This will be my third year of blogging and because of obvious Covid related reasons and losing two family members, 2020 will not be forgotten easily.
However, it has been a fantastic year for books and I know that the poor authors have not been able to do events and this was primarily the reason with my work head as Development Senior Supervisor at Exeter Library on we started to do ‘In Conversations’ this year. Starting in April with Clara Barley author of Moss House this was my first online interview and at the end of the year we have done a fantastic 12 events. I have loved doing them and it has definitely developed a new skill for me and enabled me to talk to some fantastic authors from all genres.
You can watch them here and we have a fab line up for 2021 follow @exeterlibrary on Twitter and ExeterLibrary on Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/watch/651401671585542/2670167856584127
Anyway lets get going with my top 20 reads of 2020! I would say that this was really brutal having to chose as I have read so many amazing books and I have shared the links to my original reviews if you would like to read more.
Karen xx
1. The Miseducation of Evie Epworth- Matson Taylor –Scribner Books

The total joy of Evie came into my life this summer. This book is such a joy, a great story and the characters, whether you loved or hated them are fantastic. I loved the strong women in the book and having family in Yorkshire, this really resonated with me as I have been brought up with strong women who loved to bake. If you have not read this one you need to and I cannot wait to see what Evie does next.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/2005
2. Piranesi- Susanna Clarke– Bloomsbury

I did not know what to expect but what I discovered was beyond any expectations that I could have had. The writing is beautiful and you will be transported to the house and become immersed in labyrinthine pages.
You really need to read this book to uncover the secrets about Piranesi and the other occupants of the House. So many times I thought I knew what was happening and so many times when I was wrong. This really is an outstanding read.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/2960
3. In the Sweep of the Bay -Cath Barton– Louise Walters Books

This book looks deeply at relationships and has many what if’s. It is a really beautifully crafted book and I recommend that you read. I had so many questions at the end I think this would make an excellent book group read.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3349
4.The Watchmaker of Filigree Street – Natasha Pulley– Bloomsbury

The three main characters are brought together through a set of strange circumstances and I loved the dynamics of this complicated relationship. I do not want to give any spoilers as I knew nothing about the book before I read it and I think this is the best way to enjoy it.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/2058
5.The Mist -Ragnar -Ragnar Jonasson– Penguin Michael Joseph
Dark, brutal and compelling I loved this book. It is so clever and the pace is relentless and I can’t remember a time when a book totally immersed me in the atmosphere and story. Exceptional ! This trilogy is going to make a fantastic tv series.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3708
6. The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside – Jessica Ryn– HQStories
This is a joyful read, the author portrays the characters with warmth and tackles

a difficult subject sensitively and with humour at times. I loved Dawn nothing stops her from trying to help, she is desperate to be needed. A fabulous touching debut which shows kindness and friendship go a long way in the world. Beautiful!
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3614
7.The Diabolical Bones -Bella Ellis– Hodder Books

I really enjoyed the atmosphere that the author portrays in this book, it is set near Christmas but don’t be fooled that its sparkly book. It is cold, snowy and bleak Yorkshire in winter. I loved the darkness, the danger and unexplained.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3626
8. Strangers – C L Taylor – Avon Books

This is such a great book, I would have read in one sitting if I had the chance it is so suspenseful and shocking which I love in a thriller. All the characters are really down on their luck and lonely and without giving too much away they are all brought together in a shocking conclusion which will change their lives forever.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/1620
9.The Storm – Amanda Jennings– HQ Stories

A dark and claustrophobic read. I loved this book and I had not read anything by Amanda before but I will be reading her others. I loved her style of writing and how she draws you in and it was a real experience which I will not forget in a while. Fantastic !
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/2145
10. All the Lonely People- Mike Gayle – Hodder Books
This book is a joy, the writing is empathetic and gentle. I loved the dual storyline and learning about Hubert’s life with Joyce and how he came to be in England. Also the struggles that they have as a mixed race couple in the 1950’s, some of which are really hard to read but very important.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/2156
11. The Truants – Kate Weinburg – Bloomsbury

I loved this book so much and I read it really slowly so that I could savour the writing. The characters and the story totally engrossed me and I found the love triangle element intriguing and knew that was never going to end well.
This is one of my favourite reads of the year and I was besotted by it and will be recommending this one far and wide. An amazing book!
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/1954
12. The Winter Garden -Heidi Swain– Simon and Schuster

This is a truly wonderful read, and it was a joy to step into the world of Freya as she makes a new life with the supportive members of Nightingale Square. Best enjoyed on the sofa with the rain on the windows and nowhere else to go. If you are a fan of Heidi or a newbie you will love being transported into the wintery gorgeousness at its best from the lovely Heidi !
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3104
13. A Wedding at the Beach Hut- Veronica Henry– Orion Books

The setting of Tawcombe seemed very familiar to me, being from Mid Devon and I loved the Devon idiosyncrasies. Mick reminded me of my Dad, who calls me and my sisters,’ his maids’ too ! The book has humour and warmth but also sadness and covers some really delicate subjects like adoption and miscarriage in a really sensitive way.
This book could not have come at a better time for me, in lock down when I was unable to visit my own favourite seaside haunts but I was able to be transported there with the assistance of this gorgeous book. Thank you Ronnie for another fabulous read.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3833
14. Hamnet -Maggie O Farrell- Tinder Press

I loved this book and I can see why it has been so well reviewed it totally transported me to time and place that I have never experienced previously. It was so visual you can not help but be totally engrossed in this fantastic storytelling. It seamlessly switches between Agnes’s past and present.
I feel very privileged to have been able to be part of the tour of this wonderful book.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/1529
15. Love Orange- Natasha Randall – Quercus –River Run

This is a really great book I loved it, the strong characters in the book makes the read all the more involved. This is a fantastic debut novel and I loved chatting to Natasha and the other members of the the buddy read about the book.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3227
16. Three Hours -Rosamund Lupton- Penguin

I loved how the story of Macbeth was also woven in to the events. There are heart-breaking and heart stopping moments which left me very emotional and at times shocked.
I think this book will stay with me for a long time and I feel very lucky to be able to review it. Although it is definitely a book that everyone should read as I feel my review will never convey all I want it too.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/926
17.Snow Song- Sally Gardner -HQ Stories

If you need to escape then this is perfect for transporting you away to this other land of myths and superstitions. A fantastic adult story which highlights some of the worse traits of humans, darkness but with beauty and an underlying feeling of hope. Excellent!
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3490
18. The Killings at Kingfisher Hill – Sophie Hannah– Harper Collins

This is such a great story, it is cleverly plotted and leaves clues along by the way, that make you think you know who the killer is but I was completely shocked when the twist in the tale comes at Poirot’s ever famous denouement. I think it is one of the cleverest plots I have read in a long time.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/2962
19. I Made a Mistake-Jane Corry– Penguin

This is a fantastic read, I started and I could not put it down, the characters are believable and very human and the author has a wonderful gift of hooking the reader in and building suspense throughout the story and this story is no exception.
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/1778
20. Starry Skies over the Chocolate Pot Cafe – Jessica Redland– Boldwood Books

This is a really great book, it surprised me and I loved seeing Tara change into a beautiful butterfly. She really deserved to find some happiness and with the support of the lovely community in Castle Street she begins to find that she can.
This is a sit on the sofa with a hot chocolate sort of book, it has a bit of everything, sadness, hope, friendship, betrayal and overcoming the past. I loved it !
https://wordpress.com/post/karenreadsandrecommends.wordpress.com/3009