The Best Books I Read in 2020 – My Favourite Reads

Here is a list of my favourite reads from 2020 and exactly what it was I loved about them.

My Favourite Reads from 2020 and Where to Find Them

It’s been really hard to narrow down my absolute favourite reads from last year but I think I’ve picked a really good bunch. It would have been even easier to know what my favourite reads were if I’d written them down somewhere. I ended up reading 70 books in 2020 and beat my reading challenge. This year I am going to actually write down my favourite books of every month so that this list feels more complete.

Favourite Reads: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

One of my favourite reads last year was the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden. I loved this Russian folklore inspired story and found the character of Vasya enchanting. It is a really magical tale but in a very sublte way. The writing is superb and the level of detail makes this a slow paced read perfect for wintery rainy days. I found it took me a little longer than normal to read because it’s very descriptive but the ending of each book really packs a punch. Affiliate Link for The Bear and the Nightingale.

Favourite Reads: Standalone – The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levensellar

The Shadows Between us was a great read for me and I reviewed it earlier in the year. This was a short read that I loved. Perfect for those that love Enemies to Lovers. It has amazing fashion, good romance and a pretty intriguing plot. It’s a standalone book where both the protagonist and love interest are morally grey characters with murder on their minds.

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

I couldn’t write a favourite reads blog post without including an autobuy author. I loved Crescent City and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel which is supposed to be coming out towards the end of 2021. I wrote a full review on Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood earlier in the year just after reading. I laughed, cried, swooned throughout. I did struggle with the pacing at the start of the book but by the end I was enthralled.

Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Now I usually love my fantasy; it’s my go-to but sometimes a bit of SciFi really helps me feel fresh about reading. Another of my favourite reads of 2020 was Aurora Burning. Now, this is actually book two – and book one is great, but the second is my favourite because of the line “I am not feeling nothing” from the legendary Zila. I really can not wait for book three in this series.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

When I first signed up to Fairyloot & Illumicrate in January 2020 one of the big announcements was a special edition box of Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare. At this point I hadn’t read a Shadowhunters book but I have seen the netflix show. I impulsed bought this and then read, very quickly, The Infernal Devices in time for Chain of Gold. I ended up not reading it until July but it was evidently one of my favourite reads of 2020. I absolutely adore Cordelia Carstairs and her story. I think I am team Carstairs overall because I loved Jem, and I love Emma in the dark artifices too. Anna Lightwood is another fabulous character and I think it’s the character driven story that really made me love Chain of Gold.

The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant

This was a really suprising read for me as the concept was so interesting and actually kind of dark too. It’s a Les Miserables retelling focusing on the underground guilds of revolutionary Paris. It was so interesting and I found the main character, Cat, a little on the morally grey side but she’s dealing with some pretty nasty people in order to suvive. It was a great story. The Court of Miracles affiliate link.

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L Armentrout

From Blood and Ash and it’s sequel, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, were amazing reads of 2020. I am now on the hunt for all the things so I’m thrilled that both Fairyloot and Illumicrate are doing special editions. I am absolutely getting both because I think this is in the running to be one of my favourite fantasy romance series. I love Poppy and Hawke. they are forever on pair with my ultimate ship Feysand. These are big books, sizzling smutty romance, character growth and amazing battle scenes. I love the worldbuiling. I want all of the books.

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalo

Lastly I’m ending my list of favourite reads of 2020 with Kingdom of the Wicked. This book will make you hungry for pasta like never before. I loved the magic and the way the seven deadly sins are portrayed as princes of hell. It was action packed and intriguing and I still don’t know what to expect for the next book Kingdom of the Cursed. You can buy Kingdom of the Wicked on Amazon with my affiliate link.