When I saw Hailey in Bookland doing this idea on her channel I knew it would be a good (and hard) challenge for myself. I’ve read some absolute crackers this year and it’s been an excellent year for releases with some books published in 2020 being in my top books ever category (I’m looking at you, Addie LaRue).

If you want to see everything I’ve read in 2020 then hold tight, it’s coming a little later in the month! At the time of writing this there are 117 books – it’s been a good reading year. Also, it’s worth noting that I DNF books I really don’t like so while these may be the ‘worst’ I read they were still good enough for me to finish.

January

Best – The Only Plane In The Sky

It may seem strange to rate it the ‘best’, it’s such a well written and fascinating book – even if it is about something as heartbreaking as 9/11. This has so many stories of various people who were there, who were with the president at the time and others. A crucial book for learning about something that changed the world so much.

Worst – Sunday’s Child

I was so disappointed but there wasn’t anything memorable about this, I thought it would at least be an insight into a german child’s view of the war but I didn’t really get anything from it.

February

Best- Letters on Motherhood – Giovanna Fletcher

She may now be Queen of the Castle but Gi is also an author and I absolutely love her non-fiction on motherhood. I got this as soon as it came out as I absolutely loved Happy Mum, Happy Baby even though I don’t have any human babies. Before HMHB, I loved watching Gi’s vlogs and blogs and I’m hoping to listen to the podcast in the new year. You can read my review here.

Worst – Fascism and Democracy – George Orwell

I struggle with George Orwell. I read Animal Farm at school and thought it was brilliant, I still do. I tried to tread Homage to Catalonia at uni and couldn’t get through it. Then I thought I should read Fascism and Democracy and it was super short but it could have been even shorter. So much waffle. I think I just need to accept that George Orwell isn’t for me.

March

This was a TOUGH month to pick because there were a few stand outs.

Best- The Gravity of Us – Phil Stamper

I met Phil while we both studied at Kington University as he was undertaking his MA and was so excited to read his book because he’s lovely. The Gravity of Us not only made me interested in space and NASA but it was also really clever in how it was put together and how social media was incorporated. You can read my review here.

Worst – Break your glass slippers – Amanda Lovelace

During Lockdown I got Scribd which meant that I could finish off reading the Amanda Lovelace books that I hadn’t bought yet. I think I’m at a point where I’m just not gelling with her work anymore which is fine – it’s just not for me.

April

I read over 20 books in April, because Lockdown which means I gave you a part 1 and part 2 roundup

Best- The Eve Illusion – Tom and Giovanna Fletcher

I love this series and read the second book in 24 hours, also, while I did see the ending coming it was still super exciting when it did! I can’t wait for book 3, the end of the series, which is due to be released in March next year and my copy is already pre ordered. You can read my review here.

Worst – Lady Stuff: Secrets To Being A Woman by Loryn Brantz

I’m a fan of the cartoons but the book just seemed very repetitive

May

Best- Hold Still – Nina LaCour

This book was absolutely beautiful. There was love, pain and Nina’s incredible writing. I’ve definitely found another favourite author after starting with We Are Okay this year.

Worst – A Quick & Easy Guide To Consent – Isabella Rotman

I got this as an ARC on Netgalley and I couldn’t gel with it. For something that’s meant to be aimed at teenagers it felt quite patronising and a little too young.

June

Best- Bloom – Kevin Panetta

This graphic novel was not only beautiful in all its hues of blue, but it was also a sweet and lovely story that deserves all the love it gets.

Worst – Bantam – Jackie Kay

I wish I could tell you more about this but the fact that I can barely remember anything says it all. Also there didn’t seem to be a great flow to the poems either.

July

Best- Dear NHS 100 Stories To Say Thank You – edited by Adam Kay

I think that Adam Kay is an excellent writer and I recommend This Is Going To Hurt to just about everyone. So in the summer he pulled together a lot of celebrities and high profile people to write about their experiences and thank the NHS, it also raised money to support them. If this year and this book highlights anything, it’s how much it needs to be protected.

Worst – The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

Another unpopular opinion I couldn’t get on with this book and found the protagonist really annoying. It might be because I’ve learnt a fair bit about the LA riots but I just didn’t care for her perspective.

August

Best- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – V.E Schwab

Addie, Addie, Addie you are perfection and I can’t begin to explain how much I love this book. I will be getting a tattoo of the constellation though so that should tell you something. Beautiful, lyrical and I want all my friends to read it.

Worst – All Hail The Queen – Twenty Women Who Ruled by Jennifer Orkia Lewis & Shweta Jha

Now, this isn’t a bad book at all – August was another great month. I think I would have liked more information on the Queens and their lives. This is a book kind of like Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls but more obscure.

September

Best- Finding Joy – Gary Andrews

I came across this on my birthday and picked it up with a curious mind. This is a stunning exploration of grief through art.

Worst – Felix Ever After – Kacen Callender

I know this is an unpopular opinion but I didn’t like this book. I couldn’t get on with the protagonist and found it quite boring.

October

A tough month because there weren’t any books I particularly didn’t like!

Best- Serpent and Dove – Shelby Mahuir

This is one of my new favourite series, a Witch and a Witch Hunter end up married? Umm hello! Also I love Lou, she’s got a special place in my heart because I understand her sarcasm.

Worst – Ms Marvel Vol 1

I think, for a first volume it was ok, but it didn’t have me rushing to get volume 2.

November

Ahh I loved all of the books I read in November – how do I choose?

Best- Blood and Honey – Shelby Mahuir

Although it started slower than the first in the series, I was hooked and could not stop reading, we now have to wait until August 2021 to read what happens next after that ending. At least it’s something to look forward to.

Worst – Homebody – Rupi Kaur

Controversial because I love Rupi Kaur, I just found the first half of this collection a lot harder to get into which is why it’s here, but I still think it’s a good read and I recommend it!

December

I’ve only finished 2 book sso far this month…between Blogmas and moving I’ve hardly read at all! Let’s hope from next week I can change that!