BEST BOOKS OF 2020 (SO FAR)

[@SarahAsYouWish]

You’ve got some great books in this list. I’d love to see you do the mid-year freak-out tag. It’s such a fun one to watch.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Good to know, I'll still plan on doing that tag then! :D

[@christinejacob596]

Most of these books I’ve loved or are on my TBR. I’m super excited to get to The Black Prism this month!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!!! That's so awesome! You'll have to let me know what you think of The Black Prism!

[@ebnovels]

Haha, I mentioned it on your IG post, but I loved Fireborne 🔥 You’ve got me SO pumped for Foundryside. Say the character is like Vin and I’m sold :D Also, I also struggle with the word ambassadorial 😆

[@JessieMaeBooks]

You have me SO intrigued now about Fireborne! I definitely need to pick it up soon! I have been on the edge of my seat waiting for you to read Foundryside because I reallyy think it appeals to fans of Sanderson and Mistborn (which I know we both are haha :D)! I can't WAIT to see what you think of it!

[@BookedandBusy]

I’ve had A Memory Called Empire on my radar for a minute but you’ve really sold it! You’ve reminded me that I bought Behind Closed Doors from my local thrift store! I might have to give it a read soon. Another great video 💖

[@JessieMaeBooks]

The world building is so crazy cool! I hope you enjoy it when you pick it up!! Thank you for watching Aaron! 😄❤️

[@xoHAUTEGLiTTERS]

Just discovered you from hearing from Books with Brittany this week and I've binged so many of your videos! Can't wait to watch your channel continue to grow (:

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Aww yay!! Thank you so much and I’m glad you’re here!! 🥰

[@Lost_in_a_book]

I love how you critique each book and your discussions are so eloquent. 😊 I definitely need to get my hands on the lightbringer and winternight series!!! Everyone speaks very highly of them. I’m also intrigued by A Memory Called Empire...but I can be pretty intimidated by space operas and don’t often reach for them 😕

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Oh thank you so much!! Yes Lightbringer and Winternight are AMAZING! I hope you love them as much I do! I was also super intimidated by a memory called empire and was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it!

[@Lost_in_a_book]

You’re very welcome 😊 and I really need to face my intimidation when it comes to books head on!! I have added the first two books in each of those series to my purchase list for next month 😇

[@alondravoss549]

wow blessing us with these recs!!! 🤩 i definitely want to read Evie Drake Starts Over

[@JessieMaeBooks]

It’s sooo adorable!! I hope you love it as much as I did! 🥰

[@draigrhosynreads3450]

Only just stumbled across your channel! So glad I did! Your so enthusiastic about every book, and it makes me want to read them too, I love it 🥰

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Oh thank you so much!! So kind! 🥰❤️

[@audge-ii8ux]

wait, does your shirt says "ew, david", a schitt's creek shirt? loveeee! i miss the show!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

ree ! Haha it totally does!!! I love that show so much! 🥰

[@theGillybean_Chronicle]

Thank you for breaking these down by genre. I feel, finally, after 7 years of engaging in the BookTube community, I have found a content creator that reads as widely as I do; so, what I’m saying is, finding your channel has been inspiring. I’m finally reading again after a six-month lull. In years past, by July, I’ve powered through 60-70 books and I’m only on 15 this year. Since finding your channel last week, I’ve read 3. I will definitely be checking out FOUNDRYSIDE! I’ve had only one 5 star read so far this year and it’s MAID: HARD WORK, LOW PAY, AND A MOTHER’S WILL TO SURVIVE by Stephanie Land. Incredibly eye-opening. It proves how systemic poverty is perpetual. I was especially interested in the parts where she bought groceries with food stamps and the judgment she received by people in the checkout. Having been a grocery store cashier, I can remember seeing that and how angry it made me. It was helpful to see it from the purchaser’s perspective. I’m currently reading AN UNKINDNESS OF MAGICIANS by Kat Howard and I’m devouring it. I’m predicting it will be my next 5 star read.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

That’s so wonderful to hear, thank you so much for the kind comment! I’m happy you’re finding your groove with reading again! ❤️ Foundryside is amazing, I hope you love it as much as I do when you pick it up! Oooh I’ll definitely have to add those two books to my TBR! 😄

[@danielanaomi61]

I'm in love with your bookshelf! Could you do a bookshelf tour?

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Thank you!! Yes, that is coming up in August 😄

[@alexnieves]

Definitely need to get around to Lightbringer at some point, it sounds so fantastic. The magic system sounds sort of similar to Allomancy in that most people can only use one piece of it but Mistborn/Prisms can use all of it. Foundryside sounds great. Starting Grey Sister tonight or tomorrow and I am so excited!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Lightbringer and Foundryside! I loveee good hard magic systems 😄

[@alexnieves]

@@JessieMaeBooks SAME. They're part of my never-ending TBR.

[@bookswithvish]

Can’t wait to continue reading the Winternight trilogy. I read the Bear and the Nightingale last year and I don’t know why I haven’t continued the series 😂 Literally every book you’ve mentioned I want to read so badly!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Ahh you'll have to let me know what you think of The Girl in the Tower when you get to it! It's amazing

[@teresadunivent8571]

bookswithv same here!

[@joiej2399]

I LOVE your shirt!! Schitts creek is amazing! Also, I want to get into Brent weeks and brandon Sanderson but their books are so intimidating to me lol.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Haha thank you!! I agree!! Yeah I was so intimidated as well, but both of they’re writing styles are SO easy to get into that you end up being able to read them really quickly! 😄

[@joiej2399]

@@JessieMaeBooks I have his night angel trilogy but havent gotten to it. Have u read it? And if so, are they good?

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Not yet!! I definitely want to read that next after finishing Lightbringer!

[@joiej2399]

@@JessieMaeBooks I'll look put for ur video then cuz I'm not ready for it yet lol

[@opheliasgrace]

About to finish The Sun Down Motel. The scene with all the doors... totally freaked me out. Great book.

[@mayaiyoku]

Great recommendations! I love this kind of videos. It is so fun to watch and learn more about new books.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!! So glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@mkjd35]

I loved the Sleeping Giants audiobook. It was so great! Now I have to pick up Waking Gods. I have been eyeing Foundryside for some time and you just convinced me to get it. All great recommendations.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Wasn’t it amazing? Waking Gods is just as good in my opinion!! 😄 Yay!! Let me know what you think of Foundryside when you get it! 😍

[@therandomdiaries1022]

I recently ordered the Red Sister trilogy based of off your recommendation in past videos and on the same day that my order arrives the show Warrior Nun comes out. It was meant to be. I binge watched the show and it got my appropriately pumped for nuns who kick ass and take names!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

OMG I saw the Warrior Nun trailer and at first I thought it was a Red Sister adaptation! It's not... LOL but it looks so similar! If you loved that show, you should definitely love Red Sister (at least I hope haha). Let me know what you think of it when you get to it!

[@therandomdiaries1022]

Jessie Mae That’s what I thought too! Watched the show during a reading vlog I was filming...and overall, loved the show, could be a bit youngish at certain points, and I feel like the book will compensate and give me the maturity I’m looking for (or at least I hope!) Will let you know how I feel after reading 💃🏽

[@emilyh1886]

This is so random but I recently thought when watching one of your videos that you reminded me of a disney character because of your hand gestures and then I watched your last video and you mentioned being part of Disney! I was a bit shocked haha I still need to read Gone Girl, I have only ever seen the movie. So many books in this list I'd like to read 😊

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Ahh that’s so funny!! 🤣 yes I was best friends with Chip and Dale and Winnie the Pooh! 😉😂 Gone Girl is amazing! I can definitely see why it’s such an iconic thriller!

[@Tinahgirl83]

Daisy Jones & The Six felt so real that I had to google to make sure they weren’t. 😂 I read it in print first and then got the audiobook immediately after I finished it.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Tinahgirl83 right?!? Isn’t it amazing how real all the characters felt?! I loved it so much! 🥰

[@BookInvasion]

Great list! How have i not been subscribed to you before? I'm also a big fan of Sleeping Giants and the Themis Files! And ther'e's an SFF bookclub! and Kings of the Wyld content? I feel robbed not being subbed to you earlier. Great job!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Thank you so much! Glad you’re here now! 😄👍

[@merreads]

I'm reading Gone Girl and Us Against You for the reading rush! Sooo excited for those, I absolutely loved Bear Town.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

That's awesome! Let me know what you think of them!! :D

[@erynchen2829]

I'm not much of a High Fantasy Reader but Black Prism sounds interesting! Thanks for the amazing recs!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

The magic system and characters are what really sold it for me! It’s so good! 😍

[@bookishwithmariah2170]

Ok just added The Black Prism, Foundryside, Gone Girl and Us Against you. Just added all of these to my amazon cart! Checking out now and I can't wait to get started.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Omg yay!!! I can’t wait to hear what you think of all of them!! 😍❤️

[@ThrivingWithKat]

These were some awesome books! I liked your fantasy and thriller recs! 😊

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!! So glad to hear that! :D

[@stephaniesbookverse1098]

I absolutely loved the Winternight trilogy! And Sleeping Giants has been on my TBR forever! I think it would be fun to see you do the Mid Year Freak Out Tag, I've been loving watching people do it.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!! Vasya is THE BEST! I loved her so much!! Can’t wait to see what you think of Sleeping Giants 😄 I will definitely do the tag then!! 😊

[@christinacampbellbooks]

I absolutely loved Gone Girl! I really hope she writes some more books! :)

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Right?! I've now read all the Gillian Flynn (except the short story) and want more!!

[@christinacampbellbooks]

@@JessieMaeBooks I've read the short story too! Definitely want more :)

[@ReadsWithKesara]

Please do the Mid-Year Book Freekout Tag. It's one of my favorites to watch! Oh I loved Lightbringer, Winternight, Foundryside, Book of the Ancestor! Also, I've got to pick up some of those thrillers.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I’ll definitely be doing it! 😄 Woooo that’s amazing! We have such similar tastes haha 🥰

[@TheBookishMom]

the Black Prism is on my 5-star predictions and I am DYING to finally get to it!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

The Bookish Mom ahhh I need you to tell me what you think as soon as you get to it haha 😄

[@violet8274]

Omg I loved the Black Prism...so interesting!! I also don't think I've read many books written by a slightly older man so that was fun too!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

soft uwu I’m so glad you loved it as well!! 😄

[@Mano-Wan]

Couldn't agree with you more, *Daisy Jones & The Six* is FANTASTIC and the audiobook is definitely the way to go... It's just so well done. And YES, you should do the Mid-Year Freak-Out Tag 😉

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I'm so glad you agree, it blew me away!! The amazon show's casting is SPOT ON, have you seen it yet? Haha yes I will do the mid year freak out tag! :D

[@teresarollen7425]

Would love for you to do the Mid-Year Freak Out tag!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay, thank you for letting me know! I'll definitely do it then! :D

[@wjamimah7772]

My friend and I read everything that Grady Hendrix has put out for our fall reading and I LOVED SBCGtSV SOOOOOOOO MUCH! I love all his work but that one was my most favorite he is so good at writing characters I love them all.

[@dougperry691]

The winter night trilogy has to be up there for creating the most authentic cold atmosphere of all time. I’m currently reading city of blades and really enjoyed city of stairs by Robert Jackson Bennet so can’t wait to get onto foundryside after that. Have you read his city trilogy?

[@JessieMaeBooks]

The Winternight trilogy is really amazing, I need to reread in the winter time haha. I haven't read it yet, but it's high on my TBR after loving Foundryside so much!

[@michael_anthony]

Hey! I'm wrapping up LOTR too!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

That’s awesome! How did you like it?

[@michael_anthony]

@@JessieMaeBooks it's great. I've seen the movies so many times it's hard to forget the story elements that are exclusive to them. And I learned a lot of new words. 😄

[@BrightnessKatyReads]

the girl and the tower was so great

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yes!!! Winter of the Witch was 5 stars for me as well, that series was sooo amazing! 😍🥰 That’s okay about black prism, I can definitely see why it wouldn’t for everyone! The characters are SUPER flawed haha 😂 Yay!! You’ll have to let me know what you think of those books when you get to them! ❤️ I really need to read Jade City, it’s been getting rave reviews!! 😄 Thank you so much Katy!! 🥰

[@BreakevenBooks]

OHHHH I just got Sleeping Giants sent to me 😁 and I LOVED Illuminae 😍. I am in for this.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!!! I can’t wait to see your thoughts on it! Crossing fingers you love it as well haha 😄

[@wendylowder6471]

I see behind you on your shelf “The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind.” (Longest title ever?? 😂) I have it in my amazon wishlist to remember it for later because it looked interesting, however, I haven’t heard anyone talk about it on here. What were your thoughts?

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I haven’t read it yet but it sounded so much like Jessica Jones and had such a hilarious cover and title that I had to grab it haha! I’ll definitely be getting to it soon! 😄

[@wendylowder6471]

Jessie Mae Ok, I’ll keep my eye out for your review!

[@Lunch_Box_74_]

The Poppy War is on my list. Great video.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I’ve heard amazing things, can’t wait to get to it! Thanks so much!

[@margarets2924]

Southern Books Club Guide was an interesting book and dealt with some good themes. The scene that creeped me out the most was the attic scene where she’s hiding! I have Foundryside on my TBR. There’s been so much hype for it! I finished LoTR this year as well. I liked it but didn’t love it. I can appreciate what it did for the genre but it didn’t blow me away like it seems to for most people. I do love the movie adaptations.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Oh yeah that scene was SO creepy! I wanted more of the scares but loved the book overall! You’ll have to let me know what you think of Foundryside when you pick it up! 😄 For me, the characters were what made me loved LOTR! The plot and writing didn’t blow me away, but golly I loved Sam and Frodo and Gandalf and Merry and Pippin so darn much haha ❤️

[@margarets2924]

Jessie Mae I think the way the books were laid out is why I didn’t enjoy it as much. I didn’t care for Sam and Frodo’s journey but the books were split into one book for them and then another book for everyone else. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if they were intertwined chapters between the two different story lines. Hope that makes sense!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Totally makes sense!! 😄

[@cassidyclaybrook1032]

I love your shirt!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Cassidy Claybrook haha thank you!! 😄

[@ScullyPop]

I found your channel in Suggested. I'm a writer looking to get different perspectives.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Welcome! Glad you’re here! Very cool you’re a writer, what genre? 😄

[@towhateverend143]

I loved Behind Closed Doors as well! I have to say that my favorite book so far this year is probably The Great Alone. I just absolutely loved that book!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay! Behind Closed Doors is so messed up, I just loved it haha! Omg I LOVED The Great Alone! That one made me bawl!

[@sandygholstonbooktubetv845]

I really enjoyed The Sun Down Motel. I'm with you on that one. It was spooky and ghostly.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I’m so glad you also enjoyed it! Loved all those ghost scenes 😍

[@booksandlifewithlaura2143]

I bought A memory called Empire because you recommended the book. I hope I will love it.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!!! I hope you love it! It's confusing at first, but hang in there and it will all make sense and click! :D

[@booksandlifewithlaura2143]

@@JessieMaeBooks Thank you for the warning. Usually confusing books are rewarding to read when everything comes together and you understand authors intentions.

[@jshin331]

Omg A memory called empire sounds like I would really enjoy it!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

It’s so good!! The world-building is spectacular!!

[@thelazymakeupblogger]

Love you channel. Subscribed.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Thank you so much!! 😄

[@erynchen2829]

I love Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tags!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Awesome!! I’m going to do it for my next video! 😄

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Whoa, 2 political sci fi books? I knew about Memory but not Sleeping Giants! Awesome. I want to read Foundryside, but im reading his other series first. Have you read City of Stairs. I really enjoy your videos!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I haven’t read City of Stairs but it’s high up on my list after reading Foundryside!! 😄

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@JessieMaeBooks cool! I'm hoping to read it soon and then maybe pick up Foundryside also. The backs of his books are so INTERESTING in their premises!

[@diyasarkar5157]

Do read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd! It's one of my favourite Christie books. Unfortunately it was spoiled to me before I read it ☹️

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay!! Thank you for the Christie recommendation, keep em coming haha! I'm putting it down on my TBR now. :)

[@AmandaPelland]

Have your read Home Before Dark by Riley Sager? I finished reading the book and it's so good! Thriller haunted house story, really creepy! I think you would like this book Jessie!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Omg no but I’ve been hearing so many great things! And the minute you said haunted house you sold me haha I need it now! 😂

[@AmandaPelland]

@@JessieMaeBooks Here is my review of Home Before Dark on Goodreads: I loved the Home Before Dark by Riley Sager. It's on the edge of your seat thriller/haunting page turner that kept me coming back for more, I had to find out what happened next, I had too. The way Sager writes and told his story made the atmosphere in this book palpable and the characters and ghosts believable. I read this 300+ page book in less than a week, that's a record for me. Five stars from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading Sager's other works.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Omg I’m sold!!!❤️ Great review!!!

[@AmandaPelland]

@@JessieMaeBooks Great! Noises in your house while reading Home Before Dark will trick your brain into thinking it's something else. The story is sooo good!

[@GemReadsALot]

I think most of these books in this video are on my tbf. I have to disagree with you in regards to Grey Sister though, I didn’t enjoy it as much as Red Sister but I am looking forward to getting to Holy sister soon 😊

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Ah bummer that you didn't enjoy Grey Sister as much, but I'm glad you still enjoyed Red Sister! I am loving the series overall, though! Yes, can't wait for Holy Sister!! 😊 Hopefully that'll be both of our favorites in the series haha, crossing fingers!

[@jessicacampbell1038]

Love the shirt.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Thank you!! 😂

[@Italianamuneca]

I want to read most of those books! I really didn't like Katherine Arden's trilogy on audio, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, Backman's Beartown, or Daisy Jones haha. I loved the Sleeping Giants trilogy and The Sun Down Motel!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Haha oh man I’m sorry to hear that those were all busts for you! But yay for sleeping giants and the sun down motel! Reading is so crazy subjective I always get so nervous when people pick up books off my recommendation because I don’t want to lead them astray 😂

[@booksnstitches3271]

My favorite book of the year, by far, is Alice by Christina Henry. It's a dark fantasy thriller retelling of Alice in Wonderland and it was so much fun for me to read. A lot of the books you mentioned are on my tbr, but oof, I want to cut down my physical tbr before I add more.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Oooh I’ve heard of Christina Henry’s books! She has other twisted retelling as right? I definitely want to get to Alice now!

[@booksnstitches3271]

@@JessieMaeBooks Yes! She has a Peter Pan retelling, and a Red Riding Hood retelling. That one is on my list once I read the Alice sequel. They're such quick reads too!

[@nursyvibz3788]

Oh if you like spooky thrillers - you will like Mexican Gothic!!!! Loved that one!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Omg I’ve been hearing RAVE reviews for it and I’m dying to pick it up now!!! 😍

[@Weltfrieden_5]

Black Prism sounds like Divergent

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Haha I probably did a poor job explaining it then! It’s very different once you get into it 😄 but I highly recommend!!

[@wjamimah7772]

I wouldn’t recommend Daisy Jones any other way than audio. Same with Evelyn Hugo too but especially Daisy Jones.

[@kennymocivnik6408]

I hope this is not a crime, but for some reason I could not get into LOFTR.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Not a crime at all! Haha it’s definitely not for everyone!

[@lewessays]

even as loftr fan I can understand how tough it can be to get into it. The writing style isn't the most accessible. So, don't worry about it :)

[@huongspy1626]

Unfortunately. The Sun down motel will be in my most disappointment this year. It really let me down with the whole paranormal things that the author tried so hard to jam into the story and she also tried ti make this story sound like The broken girls, but really failed. I do agree with you on The Southern bookclub’s guide. It is a big surprise to me, and one of my favs as well.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Ahh bummer about the sun down motel! It’s interesting because I read that one before the broken girls and actually preferred sun down motel but I can definitely see why a lot of people prefer the broken girls! Yay for southern book club!!! It was SO unique!! 😄

[@mariamm9400]

Omg how did I just add most of these to my tbr?!💩

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Haha yay!!! 😄❤️

[@erynchen2829]

I was trying to like the video but accidentally hit the dislike button and freaked out. I hit the LIKE button with the quickness!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Haha thank you!! So kind!!

[@country18lover]

Have you never read or watched the lord of the rings before?! Omg! Well I’d hope it was a fave. Geez

[@JessieMaeBooks]

I had never read the books and had only watched the movies when I was little, so didn't remember any of it! Of course it was a favorite haha I loved it!

[@aaronsafronoff1089]

Yes! Let the Vampires have fangs! :-P Also, convinced me on, Black Prism. Ready to read. Cheers!

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Yay! I hope you love The Black Prism as much as I did! 😄