I mostly have read 2020 titles this year although I haven’t tallied up, but maybe next year I will track that. Sarah’s Bookshelves podcast recently included some backlist favourites and I thought – hmm what backlist books did I read this year? So I looked back, I read far more than five, but these five are ones I was really happy with. I haven’t included any audiobooks in this five because most likely will do an audiobook post next week.
All of these books you will have seen here before but these are the ones that made me happy.
This is a YA book and I don’t read many of those but.. after reading one of her books I wanted something else from her. It was published last year in May 2019. Read in paperback and I own it.
4.5 stars. I loved the characters of Abbi and Noah and Jack. The themes of real friendship, first love, loss and resilience. It also gives insight of what it is like to be a part of a terrible disaster – in this case 9/11 and live on after. And what that living is like. Julie Buxbaum is now an author I’d read much more from. I first heard of her from the Modern Mrs Darcy book club.
As it happens this is another YA book published in March 2018. I read it in hardback, borrowed from the library.
5 stars. A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mothers religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.
Absolutely moving book of a young girl finding her voice. While it might be for teens, this book is for any age, it says so much. As it happens I heard of this one on the Modern Mrs Darcy book club!
Published in 2018, I read it in paperback and I own a copy.
4 stars. The news of her husband’s infidelity comes as a nasty shock to Jenny Reynolds, part-time building control officer and full-time mother – even though, to her surprise and embarrassment, her first reaction is relief, not anguish.
Very humorous, well written, very New Zealand setting. Enjoyed it as many laugh out loud moments. Interesting cast of characters. I just happened to pick this up at the bookshop on a whim. As it turns out Shelleyrae from Book’d Out had read it so that was incentive to take it off my shelves to read.
Published October 2017. It had been on my shelf for awhile but I needed to read the books that preceded it first. I own a paperback copy.
4 stars. Set in Cornwall, lots of baking and Christmas and friendship. I usually enjoy anything by Jenny Colgan. Polly lives in a lighthouse on a small island. Part of a series. No one had to point me to this – I am a Jenny Colgan fan.
Published February 2017. I bought it and own it in paperback from the Book Depository. Being a backlist book it was no longer on my walk in bookshop.
5 stars. A story about a group of neighbours and their friendships and challenges. Set in the West Coast of Australia. I didn’t need anyone to point me to Liz Byrski as I’d read her most recent book and wanted to read her backlist.
really enjoyed this story of neighbours and friends and the cycle of life. The people felt very real as did their struggles and challenges. Liz Byrski has a great gift for exploring the life experiences of the older age group. So much of it I could identify with.
What might be your top backlist book(s) of 2020.
When it all Turned to Custard by Danielle Hawkins is one I own and bought after I read a review by an Australian blogger. I haven’t read it yet but its in the queue. It too is set in New Zealand. Hmm I just see a recommendation on the back by one of my favourite Australian authors – Fiona Lowe who says ” An entertaining read full of humour, heart and soul.” I should move it up the list. Published 2019
Soraya Lane has written both romance and women’s fiction. Its the latter that I enjoy. The Spitfire Girls is set overseas and is an insight into the courageous contribution women made in both England and the USA towards the WW2 endeavours. These women were willing to put their lives on the line and take on piloting planes to where they were needed. And… they were very successful.
What a honey of a book. I was originally enticed into this book by the US edition with its warm tones on the cover, however as I read the book I came to love this cover too. Sugar is a treasure and the amazing ‘family’ of people she gathered around her was endearing and satisfying. As it says on the cover – a novel of honey, love and manners.
Finally a book I bought this week. This is by Farid Ahmed about his wife, the Christchurch massacre and his journey to forgiveness. All royalties go to St John Ambulance. As the one year date for this awful shooting and I heard about this book o the radio, I was immediately interested in reading it. Farid’s wife was killed in this massacre. I believe the book will build my understanding of the experience of another New Zealander.
The Book Date 