Hello Bookworms, 2020 was an ASTONISHING year in terms of reading for me. Especially in March and April, being stuck at home enabled me to read more books than I’ve ever read. I was able to discover countless authors and my tbr is now fully stocked for at least a few years. I’m pleased to say that I expanded my horizons with the genres I read, and I read more non-fiction, memoirs and adult novels. This post is a look back onto my favourite and most memorable reads of the year. Also, keep in mind that I am a fairly critical reader, as books that I rate four and five stars are EXCELLENT. The only distinction is the ones I’ve rated five stars have stayed with me for longer, and are novels I will cherish forever.
I have reviewed almost all of the books on this list(or I will shortly), so I may not expand a lot on each one. If there is a review for the book I’m mentioning, it will be linked!! Keep in mind, that I review EVERY book I read on my Goodreads and some on my Instagram.

Five Star Reads

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
This trilogy BLEW MY MIND! I read this series at the start of 2020(back when everything was normal….) and now looking back, I desperately need a reread. Jude can STEP ON ME!! Thank you very much. Also, I have a detailed review of the series coming in a few months!!
Favourite Quote:
“If you hurt me, I wouldn’t cry. I would hurt you back.”
― Holly Black, The Cruel Prince

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
If you’ve even taken a slight glance at my blog, Instagram or Goodreads, you know that this novel has ripped my heart out of my chest, slammed it on the pavement and jumped on it….REPEATEDLY. Here’s my review!
Favourite Quote:
“…things get broken, and sometimes they get repaired, and in most cases, you realize that no matter what gets damaged, life rearranges itself to compensate for your loss, sometimes wonderfully.”
― Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Non-fiction and memoirs are one of the genres that I’ve come to love this year. And The Glass Castle was a large part of introducing me to this unknown territory, and truly moved me. I wrote a review for this memoir, and I would love it if you checked it out!
Favourite Quote:
“I lived in a world that at any moment could erupt into fire. It was the sort of knowledge that kept you on your toes.”
― Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
I finished this beauty a few weeks ago and FELL IN LOVE!! THE VIBES OF THIS BOOK AHHHHHH CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING!?! I cannot WAIT to write my review so that I can hopefully formulate my screams into something more meaningful. But for now, just know that I demand you all to read this.
Favourite Quote – it’s impossible to choose just one, this book is SO quotable!
“…at some point in a woman’s life, she just gets tired of being ashamed all the time. After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, City of Girls

Fable by Adrienne Young – I’m also reading Namesake right now, and I’m hoping it will be another favourite!!
Once I’ve read Namesake(in a few days), I PROMISE i’m going to write a review for this duology! I am so grateful to have been provided an arc for both these books, and I can assure you, THEY ARE GOOD! The writing, the characters, the…..romance….wink wink…..BEAUTIFUL!
Favourite Quote:
“He looked at me with a hundred stories lit behind his eyes.”
― Adrienne Young, Fable

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Testaments was also a PHENOMENAL sequel, and i’m so happy that was the case(usually, sequels to such amazing books can be quite disappointing) Do I need to really expand? I feel as though this novel has been discussed quite a lot, so I will save my feelings for my review. And yes, I sound like a broken record, but A REVIEW IS COMING!!
Favourite Quote:
“When we think of the past it’s the beautiful things we pick out. We want to believe it was all like that.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
Honourable Mentions
Some of the books in this list are also five star reads, but didn’t impact me as much as the books above. And the rest are four star reads, some were simply fun and light, others made me shed quite a few tears, and you may even spot a classic if you look hard enough. And I wasn’t able to fit this series in here, but the Caraval trilogy was also a magical read! Here is my review!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Can anyone guess what I’m going to say…….review coming soon….*hides*. I read this book for school, surprise surprise, but it hit HARD. I was bawling my eyes out as one point. Anwyas, this book deals with important themes(as you can imagine, because I had to read it for school), but it’s not dull by any means.
Favourite Quote:
“Better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.”
― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
FINALLY, we have a book that I’ve actually written a review for! Another genre I’ve read more of in 2020(and hope to discover more in 2021) are CLASSICS! This book was the perfect entrance into classics(although it wasn’t my first classic), as it’s very fast–paced and has such an intriguing storyline. Here is my review!
Favourite Quote:
“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.”
― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig
I listened to this boko through an audiobook in April and had SUCH a good time! Audiobooks can be so special when done well, and this book seems to have been written to be read out loud. Anyways, here’s my review and interview with the author! This book is a wonderful combination of quirky characters, with fun writing adds to such a multidimensional read! I cannot recommend it enough.
Favourite Quote:
“As it turned out, a pissed-off drag queen with a grappling hook was a force to be reckoned with.”
― Caleb Roehrig, Death Prefers Blondes

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi
THIS SEQUEL MURDERED ME. And with all the pain Roshani keeps putting me through, I DON’T KNOW WHY I KEEP COMING BACK?(actually i do….severin my grumpy king and leila my gorgeous queen). Here is my review for the first book in this trilogy, and the review for this sequel will be published shortly!
Favourite Quote:
“I wish my love was more beautiful.”
― Roshani Chokshi, The Silvered Serpents

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
There isn’t much to write about this book(and series), as I’ve communicated most of my feelings in my review. Here it is! But to sum up, this book is great if you have just come off of a reading slump, are in between long and heavy novels or just want a change of pace. This book is nothing if not FUN!
Not to mention, there is a film(which I have not seen yet, but have heard great praise for).
Favourite Quote:
“I love new clothes. If everyone could just wear new clothes everyday, I reckon depression wouldn’t exist anymore.”
― Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
An entire series review is coming on my blog!! Yes, evidently, 2021 is going to be the year of catching up on book reviews for me. whoops…. but for now, all you need to know is that kaz and inej ADOPT ME PLZ AND THANKS.
Favourite Quote:
“The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows
And that marks the end of my most memorable reads of 2020! I am positive that 2021 will bring this and so much more💙
Great list, I love The Cruel Prince and Six of Crows 💜
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Yes to A Little Life, yes yes yes!! I really want to reread it already but I should probs prioritise other unread books that won’t rip out my heart and smash it to pieces 😅
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YES! I never recommend A Little Life to anyone because it’s hard to read and has a lot of triggers so definitely take your time with it💙
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I agree, it’s definitely not the type of book for everyone!❤️
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erin i loved reading this post so much, and i’m glad that you found some great books even though you’re not generous with your four and five star ratings (i can relate to that lmao). i didn’t really like the gilded wolves, but everyone has been saying that the silvered serpents murdered them so now i’m getting more and more convinced that i need to read it. and i’m notoriously not an emotional reader, so i’m kinda tempted to pick up a little life & see if it’ll make me feel something 😭😭
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i’m such a harsh rater ughh, but YES CAITLIN seriously I didn’t live the gilded wolves and I think i accidentally requested the silvered serpents as an arc lmaoooo but then I fell in love? so i guess it was meant to be, and definitely pick it up if you enjoyed the first book even a lil because it gets a lot better❤️
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i also read kite runner for school! many years ago but it’s still stayed with me. and like you said, it’s a very emotional read. also picture of dorian grey is one of the few classics i thoroughly enjoyed. lovely post!
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i was extremely emotional🥺 thanks rachana!!
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OMG you had such a good reading year!! So many of my favs on here: Six of Crows, The Cruel prince, Fable, Confessions of a Shopaholic are all books I LOVE. I also own the Silvered Serpents (got it for Christmas) and not need it asap bc I miss Severin and Laila desperately!! Happy new year 🙂
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the list is wonderful, erin! the cruel prince series totally blew away my mind😂 and Jude + Cradan makes a totally savage couple since their romantic history involves so many betrayals. my favourite quote from Cruel Prince is when Cardan says to Jude: “most of all, i hate you because i think of you. often. it’s disgusting and i can’t stop.” (my heart just skipped a bit)😍
i’m definitely reading Six of Crows trilogy but i feel like it’s gonna make me cry😭😭
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jude and cardan still live in my mind rent free hehe I love them so much🥰 Omg yes becky, that’s such a good quote ahhh! I hope you love Six of Crows just as much, it’sdefinitelyy pretty different but all the characters are so entertaining.
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these are all such great books ahh! i’ve heard so many painful things about a little life, i’m definitely too scared to approach it but i’m glad you liked it ❤
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yep, I honestly think the reason why I loved it this much because I hadn’t read any reviews beforehand😲
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The Cruel Prince was my top favorite of 2020 too! I’ve been meaning to read A Little Life for a while now, but I’ve heard that its so sad and I’m a bit scared 😅
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honestly, it’s pretty brutal hahh
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Fable was a favorite of mine this year, too. I also enjoyed The Cruel King and am about to start The Wicked King. Six of Crows is a favorite of mine, too, but I didn’t read it in 2020.
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glad you enjoyed them!!
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I absolutely love the way you set up this book especially as I’m a sucker for a good quote. I’ve heard so much about the cruel prince series and I really need to get to it so I can experience it. I’m so glad you loved it !!
I’ve also heard a lot about A Little Life and it is a very huge book and apparently emotional. I’m so happy to hear it had such an impact on you !!
I would also love to check out City of Girls, Dorian Gray and the gilded wolves/silvered serpents !! I have read Six of Crows *yay* and it is a great book !! 💕 I hope 2021 has lots of great books for you too !!
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Hahaha same, and thank you so much Sophie. A Little Life is grueling, but so worth it. I hope you have an amazing year, and thank you so much for visiting my blog🥰
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wonderful post, i really enjoyed reading your thoughts on why you loved these books!! i hope that 2021 will be the year i finally read Six of Crows, haha – everyone i know absolutely loves this series.
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thanks dezzy!! I hope you love it just as much as we do☺️
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these are very interesting reads that I have actually never heard of! But I will definitely check them out now!
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ahh your comments keep getting marked as spam! anyways thanks saniya!!
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it’s not a problem!
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YAY for having a good reading year! unfortunately for me, 2020 was really good number-wise (i too read SO MUCH during march and april and am so proud of myself for it lol), but most of the books i read were just average 3/4 stars. ):
i really want to read the picture of dorian gray, it’s one of the few classics out there that i am actually interested in and i’m glad you enjoyed it so much! i hope to also watch the movie once i read it. ben barnes is in it, which says all i need to know, hahah.
i’ll definitely be looking forward to your six of crows reviews! it’s impossible not to have *a lot* of thoughts in this series, with all the characters and everything that is going on.
i love that you also chose to share quotes for each of the books! i definitely need to be better about noting book quotes, and some of these are so beautiful! hope that 2021 is just as amazing as 2020 was for your reading, erin!
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OMG LAIS HAHAH I was not ready for this gigantic comment but I AM HERE FOR IT!! I’m so glad we both had a great reading year too(don’t worry my reading average was SO LOW). OOh okay maybe I should watch the movie for Dorian now hehe and yes, I’m thinking I should do a reread before reviewing because I’ve forgotten so much lmaooooo. I am not one to annotate(most my books are ebooks) so sometimes I just randomly remember quotes! Thank you so much Lais for the lovely comment, I can’t wait to interact with you more this year💙
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I CANNOT wait for the sequel to Silvered Serpents! It was also one of my favorites. Also agree with Dorian Gray!
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Thank you so much Ali🥰
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I am desperate to reread The Folk of the Air trilogy after reading How The King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
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Thanks Georgia!! Ooh I can’t believe you read that one first ahhah I still need to get to it 😉
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Oh no sorry! I didn’t read HTKOELTHS first! It just made me want to reread the trilogy cause I haven’t read them in over a year haha
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Hahahah no worries I misunderstood🌝
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lovely list erin! ahhh i’m so glad to hear that the testaments lived up to the handmaid’s tale, the kite runner is one high up on my tbr as well! omg six of crows, yes kaz and inej!!
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it really did!! thank you so much for the comment🥰
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Excellent post, Erin! I’m glad you had such a good reading year and discovered so many new authors ☺ The Silvered Serpents was beautifully written and I must read Six of Crows very soon!!
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Thank you so much Stephen! Miss Corona was horrible of course but at least I got to read a lot☺️. I hope you enjoy it, it’s so well-written. ✨
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Once upon an eid, Six of Crows, An Ember in the Ashes and Daevabad trilogy 🖤
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oooh I definitely need to check those out!
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EYE SPY THE KITE RUNNER!!! I loved reading this ahhh, love when people talk about about their favorite reads! I also really liked the glass castle, i think it hit my favorites list in 2019! I also read six of crows this year and wow, why did it take me five years to read it?? I loved the whole crew, they worked so well together while being so funny and wholesome despite the fact that they were soooo different from each other in terms of personality and skills.
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yes you DOOOOOOO!!! Six of Crows was just…..MAGNIGIQUE!! I definitely need to do a reread soon, thanks for reading🥺💙
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Six of Crows and The Silvered Serpents AND The Cruel Prince trilogy are my everything haha!! And Fable is for sure on my tbr!! Great post💜
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hehe KAYA WE ARE THE SAME PERSON!!
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Great list! The Cruel Prince is really addictive hahaha. I loved Confessions of a Shopaholic, I haven’t finished the whole series yet but they’re really funny and I got so attached to Becky! Six of Crows is iconic too. Fable is on my TBR (the covers of both this and the special editions are STUNNING) and I’m glad you enjoyed!
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thanks sabrina!! yes becky is hilarious and that entire series is just so fun and light-hearted. Ughh don’t get me started on the covers they are gorgeous!!
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I ended up moving Fable over to my Currently Reading pile, because I have seen it on so many Best Of 2020 lists in the last couple of days!
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hehe that makes me so happy!! tell me how you enjoy it!
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I’m looking forward to reading your review of City of Girls! 🙂
Six of Crows and The Cruel Prince kept me on the edge of my seat while reading them. Great list!
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Thanks Noelle!! Yes both those series’ were so fast-paced.
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I did LOVE The Glass Castle! Now I’m thinking I need to pick up A Little Life now and stop waiting lol
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Glass Castle was really amazing, and you NEED to read A Little Life!! But don’t force it ahha, it’s a long and heavy book so read it at your own pace🥰
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I’m so scared of it lol! Maybe it’ll be a several month process 😂
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