I thought it was time for another installment of reading in 2020. If you’re new – first off: welcome! – I am writing a short blurb about every book I read this year and sharing them with you all.

Honestly speaking, I’m pleasantly surprised at this year’s book accomplishments. I wrote myself a list in Jan. 12 books I wanted to get to this year, and as of now, I’m 11 books and 4 months early. Granted, COVID put a damper on which books I could read, but there are plenty of unread books in my room.

The comments are wide open if you care to share the books you’re reading, or rave about the ones I mention here. Let’s start, shall we?

I saw the movie last year and it struck me harder than most. I was intrigued by this woman who made a fortune for herself with little more than a desire to rise and be someone. Molly’s story is unbelievably unique. Her book is short (about 260 pg.), and easy to finish in a day. I couldn’t relate to her experience in the slightest, but I enjoyed the fascinating story of her rise to fame.

This is was a .50 thrift store rescue paperback I picked up last year because, you guessed, it’s Jodi Picoult.

Picture Perfect is the story of a couple dealing with the aftermath of a fairytale start to their marriage. Gradually their personalities, interests, and flaws drive them further and further apart. The book starts close to the climax– the wife has been found in a churchyard, disoriented and without memory of how she got there. In typical Picoult fashion, the pacing is immaculate, the characters true, the writing honest.

I’m not exactly sure why this one didn’t resonate. Sometimes books don’t, and it’s no ones’ fault.

I don’t remember much about this novel except it was set in Tehran, and a recommendation from Grace Ann. Not a reread for me, but still a lovely romantic story.

If you are going to read Jodi Picoult, may I suggest My Sister’s Keeper, over Picture Perfect??? I’ll quote from the discussion questions in the back, because it says it much better than I can. “My Sister’s Keeper explores the moral, practical, and emotional complications of putting one human being in pain or in danger for the well-being of another.”

This novel is riveting and unsettling and tense. I cannot recommend it enough.

I’d seen this one surface for a while before I finally decided to read it (and only because Olivia raved about it, and I trust her book recs). I was not prepared for the emotional powerhouse this memoir is. First, the subject matter alone. Second, the unveiling of today’s justice system (which is 100x worse than I thought it was). I have to give an enormous nod to the writing also. THIS WOMAN IS TALENTED.

If you have considered reading it but weren’t sure if it was worth it, IT IS. I was not disappointed.

Another recommendation from Grace Ann. She’s obsessed with the Anastasia story and part of me has also wanted to experience the hype myself. I confess that I knew very little of Anastasia and I worried that since this novel is about a woman claiming to be Anastasia and the subsequent investigation that followed, I was starting in the wrong place. Turns out, you don’t have to know anything about the Romanovs to enjoy the novel.

Although, “enjoy” is not the word I’d use to describe it.

This book is anything but enjoyable. It’s a dark tale. It’s a world in which none of the characters get what they want, but the villains do. There is no silver lining. Even in the few happy moments depicted a dark cloud looms.

In spite of this, I thoroughly loved it and the end. . .oh my goodness. I won’t say anymore.