Wrap Up

Best and Worst Books of 2020

December 19, 2020 /

Well, my dear friends, here we are.

The end of a dreadful, stress-filled, chaotic year. Did we ever think we’d reach this moment? I was truly unsure.

Anyways, I just wanted to say a huge congrats to all my reader friends who made it through this year. It hasn’t been easy and I know many of us had our fair share of trials and tribulations these past 12 months, but we did it! We finished 2020 (almost), and I am so so proud of everyone for doing just that.

This year actually brought many great reads, and for that I’m incredibly thankful. Reading has always been something that I turn to in my hardest moments, and I managed to find some amazing books this year that I know I’ll carry with me for a long while.

I don’t want to get all sappy, so let’s move ahead onto my best and worst of 2020. (Quick sidenote: I don’t love the terms “best” and “worst” because reading is SO subjective, so keep in mind that these are more like my ~biggest surprises and disappointments~!)

 

Stalking Jack the Ripper: It should come at no surprise that this series was probably my favorite of 2020. I read all four books in a week and ended up clutching Capturing the Devil to my chest and literally crying once it was over. I loved the old European settings, the spooky-and-gory plot lines, the slow-burn romance, and the coming-of-age themes. I can totally understand how this is a hit or miss for some people, but for me it will now forever be the ultimate comfort read.

Review here!

The Poppy War: It simply isn’t possible to pick up this book and not love it. There’s just no way. This story is dark, and horrifying, and absolutely, heartbreakingly tragic, but it’s so SO special. R.F. Kuang writes the most complex worlds and characters, and this trilogy will shatter your heart with them. I’m so happy that ya’ll pushed this book so hard that I drove to a Barnes and Noble 40 minutes away for a hardback copy of it – best decision I ever made. 

The most fun book of this year! I go into these “romantic comedy” books expecting them to be pretty quick and light, but this one truly surprised me! It’s honestly a bit sad at the beginning because the characters despise each other, but I loved watching them find their back to each other throughout the book. Sarah Hogle is a new auto-buy author for me, I’m so excited for Twice Shy next year! 

I’ve talked this book to death, but I truly adored it. It was my biggest surprise and my favorite YA contemporary book of the year – I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this one for years and years to come! 

Review here!

Chloe Gong is my lord and savior of 2020 and I wouldn’t have it any other way. These Violent Delights is probably the best debut novel I’ve ever read – Chloe has such an amazing way with words and the way her mind works is POWERFUL. I cannot wait for the sequel to be in my hands (just one year left…)! 

Review here!

I mean…

I think it’s both hilarious and tragic that my best and worst books of this year are both by the same author. 

Again, I’ve talked this one to its death, so I won’t go into huge detail about it, but I was so incredibly disappointed by Kingdom of the Wicked. I love Kerri enough that I’m going to give the second book a shot, but I definitely won’t be hanging on the edge of my seat.

Review here!

I haven’t read V.E. Schwab’s entire repertoire, so I wasn’t dying for this book. But, I was intrigued by the plot and the hype, so I picked it up. 

I spent the entire time wishing it was over.

This is a really interesting concept, but I think it fell incredibly flat. The plot dragged, the romances were subpar, and the whole thing was just overly white-washed. Some people absolutely loved this, and I’m happy for them! However, can’t be me.

Review here!

This one was just so. slow. I love my Magnus and Alec, for real. But this one felt like it dragged on so unnecessarily, and with the addition of the whole TMI cast (don’t get me wrong – love to see their faces again), I was bored. The plot of these books are starting to get super repetitive, and while I’ll always be trash for the Shadowhunter characters, I’m either ready for them to find new adventures or for Cassie to move on to bigger and better projects.

People were hyping this book up SO much that my expectations were simply too high. This was a cute story and I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers theme. Otherwise, I thought it was boring and a bit overdone in the social-media-feud department. A lot of drama and grilled cheese, not a ton of character development or cute, squeal-worthy scenes. 

Oh, Blood & Honey! Your cover is so beautiful, so why can’t you be, too?! This book felt like fluff. It in no way pushed me to love the characters or the plot any more than the first book (in fact, I wanted to punch Reid out more than once for being such a judgmental bonehead). I felt like we were running in ridiculous circles for no reason. But alas, can’t win em all.

Review here!

So, that’s my year! I’ve hit my goal of reading 75 books, and I’m incredibly proud of my ability to read consistently throughout 2020. I’m sure there are a few that I’ve overlooked, but when I think of “best” and “worst”, these are what come to mind. 

I hope everyone has an awesome rest of 2020 and a wonderful start to the new year. I’d love to read what you guys thought of as “best and worst”, so link your posts below for me to check out! ♥

What was your favorite book of 2020? Your least favorite? Spill that teaaa!

23 Comments

  • Amena @ Nerd in New York

    December 19, 2020 at 10:31 pm

    Ahhh Congratualtions on reading 75 book this year, and just making it too 2021 (well almost but whatever). When I was reading your introduction I indulged myself in a much needed pat o the back because boy was this year difficult. But we did it!

    Also I loved everything you chose and literally let out a small little squeal when I saw These Violent Delight, and You Deserve Each Other!! Those were also my top two favorite books of the year. You Deserve Each Othe literally redefined the idea of love for me LMAO. (please all I want is a Roma or Nick in my life). Also, I can’t believe Blood & Honey was on your worst list I’ve been meaning to pick up the first book because it’s so hyped but if the second book is just fluff then I don’t think I want to get invested. Anyways, love this post!

    • erin

      December 20, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      Aw thank you!! ♥ RIGHT I adored YDEO like can I please find a Nicholas ASAP?! Ugh yes I wish I would’ve loved Blood & Honey, and I think some people did really enjoy it, so fingers crossed that you love it!!!

      • Stephen

        December 31, 2020 at 7:13 am

        These Violent Delights is amazing!! The writing and the setting are both incredible, certainly one of my best reads of the year as well 😍 Great list Erin, and all the best for 2021!

  • Jawahir the Bookworm

    December 20, 2020 at 2:38 am

    THE POPPY WAR. Omg that book destroyed whatever emotional capacity I had, I heard about this through booktwt and I’m so happy I went ahead and bought. I finished book 1 last night and I’m like “where’s book 2!? I NEED it!!”.

  • Sophie @ Me & Ink

    December 20, 2020 at 11:04 am

    It was so fun to see your list!! I’ve yet to read any Kerri Maniscalco but I have heard a little bit of a mix with the stalking Jack the ripper series. I’m glad it worked for you though. I’m so curious to meet Thomas after all the talk I’ve heard though 😂

    V. E. Schwab has been an author I keep expecting to love but so far has mostly disappointed me which is a shame. I’m curious about Addie LaRue as the premise reminds me of my favourite song immortal by marina 😂 but it was good to hear your thoughts and it does sound like it has a few issues!!

    I hope you have a great 2021 reading year and congrats on reaching your goodreads goal this year, always a satisfying feeling!! 💛🥰

    • erin

      December 20, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      Oh I hope you love SJTR!! I’ll be so eager to hear your thoughts! ♥ I totally feel that – V.E. Schwab is SO hyped that I feel like its hard not to be disappointed? Also because her writing style is so unique that it’s hit or miss!! Thank you so so much! ♥

  • ahaana @ Windows to Worlds

    December 21, 2020 at 4:02 am

    it was so fun to see what books you enjoyed, and what you didn’t!! i’ve seen stalking jack the ripper so much around your blog, i NEED to get to it sometime soon!! also i literally JUST finished serpent & dove and i loved it so much, so it’s super sad that the sequel didn’t live up to its expectations (can we just fangirl about the covers, too, for a minute!!)!! i also need to get my copies of the poppy war and you deserve each other soon, they’ve been surrounded with so much hype!! congratulations on making it to the end of 2020 ❤

  • Sanah

    December 22, 2020 at 9:48 pm

    I also loved These Violent Delights so much! I think Chloe is so talented, and I cannot wait to read what she writes next.

    And omg, I thought I was the only one who didn’t like Kingdom of The Wicked! It was definitely one of my worst and most disappointing of the year, but I’m glad to see you liked Stalking Jack the Ripper! I love that series so much.

  • Lais @ The Bookish Skies

    December 26, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    you deserve each other certainly was a laugh-out-loud read. it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020 and i was really happy that i did enjoy it so much, but i feel like i still need to re-read it in order to capture it perfectly.

    i was intrigued by the negative reviews of addie la rue, since most everyone i know gave this book 5 stars. i want to read it, but i’ll definitely go with the expectation that it will be a slow paced read, and aware of the diversity problems as well.

    congratulations on achieving your reading goals! 2020 definitely was a good year for reading to me, even if everything else kinda sucked!

  • Ruby Rae Reads

    January 3, 2021 at 5:16 am

    Ahh, I love your list, Erin!! Sad that Addie , Tweet Cute and Lost Book of the White were disappointments, I’ve only read the middle so far which I loved. But also I totally get it. Oh and I haven’t read B&H yet either and I was kinda looking forward to it but,,, meh now. I’ve heard it’s just so disappointing : (

    But ah I CANT wait to read The Poppy War and You Deserve Each Other, they’re definitely on my 2021 tbr. Also hadn’t heard of Have A Little Faifth before but it sounds brilliant and I def need to check it out. Also hi hello These Violent Delights, WE LOVE TO SEE IT!!! Ugh my fave too, would jump in front of a bus for lowkey.

    Here’s to a hopefully better 2021 friend xoxox

    • erin

      January 3, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      Okay honestly I’ll be anxious to hear your thoughts on Blood & Honey because I’ve also heard a ton of people be meh about it but also some who really love it!! Hopefully you’re in the “love it” category(: YESSS oh my gosh I need you to read The Poppy War and You Deserve Each Other ASAP so we can scream about them!!! I hope you absolutely adore them! ♥♥

  • JDSantos

    January 10, 2021 at 1:17 pm

    My favorite book of 2020 was a portuguese book, that can be translated has “The good old days of the prostitution in Portugal”.
    Despise the name, this is a book writen by a jornaulist of the XIX century, who would say how awful the people used to be and comment on it, and then his texts are commented in the XX century by a communist sayind that all of that was class wars and the original author was an idiot.

    • erin

      January 10, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      Wow that sounds super interesting! Especially with the dual perspectives saying different things. I definitely have to check it out!! (:

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