My 2020 Reading List

I decided to break my year-long blogging sabbatical to share the books I read in 2020.

To be honest, I didn’t read near as much as I wanted to this year.

I started the year strong, but by spring I had no motivation to read. When I did try, I was super distracted.

I blame my reading dry spell on the pandemic. There was such an overload of information consuming my thoughts – COVID and its ever-changing nature, social distancing, whether or not to wear a mask. Fellow friends and avid readers said they experienced the same thing.

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised to discover I read 40 books, despite not reading a single one for two consecutive months.

The Fiction books I read in 2020:

A Cold Trail (Tracey Crosswhite Series) by Robert Dugoni

I love this series about a female homicide detective. This was book seven, I think. I am already looking forward to the next book that will release Spring 2021. Loved it!  

Slightly South of Simple, The Secret to Southern Charm and The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

A friend recommended this series and I loved it. They were the perfect books to read during a stressful pandemic – light and fun. The series is based on three sisters and their mother and a secret that threatens to destroy their relationships. Loved them! 

Sunset in Central Park and Miracle on 5^thAvenue by Sarah Morgan

Book two and three in the Manhattan with Love series, which follows three friends living in New York City. Eva, Frankie and Paige run a successful events company and they each find love when they least expect it. Light, easy chick-lit. Liked them!

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

A car accident brings death, devastation and shocking discoveries for Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter Liked it!  

Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr

I heard so many great things about this book, so I decided Jackson and I would listen to the audio book together. Well, neither of us are a fan of audio books – they just don’t hold our interest – and Jackson didn’t seem interested in the story. I decided I would just read the book myself. I enjoyed the mischievous adventures of Trille and Lena. The book made me laugh out loud. It’s a sweet story of friendship.  Liked it!

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

This was my first book to read by Guillory and I later found out it’s actually book five of a series. Oops. However, I definitely think it can be read as a stand-alone. Let me start by saying this book is definitely rated R. I know some of my reading friends might be turned off by some of the content/language, so I want to be up-front about that.

Olivia is an attorney who has just moved to LA to start her own firm. Max is a hotshot junior senator. They meet at a hotel bar and Olivia doesn’t realize who Max is. She’s smitten until she discovers he’s a politician. Liked it! 

Girls of Summer by Nancy Thayer

A single mother and her two grown children discover there’e more to their summer flings than just a little fun. The perfect beach read!  Liked it!

The Lies that Bind by Emily Giffin

A story unfolds from the ashes of the September 11th tragedy and will leave you guessing. Loved it!  

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

For one weekend every summer, Mallory and Jake meet on Nantucket Island for a summer affair. When Mallory becomes ill, their friends and family learn about the secret they’ve been keeping and the undeniable love between them. Loved it! 

Beach Read by Emily Henry

I didn’t love this book. I think I was expecting something fun and light – like an actual beach read – but it seemed a little heavy and disjointed. Two struggling writers, who knew each other in college, find themselves neighbors for the summer. They both set out to work on their next books and soon find they have feelings for each other. I’m kind of surprised I didn’t quit this one. Leave it!

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Grey Howard finds herself grieving the death of her mother and her failed marriage. Diana Harrington finds herself jobless and living in her car. When their paths cross, they find happiness they least expect. Liked it! 

Summer of “79” by Elin Hilderbrand

This was a short story that was available for a limited time. It was a continuation of Hilderbrand’s book, Summer of “69” Liked it!

The Friendship List by Susan Mallory

Unity create the Friendship List to try and help her friend Ellen live a little. Ellen agrees to complete the list if Unity joins in the fun, too. The women soon find themselves completing crazy dares and discovering what they really want in life. Liked it! 

Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

This is the third book in the Paradise series.  The truth is finally revealed surrounding the helicopter crash that led Irene and her sons to St. John. Loved it!

The Secret Thing by Marybeth Whalen

Norah has secrets; but so do those closest to her. After Norah’s arrest, her family and friends must decide whether to tell the truth and if they do, will the truth hurt or heal? Liked it! 

Home for Holidays by Sara Richardson

The Buchanan Sisters have special memories of their Aunt Sassy’s Juniper Inn. They’ve been estranged from her for many years, but decide to visit their favorite place from childhood after their aunt begs them to come. Liked it! 

Happily This Christmas by Susan Mallery

A holiday romance is brewing between neighbors Wynn and Garrick. Will the relationship take off or will Wynn’s doubts and Garrick’s grumpy, pregnant daughter ruin any chance of romance? Liked it! 

The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

This is the first book in a series. A tourist visiting Alaska on her dream vacation finds herself falling for a grumpy local. Liked it!

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayless

I read a lot of holiday-themed books during the months of November and December and I this was my favorite of 2020.

This book was such a warm, feel-good read. A small-town girl, living outside of London, signs up to participate in the Twelve Dates of Christmas. She has many funny experiences and I fell in love with her small town, family and friends. Loved it! 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

I was hesitant to read this book because it’s like the movie Groundhog Day –  the main character relives the same vacation over and over again. It’s just not realistic, and sometimes I have a hard time with books like that; but it turned out to be a cute holiday read. I’m glad I gave it a chance. Liked it! 

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

This is the first book I’ve read by Foley and it was a good change after finishing several holiday-themed books. A group of people have gathered on a remote island to celebrate an upcoming wedding. Each person has their own unique story and the author does a great job of weaving them together in ways I didn’t expect. Loved it!

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

This book sucked me in fast! Dannie thinks she has her life in NYC perfectly planned out, until she has a dream of what her life will look like in five year. Shocked by the dream, she does everything in her power to keep it from coming true. Loved it! 

The Non-Fiction books I read in 2020:

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

This was a good book to kick off 2020. It was a great reminder that it’s okay to slow down and live simply. He writes, “The modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we most need.” Liked it! 

Rhythms of Renewal by Rebecca Lyons

This book offered some great encouragement on my journey to freedom; reminding me that God isn’t asking me to do more; but to be faithful and obedient to Him. Lyons writes, “It’s so like the enemy, after a long stretch of faith, to threaten obedience with fear.” Liked it!

Called Home by Karen DeBeus

This short book wasn’t my favorite homeschool book; but it did remind me that homeschool brings freedom, which is what I was working towards this year.  Liked it! 

The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson

This book brought so much freedom to my homeschool days. I definitely recommend this book to any homeschool mama! Loved it! 

Chasing Vines + Bible Study by Beth Moore

I was on the launch team for this book. It’s about abiding in Christ and living a life that produces fruit. I learned that abiding in Him is how we find true freedom and freedom was my word for 2020. Liked it! 

You are Free by Rebekah Lyons

Since freedom was my word for 2020, I thought I should read this book. It was a great jump start to working towards freedom from anxiety, the freedom to educate Jackson differently, while learning more what it means to abide in Christ. Lyons writes, “As I listened to God, my heart began a gradual shift from wanting to accomplish big things for God to wanting to simply receive small things from God.” Loved it! 

Dangerous Prayers by Craig Grochel

This book was just okay. It was an easy read about the power of prayer. Leave it!

Mom Set Free + Bible Study by Jeannie Cunnion

This book might have had the most impact on me in 2020! I absolutely loved it and it brought so much freedom to me as a mother and homeschool teacher. Love it!

The Wilds of Homeschooling by Amanda Conquers

I think this would be a good, short read for beginning homeschoolers; but I didn’t learn anything from it. Leave it! 

Everything Beautiful In Its Time by Jenna Bush

This Texas girl loves the Bush Family. I would love to pull up a chair and have a chat with George W. I enjoyed the stories about Jenna’s grandparents and the impact they had on her life. Loved it!  

This year Jackson and I read longer books together.  I’ve included them in case you need ideas for read-alouds with your kiddos. We enjoyed every single one of these!

Books I Read with Jackson:

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold