Favourite Reads of 2020: Part 1

As an avid devourer of books and stories all my life, last year my heart and mind were in other places and found I was unable to settle down with any book, no matter what genre, unable to finish any novel I started. I lost interest often within the first chapter or so. That isn’t to say those books were boring or badly written – it was me. So this year I decided I would try to get back in the reading habit. Here are some of those books that I succeeded in reaching to the end and thoroughly enjoyed. They are not listed in any particular order of preference.

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
I used my holiday in February to Spain to start this attempt and took with me Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield. This novel appealed as it is set on the River Thames. I grew up alongside the river so was intrigued to read this fantasy fairy tale story of myth and legend, subjects I adore. I wasn’t disappointed and was hooked from the first page. It’s beautifully written and found myself being swept along with the story. No wonder it’s sitting comfortably at No.1 in the Amazon charts for this genre. I finished it within a couple of days. I will certainly be buying more of this author’s work as it restarted my love of reading.

 

 

Secrets of the Mist by Kate Ryder
Kate wasn’t an author I had come across before but I’m so glad I found her. Secret’s of the Mist is a time travel ghost romance. I’ve always enjoyed the novels of Barbara Erskine, Kate Mosse, Christina Courtney and Pamela Hartshorne, so hoped I would enjoy this story. I did! Not only does the author bring to life the beautiful Dorest countryside, the characters she creates are believable in this tale of history, love and romance. A perfect mixture well written which kept me immersed to the end. And if I reach the end of any book, that in itself is the sign of a good read.

 

 

You Then, Me Now by Nick Alexander
This novel was suggested to me by a friend who thought I might enjoy this romantic book set in Greece. I most certainly did. This contemporary story is told from two viewpoints, that of mother and daughter during a holiday on the picturesque island of Santorini, it’s scenic beauty brought alive on the page by the author’s skillful writing. The story of a mother who has made mistakes, a missing father and a daughter’s determination to learn the truth is at times humorous, frequently heartwarming and always unputdownable, this is a touching and easy read by a masterful writer who understands women’s emotions and feelings.

More of my favourite reads of 2020 will be in Part 2, coming soon.

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