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a girl with a view

A Girl with a View

5 Best Books of 2020

May 4, 2020

Post Updated November 2020

During the current lockdown in the UK, I’ve been finding myself reading a lot more – which is quite the achievement considering I’m an English student and should be reading a lot anyway! It’s been so nice to have more time to read novels for pleasure rather than for a module and I’ve been well and truly taking advantage of this and have found myself reading some books I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. For that reason, I thought I’d share my absolute must-reads books so far in 2020! I’m sure they’ll be plenty more by the time we come out of lockdown!

pile of books next to warm tea

Must-Read 1: The Flatshare – Beth O’Leary

The Flatshare focuses on the lives of Leon and Tiffy as they navigate being flatmates who have never actually met each other (at least to start with). They’re also not flatmates in the traditional sense as they also share a bed, though not at the same time. The Flatshare has been a book that I have found myself devouring, willing the characters to meet and get on. The notes they leave around the flat for each other are my favourite part of the novel and I loved watching the relationship between them blossom. If you’re after a book to get you feeling more positive during quarantine then give this one a go!

Must-Read 2: Black-Eyed Susans – Julia Heaberlin

Tessa, dubbed a ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ by the media, is the only survivor of a serial killer. Years later, the black-eyed Susans so-called killer is about to be executed but Tessa knows that this isn’t the right man. Someone has been leaving her flowers in various places in the years after the trial and the novel slowly reveals the real killer as more evidence and forensics come to light. I did not expect the ending at all with this book so that’s always a plus and I found myself guessing (incorrectly) right until the very end. If you’re a psychological thriller fan then definitely check this novel out!

Must-Read 3: Where Angels Fear to Tread – E.M Forster

If classics are more your thing, or you fancy trying something a little less contemporary then any novel by Forster is fantastic (his A Room with a View is the inspiration behind the blog name). The story is set in Italy and follows Lilia as she falls in love with Gino but it is not all smooth sailing. She soon marries him and becomes pregnant, but Lilia’s English family disagree with the marriage and believe that the child would be better off brought up in England so they embark to retrieve the child from Gino’s care. It’s a novel concerned with societal expectation, family and love. Despite being a ‘classic’ it’s very easy to read and digest and it’s also an incredibly short book with a twist that I didn’t see coming.

Must-Read 4: Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams

If you’re looking for a bold and vivacious character then look no further than Queenie. The story follows Queenie as she navigates life in London as a Brit of Caribbean descent. She’s just split up with her boyfriend, Tom, she’s struggling to be noticed in her job and her family don’t seem to listen to her. If that isn’t enough, she’s trying to fit into a world that doesn’t seem to understand her. Queenie is a novel that examines life in both a comic and dark way, exploring issues of race, sex, love and family all in a deeply gripping and highly enjoyable way – I would definitely recommend!

Must-Read 5: The Tattooist of Austwitzch – Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Austwitzch is a remarkable novel, based on the true story of Lale Sokolov who worked as the tattooist in the most formidable of concentration camps during Nazi rule. The book follows his encounters and story through the many gruelling years of camp life and the desperate need to survive. It is a novel that reminds you never to give up despite the adversities you face and prompts a reader to never lose hope. It’s such a touching and unforgettable story which everyone must-read!

Those are some of the best books of 2020 in my opinion! Throughout lockdown, I’ve been reading so much more and I’ve been absolutely loving it! It’s been so nice to have the time to start reading all the books on my to-read list instead of them just being sat on my shelf!

Those are my must-reads at the moment for books! What have you been reading?

in book

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. jennyinneverland says

    May 4, 2020 at 11:06 am

    I've heard just so many good things about The Flat Share! It's on my to-read list! x

    Reply
  2. Lisa's Notebook says

    May 4, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    The Flat Share is on my TBR pile too, I keep reading so many rave reviews! And I'd love to read the E M Forster novella – I often think novellas are better than novels, the condensed format means much more precise writing 🙂 Lisa x

    Reply
  3. Eleanor Claudie says

    May 4, 2020 at 4:43 pm

    I've been meaning to read Queenie for a while so I may have to purchase! Also agree about The Flat Share as a positive read. I've seen lots of good things and think it's a perfect diversion from classics or more heavy reads xx

    eleanorclaudie.com

    Reply
  4. Amber Page, The Unpredicted Page says

    May 5, 2020 at 8:40 pm

    The Flat share sounds really good i might have to add it to my reading list! I am always looking for new things to read.

    Reply
  5. Natalia Gutiérrez says

    May 7, 2020 at 1:53 am

    Thank you for the great recommendations. I haven't read any of these, but this is the second time this week that I read about The Tattooist and I can't wait to get my hands on it.
    Have a lovely day!

    Lindifique

    Reply
  6. Alyssa says

    May 9, 2020 at 3:10 am

    I recently read "The Flatshare" and enjoyed it a great deal!

    Reply
  7. Natasha Evans says

    May 12, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    I loved it too!

    Reply
  8. Natasha Evans says

    May 12, 2020 at 12:08 pm

    I'd definitely recommend – such a good read!

    Reply
  9. Natasha Evans says

    May 12, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    I'd highly recommend it!

    Reply
  10. Natasha Evans says

    May 12, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    I agree – it's a good way to get a sense of an author too before committing to a long novel!

    Reply
  11. Natasha Evans says

    May 12, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Queenie is such a good book!

    Reply
  12. Natasha Evans says

    May 12, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    It's a really good read!

    Reply
  13. Nianni says

    June 12, 2020 at 9:19 am

    Nice. I've been reading books too during this lockdown

    Reply
  14. lifestyleseason says

    June 12, 2020 at 11:09 am

    Great post! I've never read any of these books but I'll check them out!

    Reply
  15. The Travelling Writer says

    June 13, 2020 at 9:15 am

    I love The Flatshare! Great picks

    Reply
  16. Hannah says

    June 13, 2020 at 10:49 am

    I have heard so many good things about Queenie and The Flatshare, and they both sound like such great reads. Definitely need to pick them up. Great post!xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

    Reply
  17. Reads and Ramblings says

    June 24, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    I read the tattoist of Auschwitz on new years day and it was my first read of 2020. I raced through it and absolutely love loved loved it. Since then I've read lots of other holocaust fiction such as the Librarian of Auschwitz and I have cilkas journey and the bee keeper of Aleppo on my huge Tbr!!! I also am yet to read the flat share but I see lots of people reviewing it and I really want to read it as well as The Switch by the same author. The book community does not help me control my Tbr pile!!!��

    Reply
  18. Serena Reidy says

    June 24, 2020 at 6:32 pm

    I loved The Flatshare too! I've heard so many good things about The Tattoist of Auschwitz and Queenie – I definitely have to read them asap!

    Serena / http://www.ramblingsofanotherunigraduate.com

    Reply
  19. Alice Myles says

    June 24, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    I loved the flatshare! I've heard nothing but good things about Queenie too!

    Reply
  20. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:19 am

    Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:20 am

    I really recommend!

    Reply
  22. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:20 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  23. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:20 am

    I really recommend – thank you!

    Reply
  24. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:21 am

    I've heard lots about the Librarian of Auschwitz and I read Cilka's Journey a few weeks ago and it was so good! Thank you for commenting!

    Reply
  25. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:21 am

    I really recommend!

    Reply
  26. Natasha Evans says

    June 25, 2020 at 10:22 am

    I'd highly recommend!

    Reply
  27. Linz says

    January 31, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    I loved the flatshare! I want to read her next one, the switch! I keep seeing the auschwitz book and might have to get it! Thanks for sharing! Would love to see more book posts! 🙂

    Reply
    • agirlwithaview says

      February 1, 2021 at 2:39 pm

      I loved The Switch too! Hope you get to read it soon!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 8 of The Best Books I've Read Recently - A Girl with a View says:
    February 13, 2021 at 7:30 am

    […] I cannot express how much I adored this book! I picked it up on a whim in Aldi (don’t you just love Aldi) and I am so glad I did. Jamie and Stephanie meet at an art weekend and have instant chemistry, the issue is that both of them are in other relationships and realise that they cannot do anything about this connection so they agree to meet up once a year as friends. The chemistry between them is undeniable but as their lives and respective marriages move in different directions they cannot deny what they have or their feelings for each other. This book made me such a mess! I have never cried so much at a book in all my life, it was the type of book that I thought about for days afterwards and still shed tears over it – I cannot recommend it enough! It’s both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story that I will continue to recommend to every single person I meet. It. Is. So. So. Good!!!! Those are a selection of some of the best books that I’ve read in recent months. If you’re looking for any more recommendations these are some of my favourite books of 2020! […]

    Reply

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