Top Ten "Must-Read" Books for 2020
I’ve been excited about writing this post for quite some time now, because I’m a celebrated introvert and there’s nothing I love more than crawling into bed unsociably early and getting lost in a great novel. It’s so hard these days to find a “can’t put it down” book - you know, the one that makes you miss your bus stop and that keeps you up until the early hours of the morning because you can’t bear to part with it. But I’ve found TEN! Oh yes, it’s true. Here they are…
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The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver
I’m honestly still reeling from this story. It’s based in the Congo and centres around an American missionary family who take up a preaching post in a small village in the jungle. It is equal parts heart wrenching and uplifting, eye opening and breath taking. An absolutely stellar novel.
The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert
This is a novel that combines all of the emotions all in one! It takes you through life in London, to America, Tahiti, Amsterdam and beyond. Love, heartbreak, family and adventure. I absolutely adored this story and the lead character, Alma is the quiet heroine you are destined to fall in love with.
Where The Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens
This book was recommended to me by at least ten different people and about 3 pages in I could understand why. Lead character Kya Owens’ life and story takes place on the North Carolina Coast and it’s quite a wild ride! 100% un-put-down-able!
Last Train to Istanbul, Ayşe Kulin, John W. Baker (Translator)
What’s not to love? Defiant young lovers flee Istanbul to war torn France where their faith in family and in each other is truly put to the test. This book is a true adventure across Europe, and ultimately a reminder that love and family will always persevere.
The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden, Jonas Jonasson
A young girl from Soweto in South Africa, through a series of hilarious coincidences, finds herself in rural Sweden and in a rather precarious situation. A light-hearted, laugh out loud book that sounds a little nuts but is extremely well written and an excellent use of your time!
The Stars are Fire, Anita Shreve
A fictional novel that takes place around the disastrous fires that ravaged Maine in 1947. This may well one of my all-time favourite novels. It is a testament to the power of the human sprit in adversity and especially to the resilience of women both in the forties and now. An absolute must-read!
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer is hilarious, and this collection of autobiography-like stories does not disappoint. I’d recommend not reading this in a library, or in the middle of the night next to someone who is fast asleep because it is “spit-your-coffee-out-laughing” levels of funny.
Station Eleven, Emily St John Mandel
An uncontrollable flu epidemic rips through the world and civilisation as we know it comes to an abrupt halt. We follow the lives of a handful of colourful characters on their very different journeys in the aftermath. The story is a little dark, but totally gripping from start to finish.
The Dressmaker’s Gift, Fiona Valpy
A young girl is drawn to Paris with a photograph of her grandmother and two friends. Eager to learn more about her grandmothers story, what is unveiled is a shocking account of life in Nazi-occupied Paris. It moves back and forth in time, and whilst I wasn’t taken with the present day story the novel gives heart-wrenching insights into the lives of three different but powerful women living through WWII.
The City of Brass, S.A. Chakraborty
If you like to immerse yourself in mythical worlds and magic this story is for you. On the streets of Cairo, Nahri, the lead character, accidentally summons a powerful djinn warrior and her adventure begins. This is the first part of the Daevabad trilogy so the good news is that if you like this book then you have another two to automatically add to your reading list!
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