My Favorite Ten Reads of 2020 So Far

I’ve read so many amazing books this year and it was an extremely hard decision to pick ten of my favorite for the year so far. I chose the books that made me feel extreme emotion that I either wanted to throw the book or hug it and never let go. There is still four more months of 2020 left and I still have so many books on my TBR, but here are the ten I loved so far! 

After by Anna Todd

Tessa is a good girl. She listens to her mother, she is a great and dedicated student, and has a very sweet and dependable boyfriend. However, she is starting her freshmen year of college in the city. However, when she moves into the dorms, she meets Hardin. He is hard, sarcastic, rude, and absolutely handsome. She is so screwed. 

So I have an amazing group of friends that I met in a book club almost two years ago. They have become some of my closest friends and they were obsessed with this book and this. They begged me to read this book, so I did. I read the entire series in a week. I literally inhaled it. Tessa and Hardin’s relationship was the craziest roller coaster I’ve ever been on. Just shocking and jaw dropping and each book ended on such a cliffhanger. So good and so worth it because it is HUGE! 

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage 

Hanna is a sweet little girl that loves her daddy. However, she doesn’t like how much attention Daddy pays to her mother Suzette. Suzette is Hanna’s mother and she loves her daughter. But, her daughter is a handful and she doesn’t know if she can do it anymore. Her husband doesn’t see that their daughter is starting to turn on her and she doesn’t know what to do. Hanna wants Daddy to herself and she will do anything to make that happen. 

I don’t exactly remember how I discovered this book, but I am so glad I did. IT WAS INSANE!!! I just could not believe it and I could not think straight for days!!! This is by far one of my favorite thrillers of all time and I recommend it to everyone that asks for a book. Hanna was just so creepy and I fit my constant idea that children are just SO creepy. I felt so bad for her mother Suzette, I couldn’t even imagine the position she was in and she had no support. So terrible. If you are looking for a crazy thriller that will blow your mind clear off, read this book!!! 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber 

Scarlett Dragna and her sister Tella live on a small island with their abusive father. The two sisters have dreamed of escaping from their situation of seeing the famous Caraval led by the famous, Legend. Scarlet and Tessa both receive an invitation to attend so they sneak away for one last hurrah before Scarlett’s arranged marriage. 

I really loved this read and the magical places it took me! I was obsessed with the romance between Scarlett and Julian and the ending was such a twist. I found Tella, her sister, extremely flighty and annoying, and am still a little hesitant to read the next installment because it is based on her story. However, I will probably read it because I own it and I want more of Scarlet and Julian. 

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Poppy is back and with a vengeance. She has been betrayed by the one person she chose and everything she knows is a lie. Who can she trust in this new world and can she stay away from the Dark One or will she be drawn into him despite his betrayal? 

Even though I only had to wait for the second installment of the Blood and Ash series for four months, it felt like eternity. I loved the first installment, but the second one was so much better! The relationship between Casteel and Poppy is pure magic and their banter makes me so giddy with giggles. I also love how courageous and vengeful Poppy’s fighting is and the mystery of who Poppy truly is a conundrum I desperately need to solve!! Such an amazing roller coaster of a read that everyone should enjoy! 

Verity by Colleen Hoover 

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer hoping for her next book to come to her. When she feels she is on her last leg, Jeremy Crawford asks her for an interesting favor, to help his sick wife finish her book. She is invited to stay at their house and encounters a mystery worthy of the books she is asked to ghost write. 

I’m obsessed with all books written by Colleen Hoover; however, she usually writes amazing romance novels, making this book her first thriller. BOY DID SHE DO A BANG UP JOB! This mystery thriller was an amazing thrill ride that brought Jane Eyre to the 21st century. To this day the mystery of the ending is haunting my nightmares in the best and only way that books can. 

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus 

It’s Monday and four students have detention. Three come out and one is dead. No one knows who committed the crime, but they all have a motive. 

This book was definitely inspired by one of my favorite 80s movies, The Breakfast Club, but had a malicious and mysterious twist! I loved all the characters and the modernized twist of my favorite movie. All the characters were flawed, but I grew to love them all equally as the story developed. This was such a great read with an amazing mystery to solve. 

I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter 

Ellie Frias was bullied in middle school and decides she never wants that to happen again. With the help of an unlikely ally, she comes to high school with a fresh new look and starts a tumultuous relationship with a devastating end. 

Omg this book was so good that I read the entire thing in one sitting. I just couldn’t stop reading this book. It was a truly devastating look at the legal system and how society handles sexual assault and it is disgusting. I was truly ashamed to be a citizen of this country because I know that everything that occurred in this book could happen to anyone. This book engrossed me in the worst possible way and made me want to hit something. 

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 

In the year 2380, a league of misfits start on a journey to save the entire galaxy. They are the only ones up to the challenge whether they believe it or not. 

This book was another purchase because of the beautiful world of Bookstagram. I had read Jay Kristoff’s book, Nevernight, when it came out and loved it so much, so I wanted to try more of his writing. I am so glad I did. This book is much more PG than Nevernight, but I still loved the characters and his humor is still very much present. The characters are all very very VERY detailed and lovable and I can’t wait to read more about them. 

Dark Dawn by Jay Kristoff 

In the third installment of the Nevernight Chronicles, Mia Corvere is so close to her revenge. She is going back to the Red Church and she might never come back. However, she will do anything to avenge the family she lost. 

This series is just so good and the third and final installment was no different. I just loved loved loved Mia all the way through and the action was INSANE!!! Mia is my second favorite heroine of all time and she definitely is my book girlfriend. I just was crying the entire time and it was an amazing conclusion to this wonderfully crazy series. Also, Mister Kindly is my bestie and I love him and Mia’s banter! 

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Mass 

Bryce had a best friend, a potential boyfriend, and an amazing job. One day, everything is gone. The criminal who took her beautiful life away is behind bars or is he? A similar crime occurs a few years later, and Bryce is at the center of the new investigation. She will do anything to make sure the right criminal is behind bars and her family is avenged. 

This book was SJM’s introduction to adult fiction, but I honestly didn’t notice the difference other than the fact the characters actually cussed instead of hinting at it. This book was true SJM, but with a much darker element. I loved loved LOVED Bryce and all the characters and I CANNOT wait for the next installment. 

All of these reads have changed my life in some way or another. I really enjoyed my reads of 2020, even though 2020 has been the worst year ever!