Top 5… books I need to read in 2020
Good morning bookworms!
Today’s Top 5 Tuesday is our first one for 2020!! And today’s topic is Top 5 books I need to read in 2020. Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the super lovely Shanah over at the Bionic Bookworm. You can visit her here, and join in for Top 5 Tuesday by checking out all the amazing topics that are coming up!
I’m going to try very hard NOT to continue listing the same unread books each year, so I’m picking a list of 5 books that I do need to read this year, but some I haven’t owned for very long!
A Darker Shade of Magic – V. E. Schwab
I know, I know… it’s actually embarrassing that I haven’t read this trilogy yet. In my defence, I have started it no less than three times (the first just after my dad died so that was never going to happen), and the last one I was annoyed to read about Kell’s coat again, and then gave up.
However, I have started it as it’s on my January TBR. And now that I’ve played in the ADSOM Bookish Games last year and kind of have more of an understanding of the characters (but I don’t know any spoilers because I was trying to skim read discussions, and my memory isn’t that great anyway) I actually understand a bit better what’s happening, and I’m enjoying it. I’m already past Part I, which is the furthest I’ve ever gotten!! To be fair, Part I is only 33 pages…
Wintersong – S. Jae-Jones
So, this is another one that’s been on my bookshelves for a stupidly long time. Except I’ve never said that it had to go on my immediate TBR before now, so I’m adding it. I’ve also got Shadowsong (the sequel) and they’re so pretty on my shelves.
I can’t actually remember why I bought this… (unless it came in a book box??) However I did willingly buy the sequel (covers had to match). And I’m pretty sure that I had zero idea what it was about, because I saw someone talking about it this week and they said there were Fae in it, and I was all “uhhh, really???” and now I want to read it. (I need a new fae series with The Folk of the Air being over, ok?!)
Letters to the Lost – Brigid Kemmerer
You can rest assured that every time Kemmerer brings a book out now, it’s going on my immediate TBR. Last year was the first time I’d read anything by her, and I read A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Call It What You Want, and then squeezed in an early copy of A Heart So Fierce and Broken. I gave every single one 5 stars, and they all made my top books list for the year.
So now it’s time to start the back catalogue. I also had it recommended to me by fellow Meegs (@MeegsReads) on Twitter. If my own doubles are saying to read it, then I’m pretty sure it’s time to get stuck in and read it!!
Ninth House – Leigh Bardugo
To be honest, I’ve got a lot of books by Leigh to read this year. I want to finish Siege and Storm, then get through Ruin and Rising, The Language of Thorns, King of Scars, and this one too. I don’t need to worry about the SoC duology because I read (and loved) it back in 2018… 2017? It was a while ago.
The one thing that’s been putting me off this one is people’s screaming about a cliffhanger?! And look, I just don’t deal very well with them. They hurt my brain. And I’m not a patient person at the best of times. Also, the other thing putting me off is the concept that this is a horror/thriller/fantasy… and those first two and me don’t mix very well!!
The Wicker King – K. Ancrum
I have been hearing people scream about this one for actual years. I finally caved towards the end of last year and bought it. I’ve been promised a lot about this story, and honestly I trust people who have recommended it. So, I do think I will love it. A lot. Which scares me, and is the reason I didn’t read it immediately.
In saying that, there are other books I was also recommended by the same people and I was kicking myself when I did read them for not reading them sooner… so this one goes on the 2020 list!!
Which books do you want to read this year?
34 Comments
Keira
Ugh I have also yet to read the A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy… oops to us both hehe.
Meeghan reads
So it’s not just me?! ???
Keira
Nope, you’re not alone 😉
dinipandareads
I hope you continue to enjoy ADSOM! It does start off a little slow but it has ended up being one of my favorites 🙂 happy reading!
Meeghan reads
That’s what I keep hearing!! It’s a lot of pressure!! ?
Mani
I picked up Ninth House from the library yesterday, hoping it’s going to be a good read.
Hope you mange to get these read this year. Happy reading!!
Meeghan reads
Thanks Mani!! I hope you enjoy Ninth House!! ?
evelynreads1
I really hope you read ADSOM!
There are so many books I ‘need’ to read haha! First one that comes to mind is Skyward!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Meeghan reads
Ooof… Skyward is also on my TBR. I’ve never read a Sanderson book before!! I keep looking at the second one, but this year I’m trying not to buy books just because it’s the next one in the series!!
Clo @ Cuppa Clo
I also haven’t read the A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy although I think I did get the first book as a present…so now I own the first one. Oooo Wintersong I remember seeing that one floating about and was drawn to it for its cover and the fact its got winter in the title xD Did not know it was about Fae though…I actually don’t know what it’s about xD I have so many books I need to read, the Lunar Chronicles are one series that come to mind as well as finishing off several other series…because apparently i like staring series but not always finishing them xD
Meeghan reads
Well at least you start them, Clo!! I like buying series and not starting them… ?
I have read The Lunar Chronicles though. It has a cute retelling vibe. Everyone seems to like Cress, but I prefer Scarlet and Cinder. Scarlet is feisty and Cinder is such a strong female character. It’s a recommend (but not a “highly / YOU MUST READ THIS IMMEDIATELY”) series.
Clo @ Cuppa Clo
Yeah a lot of people have mentioned it and I just like the whole cyborg vibe going on in Cinder? I think it is anyway or I’ve just confused books which honestly, wouldn’t be unheard of haha
hey I have a lot of series also gathering dust as they hear me promise them I’ll start them…and they just laugh knowing how unlikely it is xD
Meeghan reads
Cinder definitely has a cyborg vibe!! You haven’t confused it!!
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Shanah - Bionic Book Worm
Great choices! Ok – Wintersong. I have a bit of an issue with that duology. I LOVED Wintersong. I was absolutely obsessed with it and read it within a day or two. I fell so hard for that book!!! The sequel – sucked! It wasn’t even close to the first one. I hope you like the second one more than I did!!
Meeghan reads
Oh no!! Well… I’ll try and read it anyway. Maybe if I go in with super low expectations I’ll be ok?! ?
Shanah - Bionic Book Worm
I hope so!!
marydrover
The Wicker King just about destroyed me. I read it in one sitting because literally every time I tried to put it down, I couldn’t concentrate on a single thing until I picked it up again.
Meeghan reads
Oooooh, now THIS is a great recommendation!! I will save it for a weekend!!
Beware Of The Reader
Letters to the Lost!!!!! Squeee! and you already know that I loved Ninth House Meeghan! So have fun.
Meeghan reads
If I can, I’ll try and add Letters to the Lost to my January TBR!! Thanks Sophie ?
Meaghan @ Hail and Well Read
Lol, I think I’ve been one of the folks to nudge you towards ADSoM, but I will say this: it starts on the slow side, and while I absolutely believe it’s worth it, it’s also okay to just drop it! Starting over again and again can be a little rough and frustrating.
I hope you manage to get through the whole list here, though!
Meeghan reads
Haha, you HAVE nudged me towards it!! But I’ve actually met Lila Bard now, so there’s no turning back!!
Meaghan @ Hail and Well Read
LILA! LOVE OF MY LIFE! You’re definitely in too deep now. ?
theorangutanlibrarian
Oh I definitely need to read letters to the lost and ninth house too! And I like the sound of wintersong and wicker king too 🙂 It’s a shame you couldn’t get into adsom- but I do hope you like it if you try again!
Meeghan reads
I am currently enjoying ADSOM!! Lila and Kell finally met (best meet cute ever ??) and I will definitely finish it this week!!
Sabrina @ Wordy and Whimsical
Ooh I’ve got Letters to the Lost out from the library right now and am planning on reading it in February! I hope we both enjoy it 🙂
I’ve also got to read Ninth House + almost all the rest of Leigh Bardugo’s books. I never got around to Ruin and Rising, but I’ve forgotten everything about Siege and Storm.
Good luck getting to all of these!
Meeghan reads
Thanks Sabrina!! Good luck to you as well!!
Cam @ Camillea Reads
Ooooh I tried reading Ninth House a while back but I guess, I just wasn’t in the mood for it haha I’ll need to pick it up again 🙂
Meeghan reads
Yeah, I absolutely feel that!! It’s how I feel about most of my TBR this month!!
Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical
I feel like I should definitely read The Wicker King, too! But I think I’ll read the author’s latest book first, The Weight of the Stars. I heard wonderful things about both of them. I DNF-ed Ninth House, but I see that you also want to read The Language of Thorns, and I freaking adore that book. Plus, it’s so damn pretty. I don’t own many hardcovers, but I own the HC of that one. Hope you’ll get to & love all these books! 🙂
Meeghan reads
I also need to finish reading S&S and R&R!! I’ve already read the SoC duology so just need to finish this first trilogy!!
bookish_heights
Great post! Same here with ADSOM and Ninth House! The ADSOM series has been on my TBR for years, I really hope I get to it this year. I hope you love these books if you do get around to reading 🙂
Meeghan reads
Thanks Amy!! I’m nearly done with ADSOM… I expect to finish it today!!