Happy New Year, friends! Sorry it’s taken me so long to take stock of last year’s reading, but last year definitely wasn’t a normal one for me…and unfortunately I don’t see a return to normalcy anytime soon. Between working overtime nearly every day, grappling with some health issues and all the associated stress, and losing a beloved pet and having to work through that grief, my reading and writing dramatically dropped off. In fact, after years of reading 50-100 books a year, I only managed to finish 16 in 2020. Of course, quality matters more than quantity, and thankfully, I read some good books last year! Here are my favorites from that list:
What were your favorite books from those you read last year? I’d love to see your lists, so please let me know in the comments!
Diary of an Eccentric 
I want to read that The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen. I’m so glad that The Jane Austen Society made your list. I loved that book and would love to see it made into a movie.
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That would be a fantastic movie!!
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Happy New Year, Anna! So sorry for the loss of your beloved pet. Life has certainly thrown some major curve balls this past year. I have read ‘The Unexpected Past of Miss Jane Austen’ and ‘The Clergyman’s Wife’. Loved them both. I actually just finished Molly’s latest book “The Heiress” which was just as amazing. For a few other favourites of 2020 ‘In Plain Sight’ by Don Jacobson, ‘Tempted’ by Nicole Clarkston, ‘Tempt Me’ by Julie Cooper, ‘I Never Knew Myself, by Melanie Rachel, ‘Undoing’ by L.L. Diamond, ‘Elizabeth, Obstinate Headstrong Girl, ‘A Wilful Misunderstanding’, ‘A Timely Elopement’…
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Thank you. He was our rescue guinea pig and we had him a little more than a year. He was such a sweetheart. He used to sit with me while I read or worked, so it’s been hard not having my buddy with me every day. Our other two boys are little rascals and try to eat my books and Kindle, so I don’t read with them often. But they do keep me company while I work. 🙂
Also, thanks for sharing your list! All of those are on my to-read list…if only there were more hours in the day or I didn’t have to work so much!
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I’ve read The Clergyman’s Wife in 2019 and truly enjoyed it; it was the first proper JAFF I read. I plan to read The Jane Austen Society soon, and also The Particular Charm of Jane Austen and see if I like it before reading The Unexpected Past.
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I hope you enjoy them all as much as I did!
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Thank you so much for including our book, Anna!
I hope you have a better year, and so sorry to hear about the loss of your fur baby! 🤗
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Thanks, Cass!
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Sorry you’ve had such a traumatic year. I do hope this one is better.
I don’t appear to have read any of those although some are on my list so maybe they will be read this year.
Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, Glynis!
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Since I have two of them in my tablet it’s good to know I should give them a try sooner than I would have done otherwise.
Thanks for the tip!
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I hope you enjoy them!
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I wish you a far better 2021 in all aspects but especially health-wise as I know firsthand that losing a loved pet is so darn hard to overcome.
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Thank you!
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Speaking of made for TV or film, Cass Grafton and Ada Bright’s books would be perfect. Btw to cheer you, their upcoming “Mr Darcy’s Persuasion” should not be missed! Cheers!
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I agree!
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So sorry for your loss, Anna. Our household had health issues with my husband. I am now doing full-time caregiving for him. I didn’t make my Goodreads Reading Challenge last year so I can understand not reaching a personal goal. Q&Q Publishing put out a lot of stories last year. Our J. Dawn King, Nicole Clarkston [a.k.a. Alix James], and so many others really worked hard and I tried to read as many as I could manage. I am hoping this year will be better. I am already off to a good start. Blessings, Anna, stay safe, and healthy.
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Thank you! I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been going through some tough times as well. Sending you lots of virtual hugs!
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Sorry to hear you had an even tougher year than just the usual challenges for all of us. Wishing a beter 2021.
Oh yes, I spy two that made my fav list for last year in Jane Austen Society and Clergyman’s Wife. 🙂
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Thanks, Sophia! I’m determined to get back to the Goodreads challenge group at some point. You’ve created something really special there!
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Wow, you’ve had a crazy year! I’m so sorry about your beloved pet. 😦 And all those work hours . . . you must be exhausted!
I didn’t read nearly as much JAFF this year, mostly fantasy. I did really enjoy beta-reading Melanie Rachel’s “I Never Knew Myself” and loved Elizabeth Adams’ modern “Ship to Shore.” I also really enjoyed rereading some favorites on the boards, like “A Pinch of Salt.”
Thank you for including “Beauty and Mr. Darcy” and “A Good Name!” That was such a thrill to see them listed.
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Thanks, Sarah! I’ve been trying harder this year to find some balance. Yoga and early morning writing have been helping with that a bit. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions!
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Sorry to hear of your loss, Anna. I have all of those books in my Kindle but have not found a lot of time to read. I did read the books by Sarah Courtney as a WIP. Headstrong by Melanie Rachel, Being Mrs. Darcy by Lucy Marin, Alix James, Julie Cooper and Sanctuary by Cat Andrews are some of my favorites.
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Thanks, Shelley! I appreciate the suggestions. Some of those are already on my Kindle or my wish list!
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We, too, had some losses this past year: my brother died of Glioblastoma, (72), my father-in-law died of natural causes, (99) and I lost my little parakeet who would sing along with me to songs on my computer. I have not read the books you listed so will have to check them out. I have you have a better year this year. Having read over 300 books it is difficult for me to name favorites for 2020.
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Hi Anna,
I’m sorry for your loss. I had a bunny years ago and I loved her company and felt very sad when she went away…now, as time goes by, I remember her with tender and joy but I know that the first times were difficult for me. I hope your two rascals become more friendly with books so that they can accompany you all time.
Among my favourite books of 2020 is “The dragons of Kellynch” by Maria Grace. Your list has reminded me to take a look at “The Jane Austen society “.
I wish you a better 2021 🙂
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Thanks, Teresa! I appreciate you sharing that. I’m starting to be able to look at his pictures again without breaking down. They really get into your heart, don’t they?
I have some of those dragon books and can’t wait to read them. I really wish there were more hours in the day that could be devoted to reading!
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I also read and loved The Jane Austen Society in 2020 🙂
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Yay! Glad to hear that!
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