December 28, 2020
December 2020 Reading Wrap Up
How was your December reading?
December was a twelve book reading month, but it weighed in heavily on the “meh” side with only one five-star read, four four-star reads, six three-star reads, and one two-star read. Find all my December reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.
My favorite read of the month is The Girl From the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat (histfic).
Did we read any of the same books?
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
The Girl From the Channel Islands (ARC) by Jenny Lecoat
5 Stars. (ARC). Compelling and memorable WW11 histfic.
Pub Date: 2/2/2021 Review coming soon.
The Nature of Fragile Things (ARC) by Susan Meissner
4.5 Stars. (ARC.) Histfic (San Francisco Earthquake)/Suspense/Mystery/Family Drama mashup. Pub Date: 2/2/2021. Review coming soon.
The Paris Library (ARC) by Janet Skeslien Charles
4 Stars (ARC). WW11 histfic featuring the American Library of Paris. A book about books. Pub Date: 2/9/2021. Review coming soon.
The Chanel Sisters (ARC) by Judithe Little
4 Stars (ARC). Interesting imagined story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel from her sister’s perspective. Pub Date: 12/29/2020. Review coming soon.
Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story by Jewel
4 Stars. Poignant and interesting memoir. My review of Never Broken here.
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
3.5 Stars. Poignant and sad complicated family drama (National Book Award Finalist). Not reviewed.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
3.5 Stars. Histfic, racial injustice, prejudice. Not yet reviewed.
Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg
3.5 Stars. Contemporary women’s fiction (Arthur Truluv #2). Not reviewed.
The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg
3 Stars. Contemporary women’s fiction (Arthur Truluv #3). Of the three, my favorite is The Story of Arthur Truluv! Confession Club is not reviewed.
You Have a Match (ARC) by Emma Lord
3 Stars. (ARC) YA contemporary drama with unnecessary profanity in my opinion (I enjoyed Tweet Cute more). Pub Date: 1/12/2021. Review coming soon.
Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hagar
3 Stars. Memoir. Not reviewed.
Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume
2 Stars. (MG) For me, it doesn’t hold up to a reread. Not reviewed.
Let’s Discuss!
What was your favorite December read?
Did we read any of the same books?
Which of these books is on your TBR?
ICYMI:
December Blog Posts:
TTT: Favorite Reads of 2020 (coming tomorrow)
December Blog Audit Challenge (coming Wednesday)
The Girl With the Louding Voice (#throwbackthursday)
Currently Reading Book Tag
Sunshine Blogger Award (take two)
Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story
I Was Anastasia (#throwbackthursday)
Winter 2020 TBR
Tomorrow Will Be Better #classics
Tell Me More (#throwbackthursday)
Gift Ideas: Everyone Gets a Book
#6Degrees of Separation
New Arrivals at Hedgehog Hollow
The Boat People (#throwbackthursday)
Happy Reading Book Buddies!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.
Book covers are credited to Amazon.
© ReadingLadies.com
Twelve books is fab Carol! I’m hoping to make it to 10 if I can finish an audiobook in the next few days!
Thanks Nicki! The fun is in the trying! Happy reading!
The Color Purple is on my TBR! It sounds fabulous.
It’s a bit different than I expected for some reason. I had seen the movie a long time ago and maybe it was different? But I can’t even remember exactly. It is certainly a memorable read.
I really want to read The Chanel Sisters and The Paris Library! The Colour Purple is on my never-ending TBR already 😂😂
Chanel sisters and Paris Library are interesting! Happy reading!
We didn’t read any of the same ones, but I have all my judy blume’s saved in case I ever have a kid! Let her explain periods LOL plus it’s rare now to find books where kids are chummy with God. Publishing is going the other direction now unless you go to a Christian press
I did like her very own and personal relationship with God! I didn’t like that the Christians in the story were unlikable characters 😩
I haven’t read any of these but The Color Purple has been on my list for a while.
It was a more difficult read than I expected.
Difficult content?
It has substantial abuse and mistreatment by parents and spouses…..young girls being forced to marry…. it’s just heavy.
Yeah… That would definitely qualify
Lovely list! I hope 2021 is even more enjoyable!
Thanks Davida! Yes! Hoping for a brighter 2021! I JUST heard that News of the World will be available on DVD Jan 15!!! Happy New Year to me! 🥂
You had a great month, Carol! I added that first one about the Channel Islands thanks to you!
Great to hear from you Jennifer! I hope you enjoy The Chanel Islands one! I’ll be writing a full review soon!
I remember The Color Purple being required reading in middle school. I remember it being a very emotionally heavy book.
Wow! That’s heavy for middle school! 😱 I could barely read it.