Sunday, January 3, 2021

My Favorite Reads of 2020

 

 In a year of outstanding books to read, I suffered from the malady of so many of my fellow readers, the inability to focus and thus to read.  Oh, I did manage to read, but the number of books I read was down, and in a richness of reading year, that hurts.  Unfortunately, my reviewing and blogging was negatively affected, too, but I'm up and running with that again.  Let's face it.  2020 was not a normal year at all for readers and authors.  Virtual book promotion, learning to use Zoom (well, I'm still working on it), authors online book publishing birthdays.  But, the reading community, in particular the mystery crime community, is a resilient group who are passionate about their cause, so we have not only survived, we've thrived, gotten closer.  Even though my reading count was down, what I read was a  constant source of enjoyment.  It was hard to narrow down any favorites, because all the books I read were enjoyable.  So, my list is long, but it includes the ones I enjoyed the very most.  A couple of the books were published in 2019, but the rest are 2020 publications.  I will have quite a few more 2020 publications that I will feature in another list after I've read them.

 

 Leave No Trace by Sara Driscoll  Turn to Stone by James W. Ziskin  Mortmain Hall by Martin Edwards  Til Death by Annette Dashofy  And Now She's Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall The Lucky One by Lori Rader-Day   The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths  The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes  Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens  Murder in Deep Regret by Anne Cleeland  Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming  Rules for Being Dead by Kim Powers    One by One by Ruth Ware  All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny  The Dutch House by Ann Patchett  Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen  The King's Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal  The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard  Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier  Death of a Mermaid by Lesley Thomson  Riviera Gold by Laurie R. King  The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan   Scot on the Rocks by Catriona McPherson

20 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, Judy! 2020 was such a stellar year for reading.

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  2. I've read (and enjoyed) eight of these. So I reckon the rest of this list should be my TBR. (And thnak you for including Lexy!) Cx

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    1. I think you are one of the cleverest writers I read, Catriona. You reach us with humor in the Lexie books, but there is so much important to pay attention to.

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  3. This is SO wonderful! YAY! SO many fantastic choices--and some that are new to me, so hurray. And SO lovely to see THE FIRST TO LIE! Thank you! xoxooo

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    1. Hank, I love your writing so much, each story a new treat and a new favorite. I can't wait to see what's next!

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  4. This looks like a wonderful list, Kathy!

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    1. Thank you, Gigi! I plan to catch up on your writing this year, so expect your mention on my 2021 list.

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  5. Once again the world does not need another book blogger (me that is) when we are blessed to have you.
    Thanks for the inspirations.

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    1. Coralee, you are just the sweetest. I so appreciate your support and friendship.

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  6. Thank you so much for including The Lucky One, Kathy! Good company here, and a few I need to catch up on.

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    1. No favorites list of mine would be complete without one of your books, Lori. Your ideas are always so original and your writing is flawless!

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  7. Thank you, Kathy! I’m so flattered to be on your list! Jim

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    1. Jim, your Ellie Stone series has been a favorite of mine since its beginning. You have a magical way of using words, my friend.

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  8. Great list, Kathy. I'm looking forward to catching up with those books I missed.

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    1. Kait, I'm so happy that you've found some books to add to your list. One of my greatest pleasures is helping others find new books to read. Please let me know what ones you decide to read and how you like them.

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  9. Thank you for including me in this wonderful list, Kathy. Some of my favorites too.

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    1. Rhys, I can always count on your books, be they Lady Georgie or stand-alones, to give me great reading pleasure. Lady Georgie always has a wonderful mystery and that delightful humor, and your stand-alones take me places I want to learn more about.

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  10. So honoured to appear on the list twice! And with such esteemed company. Thank you!!

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    1. Jen, I love settling down with a book from you or from you and Ann. The FBI K-9 series is so special with the human-dog bond and the fascinating subjects and settings. Your new NYP Negotiator series grabbed me right off the bat, too, and I'm looking forward to more of it this year.

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