2020 Reading Wrap Up!

 2020 Reading Stats

Number of Books I Read: 167

1) Best Books I Read in 2020?

2) Book I Was Excited About and Thought I Was Going to Love More, But Didn't?

 

3) Most Surprising (In a Good Way) Book I Read?

4) Best Series I Started in 2020?

 

5) Best Book From a Genre I Don't Typically Read/Was Outside My Comfort Zone?

6) Most Thought-Provoking/Life Changing Book of 2020?

7) Book I Can't Believe I Waited Until 2020 to Finally Read?

8) Book That Shocked Me the Most?

9) My OTP (One True Pairing) of the Year?

Pip/Ravi

(Honorable Mentions: Simon/Bram (Love, Creekwood); Sinclair/Mitchel, Benjamin/Nathan, Rudy/Samuel (They Bite series); Luc/Oliver (Boyfriend Material); Stevie/David (The Hand on the Wall); Monty/Percy (The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue) )

10) My Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year?

Sloan & Garrett

(Honorable Mentions: The Creekwood Gang (Love, Creekwood); Myrtle/Ada (Premeditated Myrtle) )

Here's to more great reading in 2021!

Book: In the Shadow of the Mic: Three Decades of Slam Poetry in Pittsburgh

 

Just a note to open here, that I am in fact very proudly related to the fantastic editors of this book!

I have been involved in slam poetry in my hometown in the past, whether as a spectator or an occasional volunteer, so I knew a little bit about the workings behind the slam going into this book. But I truly had no concept of just how much goes into not just hosting a poetry slam, but into creating a safe space and true community.

This book is a community in and of itself, not only expertly explaining how slam poetry truly came about in Pittsburgh, but also containing interviews with important members of the community, as well as many writers opening themselves up through their poetry. This book is a beautifully unique look from the inside into a beautifully unique community.

Two Very Different Christmas Mysteries: The Christmas Killer, and Owl Be Home for Christmas

 

DI James Walker and his wife Annie have moved away from London and to a small English village, in an attempt to get away from a terrible criminal who still haunts them. But murder finds them anyway, when Walker starts receiving The Twelve Days of Christmas cards promising that twelve villagers will die in the next twelve days.

Pine does a good job of building suspense. The setting is a perfect choice, with the village becoming completely isolated by a massive snowstorm. And in a small village everyone thinks they know everything about everyone else, but the murderer knows a lot of secret sins that they are using to determine who dies.

Annie's character was not my favorite. I didn't feel she added a lot to the book, and even became a little irritating to me at times. I also didn't feel the first person chapters that came whenever someone was about to be murdered were necessary. But the ending was a great twist, and very scary and suspenseful. I'm curious to see where this series goes, as this is the first entry.

Another entry in this really fun cozy mystery series, this book finds Meg Lanslow and her family helping run a conference on owls. But there is a lot of in-fighting and backstabbing among the scientist attendees, and with the inn snowed in, everyone is stuck together. When a murder occurs, Meg must help solve the mystery before another crime occurs.

This is just an enjoyable series that always makes me smile. The family characters are all a lot of fun and bring a lot of humor to the story, and the scientist characters in this story were all unique and interesting. The snowed-in atmosphere added a lot of tension, and the ending was a real surprise.

Note: I received ARCs of these two books from the publishers in exchange for honest reviews. This did not affect my opinions of the books or my reviews themselves.

ARC Review: Little Cruelties

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

One of the things Liz Nugent is absolutely brilliant at is creating these highly unlikeable, irreedeemable characters that should put her readers off immediately-and yet, it's impossible to stop turning pages.

 She did this in Unraveling Oliver, and she does it again here, this time with three brothers who treat each other and everyone else around them terribly. No one comes out unscatched, but what readers do know from the start is that one of the brothers ends up dead. We don't know which one, and Nugent is excellent at making it seem that at any point it could be any one of them.

Do not be turned off by how much you will detest every character in the book. That is the point. Nugent is not afraid to show how a legacy of selfishness and hatred can be passed from parent to child, shared from brother to brother, continuing through generations. This is a true psychological thriller, because you really don't know which character was pushed that last final inch over the line, and how and why it happened. It could be any combination of characters, because Nugent has shown that every single one of them has that ability inside of them.

I definitely recommend this book, and when you're done, grab a copy of Unraveling Oliver. You will fly through both of them.

ARC Review: His Holiday Crush

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

This is exactly the holiday read I needed during what is a strange and sometimes very difficult holiday season. 

This book truly has every ingredient needed for a heartwarming holiday m/m romance: one man (Max) who only thinks about work and has to be forced to take a vacation back to his hometown for Christmas, his best friend (Hal) with two adorable children who are all struggling after Hal's wife left them, the small town cop (Dominic, aka Nicky) who is Hal's brother and who also happens to have had a crush on Max since they were in high school. Cue Max crashing his car in a snowstorm, which leads to being rescued by Nicky and having to stay in his hometown far longer than expected.

Every character is fantastic, and I was rooting so hard for all of them. Dominic and Max are such a cute couple who bring out the best in each other and help each other grow. Max's relationship with Hal and his daughters, Hal and Nicky's brotherly bond, and Nicky as uncle to Hal's two daughters, are the sweetest. Even when there are some difficulties in the characters' lives (an intense argument, Max having to decide between a big city job and love in a small town, Nicky's PTSD, the wife and mother who left, Max's alcoholic father), these all lead to loving moments and important plot development.

If you need a lift this season, this is definitely a great book to lose yourself in.

ARC Review: Trial by Fire

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

James has clearly done his research for this devastating and incredibly well-written non-fiction read. At the center of this book is The Station Fire, a horrific fire at a nightclub during a rock concert in which 100 people died. So many factors caused this immense tragedy, and James explores them all, from flammable soundproofing foam, to the availability of exits, to panic causing terrifying pileups of people, to the choice of the band  playing that night to use fireworks in their show. He also explores the after effects on those who survived and the families of those who didn't.

The fire's terrible consequences didn't end there, as lawsuits, blame, grief, and politics all collided. False news was reported in newspapers as fact, important papers were supressed, and no one was satisfied with the supposed justice that resulted. I felt like I walked away from reading this book going from knowing absolutely nothing about this tragedy to being able to write a full paper on it, that's how much research James did and how much he made every detail matter. James makes readers care so much that this book will absolutely stay with you when you finish. 

ARC Review: Start to Finish

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

A poet, artist, and art professor, Ian Start is struggling after suffering a horrific infection in his leg, one that left massive physical and emotional scars. Unable to find the poetry inside himself ever since, Ian has thrown himself into teaching and painting, and accepting that he will always be alone. Then one of his students is murdered, and the crime brings Ian's ex, Jake, now a police officer, back into the picture.

First, my advice is to push past the first chapter or so. I honestly almost closed the book within the first chapter, because I was really struggling to like Ian. He came across as very prententious, and all his thoughts felt like a lecture on art. But something told me to keep going, and I'm definitely glad I did.

Once readers were allowed to see the real Ian, his struggles, the emotional walls he put up after his tragic illness, his character began to really resonate and feel like a human being I was rooting for. When Jake and Ian first reconnect, I became even more invested, as their chemistry was apparent from the start. The mystery is a good one too, with a very surprising and dramatic ending. 

I'm interested to see where this series goes next. Now that I'm invested in the characters and relationships, I suspect I will like the next book even more.

ARC Review: Bending the Paw

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

A fun, light cozy mystery series where readers get the perspective of the K-9 as well as the human detective, this entry has newly-engaged officer Megan wrestling with a crime scene drenched in blood, as well as a possible scam artist making their way through her city.

I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, especially Megan and her now-fiance Seth, and the bond each of them have with their dogs. The search for the scam artist, as the lower stakes crime, lends itself to some moments of humor and clever detecting, while the bloody home has heartbreakingly high stakes. I did figure out the solution to the bigger crime before it was officially revealed, but that didn't mean it felt any less clever or unique. 

This isn't a series I go and actively seek out, but when I get to read one, I always end up enjoying it. This is a great match for dog lovers and mystery lovers alike.

ARC Review: Dinner at the Blue Moon Cafe

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Thad doesn't expect to find love when he wanders into a new restaurant, but he is instantly smitten with the chef, Sam. The feeling seems to be mutual, but the secrets Sam and his family are hiding may be too much for Thad to handle. Meanwhile, while Sam is unavailable every full moon, a beast is stalking and brutally murdering gay men.

The cover and summary make it pretty clear this is going to be a story that includes a minimum of one werewolf. While this isn't my favorite book including shifters (The Parasol Protectorate and They Bite series are much stronger to me), I did enjoy reading this. Thad and Sam have a lot of chemistry, and the horror aspect of this book is truly scary. The story felt a little rushed at times, like there were some scenes missing, but the story came together well.

ARC Review: Invisible Girl

 

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

In Invisible Girl, readers see the story through the eyes of three main characters: Owen, a man accused of sexual misconduct, full of fury and disbelief at the way his life has turned out; Saffrye, a young girl with an attachment to her former therapist, hoping to figure out a way to fix the parts of her she fears are irrecovably broken; and Cate, the wife of Saffrye's former therapist, who just wants to keep her family safe and together. When Saffrye disappears, every character is forced to look inside themselves and face the truths they've been hiding from.

Jewell tackles the difficult topics of sexual assault and the incel "community" head on, with her complex characters and suspenseful storyline keeping readers turning pages. This is definitely not a light read, but it flies by. My one complaint is that, even though Jewell explicitly has her characters say that there is no such as a perfect happy ending, the ending seemed a little too pat for everything that had come before.

ARC Review: Without a Brew

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

This cozy mystery series, centered around a female brewmaster, continues to be one of my absolute favorites. In this entry, said brewmaster Sloan and her business partner/friend/partner in crime Garrett are getting ready to open the bed part of their bed and beer and breakfast. But some unexpected arrivals means a combative combination of guests, an unfortunate circumstance that leads to murder.

Alexander's excellent descriptive writing style makes me want to visit this small village and try all the beers at Nitro-and also hang out with Sloan and Garrett, who have such a fun, lovely, supportive friendship (that may someday lead to something more). The mystery is an excellent one as well, with lots of twists and turns, secrets from the past, hidden connections, and suspense. My only complaint is the subplot about Sloan's past and the truth about her former in laws is starting to feel a little farfetched and like it doesn't really fit in with the tone of the series.

I've said it before, and I will say it again-if you are a cozy mystery fan, this is a series you should definitely check out. I would recommend starting from the first book in the series so you really get all the character development and backstory,

ARC Review: Cardiff, By the Sea

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Cardiff, By the Sea is a collection of four new Joyce Carol Oates novellas. While classified as suspense on the cover, there is absolutely an element of horror to these as well, a discomforting creeping sense of dread in each story.

Oates once again expertly explores the complicated and complex realities of life as a woman, whether it is a young woman's fear of her changing body and the effect it has on the men around her, or the authority a male professor can wield over a female student. Oates also plays with the effect of the past on the present, especially how the past still has the power to haunt and hurt.

I love Oates' writing, but I wasn't as in love with this collection as I had hoped I would be. Every story was strong and gripping, but then the endings left me feeling unsatisfied or confused. The story "Miao Dao" is the only one that was full of twists and turns and still managed to leave me feeling like I understood. This uncertainity may very well be the point of the collection, or I may just be the only one who was left confused, but I definitely prefer other Oates' stories I have read. This is absolutely an incredibly well written read, just not my favorite.

Review: Beyond a Reasonable Stout

 

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Set in the small village of Leavenworth, Washington, the series is centered around Sloan Krause, a beer brewer. Sloan previously worked at the largest brewery in the village, with her (soon to be ex) husband and the family who took her in as one of their own. Now, finding her own path, Sloan helps run Nitro, a small brewery specializing in unique craft beers. 

Sloan also has a tendency to find herself involved in mysteries, and in this story, she is asked by a murder suspect to help prove her innocence. A very unpopular politician has been murdered, and Sloan must wade through the plethora of suspects. By her side, she has her business partner and close friend Garrett, their coworker Kat, and Sloan's son Alex. During this, Sloan, who was a foster child, has also gotten back in touch with her case worker, and is finding out some disturbing information about her past.

I just really love this series. The characters and relationships are all so well-written. I have a special place in my heart for Sloan, a strong and smart businesswoman finding her way after the breakdown of her marriage. I also love Garrett, who is a self-proclaimed beer nerd and a deeply loyal friend. Sloan  and Garrett's friendship is my favorite relationship in the books, and I would not be opposed to the possibility of romance that is being hinted at. 

The setting really comes alive, and the mysteries always have great twists and turns, and suspenseful surprising endings. I highly recommend this series!

ARC Review: Lost and Found

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Benjamin lived through war, survived to Armistice, but cannot remember so much of what happened. Clinging to what he does know, he travels to Paris in an attempt to find his best friend Elias, who also fought in the war. In Paris, he meets Louis, a dance teacher who can no longer fully dance, and Louis offers to help him in his search. As they travel around Paris, they find themselves falling for each other, but Benjamin must reconcile what he's been taught and what he can't remember with what he truly feels.

With not being able to travel right now, being able to read about Paris like this was wonderful. The descriptions really come alive and, though I visited in a different time period, it made me remember what it was like to be in that amazing city.

Benjamin and Louis's romance is definitely a slow burn, but it makes complete sense given their backgrounds and what they are going through. I was rooting for them both as individuals and as a couple the entire story, and was very happy with where they ended up.

This book does not pull punches when it comes to sorrow and loss, but there is so much love and life in the story as well.

ARC Review: Premeditated Myrtle

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Myrtle is the twelve year old daughter of a widowed lawyer, armed with her exceptional studying of all things criminal science and her brilliant and extraordinarily competent governess. When Myrtle notices something seems to be wrong with her neighbor, she sets off a murder investigation that will have her using all her skills and all her strengthes to save the day.

I absolutely loved this book. Myrtle feels like a real twelve year old. Her emotional states, reactions, humor, and relationships all feel authentic. She has an area of expertise few twelve year olds have, but that's because that is the area she has chosen to focus her attention on. 

Every supporting character is so well-done, and all play an important role. It's truly hard to pick a favorite, though I am partial to Myrtle's wonderful governess, Miss Judson. The settings are so well-described, you feel like you've walked through every one of the buildings and along every street. The solution to the mystery is an excellent one as well, with lots of suspense and daring.

I'm very excited to see what comes next in this series, I can't wait!

ARC Review: I Hope You're Listening

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Ten years ago, Dee saw her best friend, Sibby, abducted, but any information she could give the police wasn't enough to find her missing friend. Now Dee is "The Seeker", anonymously hosting one of the most popular true crime podcasts. Radio Silent tackles cases of missing people, and Dee's listeners become investigators working to find those who are lost. 

Now, another neighborhood girl has gone missing, but Dee is torn about covering her case for the podcast. People are starting to link this  new case with Sibby's, and Dee has to decide how much she wants answers and how much she wants anonymity. 

Of course, I was immediately hooked by the main character being a true crime podcast host, and transcripts of the fictional podcasts being included in the book. The podcast was almost a character in itself, and is absolutely crucial to the plot. The romantic relationship between Dee and Sarah feels realistic and grounded, and I like that it is not a source of drama, but a source of strength. The twists and turns are really great, and the ending solutions really pack a punch.

I would definitely recommend this book. I got completely caught up in it and could not put it down.

ARC Review: Best Laid Plaids

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Give me the paranormal, set in Scotland, with two gorgeous men falling for each other while reckoning with the existence of ghosts, plus a super cute dog, and you know I'm in.

Set in the 1920s, readers meet Ainsley and Joachim, both academics. But while Joachim is writing on people with powerful delusions, Ainsley has been completely discredited because of his belief that he can talk to ghosts. In an attempt to make Joachim believe him (and thus get back his scholarly reputation), Ainsley takes Joachim to haunted spots all over Scotland. As Joachim begins to see what Ainsley is talking about, and the two men begin to have strong feelings for each other, Joachim must decide what he is willing to risk-his scholarly reputation surrounding his previously deeply held beliefs, or his relationship with Ainsley.

The setting is fantastic. Scotland is one of my favorite places in the world to visit, and it lends itself so well to stories needing a spooky setting. The ghosts are an excellent mix of creepy and heartbreaking, with some of them being deeply connected to Ainsley and Joachim's respective pasts. Joachim and Ainsley are so great together as well. While it may not initially seem like a slow burn romance with how quickly Joachim and Ainsley jump into bed together, it takes them a long time to be able to even accept they have deeper feelings for each other, let alone admit those feelings out loud, readers rooting for them the whole way.

An excerpt from the next book was included with this one, and I really want to read it!

ARC Review: Mortmain Hall

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Rachel Savernake has tried, and failed, to convince a man- who pretended to be dead- to run while he still can. And this is only the very beginning of the story. From there, readers are immediately thrown into a sensational murder trial, one of the main characters being framed for murder, and a mysterious meeting on a remote estate where all the guests are presumed to have gotten away with killing someone. There is even death by lion at one point.

In another author's hands, I might have said this book could have been shorter, as a lot of time passes before the remote estate is reached. But Edwards does a great job of keeping readers engaged with the other events happening in the story, and (fictional) entries from a true crime book written by another character. When guests arrive at the estate, the tension is so thick because so much has been building to this moment.

Rachel Savernake is a hard character to connect to, and even to like sometimes, but I think that is the point. I have not read the first book in the series, but her characterization in this second entry feels fully fleshed out. She has gone through a great deal, particularly in her earlier years, and that has shaped her into exactly who she is when we meet her now. 

Jacob Elliot is my favorite character. He is a newspaper reporter and acquaintance of Rachel, and he brings a lightness to the story that is needed. He is almost like the stand in for the reader, asking all the questions that they want to know the answer to.

This is a good, gripping read with a very surprising ending, and enough going on to absolutely keep a reader's attention.

ARC Review: The Year Shakespeare Ruined My Life

 

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

All Alison wants is to be valedictorian of her high school class. To that end, she lets herself be convinced to be the producer of her school's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. But it turns out the job entails much more than was initially described, andAlison feels like her world has been suddenly turned upside down. Now Alison is juggling her oldest friend (who her best friend has a crush on) wanting to go out with her, while Alison herself is reckoning with a crush on the girl playing Titania, and trying to stop the play and her valedictorian dreams from crashing all around her.

I really enjoyed this book. Every character feels like their own person, and their relationships and struggles feel so real. As a theater kid in high school, reading this made me feel so nostalgic. Jansen really nails the emotions and experiences that came with putting on a play back then. Jansen writes so authentically about a diverse group of teenagers brought together by a common cause, and draws readers right into their world.

ARC Review: The Night Swim

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

So here's a bookworm fact to know about me-I am immediately drawn to a book if it is a mystery/thriller centered somehow around a true crime podcast. I love listening to true crime podcasts, and something about a book that includes transcripts of a (fictional) one (the mixed media? the use of another something I love?) hooks me right away. A lot of the books on my TBR shelf and Kindle are this exact type of book.

That's what got me excited about The Night Swim. I had enjoyed Goldin's previous book, The Escape Room, but had also felt a little let down by it, and was very curious to see how her second book went. 

The plot is definitely intriguing-a true crime podcaster famous for solving cold cases, heads into a small town for a trial, and finds a mysterious note on her windshield from someone she has never met, pleading with her to please solve her sister's murder. The way these two plots intertwine is clever, and there's such a sense of foreboding in the way even just the town itself is described. The use of podcast transcripts I of course loved, though they did seem a little short if they were being presented as full episodes. I found the ending definitely a surprising twist, and I thought it was well done.

This is not a book that shys away from material that can be hard to stomach, in particular sexual assault and rape. But because of this, this book also has a lot of important things to say. 

While not my favorite in the book with a fictional podcast genre, I found Goldin's second book did not disappoint.

ARC Review: Dragon Soldier

 

On this blog, I've definitely already established myself as a fan of this series. 

Thanks to a series like the Supernatural Consultant, I've found myself trying some books outside of my usual genres. Eight's books just work so well for me. There is magic, there are dragons, but the heart of every one of these stories is the characters and their relationships. Whether it's Mercury and Dane, and now another couple, as romantic mates, or the kits as a group, or Mercury and Dane as the kits' dads, these books are full of love, which makes them full of joy. 

I need books like these, that make me feel happy, that are full of humor, and where the good guys (and good dragons) save the day and stay together.

ARC Review: We Are All The Same In The Dark

 

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Heaberlin's book Black-Eyed Susans was one of those glorious surprise books for me-a book where it sounded like one I would really like, and ended up being one I loved enough that I purchased my own copy so I could have it on my shelves. 

We Are All the Same In The Dark had that same kind of magic for me.

Heaberlin tells the story of lost girls and the places and men that surround them. Trumanell disappeared a decade ago, and her unsolved mystery is almost worshipped by people in town and online. Odette is a police officer reconciling how well she truly knew and knows those she has let into her life, while laser focused on being the one who finally finds Trumanell. And Angel, the one-eyed girl found in a field of dandelions, may not want to be found at all.

This is a highly suspenseful story full of secrets, where you never quite feel like you know what is coming next, which I love. About halfway through the book a huge twist happens, that was so perfectly executed. Heaberlin is absolutely incredible at keeping readers guessing, but also keeping all her twists in character and perfectly aligned with what has come before. The ending twist was absolutely incredible as well and completely shocked me. I absolutely recommend this book and this author.

ARC Review: Cassadaga Nights

 

Cassadada, Florida is famous for being full of psychics. Tourists flock there, and so has Santino, a psychic himself who works for the mysterious Aspida. When Santino meets Ryan, a fellow psychic, sparks fly immediately. As they juggle dating, secrets, and a powerful supernatural force set loose on the town, both must decide what, and who, their futures hold.

This was a quick read full of fun characters, and I especially enjoyed Santino and Ryan. They are both delightfully self-described geeks, who also are gorgeous and have amazing psychic abilities. Their relationship is definitely one to root for.

The side characters are fun too. I especially liked Cam, Santino's coworker, who can shift into an owl. The Florida setting is really brought alive as well, I could practically feel the oppressive heat and humidity Denardo describes.

I do wish this book was a little longer, but I think the shortness of it is because Denardo is (hopefully) setting things up for a sequel.