Favourite Books of 2020

It is that time of the year again when we all go over our favourite books of the year. For me, books have definitely been an escape and as I have mentioned before I have read more books this year, 222, more than any other year that I have been recording my reading. I have so many favourites, and it was tough to cut down on the list. As a result, I have 15 favourites and some honourable mentions. So let's get started...

Honourable Mentions:

1. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

As you may have seen, I have two other Patrick Ness books on this list, but this is my favourite after careful consideration. I love all of the books by him that I read this year, but this one was on another level. I loved Todd and Viola's relationship, and the world's expansion adds so much dimension to the story and to Todd especially. I loved the themes explored, and there was a part of the story that just captured me, and I was along for the ride. Patrick Ness had me, and I was captured until the end of the book. 

2. The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman 

I know that many people dislike this one and I can definitely see why but I did think it was quite a satisfying end to the series. The ending itself was quite bittersweet, and I really did feel for both Lyra and Will. A scene in the middle reminded me of Avengers Endgame as it felt like everything was coming together and made me super happy. I did quite like it, hence why it is on the list. 

3. Deeplight by Frances Hardinge 

All I can say is that I am so happy that I finally got to this one! I had heard so much about Frances Hardinge that I was excited to get into this. It was a great story that was so lyrically written and had interesting relationships between the two main characters, dealing with toxic relationships ideas. Deafness was a major part of the book, and I think it was placed in the plot so well. Also, the worldbuilding was so interesting and unique and progressed the story. I loved it so much and want to see what else Frances Hardinge has written. 

4. A Throne of Swans by Katharine & Elizabeth Corr

Considering I just finished this one last night, it has to be said that this is probably the latest addition to a favourites list ever! I think at the beginning, I was not the biggest fan as I don't love court politics in fantasy, but as the book continued, I was hooked. I loved the characters, especially Lucien and Aderyn and their growing relationship. Once the plot got going, it didn't stop, and I was down for the whole ride. I loved it so much and preordered the sequel as soon as I could. 

5. The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff 

So if you saw my graphic novel list, you know that I love a good quiet summer book. This is what this is, so it was just my cup of tea. First I'm going to say that the audiobook for this is so well done by Andrew Scott and I loved every moment of it. The book is just so lyrically written that I was captivated by the whole thing, and I did want to saviour every minute of the book. The book also does not give the protagonist a name or gender, so it is up to the reader, which was interesting and unique. I would love to reread it as I don't think I can just leave it at one read.  

6. Meat Market by Juno Dawson 

It has been a while since I read a Juno Dawson book so when I saw an opportunity to read one of her books I did. Meat Market was just a really raw and emotional read which I was just quite flawed by. Juno Dawson is such a great writer and tackles some weighty topics from Me Too to drug and alcohol problems in the modelling industry. While some of it was hard to get through, I couldn't stop reading, and it was one of my favourites of the year. 

7. Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

I picked this up on a whim one day and was so happy as I found something I really loved. It was a fast read, and I loved the discussion of toxic masculinity and sexuality. There was also a lot of discussion of religion, which I haven't really read about before. The main character also worked at a drive-thru, and as someone who works in one, it was accurate. I hope more people do pick this one up as it was a really great read!

8. With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo 

I have read the other two books by Elizabeth Acevedo, and while I enjoyed them, they never made my favourites list. From the first chapter, I knew that this was going to be a new favourite. I loved the cooking element and the Emoni's family and the trip to Spain. Elizabeth Acevedo's prose was just so poetic and easy to listen to and read, and I just loved every second of it. I normally stay away from books where the main character had a family, but this just proved me wrong. I will obviously read more from Elizabeth Acevedo in the future. 

9. You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson 

This book has been talked about non-stop this year and for a good reason, because it is YA at its finest. I started this, and I did have some high expectations, but this book definitely met them. I liked seeing the inclusion of family and friends in this book, and they were all well-developed. The whole prom storyline was great, and I loved reading about it. It was just such good YA, and I think it will become a new classic.

10. F.O.X.E.S. by M.A. Bennett

Even though it is a sequel, I have put it on this list because I feel like with every book in this series, M.A. Bennett's writing has been improving and this is her best book to date. I feel like I was quite scared when I saw this book was a five-book series because I didn't know where it would go. Still, M.A. Bennett manages to expand the world and the characters to make a really great addition in the series. I enjoyed the way that it tackled race and the Boxing Day hunts and left on a cliffhanger. I am excited for the next book as I have no idea where it is going to go.  

11. Fall Out by C.G. Moore 

I definitely did enjoy this one when I read it, and it is such an important read, so I had to include it on the list. Fall Out does not shy away from the more sensitive topics that LGBTQ+ people face and was surprisingly dark, but I still enjoyed my time reading it. It is well-written and focuses a lot on homophobia and Cal goes through so much over the course of the novel. The book still offers a lot of hope which completes the whole thing. I can't wait to read Gut Feelings which comes out later this month!

12. Read With Pride by Lucy Powrie

I loved the first book in this series, and this one was no different. I loved the characters in this book, introducing new characters and the return of the old ones. The focus on LGBTQ+ books was great as there should no be limits on them, and I loved seeing burnout throughout this book. I have not seen burnout featured so much in a book, and it would have been great to see if I had it as a teenager. I can't wait for the final book in the series. Lucy can do no wrong in these books full of bookish fun!

13. Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls

I was really interested in this one as it had a YA feel and it definitely did pay off as it was one of my favourites of the year. Sweet Sorrow was again another one of those nostalgic, summer reads which just captured my heart. I liked the Shakespeare elements, the discussion of mental health and the relationship between Charlie and Fran. It was just great, and the audiobook is so good too.  

14. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo 

I wasn't completely in love with Six Of Crows when I read and reread it, but Crooked Kingdom just hit differently. I actually got the characters, and I was laughing and felt for the characters so much. I raced through the book and felt so much throughout the course of the story. I had all of the emotions. Leigh Bardugo knows how to write a great story and all the reviews of this books were obviously right. 

15. The Starlight Watchmaker by Lauren James 

I have loved all of Lauren's books, and The Starlight Watchmaker is no exception. Even though this one is a smaller book made for Barrington Stoke, it still packed a punch. I fell in love with the world that was created and the relationship between Dorian and Hugo. It was a book that I immediately checked if there was a sequel which comes out this year. I have it preordered and cannot wait to read the next one when it comes out. 

What are some of your favourite books of the year? Let me know in the comments!

See you soon,

Amy