***********My Top Reads of 2020***********
The books below have all earnt my special 5**- the ones that left a
memory, that something special above and beyond.They are only in
the order that I read them through out the year and the full review
is in the link to each one. A mixture of emotional and inspiring,
tears and laughter.
1. The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright- Beth Miller- Womens humerous fiction
Oh I loved this beyond words. I believe that there are parts of this that most
women will relate to. For me it was something along the lines of “ I am now
free of the shackles that I have worn forever” which took my breath away.
A poignant read and an emotional one. Beautiful doesn’t do it justice.
If you read just one book about life make it this one.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-missing-letters-of-mrs-bright-beth.html
2. Four Minutes to Save a Life- Anna Stuart
I laughed and yes I cried (a lot). It took me to places
I had long forgotten and they were happy tears - thank you. If you read just one
book to restore your faith in human nature then this would be the one for me.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/02/four-minutes-to-save-life-anna-stuart.html
3. Liars- Patricia Dixon and Anita Waller-Psychological thriller
Oh wow! So very well described, each emotion and feeling is tangible
on the page. A story of love and friendships, of presumptions
and lies. I smiled and I cried. Stunning doesn’t do this justice
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/liars-patrica-dixon-and-anita-waller.html
4. Survive- Tom Bale - Psychological Thriller
Wow! I loved this, so much as to say one of the best books I have read this
year. . I took to the characters and whilst thinking what I would have done
may be slightly different (don’t we all?) was totally gripped by their strategies.
Think “ I’m a celebrity” but where the prize is survival……
One stunning gripping read.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/survive-tom-bale-p-sychological.html
5. My book of the year ***************************
All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle Literary Fiction Oh boy! I knew from the blurb I was likely to enjoy this, what I wasn’t prepared
for was that even just a few pages in that I would be so engaged with Hubert.
When passing someone, instead of nodding hello, maybe pass the time of day albeit
briefly. Even just a few kind words may mean the world to someone and change
their day- we don’t know what they are going through. I really didn’t want this
to end. A book I have taken to my heart. Loved it really doesn’t cover it.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/07/all-lonely-people-by-mike-gayle.html
6. Slow Slicing - Tony J Forder- Crime
Bliss has humour, a little romance and much camaraderie and banter with
Chandler and the rest of his team. There is a very human touch to Tony’s
books which for me is why they come across so very well- it's not just a
plot and someone doing their job as such. I loved the references back
to Molly- a special character in the last book. My avuncular
friend and a couple of words to describe reading this-pure Bliss.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/slow-slicing-di-bliss-7-by-tony-j.html
7. #Metoo- Patricia Dixon - domestic noir/psychological thriller
This is partly based on a true story, the author forward tells us that although
shrouded in fiction the premise is true and this is dedicated to all victims,
something that gave me a shudder when I read the author forward (there
is nothing too descriptive in the book to upset anyone). I liked Billie and
her determination and felt for her angst in playing her part.
A truly brilliant read that had my emotions all over the place. Stunning
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/me-too-patricia-dixon-psychological.html
8. Life After You- Sian O'Gorman- Womens fiction
A story to reaffirm
life , what matters and being true to your heart. Of treasuring precious memories and
not letting anything get in the way (there is very good advice about anxiety- I tried it
and it does work- thank you). For anyone who has lost someone very dear to them,
know that they are around and always in your heart. A very special book that left
me with a smile and a tear, of joy and memories.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/life-after-you-by-sian-ogorman-what-if.html
9. Half a World Away- Mike Gayle contemporary fiction
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/half-world-away-mike-gayle-contemporary.html
I blubbed my way through the last 25% and through the tears saw
the message of hope that like the words in a stick of rock goes solidly
through your books. That the world has its ups and downs ( and
boy are there some bumps along the way) but through it all, it's
how people are that counts. Not their standing in life, or what they
have achieved or are dressed in, but what is in their
hearts and how they treat others that truly makes the world go
around. Not all of us have had loving parents or love,support or
encrouagement- only perhaps finding this
later in life and wow, what a difference it makes to the world.
You can't change the world but the world can change for someone
with a kind word or gesture. Thank you. My heart is singing through
the tears and every time I see something glittery, I know that there
is love and hope out there. A truly stunning
read and one I will remember for a very long time.
10. The Boy Between by Amanda Prowse and Josh Hartley - non fiction /memoir
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-boy-between-by-amanda-prowse-and.html
A book that for me should be read by as many people as possible to find out
and be more aware of mental health issues and how it can affect the best of
us. This to me shows so much love and care to a
very fragile being. Respecting someone when they are so very low
for me, us beyond words. A book that made me look at myself and
stop. A book that I hope will bring to the masses something that
“isn't talked about''. A book of hope and reality. Of love and
caring and one heck of a journey. Stunning
11. Resistance- Patricia Dixon-Historical/contemporary fiction
I was very moved by the original Mauds words to Dottie:
“Will you do everything you can to be happy, live your life how you want to… Don’t be
shackled by anything or anyone or let prejudice or bigotry hold you back or taint your
dreams” . Words we perhaps all should live by, some of us having been unknowingly
shacked for most of our lives and only once they are removed do we realise that they
were there at all. I'm not normally into historical fiction however this as also set in
current times worked brilliantly and I found reall;y interesting- the sign to me of a very
well thought out and crafted book. A stunning, captivating read that had me gripped
within its pages. Dottie I will always remember and I learnt a little too, not only about
the war but about myself. I’ll leave you to ponder that one.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/09/resistance-patricia-dixon.html
12. Home Stretch- Grahman Norton - literary fiction
I quickly got into this as I did with Graham's other novels as there is an ease of writing
and although quite a few characters they come across incredibly well. You could well
imagine being in an Irish bar with many of them.; It made me slightly wistful, a sense of
what could have been or should have been perhaps, in a very different way. A story of
love between family members and wrong being put right of a sort. Dans wedding speech
had me pretty much in tears, and then reading after the final sentence “ Hodder and
Stoughton…was founded by two young men who saw that the rise in literacy would
break cultural barriers” OMG. One stunning read and one I will remember.
A treasure of a book.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/10/home-stretch-graham-norton-contemporary.html
13. Forgive Me by Susan Lewis -womens psychological fiction
Wow! What a powerful and interesting way to put Resorative justice across.
For those not in the know this is where, in the right circumstances
(very much analyzed before hand), the victim(s) of crime meet
the perpetrator with the end goal being that there is benefit and closure for
both parties- a controversial topic of conversation Im sure- but this story does
show how it can very much be used for the good and from personal
experience I can see that it would, for me, have brought some closure and
possibly healing. This made me smile and it made me cry.
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/search?q=forgive+me
14. They Disappeared- Joy Ellis-Crime
An excellent very well thought
out plot and characters you can’t help but take to. A mystery to keep the
grey matter active and nothing untoward too grisly and ghastly
(other than the odd murder!).
A stunning read, I thoroughly enjoyed it- possibly the best of Joys books
to date- and the rest are all 5*!
15. THE VISITORS by Miranda Rijks-psychological thriller
OMG! This put me on the edge of my seat and wanting to stay up all night
to finish it! Wow! If you like a read to take over your life for a few hours then
read on. One to slightly unnerve you and make us realise that
life can turn on a knife edge. Brilliantly written, I liked Hannah and
sympathised with her situation. A very clever, inventive plot- a
true knicker gripper!
https://nickibookblog.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-visitors-by-miranda-rijks.html
