Ellie
- Jan 14, 2021
- 12 min read

2020 Reading Survey

Updated: Jan 16, 2021

Hello! Welcome to part two of my end of year wrap up. In this post I will be answering lots of questions about some ups and downs of my reading in 2020. There will not be any synopses for the books, but I will include a list of the books mentioned and their Goodreads link at the end of the questions. Also, I know that this may seem like an intimidating read because there are so many questions, so I have bolded some of the questions you won't want to miss the answers to or I want to highlight.

But before we begin I just want to bring your attention to two things.

I credit this survey, questions, and ideas to The Perpetual Page Turner. You can find the original post here.
You can also visit my "Year in Book" graphic that Goodreads creates here. On it you can see all the books I read in 2020 and some simple stats, like number of pages read and average rating.

2020 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 114

Number of Re-Reads: 10

Genre You Read The Most From: Probably either mystery/thriller or romance

Best In Books

1. Best Book You Read In 2020?

I will be sharing this in the next post!

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

The last post of this 3 part mini series was all about this but I will highlight one book from it which is The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert. To find out why and more of my least favorite books check it out here.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

This will be in my next post... I have lots of surprising reads to share!

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

I pushed many people to read Home Before Dark and The Turn of the Key! They are both so good and I was thrilled when people who did read them really enjoyed them.

5. Best series you started in 2020? Best Sequel? Best Series Ender of 2020?

I am not a big series reader but I did end up finishing the Renegades series as the first book I finished. I LOVE that series and though I was sad it was over I was really excited to see how it would conclude.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2020?

I really got into romance this year and read 4 RS Grey romantic comedies in the span of a few months. I also started reading Kasie West books. She writes cute and fun YA contemporary romances. I read 6 of her books. 4 of which were read back to back. I read all the ones in my library's online catalog. She writes really easy to read romances. She writes really easy to read romances.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

This year I got into historical fiction, for which I have to give credit to Next Year in Havana by Channel Cleeton. I found this one at Salvation Army because I really liked the color of the spine and the synopsis sounded interesting. I ended up loving it and giving it 5 stars!

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

This one has to go to No Exit by Taylor Adams. This was one of the most intense, graphic, sick to your stomach, but utterly wow books I read in 2020. If you haven't read it you are really missing out. (But of course don't read it if graphic, gory stuff isn't your thing.)

9. Book You Read In 2020 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

For this one I will go with The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. This is a really special book with artwork you could stare at for hours.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2020?

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel is really beautiful and has a nice shade of pink. Unfortunately the content didn't match the beautiful cover but I still love the cover.

11. Most memorable character of 2020?

Honestly this isn't something I really remember or keep track of so I don't think I really have an answer for this one.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2020?

I could say The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse by Charlie Mackesy again but for sake the of changing it up I'll say The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. If you have read this one I'm sure you would feel the same way. The emotions in the words just jump right off of the page.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2020?

This is one of the last books I read of the year but Heroine by Mindy McGinnis definitely comes to mind. This was a really eye opening read about how easy it is to become addicted to drugs, specifically heroin. If you feel comfortable reading about this subject matter, I highly recommend this one because the story is just such an eye opening experience.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2020 to finally read?

How to Make Friends with the Dark by Katherine Glaslow was amazing. The story was just so good!!! Every part was just so wow. I felt like I had it on my shelf forever even though it was only a 2018 release but I finally read it and was just shocked that it had been sitting on my shelf in all its glory for so long.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2020?

This is something I wish I kept track of and would like to start tracking but since I never read with a pen and paper I don't have any.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2020?

Shortest: Before Her by Jacquline Woodson

Longest: 11/22/63 by Stephen King

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

This one is very tricky especially since I read so many thrillers. I have to go with Verity by Colleen Hoover. This one was a very twisty book. But honorable mentions to The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James, The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware, and The One by John Marrs.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)(OTP = one true pairing)

This one is also very hard to answer so I will cheat and go with two answers. First one is the couple in The Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber. The second one is the relationship in All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The sister relationships in Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter and in The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah really stand out. These sister bonds were really unique and memorable.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2020 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager. I really loved The Last Time I Lied by him in 2019 so I was thrilled I also really enjoyed this one by him.

21. Best Book You Read In 2020 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.

I have three. All were 5 stars and I read because of other people's love for them. The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg, The One by John Mars and Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown. These were all fantastic and totally worth the buzz.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2020?

Cain from The Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber. He is just so unpredictable and has such a sweet heart under his stern facade.

23. Best 2020 debut you read?

I'll have to go with Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown. This book has gotten some hype but it definitely deserve more. So, if you haven't added it to your TBR yet make sure you do! Remember I have a link to each book mentioned Goodread's page at the end of this post if you want to read more about the book.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

I am going to modify this question a little and tell you the book I think has the most unique world. It's still pretty similar but a small modification. For this I would say Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. This world and the way its told through the writing was so unique.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

I know I have mentioned this book a lot but Twelve Days of December by Debbie Macomber and also Window by the Bay also by Debbie Macomber are just such good feel good romances that I loved reading so much! I have come to absolutely love her books and I am currently reading my 4th one in 2 months.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2020?

The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah hands down. This is such an emotional World War story. It was definitely worth the hype.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

This one isn't very "hidden" because it got quite a lot of buzz when it came out but for me, it wasn't really on my radar and I only ended up reading it because it was due at the library and I hadn't read it yet. That book is Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier. I was super surprised by how much I loved this one. It totally took me by surprise and I ended up giving it 5 stars!

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

For this one I have to say How to Make Friends with the Dark by Katherine Glasglow. This book was so emotional, heavy, thought providing and a masterpiece.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2020?

This one easily goes to Piranesi by Susanna Clark. The world and concept behind this one is something I have never read or even imagined before. Also the plot twist was something I definitely didn't even think of at all. The writing is also something very interesting and is something you just have to read to understand what I mean.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

By mad I am going to interpret that as annoyed and for that I would say Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel. The mom in this book was so annoying to read about and I was so annoyed that she didn't understand what seemed like basic things. For example she spends all of Rose Gold's childhood poisoning her but then is confused that Rose Gold doesn't trust her when she is an adult. Like duh she doesn't but for some reason you can't seem to figure that out.

Your Blogging/Bookish Life

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2020?

So many!!! 2020 was the year I joined Bookstagram and really started to diversify the booktube I was watching. I want to do an entire post about booktube and my favorite channels and how to find channels you may enjoy. But right now I will say Booksandlala and KelseyReads. I am always super excited when I see their posts. For bookstagram I have many favorites but I think if I were to pick one from my top 5 I would say readwithmason. I love her pictures because I like the aesthetic but more so, her cat is in every picture and I love it!!! I don't know how she gets her cat to pose or at least stay in the picture but she manages it and they look great!

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2020?

I would probably say the one about helping your kids love reading, just because I feel so strongly on the subject so it was really nice to share my knowledge and ideas on the topic. If you haven't checked it out yet here is a link! I am also very proud of my article for Kids Saving the Rainforest because I reached out to the organization to make the article and it was a really fun and unique experience working with them. You can find that article here.

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2020?

Fun fact, I don't really like taking pictures of books, so that is why my entire Instagram is graphic designs I create. Out of the ones I have on the blog's instagram I like the collage I made for Elizabeth Acevedo's author spotlight article. I put it as the cover for the blog post itself and I also used it on Instagram.

4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?

I will admit I attended none. I did attend a Facebook live for Ellie Alexander's release party for one of her new books and had fun but it was mainly just a trivia night (of books I haven't read). I still enjoyed it because her personality is so bubbly. If you didn't know, Ellie Alexander is a cozy mystery writer of a 20+ book series about a bake shop and a 4 book series about beer and a bar.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2020?

Since I have only been writing articles for less than I year I have very few to pick from but I really liked collaborating with Kids Saving the Rainforest.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Maintaining the blog!!! If you haven't noticed I am absolutely terrible about posting on time. As I write this post I know it's already pretty late. Whoops. But I am making a goal this year to find a balance between all of life, keeping up with reading and blogging to keep up with the blog. I have so many ideas but I just haven't had the time (or sometimes motivation) to write, but I am working to do better.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

My nature articles do pretty well. I think one of my best posts is about Wildlife Tourism. The post is all about how animals are used for public entertainment and money, sacrificing their health and wellbeing. If you haven't read it yet I think it is something everyone should know and become educated about. Click here to read it. My coral reef article also did pretty well. It is about why it is important to use reef safe sunscreen in general, but especially when you go in the water. You can click here to read it.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Just in general, my favorite posts are the monthly infos. I enjoy making them a lot but I don't think they receive a lot of love. But I will always continue making them because I enjoy writing them.

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I found a new bookstore near me that has super great used and new books. The selection is great and the prices are also great. In addition, it is all nonprofit so your purchases help to provide literacy programs in the area.

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I completed my Goodreads goal of 100 books!

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2020 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2021?

Basically all of my Book of the Month books but highest priority is definitely The Night Swim by Megan Goldin which I feel like the last person to read but I am so excited! I have actually already read 80 pages of it and love it, but due to life things I had to put it down temporarily. Also the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab because I am eager to see the hype and why some people love it and also why some people don't.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2021 (non-debut)?

I am always anticipating the new Riley Sager book but if I were to spice it up, I am really looking forward to an YA anthology called Up All Night: 13 stories between sunset and sunrise. I love the idea of this, the cover is stunning, and there are a lot of authors I have read from or have wanted to.

3. 2021 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I don't think this is the most anticipated 2021 debut release, but I am still very excited and that is A Pho Love Story by Loan Le which comes out February 9th. It looks like a foodie, romantic comedy which I can totally get behind.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2021?

I am excited for the second book of A Song of Wraiths Ruin Duology. I am excited to read the two back to back. I am also excited for the sequel of The Good Girl's Guide to Muder by Holly Jackson. I really enjoyed that book when I read it and I am eager to step back into the small town.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2021?

I want to post more frequently or at least more regularly. I also want to post more nature articles because I have totally fallen out of the habit of researching and writing these.

Goodreads Links

The Voting Booth: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48717633-the-voting-booth?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=2Q8O87iWOe&rank=1

Home Before Dark: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50833559-home-before-dark?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=OxzDO94wZp&rank=1

The Turn of the Key: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42080142-the-turn-of-the-key?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ULShonp141&rank=1

Renegades Series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/208653

R.S. Grey Books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7324934.R_S_Grey

Kasie West Books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5027236.Kasie_West

Next Year in Havana: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34374628-next-year-in-havana?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=75R0aHpVld&rank=1

No Exit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35522836-no-exit?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=M96gmlTAsn&rank=1

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43708884-the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=75kB0lSa1a&rank=1

Darling Rose Gold: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49223060-darling-rose-gold?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=W9L0DPnzub&rank=1

The Nightingale: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21853621-the-nightingale?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=14WvRL9dQ4&rank=1