Books I’ve read so far in 2020 + Currently Reading

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This year I set a goal to read 20 books. Last year I read 15 books overall, so I wanted to beat that this year. Well, in 2020 I’ve been very motivated to read, so I’m happy to announce that I have in fact already met that goal and am 7 books ahead of schedule LOL. So, I wanted to share what books I’ve read so far this year and how I liked them! 🙂

A lot of these books are from highly rated YA fantasy series, so if you’re into that stuff, this post is for you. 😉

1. The Cruel Prince

I listened to the audiobook version of this on my way to and from visiting Oklahoma at the beginning of January. It was a really good book that kept me engaged throughout the 14 hour drive, but I thought it was a little overrated. I probably would’ve loved it as a teenager, and I still enjoyed it, it was just a little surface level YA fantasy for me. Still good though.

2. A Court of Frost and Starlight

This is my 3rd? time reading the book I think? It’s a novella that comes after the last book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series (my favorite series, if you didn’t already know). This book was just as good the 3rd time around. It is so atmospheric and peaceful and it makes my soul so, so happy. If you haven’t read them, please do. I’ll explain more when I talk about House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City Book 1) later in this post!!

3. Howl’s Moving Castle

You may have seen the movie version of this, aka the Studio Ghibli film. I’d watched the movie probably.. 100 times? before I read the book. My bestie Sarah (who blogs over at beretmerry.com) loaned me it so I could finally read it. If you’ve been thinking about reading the book, please do!!! It is so cute, so short and sweet, and if you’ve seen the movie already, don’t worry! The plot lines aren’t exactly the same. The book is similar to the movie, but in the movie there is a lot that is left out and changed. Overall, I LOVE Howl and Sophie and they’ve been my twitter header FOREVER. Read this book. You won’t regret it!! Promise.

4. Cinder

This is a book that had been on my TBR list for literal YEARS when I finally stumbled upon it in a used book shop. So, I FINALLY read it. This is another very highly rated YA fantasy book that I just didn’t think lived up to the hype. I mean, I didn’t mind reading it, but it was one of those books where I didn’t get absorbed enough to want to read the rest of the series. The solutions to a lot of problems seemed very obvious to me but the heroine was apparently blind to it all. So, it was frustrating on that end, along with two people falling in love with like.. very little relationship development. It was okay.

5-7. Ruby Red Trilogy

Here’s my Goodreads Review from when I finished the series:

I am so sad to have finished this series– I wish I could read it forever! I got completely absorbed in it and I’m going to miss going on adventures with Gwen and Gideon. This series now has a place on my bookshelf among all my favorite books. 🙂

As you can see, I loved this series! It has a kind of slow burning romance that can be like, a little problematic at times, but.. what YA fantasy relationship isn’t. It’s very adventurous and fun and easy to be absorbed in. Definitely recommend.

8. Love that dog

I had to read this for my Children’s Literature class but I’m so glad I did. It’s a book filled with poems by a boy named Jack, and it shows his evolution from thinking poetry was for girls to figuring out how to express himself through poetry. I read this in probably 30 minutes, and sobbed like a baby at one point. If you’re looking for a short but fulfilling read, this is for you! It’s so pure.

9. Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades of Grey is a series that everyone already has their own opinion on, so I’m not gonna try to sway you. I love the actual plot of the series (surprising, I know) along with the steamy bits…obviously. I love Anna and I love seeing her evolution from a kind of mousy college student to a strong, assertive woman.

10. House of Earth and Blood

My Goodreads review for this book kind of sums up my feelings:

This is one of those books that hit me on a soul level (all of SJM’s books kinda do though). The more that I got to know the characters, the more I loved them. Bryce now holds a place in my heart right next to Feyre and Aelin, and I can’t wait to see more of her. The way SJM explores trauma and complex emotions in her novels is unmatched by any others that I’ve read, and that’s what makes her books so, so good. I don’t know if I’ve ever cried as hard while reading a book as I did this one. Anyway, this is just a long winded way of me saying I really, really loved this book, and I wish the next one came out tomorrow.

So, overall, if you’re going to read any book from this list, please read this one!!! It is pretty intense and definitely very involved, so if you’re looking for an easy, light-hearted read this isn’t for you. But reading it is so, so worth it.

11. Imagine Me

I cannot EXPLAIN how much this book disappointed me. I have spent so many years invested in this series, and I waited for a year for this one to come out and preordered it as soon as I could. This was my favorite book series for so long before she picked it back up. It was originally only supposed to be a trilogy, but then the author added on 3 more books. I wasn’t sure how to feel when she resumed the series, but I actually really liked books 4 & 5!!

However, this book destroyed the whole series for me. It felt like literally all of the characters except one lost all personality and character development that had happened throughout the series. Very unfulfilling end to an otherwise great series. I wish I could just do an Uno reverse and the author could rewrite it and try again. Unfortunately would not recommend. 🙁

12. Fifty Shades Freed

*copy paste my Fifty Shades Darker review here*

13. Finvarra’s Circus

My Goodreads review:

My favorite, favorite book. This is the third time I’ve read it in seven years, and the magic of Finvarra’s Circus never ceases to amaze me. I’m sitting here with tears running down my face as I write this because I feel so lucky to have been able to experience this story. The magic and love felt within these pages are unmatched. Even after reading it for the third time, it was still just as magical as the first. I already can’t wait for the next time I reread it in a few years, and I can again be absorbed into the majesty of Finvarra’s Circus.

As I’m sure you gathered, I absolutely LOVE this book. It is the pinnacle of being magically atmospheric and having a slow burning, delightful romance.

14 & 15. Seventh Born and Mirror Bound (The Witchling Academy Series)

As you can tell from the previous review, I love Finvarra’s Circus, which is by Monica Sanz. So, after seeing that she had more books out, I just HAD to read them to see if they matched up to Finvarra’s Circus. Well let me tell you, I was NOT disappointed. The books are VERY different from the atmosphere of Finvarra’s Circus, but they were still just as captivating. Also, it’s another great slow-burning romance. Starting to think Monica Sanz is the actual queen of slow-burning romances.

That’s it for the books I’ve read so far this year, but here are the books I’m currently reading.

Gonna try to keep this section short bc this is already super long.

Currently Reading

1. Six of Crows

Another book that’s been on my TBR list FOREVER. I’m on page like 70 ish? and I’m having a hard time getting into it. :/ Hopefully it’ll pick up soon, because I’ve heard very good things!

2. Me and White Supremacy

Absolutely necessary to read this right now. If you’ve not started your antiracism journey yet even in the midst of the BLM movement, what are you doing? There are so many resources out there right now– there is no excuse to not read them. Educate yourself.

3. The Gaslighting Recovery Workbook

Working on healing from some trauma and so far this book is helping with that. Valuable resource for anyone who’s experienced gaslighting. 🙂

Okay that’s it for this post! I hope you enjoyed seeing the books I’ve read so far this year. 🙂 Let’s see how many more I can read before the year is over!!

Fantasy books I’ve read in 2020

As always, thanks for reading. 🙂 See you next time!