Number 5
Olive by Dinah Mulock Craik
I’m not angry, Olive, I’m just disappointed. You had such potential to give us a great disabled main character but you opted for a preachy too-good-for-this-sinful-world character and a story full of Victorian mawkishness.
Number Four
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
I think the main problem with this book is that it tried to cram too much into one book. If it had been a duology
Number Three
The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett
I’m afraid this was my least favourite Discworld book not only of the year but of the whole series. It just felt like a long list of culture references that I didn’t get with a very repetitive story attached.
Number Two
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
This was a pretty big disappointment. After hearing so many people singing its praises, I was expecting a lot more than just an array of the worst YA tropes and one of the most contrived sequel hook endings ever.
Number One
Cape May by Chip Cheek
This was probably the worst book my book club has picked yet. There was more sex in this book than a porn magazine, the characters act like children in the worst possible way and the conclusion was incredibly unsatisfying.
But, we’ve had enough negativity this year. Time for some positive!
Top 5 Best Books of 2020
Number Five.
I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
Yep, had to have a Discworld novel in here somewhere after a two month binge for Turtle Recall. It’s tough to pick a favourite but I think I’m going to have to go with this one. This kept me gripped from start to finish and it was so satisfying to see how far Tiffany Aching had come since The Wee Free Men.
Number Four
Beyond the Black Door by A. M. Strickland
I came for the asexual representation. I stayed for the excellent world building and brilliant story.
Number Three
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This needed to be in the top five simply because of the emotional rollarcoaster it put my through. I was so invested in Evelyn’s story all the way through. It even had me almost crying in public and Evelyn is a wonderfully written character that will stick with me for a long time.
Number Two
With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
The writing is as delicious as the food. It may have been short but it definitely left me satisfied.
And Number One
Save The Cat! Writes A Novel by Jennifer Brody
This gets the top spot simply because it revolutionised how I look at writing. It helped a lot when I started a new novel for Nanowrimo and I know it’ll be a great help to my writing for years to come
I hope to see you again very soon in 2021.
The Corner of Laura 