Welcome back, it’s lovely to see you again! And if you are new here, welcome, I am so pleased you have landed on my page. For today’s post I am comparing my Top 10 favourite books I read throughout the year to Goodreads Top 10 books by average rating. Thought it’d be interesting to see how different my taste in books is compared to everyone else “out there”. So, get a cuppa, sit back and enjoy the ride.
My Top 10 books of 2020
In my yearly wrap up post, I already introduced you to the Top 3, so I won’t be including them in this list. However, you are more than welcome to go check out the top tier books that I will forever cherish and hold dear to my heart – read more here.
There were so many good books to choose from this year – I rated 2/3 of the books I read 4 or above. But the below, although in no particular order, are somewhat more in my heart and I would read again in a heartbeat although I didn’t rate all of them the full 5 stars..
This is now the time I am absolutely gutted that I didn’t write a full debt review for all of those that I can link for you, but for now you will need to settle for the few words I said about them on Goodreads on some of them:
The Switch – Goodreads average 4.08
We all need an Eileen in our lives. The Switch is a heartwarming story of self-discovery, anger, grief, forgiveness, adventure and ultimately healing. It’s just incredible! I got major “The Holiday” vibe throughout, but even better. Also, can I just say that I kept forgetting that Eileen is a 79-year-old grandmother. She could easily be my best friend.
The Hate U Give – Goodreads average 4.51
One of Us is Next – Goodreads average 4.03
So pleased that I loved it as much as the first one. I’m absolutely over the moon it didn’t disappoint! I liked how the narrative was again led by different characters and separate POVs in alternate chapters and how it all came together in the end. Although I guessed the major plot twist, it still had a little something in store to give me the element of a surprise. I would definitely recommend reading One of Us is Lying before diving into One of Us is Next. Although it’s a completely different storyline, it does feature major spoilers that will ruin the first book if you haven’t read the prequel. Previous characters also appear heavily in this, and it would help to understand their relationships between each other. I hope this isn’t the last we hear from the people at Bayview High.
In Five Years – Goodreads average 3.85
The blurb at the front of the books really sums it up – it’s definitely not a love story you expect.
Clap When You Land – Goodreads average 4.36
Absolutely loved how the author explores love, loss, betrayal and forgiveness through verse. It just hits differently.
2020 was the year I properly discovered verse novels, and although my internal rhythm is almost non existent I needed the help of an audio book to read along with me. And it was sooooo good! I love verse novels and this, obviously, was one of my favourites!
Sweetpea – Goodreads average 3.96
Although it was slightly rude at times, I loved the whole thing from start to finish. Our main protagonist is the craziest character I’ve ever come across, and hey I’ve come across some real nutjobs in various books, but I absolutely loved her! I seem to have a soft spot for psychopaths/serial killers in books. What does that say about me?!
Our Stop – Goodreads average 3.68
I’m, normally, not one for rom com. Really. But Our Stop came into my life at the right time. No scrap that – perfect time and I am thankful for all the “near misses” as I’d seen it around for a while, but never felt the pull strong enough to read it.. Until now. So basically I had just finished the abomination of a book – American Psycho, and I happened to stumble across this book when scrolling through my local library’s audio book selection. I needed something fluffy, pink and fuzzy. Our Stop is exactly that! It’s also so much more than a rom com. Although the main plot is for Nadia and Daniel to eventually get together and live happily ever after (they may or may not, you need to read this to find out), what made Our Stop impossible to put down for me were the relationships between our main protagonists and their friends. God the bond and support they have for one another, loved it. I felt that the book is built heavily on friendship, as well as finding someone to love for the rest of your life of course. Yet, the main thing I take away from it is that having a good group of friends around you makes a life worth living. Also, I am now wondering how many of us have accidentally walked past the love of our lives without realising.
Lair of Dreams – Goodreads average 4.11
I loved every second of it. Also, the audio book is AMAZING!
Elizabeth is Missing – Goodreads average 3.72
I will love and cherish Maud forever. Such a cute story about this old lady who’s friend goes missing and she’s trying to solve the mystery whilst battling her failing memory due to dementia.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Goodreads average 4.33
I’m went through a phase where nothing I read really kept my interest so it was a breath of fresh air that managed to keep my focus and made me think along. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is fun and easy to read. It’s definitely worth your time and a solid first novel!
Goodreads Top 10 of books I read in 2020, by average rating
Now, this is the part that I am most excited about. It’s time to compare my ratings with the other readers who have read the same books as I did in 2020. There are a few titles I know will be in both top 10 books already without even looking at the results just because how popular they have been in the community (and I know I’ve agreed with the majority). Lets do this!
Problems with Girls (DI Harriet Sloane, #2) by Kelly Creighton 4.67 – my rating 4
Honestly, surprised it’s the highest rated, but I’m glad! I enjoyed this book 🙂
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi 4.54 – my rating 4
Yaaas! This was amazing, too, and I’m not one bit shocked to see it so high up on the list. It was simply an incredible work of art!
Some Soul to Keep by J. California Cooper 4.52 – my rating 4
Really enjoyed this book as well! Short stories about incredibly hard working, strong and resilient women. Highly recommend!
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 4.51 – my rating 5
In my top 10 too! Yes 🙂
Feeling Is The Secret 1944 by Neville Goddard 4.46 – my rating 2
For me it’s a one time, 20 minute quick read. Didn’t give me the desired revelation of how to control my mind. It felt repetitive, far fetched and let me be honest– bloody boring. 2 stars because I finished it instead of throwing it in the bin. (oops)
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge 4.42 – my rating 4
Yup, yup, not surprised to see this one in top 10 either.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo 4.36 – my rating 5
Snap!
Fifty-Fifty (Eddie Flynn #5) by Steve Cavanagh 4.36 – my rating 4
I love Eddie Flynn.
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray 4.34 – my rating 5
This is one of my top tier books of 2020! I felt seen.
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult 4.34 – my rating 3.5
Did not like the ending.. oops.
Do we share any books in our top 10 books of 2020?
Also, come be my friend on Goodreads – www.goodreads.com.
