The Best Books of 2020 - Part 2
My seven favorite books from the past four months range from early middle grade to young adult and on to adult genres like suspense/thriller, historical fiction, women’s fiction, and contemporary fiction. I read a lot of books, but I don't review or recommend all of them. These seven definitely went above and beyond with their stories!
NEVER FEAR MEENA’S HERE by KARLA MANTERNACH
I can’t say enough great things about this story and this character. Meena’s a third grader with quirky traits that make her instantly likeable, but Meena also has some challenges. In the first book she is diagnosed with epilepsy and, now, in book two she continues to deal with her diagnosis in a very real and honest way that will appeal to readers of all ages. But these stories aren’t all about her medical condition, and that’s what why I suspect Meena’s stories are gaining attention. These stories are about Meena, a girl navigating the perils of grade school who wants to be a superhero and is frequently annoyed by her little sister, AND, who happens to have epilepsy. It’s a part of her life, and most definitely an unwanted part, but she’s much, much more than her diagnosis. I love this! Manternach’s ability to pen a funny, fast-paced, sweet story is evident. She continues to give us vividly described scenes that resonate with all young readers and take older readers right back to childhood. This series is simply lovely and ought to be in every library and grade school classroom.
You can read my interview with the author HERE.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Meena’s life is more colorful than ever. When she finds a mysterious ring that seems to give her powers, Meena sets out to prove that she’s a superhero. The trouble is, her best friends might not believe her, Meena’s little sister wants to be more than just a sidekick, and worst of all, an incident at school makes everyone think Meena is the one who needs to be saved. But even heroes need help from their friends sometimes. If Meena can figure that out, she might just discover her true powers…and theirs!
EVERYTHING’S NOT FINE by SARAH CARLSON
This book made me cry—in the best way that a book can. Carlson’s writing transported me so completely into the story of 17-year-old Rose that I was heartbroken over the messed up family situation she finds herself stuck in along with all of the extra responsibilities that really shouldn’t be placed on a teenager’s shoulders. It’s no secret that this story centers around Rose’s mom’s heroin addiction and the overdose that nearly kills her. Carlson handles this timely topic with an honesty that acknowledges that young adult readers can deal with tough topics and, indeed, need authors to cover them because (unfortunately) they’re dealing with impossibly difficult situations in real life. That alone would have made the story a winner for me, but Carlson adds in delicious layers with a budding romance with a new (fellow-artist) student, the cruelty of the fast-paced, small-town gossip mill, and a sweet blanket of Midwest homecoming rituals. The characters are authentic in their dialog and interactions with each other—here the author’s background in psychology is clear. This story is painful and heartbreaking but also beautiful and hopeful—a relevant story for today that everyone should read.
You can read my interview with the author HERE.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Seventeen-year-old Rose Hemmersbach aspires to break out of small town Sparta, Wisconsin and achieve her artistic dreams, just like her aunt Colleen. Rose’s love of Frida Kahlo fuels her paint brush and her dreams to attend a prestigious art school. Painting is Rose’s escape from her annoying younger siblings and her family’s one rule: ignore the elephant in the room, because talking about it makes it real. That is, until the day Rose finds her mother dying on the kitchen floor of a heroin overdose. Kneeling beside her, Rose pleads with the universe to find a heartbeat. She does – but when her mother is taken to hospital, the troubles are just beginning. Rose and her dad are left to pick up the pieces: traumatized siblings, a Child Protective Services investigation, eviction. As Rose fights to hold everything together, and her dreams of the future start to slip from her grasp, she must face the question of what happens when – if – her mom comes home again. And if, deep down, Rose even wants her to.
THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by SUZANNE COLLINS
The prequel to the Hunger Games Trilogy pulls us into the life of eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow at the beginning of the 10th Hunger Games. It was simply brilliant to be allowed a glimpse of the young man before he came to be the villain we know. The details of the lives of people in the capitol in the early years after the uprising give us backstory that we didn’t even know we wanted but love to have. The Games, too, have not yet evolved into the sophisticated electronic arena of Katniss Everdeen’s time. The relationships, personalities, choices, and ambitions alternately clash and collaborate to give us surprising allies and enemies as the plot speeds toward a conclusion we never could have guessed.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
THE WOMAN AMERICA LOVES A LATTE by HOLLY TIERNEY-BEDORD
I adore every book of Tierney-Bedord’s that I read and this one was no exception. She’s particularly adept at creating intricate plots and unique characters that come alive in well-crafted scenes. Clearly, the author understands the quirks of human behavior which give her stories an immediate appeal as we hope for the best outcomes in her hard-to-put-down stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Veloura has never stood a chance. Raised by negligent parents and orphaned as a teen, she's settled for a life of low expectations. She spends her days sprucing up the shack of a has-been bull rider and washing hair down at the local salon. But when it turns out her fiancé doesn't have her best interests at heart, she's forced to come up with a new plan for herself. An opportunity to be the spokesperson for a coffee chain means a bright future could be hers, if only she can stay ahead of her dark past.
A KILLER’S WIFE by VICTOR METHOS
As an Amazon Prime member, I get a free book pick each month. In June this title landed on my Kindle and am I glad that I did. I love a good suspense novel, particularly those of the crime-solving type, and they’re even better when you get a twist on top of a twist, which is exactly what the author does with this story. I wanted to stand up an applaud at the great ending that I didn’t see coming—however—as it was 1 am I did not want to wake my husband.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the bestselling author of The Neon Lawyer comes a gripping thriller about a prosecutor confronted with the darkest part of her past and the worst fears for her future…
Fourteen years ago, prosecutor Jessica Yardley’s husband went to prison for a series of brutal murders. She’s finally created a life with her daughter and is a well-respected attorney. She’s moving on. But when a new rash of homicides has her ex-husband, Eddie, written all over them—the nightmares of her past come back to life. The FBI asks Jessica to get involved in the hunt for this copycat killer—which means visiting her ex and collaborating with the man who tore her life apart. As the copycat’s motives become clearer, the new life Jessica created for herself gets darker. She must ask herself who she can trust and if she’s capable of stopping the killer—a man whose every crime is a bloody valentine from a twisted mastermind she’s afraid she may never escape.
STORIES WE NEVER TOLD by SONJA YOERG
I love books by Sonja Yoerg. If you’ve never read any of her books, pick one up for summer reading today! Her latest novel is amazing with brilliantly complex (and imperfect) characters, but you’ll love them anyway. The plot is woven very tightly with nice details that push and pull you in different directions as you assess the motivations of simply everyone. Page-turning and simply satisfying, you won’t put this down.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Psychology professor Jackie Strelitz thinks she’s over Harlan Crispin, her ex-lover and colleague. Why should she care if Harlan springs a new “friend” on her? After all, Jackie has everything she ever wanted: a loving husband and a thriving career. Still, she can’t help but be curious about Harlan’s latest.
Nasira Amari is graceful, smart, and appallingly young. Worse, she’s the newest member of Jackie’s research team. For five years, Harlan enforced rules limiting his relationship with Jackie. With Nasira, he’s breaking every single one. Why her?
Fixated by the couple, Jackie’s curiosity becomes obsession. But she soon learns that nothing is quite what it seems and that to her surprise—and peril—she may not be the only one who can’t let go.
BARBARA BRITTON’S UNTIL JUNE
Barbara Britton brings us another set of dynamic characters in a unique setting with a page-turning plot in Until June. The story is set in 1918 in Alaska, and even in this remote area there’s worry about the Spanish Influenza epidemic sweeping the world. Geoff an upper-class young man returns home from the war as a double amputee. He’s surly and suffering, and he needs a caregiver – someone to accompany him to a remote island lodge to avoid the flu. Josephine takes the job and is determined to nurse Geoff back to health. The relationship between the two main characters is very well-written. Their banter and arguments are fun to read! Plus, there’s plenty of intrigue with a young woman staying alone (gasp!) with a young man for an extended period of time. Subplots abound and supporting characters are deliciously written from a lecherous mine manager to a bossy sister. The reader will be able to sink into scenes made rich with well-researched historical detail.
You can read my interview with the author HERE.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When seventeen-year-old seamstress, Josephine Nimetz, agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge, there's enough friction to melt the Mendenhall Glacier. Her position is only until June, and it pays well enough to overlook the hardship of managing a rustic home and a shell-shocked veteran.
I'd love to hear which books have been your favorites so far this year!
Happy Reading, Valerie
Please know that I only recommend books or writing-related products that I feel are worthy of your time! Some of the links included in my posts are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
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