Best Books 2020

Stand out favourite for me was ‘Shuggie Bain’ which I read during the summer.

Favourite book of the year - so far - is 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman. It's not just a crime novel; the characters and their community are wonderful.

“ Where the Crawdads Sing”. Definitely..

The Blind Light by Stuart Evers. Totally brilliant evocation of the second half of the previous century and the start of this one. Two young men, one public-school wealthy, the other on-the-line-Ford's-Dagenham working class meet doing national service. They remain 'friends', sort-of, as they grow up, marry, have children. The cold war and the changes that happen in Britain wind through it. Wonderful!

"Where the Crawdads Sing", Maggie O'Farrell's "Hamnet" and Louise Candlish's "The Other Passenger".

I found "The Salt Path" by Raynor Winn very irritating because they made such stupid decisions when the husband's health was at stake.... but then I'm a practical sort of person who makes plans on how to manage situations.

Elinor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Salt Path
The Shell Seekers

All joint first

Eleanor not Elinor!

Another big thumbs up for Where the Crawdads Sing

American Dirt

I'm reading Troubled Blood at the moment and enjoying it very much, but halfway through so I'll reserve judgement

Asta's Book - an old Barbara Vine, I read it years ago, but had forgotten the story, I did remember I loved it though and loved it again 2nd time around.

I also have Richard Osman's book, I look forward to reading that.

Lockdown by Peter May

Ooh yes I’d forgotten WTCS! No. 2 for me.

Have read loads of books this year, and my winner is.........The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes.

‘The Giver of Stars’ for me too and ‘Me before you’ both by Jojo Moyes. ??

If you liked Giver of Stars you might enjoy The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek because it's basically the same story! Almost ..

Bump ?

The Other Half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen was a standout for me this year.

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I also re-read The Shell Seekers by Rosamund Pilcher and enjoyed it just as much a second time.

Getting some good titles to look up. I just put a hold on the ebook Shuggie Bain at my library, thank you Urmstongran for the recommendation. It was on my reading list, having heard about it. I don't believe it is being published here yet, so will have to read an e-book.

I thought Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton was brilliant.
Also The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Definitely ‘Hamnet’. One of those books you’re sad to finish.
‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ John Irving.
‘Educated’ Tara Westover.
Can’t wait for libraries to re-open!

Where the Crawdads Sing

Q - Christina Dalcher which I finished yesterday

The Rose Code - Kate Quinn (I received an advance review copy of this from the publisher, not sure if it’s out on general release yet)

The Evening and The Morning - Ken Follett

Where the Crawdads Sing stood out for me

Yes to Three hours. Fantastic. Led me on to Rosamund Lupton’s other books.
Discovered Robin Hobbs and am now hooked for life.

Where the Crawdads Sing.
A Man Called Ove
Just finished Troubled Blood- liked it a lot but it is about time she got them together!!!

Crawdads and the Heart's Invisible Furies. The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon.

10 minutes and 38 seconds - Elif Shafak
Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson
Difficult Women - Helen Lewis
Burmese Days - George Orwell

Sorry that should have said "10 minutes and 38 seconds in this strange world" - just love the premise of the book...