Reading is my therapy.

Reading is my escape.

Reading is my crutch.

 

I admit I have more books than I could ever possibly read in a lifetime. So, for this year, I’ve promised my husband that I will not buy any more books this year. It’s going to be a challenge for me.

However, it doesn’t mean nobody can’t gift me with any books, right?

I only read 25 books this year which is surprising considering how much I love to read. Having two full-time jobs, being a wife and mother keeps me pretty busy. My goal was to read 30 books in 2020. I love to track my reads on GoodReads. So, let’s follow one another. I’m one of those weirdos that love to cross off items off on a list.

I created a book Journal and challenge for myself. I encourage you to participate and journal your reads this year. It’s wonderful to keep quotes and notes about what knowledge you gained from your reading. Even fiction always has a theme and can enlighten you when you least expect it. Yes, that’s the reading teacher coming out in me.

This past year was the year for fiction for me. I’m not sure if the pandemic caused me to want to indulge in a book and take me far far away from reality or what, but it was a wonderful year of reads for me.

My Top 10 Reads for 2020

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is by far my favorite read this year. When I started reading it, I had to stop and google to see if the setting, The Pack Horse Library Project, and blue people were a real thing. I was fascinated by the history in this book. I wanted to hug the main character and didn’t want it to end. She will inspire you.

The Unhoneymooners was simply a laugh out loud book for me. It’s funny, clever, and will simply take you away from your everyday life. It’s perfect for an escape. I adored it.

Verity – was a book that once you get started you don’t want to stop. The suspense will kill you. I enjoyed it so much that I made my husband read it too. He loved it! I can’t wait to read other books from this suspenseful author.

28 Summers – is probably my favorite romance of the year. I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with the characters and was sad when it was over. It made me weep, but it was such a lovely read. It was my first time reading a book by this author.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is a book that was just simply a fun and different escape for me. I really appreciated how the main characters connected with one another. I had to stop a few times and remember it was written by a male author. However, he nailed the characters. It was a bit graphic at the end, but you have to expect that from this type of genre.

The Wife Between Us is a suspense novel that kept me on my toes. It’s a book that makes you think…I didn’t see that coming. One of my friends recommended this book to me and I thought it was very entertaining. It was an easy and quick read.


High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One’s Addict’s Double Life – This was an incredible audible book for me. The author was the narrator and her story is amazing. It took you into an addict’s life and all the struggles a recovered addict goes through. It definitely isn’t for the fate of heart. If it wasn’t for the language and adult scenarios, high schoolers would benefit from this book. It might just make them think twice before making a poor choice. Let’s just say…I’m not interested in going to prison anytime soon. Yikes!

Burn for Me – I have no idea what made me purchase this book. It was one of those that Amazon suggested based on your past purchases. First of all, the cover looks extremely cheesy to me and it just doesn’t look like a book I would pick up. It looks like one of those tacky romance novels to me.  This is the book that reminded me to not judge a book by its cover. I really enjoyed it. It was a fantastic fantasy read for me. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

The Nickel Boys will make you want to confirm if the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys was truly a real place. The empathy that arose in my heart for those young men that suffered while attending this academy in Florida was astonishing. I will never forget this true story and what the Nickel boys had to endure during the 1960s. Read it.

The Kiss Quotient was simply an adorable read for me. You will fall in love with the characters and you will want to read the other books in the series. It was a true escape and you didn’t have to use your brain to really enjoy this cute and witty read.

Like I mentioned before, I encourage you to start a reading journal this year. It’s such a rewarding simple thing that you can go back to in times of need or encouragment. Read why I think you need to start today.

Happy Reading! I would love to hear what you plan on reading in 2021.