Jenn’s Pick – The Switch by Beth O’Leary
I could talk about books for days, I love hearing about a book someone is currently reading or a book that changed them. When faced with the task to choose my favorite read of 2020 I thought I had it narrowed down to a few great picks, then I made the mistake of looking through my Goodreads list and revisited all the books I loved in 2020. I’m thankful for each one that I read as it was a much needed escape from the madness happening outside of my door. I decided to share my favorite audiobook, a book I would recommend to a wide variety of friends and one I’d listen to again.
This book is The Switch by Beth O’Leary. It was so sweet and wholesome and unlike any life swap story I’d heard before. Eileen is sick of being 79 and her granddaughter Leena is realizing being a 20 something-year-old in the big city isn’t all she had hoped it would be. Both are well overdue for some life changes. I enjoyed getting to know each of our main characters and all of the supporting roles too. The adventure was never-ending with these two, it was a sweet story that touched on more sensitive family matters and had parts that made me laugh out loud plus, the narrator was amazing. If you haven’t checked this one out yet, do it! You won’t regret it.
Another favorite hobby of mine is to retell the entire novel I’ve just read to my endlessly patient husband, perhaps I should have asked him which book I was most excited about sharing this year. 
Find it on Goodreads.
Cat’s Pick – Network Effect by Martha Wells
Man, picking my favorite read from 2020 is easier said than done! It’d be easier to say what my favorite novel was in each genre. That being said, if I had to pick, I’d probably go with Network Effect, by Martha Wells. It’s the first full-length novel in the Murderbot series, and is full of awkward human-bot interactions, while my favorite (and sassiest) bot works very hard to save the day. For the fifth time. Murderbot is a character that I’ve grown very fond of over the years (and yes, I know this fact would horrifying poor little Murderbot), and I really enjoyed seeing a longer event for this character. And the humans they’ve sworn to protect.
Long story short: I’ll take all the Murderbot goodness that Marta Wells is willing to hand out! Also, please don’t let the name Murderbot put you off from this series, the main character is truly endearing, and their quirky naming conventions are simply a side effect of that.
Find it on Goodreads.
Allyson’s Pick – Crave by Tracy Wolff
Grace’s entire life has been turned upside down. First, she lost both her parents. Now, she’s being shipped off to her uncle’s school.
Now? Now she’s about to learn that the supernatural beings of legend and lore actually do exist – and she goes to school with them.
Crave captivated me in so many ways. The character development was outstanding. I loved the feeling of experiencing Katmere academy through Grace’s eyes.
Find it on Goodreads.
Tanya’s Pick – The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
So my book is The House in the Cerulean Sea. It was a recommendation in a FB group and I knew nothing about it going in. I listened to the audiobook and the Narrator was fantastic although in the beginning, I was so bored and didn’t understand the recommendation.
Then the MC gets to the island and meets the orphaned children. I was hooked! The characters were amazing. Smart, sassy and so loving, even after all they had been through. The magical elements were so fun and Lucy (Lucifer- son of the Devil) was sinfully sweet! The threads of self-love, family, romantic love, and acceptance all rolled up in humor and magic were just outstanding! So many happy tears!
Find it on Goodreads.
Sara’s Pick – Wonderland by Zoje Stage
A mother’s love and duty knows no bounds. Even when coming up against all things supernatural and terrifying. She’ll stand between those things that go bump in the night, and her family.
Enter the Bennett family. They just moved from the city to a lovely location in the woods. Only…it is hardly that simple, now is it? The horrors that await this family are beyond their imagination.
After Babyteeth I knew I wanted more. In comes Wonderland to once again keep me up at night and scratch that itch for horror and thrill. My favorite read of 2020 hands down.
Find it on Goodreads.
Allison’s Pick – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
The idea of living forever yet having no one remember you intrigued me right from the start. It was part watching centuries pass through Addie’s eyes, part clever cat-and-mouse game and part beautiful love story. I had ALL the feels reading this. I longed to live in 1691… I loved characters with my entire soul and hated others with the fire of a thousand suns. I was scared and happy and angry… excited and surprised.
ALL. THE. FEELS.
I have had a favorite book for twenty-three years. But this book has taken over as my #1. Holy hell, my God, Lucifer be damned, if there’s just ONE book you read this year… make it this one!
Find it on Goodreads.
Melanie’s Pick – House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
The famous Sarah J. Maas is back with a new series, one that promises fantasy and romance all wrapped into one. Bryce Quinlan once had a perfect life, now she’s out on a path of vengeance.
Then there’s Hunt Athalar, a Fallen Angel. Literally. His skills are being put to work by the Archangels who control him, but that’s not enough to keep him from plotting his own forms of revenge.
House of Earth and Blood was both a roller coaster and a train wreck. I can usually spot a plot twist but this book blindsided me and I actually put it down for a couple of days so I could process the events.
Find it on Goodreads.
Di’s Pick – The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman
The Orphan Collector turned out to be a prophetic book accidentally. It was written about the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic before Covid had been identified. Wonderful research was done by the author with great characters to present the story.
The Orphan Collector is a book that was hard to put down. I cheered for Pia, the main character, and mentally booed Bernice, the “villain”!
Find it on Goodreads.
Sherry’s Pick – Anxious People by Fredrick Backman & Suicide House
Anxious People stole my heart this year. Backman is one of my favorite authors and he always delivers. With a lot of heart and quirky characters, you never want his books to end. This one seemed a little chaotic in the beginning, but as the pieces slowly fit together, there is a method in the madness.
The Suicide House was my sleeper of the year. I never hear anyone talk about this author, but he always delivers. A chilling and suspenseful book filled with secrets and murder.
Find both books here and here on Goodreads.
And that’s a wrap on our favorite 2020 reads, we are so excited to see where the wonderful world of books takes us in 2021!
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