Top reads for me are ones that absorb me and that I really love the characters in the book. Usually I am reminded to about what it is to be truly the best kind of human. They bring me hope and inspire me. They might make me laugh or cry. They might make me stop and think. Also they often just plain entertain me.
In no particular order these are the ones I have loved in 2020 so far. I awarded them 5 stars. Links take you to Goodreads.
In this House of Brede was my first read of the year and a reread. It stood the test of time. While I acknowledge that this 1960″s classic is not for every reader, the close study of human character was what drew and held me. Set in a Benedictine convent in England.
Diane Chamberlain did not disappoint me in this her latest book. Set in North Carolina Big Lies in a Small Town was my second read of the year! I loved this book. It held me in its thrall all the way through. There is mystery, challenge, injustice, racism and violence – but not too much, just a taste.
It wasn’t until mid February that my next 5 star read presented itself. Again The Ten Thousand Doors of January only for readers who enjoy a fantasy type story. Which I do from time to time. When I could hold this book in my hand I could see the wonderful cover. Will be the one to beat for me in 2020. The blurb says “Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.”
Just an Ordinary Family by an Australian author. This one was all about family and secrets. I found it a really worthwhile and very must pick it up read. The characters were flawed and yet gained a place in my heart.
The Heirloom Garden is my most recent read and there will be a review further on. Only to say now I loved it and anybody who loves flowers will love this one. I think this is the second Viola Shipman book I’ve read and now he is a firm favourite. I have one sitting on my TBR shelf too which I’ll want to get into soon.
RaeAnne Thayne
Published 2009. I really enjoyed this book, it was excellent. It is about four writers. One of them has her life fall apart and the other three come to her rescue. To help her they co author her book that must be written to meet a deadline. Of course no one else knows that. Each chapter starts with a wonderful little quote that are gems in themselves. It is extremely well written and once started fully engages the reader. As I was reading I found plenty to enjoy and ponder on.
Written in 1996. The last thing widow Althea Winsloe wanted to do was remarry. Unfortunately, her meddlesome mountain neighbors had other plans. So, one autumn night they banded together and gave Althea a shocking ultimatum: She was to find herself a husband by Christmas…or the town would do it for her!
Published 1996 as well. Annie Trimble lives in a solitary world that no one enters or understands. As delicate and beautiful as the tender blossoms of the Oregon spring, she is shunned by a town that misinterprets her affliction. But cruelty cannot destroy the love Annie holds in her heart.
And one from 2017. Most likely any of Kristan Higgins books would do but this one for sure.
Published 2018.
Brenda Janowitz is the author of five novels, including 
I have Becoming for sometime, I really need to make it a priority, I know I’ll really enjoy it. I know I do not need to say any more about this book, it has been huge.
This is another one I’ve had since last year. I haven’t really read Maeve Binchy but I believe this is worth reading. It is narrated Caroline Lennon.
Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a “master of delightful banter,” and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America.
An unusual book, it tells the story of Tom an Australian farmer and his love for Hannah and Peter. Hannah has suffered and lost so much and her story of Auschwitz is heartbreaking. Tom too is not a stranger to sadness yet he is extraordinary in his quiet way. I loved his way with people and animals and his ability to work and craft beautiful bookshelves. I really enjoyed the Australian flavour to this book. I laughed aloud at some of the recognised colloquilisms. Hannah is a difficult character, but she has been through so much, her struggle understandable. I liked her determination to gather and sell books to make up for the many destroyed by the Nazis. My heart went out to Peter, so young and yet so much heartbreak for him. It had a lot more appeal for me than I thought it would.
I listened to this one on audiobook and I found that at times I had to push myself to pick it up to listen to. I may have liked this a lot more if I’d just read it. Nina works in a book shop, is a total book nerd, loves her cat and is a trivia expert. She has never known her Dad, but when he dies she finds out she has lots of family -some lovely some not. There is also a little romance and Nina finds herself wondering is it better to be alone or is it better to be alone with someone who loves her as she is.
This one is a true bookish book. It is about a bookshop and the people who own it and work in it. It has lots of bookish talk and yet its about so much more. It’s about relationships and what makes them, its about valuing and loving people in spite of what might appear on the surface. We often judge, but are we making that up in our heads, is it really what’s happening? I loved the explorations and paths this book took me down. Its definitely one for my keeper shelf.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January is not immediately bookish, but it is still about the power of story and words and captures much of the magic of books. It is fantasy but often feels very real. January the young heroine of the book loves to read and write. There are doors that lead into other worlds, and there are those who want to lock them up tight and keep the world safe and to their order and power. Safety at the cost of freedom and choice. January stands at the centre, she is key. Magic, time travel, a coming of age story. It’s thought provoking. The characters, especially January and Sam and Bad really appeal. Maybe not for everyone but I am pleased I gave this one a chance. If you want to know a little more read this 
The Book Charmer has a small town approach with a librarian – Sarah who often has books that “talk” to her and she gives books to people because she “knows” they need them. And most often she is proved right. Grace turns up in town and Sarah knows that Grace is destined to stay in the town but Grace is not inclined. It was a good read although I didn’t entirely warm to it. However other readers I follow did award it 5 stars so it could have just been me. I gave it a solid three stars.
