Hello,
Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!
I love doing these year-end surveys found on the Perpetual Page
Turner's blog. It is a fun way to take stock of your reading year.
2020 READING STATS
Number of Books You Read:
52
Number of Re-Reads: 4
Genre You Read the Most From: Thriller
Best in Books-
1. Best Book You Read In 2020? The Outsider by StephenKing was my favorite. The mix of crime thriller and horror had me excited to see what each chapter would bring. One of King’s best. Holly Gibney from the Mr. Mercedes series returns to help Detective Ralph Anderson track down a psychotic killer that can be anyone it wishes. With a distinct three-act set-up, this book is very cinematic in its delivery. All culminating in a showdown finale that is straight out of your nightmares.
3. Most surprising
(in a good way or bad way) book you read? Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich
was the latest Stephanie Plum book. It was a continuation of the previous book and
was set to introduce a new heroine. However, the book was a lot of the same
plot devices of past novels and the introduction to Gabriella Rose was short
and barely touched the surface of who she was. The book had an excerpt from
Gabriella’s book (releasing in 2021) that was more exciting than the entire Plum
book. I expected this to be a lot
better.
5. Best series you started in 2020? The Bree Taggert series by Melinda Leigh. The story of one detective’s search for her sister’s killer leads to an epic showdown that was heart-pounding. An excellent crime novel with a strong female lead that does not disappoint.
Best
Sequel? Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O’Connor was a delightful installment in the popular Irish
Village series of cozy mysteries. Featuring fairy folk, superstition, and of
course, murder, this fifth installment was a lot of fun. When a woman is found
murdered in her cottage, the villagers think it is the fairy folk that is to
blame. But Siobhan O’Sullivan knows better and sets out to prove that it was a
person that is the murderer. The return of the O’Sullivan Six was one of
Best
Series Ender of 2020? I did not read any series enders this year.
7. Best book from a
genre you do not typically read/was out of your comfort zone? I did not read out of my comfort zone
this year. I needed as much comfort as possible.
8. Most
action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year? The Outsider by Stephen King. This
book was too good to put down. I even listened to the audiobook while doing
chores around the house. I was obsessed.
10. Favorite cover of a
book you read in 2020? Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O’Connor has a
beautifully painted cover that I looked at often as I read the book.
12. Most
beautifully written book read in 2020? Red Mother by Jeremy Haun. This comic
book series is not only beautifully illustrated by Danny Luckert, but the
writing is well-paced and offers a writing style not always associated with
horror.
13. Most
Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2020? You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks
and Sarah Pekkanen. This book touched upon manipulation, loneliness, and revenge.
It made me think of past friendships and how I was manipulated. It also made me
realize that we all have a little Shay Miller in us.
14. Book you cannot
believe you waited UNTIL 2020 to finally read? Carrie by Stephen King. Not only was
the audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek, but it features some of the best visual
storytelling in a horror novel.
15. Favorite
Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2020? George Potts in Fortune and Glory by
Janet Evanovich: “My heart is racing. I think I have tachycardia. I’ve got
spots in front of my eyes and I might see an angel. There’s something floating
in front of the car.”
16.Shortest & Longest
Book You Read In 2020? Shortest: Red Mother #1 at 32 pages/ Carrie at 306 pages
17. Book That Shocked You the Most- You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This book had me a nervous wreck and that ending…. Wow!
18. One True Pairing of the year (you will go down with this ship!)-Bree Taggert and Matt Flynn from the Bree Taggert series. These two have chemistry and it is electric. They are a couple to watch in fiction.
19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of The Year-Father Karris and Lieutenant Kinderman from William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist. This unlikely duo makes great friends in this crime-horror masterpiece. They seem to need one another more than they knew.
20. Favorite Book You
Read in 2020 From an Author You’ve Read Previously- You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks
and Sarah Pekkanen. Their collaborations have been hit or miss with me, but
this one was excellent.
21. Best Book You Read In
2020 That You Read Based SOLELY on A Recommendation from Somebody Else/Peer
Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.: Carrie by Stephen King was a best friend recommendation.
22. Newest fictional
crush from a book you read in 2020? Matt Flynn from Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh. That man
is not only a dog lover but honest and sincere.
23. Best 2020 debut you
read? I did not read any
debuts released in 2020. But I did read Carrie, which was Stephen King’s first
novel.
24. Best
Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year? The Red Mother by Jeremy Haun was a
vivid tapestry of places that I enjoyed.
25. Book That Put A Smile
on Your Face/Was the Most FUN to Read? Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
was loaded with hysterical moments and odd-ball characters. I loved it!
26. Book That Made You
Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2020? Considering the genres I read, none made me cry or tear
up.
27. Hidden Gem of The
Year? When I Was You by MinkaKent. This book is a wild book with an even wilder series of twists. Kent is
one author I will be reading again soon.
28. Book That Crushed
Your Soul? You Are Not Alone by
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This twisty book had me feeling sorry for
the protagonist, Shay. But also had me yelling out loud at her for being so
stupid at times. It was a rollercoaster.
29. Most Unique Book You
Read In 2020? Red Mother by Jeremy
Haun. The story, visuals, and excellent characters made this my most unique
reading experience.
30. Book That Made You the
Maddest (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)? You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks
and Sarah Pekkanen. I was constantly shouting at the protagonist for her stupid
decisions. I almost stopped reading it. I am happy I continued.
Your Blogging/ Bookish LIfe
1. New favorite book
blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2020? The Book Geek on YouTube. She is
friendly and delightful to listen to. I like her recommendations and she is not
fake. I appreciate that.
2. Favorite post you wrote in 2020? Top 10 Quarantine Reads That Will Enchant and Thrill
3. Favorite bookish
related photo you took in 2020? The little free book library I found in Brookfield, CT.
4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)? New York Comic Con’s Metaverse panel with Star Wars authors.
5. Best moment of
bookish/blogging life in 2020? Ending my reading slump by marathoning Stephanie Plum
novels.
6. Most challenging thing
about blogging or your reading life this year? Overcoming depression and the writer’s
block it brought.
7. Most Popular Post This
Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)? The Xepherus Reads 2020 ReadingChallenge.
8. Post You Wished Got A
Little More Love? My
review for The Outsider by Stephen King.
9. Best bookish discover
(book related sites, bookstores, etc.)? Kindle sales on Amazon have stocked
my library.
10. Did you
complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the
beginning of this year? My Goodreads Challenge is finished. My persona challenge on
my blog still has gaps.
Looking ahead
1. One Book You Didn’t
Get to in 2020 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2021? One by One by Ruth Ware
2. Book You Are Most
Anticipating For 2021 (non-debut)? Lisa Gardner’s latest, Before She Disappeared
3. 2021 Debut You Are
Most Anticipating? The
first draft of my own novel
4. Series Ending/A
Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2021? Heartbreak Bay by Rachel Caine
5. One Thing You Hope to
Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2021? Increase blog posts and Instagram
stories
6. A 2021 Release You’ve
Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable): I have yet to read my ARCs for 2021
Have fun
reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading this
week.
Also please follow me on my social media platforms and enjoy shopping with me
at eBay and Mercari for great deals on books.
2021 Reading Challenge (blank version)
2020
Reading Challenge (my challenge)
Because
there is always time to read,
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