Welcome to my annual “best-of” celebration!
I set a Goodreads reading goal at 100 books! I got close to making it happen at 86 books — and I’m happy with the high number I achieved. With all the bad news and unexpectedness of 2020, I have found books and the online bookish community to be a bright, positive spot in many ways. I hope you have, too.
I’ve included 20 books, 2-3 per genre, in my BEST list this year! If you’d like to see all of the books I read and read more extensive reviews, check out my 2020 Goodreads year in books or browse my blog archives.
THE (self-imposed) RULES: because sometimes I need to keep things brief, I’m choosing to share 3 things that describe each of these stories along with a link to Goodreads and my blog review (if applicable). At the end, I’ll be sharing popular posts on the blog this year.
All titles are inspirational fiction unless noted with *.
Best Books of 2020
Novellas
Fair as a Star by Mimi Matthews* | Review
Sweet romance. Compassion. Hope.
A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber*
Long-awaited event. Earl Gray the cat. Charismatic criminals.
Christmas in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan | Review
Belonging. Vulnerability. Vienna & the Tyrolean countryside.
Split Time
Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes | Review
LIGHT. Longing. Hope.
Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright | Review
Puzzling mystery. Devotion. Collin O’Shaughnessy.
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes | Review
Sacrifice. Beauty in the commonplace and extraordinary. Poignant.
Contemporary
The Solid Grounds Coffee Co. by Carla Laureano | Review
Honesty. Complexity. Friendship.
Now and Then and Always by Melissa Tagg | Review
Winsome. Humorous. Faith.
The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck | Review
Redemption. Relationships. Enchanting concept.
Romantic Comedy
The Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson | Review
Frenemies-to-romance. Farm animals. Rivalry.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner | Review
Wit. FOOD. Healing.
Close to You by Kara Isaac
Adventure. Unexpected love. Hobbits.
Thriller & Suspense
The Wind Will Howl by Sibella Giorello
Immersive setting. Classic-feel mystery. Smart.
Soul Raging by Ronie Kendig | Review
Twists. Revelations. Banter.
Chasing the White Lion by James R. Hannibal | Review
High-tech action. Suspense. Purpose.
Historical
The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan | Review
Reconciliation. Friendship. Selflessness.
An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz
Lyrical prose. Strength on the frontier. Riveting romance.
Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews*
Daring adventure. Truth. Swoony romance.
Nonfiction
Special mention to a couple of nonfiction titles I enjoyed: Dream, Plan, and Go by Rachel McMillan, an inspirational travel memoir and guide; Everything Beautiful In Its Time by Jenna Bush Hager, a family-centric memoir of love and grief.
Popular #OnTheBlog in 2020
Most popular posts:
- Favorite quotes from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen
- Book Review: “The Headmistress of Rosemere” by Sarah Ladd
- Recommended reading: Series to Binge
- Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Novels with the Most Unique Settings
- Book review: “Saving Amelie” by Cathy Gohlke
Most popular new book reviews:
- Promised by Leah Garriott
- The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews
- The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
- Once Upon an Irish Summer by Lisa T. Bergren
- Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews
That’s it for 2020! Happy new year to you all. As always, thank you for being a blog reader and part of this bookish community.
What are your favorite books you read this year? Do we share any favorites? Did you post a list of favorites on your blog or social media? I’d love for you to share in the comments!
The Green Mockingbird 