My Top Reads of 2020

This is the first book in a magically enthralling trilogy set in medieval Russia. Reading it was my first glimpse into Russian mythology and I am now fully in love with the idea of Baba Yaga and definitely looking to read a book of Russian mythology in the New Year. In fact, I have already been inspired by ‘The Winternight Trilogy’ to read other adaptations of Russian myths; so far this is still the one to beat. This might be due to the character of Vasya, whose growth as a woman I read with eager anticipation and whose story will stay with me for a long time. Or it could simply be Katherine Arden’s beautifully enthralling narrative voice.

This was actually the second book in her series about Victorian government employee, Thaniel Steepleton, and his eccentric partner, Japanese watchmaker Keita Mori who can see the future. Their adopted daughter, Six, adds a unique character into the fold, filling a gap I didn’t realise was there in the first book. The Japanese setting is even more exotic than the Victorian London setting of the first book and the plot is even more insane, magical and emotional than its predecessor. However, what makes this book memorable is the tangled web that Natasha Pulley weaves and the emotionally dramatic surprise ending that she manages to pull off.

This was a very easy read as Alix. E. Harrow leads you on a journey through January’s life at a slow, building, pace. It gives you a bit of time to look around at the scenery (and there is plenty of marvellous scenery to look at) and plenty of time to fully engage yourself with the main character and her life. I particularly like how the truth of January’s situation unfolds gradually, I think I worked it out just before she did, and how the urgency of her adventure suddenly picks up its pace once all the facts have fallen into place.

Kiran Millwood Hargrave has one of the most beautiful narrative voices that I have ever come across. Her lyrical eloquence pulled me into the story instantly and then it was the tugs on my heartstrings that kept me there, gripped by the tumultuous emotions of Ami’s story. The fact that the story has its basis in real life only makes every word that much more poignant. However, it is the detail of the butterflies which truly add the finishing touches, making this into a truly magical tale. Although this book is marketed for children, I don’t know any adult who could read this without enjoying it.

I put off reading this book for quite a while, slightly daunted by its mammoth size, but I’m so glad I eventually got round to it because once I’d picked it up I couldn’t put it down again. Samantha Shannon has successfully created a full world immersion in a uniquely brilliant fantast setting. She gave us magic, creatures, politics, romance, history, secret societies, and pretty much everything else you could possibly want from the perfect fantasy epic.

Anyone with mental health issues, and anyone who wants to learn more about them, should definitely read this book. I found Nora Seed to be a highly relatable character and the idea of a library filled with different lives really spoke to me. The different lives that Nora explores flow seamlessly together and the little details scattered throughout bring the whole plot together perfectly.

This is my most recent read, still fresh in my mind as I write this, but I have no doubt that it belongs on this list. It has my three favourite elements of fiction: history, romance, and a deal with a devil. The character of Addie LaRue is fully flawed and one hundred percent loveable. Her three hundred year battle, to live life to its fullest despite a curse that refuses to let anyone remember her, combines character and plot in a uniquely engaging way which made it very difficult to put down.