FAVORITE BOOKS FROM 2020

[@kathywilson7071]

Your review of A Gentleman in Moscow was spot on! I, too, hugged this book when I finished it - one of my favorites of all time - and I'm 70. I am so interested in Iscariot and Until Mr. Marsworth. Thanks for this great and enthusiastic review!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

For SURE! It is such a special book!! I hope you pick up Iscariot and Until Tomorrow Mr Marsworth! They are both wonderful.

[@katehowereads]

So fun to hear how these books moved you. I've definitely added several to my TBR. You've pushed me over the edge with A Gentleman in Moscow - I have the audiobook on hold now!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Kate, I REALLY think you’ll love AGIM!!

[@cynthiaespinoza4514]

It's my favorite book of all time!!!

[@esteleditsbooks5804]

Yay booktubers from the Midwest! I'm from Iowa. I'm adding The Lager Queen of Minnesota to my tbr with a plan to gift is to my Minnesotan cousins after I finish!

[@YourTrueShelf]

I added giver of stars, dearly beloved and north & south to my wishlist. I can't wait to read my copy of a gentleman in Moscow after hearing your review! I can't believe you got to interview the author, that's so cool. I also added kitchens of the great Midwest - I know it wasn't on your list but the same author was, and I remember this got a lot of love a few years back. A joy to watch, as always 🙂

[@aliceshupe1722]

Last xmas in Paris, The war I finally won, Give of Stars and A Gentleman in Moscow - all favorites of mine as well. I listened to Gentleman and read too (a good way to get through a long book) and loved hearing the voices of the characters. I was surprised at how much I loved it. I was sadly struck by some similarities to our social/political moment in this country, but also happily struck by the close friendship he had with someone with very different opinions. May that be true of us too!

[@theresas709]

I read The War I Finally Won back in March of 2019 and it was also one of my favorites of that year. I have been wanting to read A Gentleman in Moscow and the Paris one but I think you have now gave me the nudge i needed. The way you feel about your favorite books is also how I feel about The Lilies of the Field.

[@Emmareads15]

I read A Gentleman in Moscow in the summer last year and absolutely loved it, I cannot wait to read it all over again. The writing was just delicious, I just devoured it. Is the Zoom call recorded and available to watch now? I would have loved to have seen it.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I did record the zoom call! I just haven’t uploaded it yet!

[@Emmareads15]

@@LifeBetweenWords1 Oh, that would be wonderful to see! It was one of my favourite books of last year, this year I am going to read Anna Karenina and watch Casablanca and then re-read this book. I can't wait!

[@nikiroberts9911]

Last year you made a video at the beginning of the year, I can't remember if it was a TBR or not but you mentioned The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. I finally read and finished it last night!! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

YAY!! It was a favorite from last year! So so good!!

[@0916rebecca]

I love so many of the books you recommend!

[@cynthiaespinoza4514]

The audiobook for A Gentleman in Moscow is FANTASTIC!!!!!

[@lieslherman]

You aren't the first person I follow to mention A Gentleman in Moscow, so I'm adding it to my TBR for 2021, along with a couple others--thanks for the recs!! I could really use some heart warming pick me ups, lol 😆

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

You DEFINITELY need to read A Gentleman in Moscow!! It is a hug in book form!

[@lieslherman]

@@LifeBetweenWords1 Had to come back to say I just finished reading it, and boy... I'm going to be dreaming about this one for a long time yet. The Count is just.... ach. 💕 Thank you for helping guide me towards one of my new faves!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

@@lieslherman oh my gosh this makes me SO HAPPY TO HEAR!! I’m so glad you loved the count! He’s so dear to me!

[@orelsa82]

I added Iscariot and The Dearly Beloved to my tbr. I had never heard of them before. Thanks!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Oooh wonderful!! I obviously loved them both! 🥰

[@cindymarshall4449]

Thank-you for introducing me to 'The Dearly Beloved' by Cara Wall. I am listening to the audiobook and it is SO delightful. It is a book I could turn around and listen to again, immediately. Such interesting character development, so human and real. When people say that it usually means tragic and rough characters but NOT in this book. The people are real and flawed but entirely relatable. You feel connected and empathetic to them right away. I just love it!

[@gracephillips1566]

The Amor Towles conversation feels like so long ago but it was so enjoyable! I would love it if you were able to do another author conversation like that again. Thank you for recommending a Gentleman in Moscow, I never would have picked it up without your recommendation!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I hope I get the opportunity to do another event like that! It was such a treat, wasn’t it??

[@calliopeblink]

I read North and South this past year and loved it too. I've added a few of these to my TBR =)

[@amypink1111]

I have only read 2 of these. The war I finally won and the giver of stars. Both of which are 5 star reads for me. I need to add all these to my TBR. I actually think I own after the flood based on hearing you speak about it on another video. Need to get that one and and give it a read. much love, amy

[@sandra7319.]

So glad your back and posting.

[@lynnstewart7034]

I agree, A Gentleman in Moscow is sheer perfection. It’s humbling and uplifting. A colleague gave it to me to read and, based on the back cover summary, my heart just sank at the thought of reading it. But, oh my goodness, I loved this book from the get go. It pulls at all your emotions. Having started it reluctantly, I was genuinely loathe to finish it. Your recommendation has encouraged me to buy my own copy and reread it. My colleague has a fine eye for a book. One we read together last year that we both enjoyed was The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Thanks for your review. I’m going to add After the Flood and Iscariot to my TBR.

[@girlygirlbookworm]

I bought so many of these in 2020 because of you. I’m hoping I can actually get to them in 2021 because they still sound so amazing!!

[@elizabethbrink3761]

A Gentleman in Moscow was my favorite book of the year too. I agree with you 100%! It's such a delight. Of the other books you mentioned, I put Dearly Beloved and Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth on hold at the library. I love The Wednesday Wars and all Gary Schmidt's books.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I think you’ll LOVE Until Tomorrow Mr Marsworth! It’s such a wonderful middle grade novel!! Dearly Beloved, too!

[@genresandjournals]

Love your enthusiasm for your favorites! I’ve got A Gentleman in Moscow and Giver of Stars on my tbr. Your excitement has got me wanting to read them as soon as possible! ❤️

[@lengyelmelinda3391]

Your reading taste is very similar to mine. I absolutely adore you and your videos. I'm gonna read A genleman in Moscow for sure. Send you a big hug from Hungary. :)

[@susanfordham5981]

I loved Gentleman in Moscow more than anything else as well. I’ll have to look for your video with Towles

[@gailstencel4274]

So glad your back. Missed your content. So glad to have someone who does not think they should tell me what I should think and feel. Our reading tastes are very similar.

[@CarinCullen]

I just found your channel and this video. Based on some of the books you mentioned here and what you like reading, I think you'd really enjoy "Goodnight Mister Tom" by Michelle Magorian. It's so good.

[@allieblank5992]

Oh you have peaked my interest. Great review

[@meredithgreene4817]

I love your #1! what an amazing read. The count is such an endearing character, as is his little buddy ( can’t remember her name right now). Rules of Civility is also really good. Have you read A Prayer for Owen Meany? Another character who sticks with you!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I haven’t read A Prayer for Owen Meany, but I watched the movie MANY years ago!! I have read The World According to Garp. I would love to read APFOM someday!

[@meredithgreene4817]

You and I share a love of the same type of character driven books, so I highly recommend it. My #1 book of all time.

[@krissyn.3366]

I loved Last Christmas in Paris. I plan to read Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth for middle grade March this year. Great video Katie! 💗📚📖

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I think you’ll love it, Krissy!!! ❤️

[@sydneyellison1655]

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this video since the beginning of January! I also loved Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth and A Gentleman in Moscow was my favorite book of the year too! Thank you for encouraging me to pick them both up! I really want to read The Dearly Beloved and After the Flood soon! Thank you for all of the great recommendations like usual! Hope you and your family are doing well!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

YAY!! You have NO idea how happy this makes me to hear. AGIM is just such a treat. I’m so glad you read it and loved it, too!

[@SarahAsYouWish]

I just finished The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett which gave me A Man Called Ove vibes and sounds quite similar to Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth. It features a prickly 85 year old woman who’s had enough with life and her outgoing new 10 year old neighbor. It’s quite charming.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I just recently picked that book up because of that plot point!! I can’t wait to read it!

[@happilyeveresch5648]

I’m so glad you loved North and South. The Dearly Beloved sounds lovely. I will definitely be checking that one out.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I think you’d really appreciate The Dearly Beloved, my friend.

[@librariesandlabradors]

Aww Last Christmas in Paris sounds sooo good! 😍 added to my TBR. And OMG KATIE you haven’t seen the North and South tv show?! 🤯 I am SO excited for you to watch that especially since you loved the book!!! 🥳🥳

[@librariesandlabradors]

Oh I just realized the author of Last Christmas in Paris also wrote The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter.. have you read that one? I have it on my shelves! It sounds so good too!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I haven’t read The Lightkeeper’s Daughter! But I read her book about the titanic which was good! I loved LCIP more, though! And I KNOOOOOW. I need to watch it! I own it and it’s at the ready!!

[@carissahelms6028]

If they weren’t already on my tbr definitely added them after your video. Great list, thank you!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Ah thank you!!!

[@lisabailes1065]

Has your interview with Amor Towles been put online? I lived in Russia for a short time and love Russian/Soviet history. A Gentleman is a delight. My only question for him is how an “enemy of the people” could have the ending such as the Count had? It seems that it was not actually possible in reality. Otherwise I loved it!

[@JessMcGlynn]

Absolutely knew what your favourite was going to be 🤍🤍 ...so much love for the Count

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I know, such a NON-surprise, right? 😂

[@pastorytime2683]

Lovely to hear about your favourites. Also loved the fox cameo! Xx

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

He has gotten so big compared to when he crawled around on the bookshelf behind me! 😭

[@MKReads]

You made all of these sound amazing! I have had my eye on A Gentleman in Moscow for a while. I read North and South for a class a year or so ago. I bought it for my mother after I read it since we both really like Jane Austen. After the Flood was already on my TBR from when you mentioned it before since it sounded so intriguing and so was Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth. I think the one you really got my attention on this time were Dearly Beloved, but i'll probably look into almost all of these. :p ~merideth

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I really really hope you read them and love them!! Especially A Gentleman in Moscow!

[@GettingHyggeWithIt]

I loved The Giver of Stars! It was so lovely!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

It has really stuck with me! I read it last February.

[@tamarayork8654]

I read The Giver of Stars, Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth, A Gentleman in Moscow, and North and South in 2020. Loved them all. I also love epistolary novels and what I call geriatric fiction (or novels about curmudgeonly old people).

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Yes!! I’m def stealing the phrase geriatric fiction! Hahahaha! That’s perfect!

[@greenlimabean]

Can we see that zoom call with the author of A Gentleman in Moscow?

[@shannonb774]

I 2nd this request :)

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Yes! I recorded it, I just haven’t uploaded it. But I’ve gotten so many requests! I’ll definitely do it soon!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

After the Flood and Iscariot just got added to the ol' TBR!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

YESS! They’re so good. Make sure you’re in the right headspace for After the Flood-it is brutal. But great.

[@Georgesmomsu]

I loved The War That Saved my Life and the sequel. A Giver of Stars was a wonderful audiobook. I read Rules of Civility at the beginning of the year and I’m still thinking about it. Almost as good as A Gentleman in Moscow.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Yes!! I really enjoyed RoC but GiM was SO SPECIAL!!

[@GlitterPoolParty]

I think you might be my book soul mate! I love your openess and energy. I read Iscariot. I completely agree with your assessment of christian fiction in general. And as much as I loved the concept of Judas being a better person than history has given him (dis)credit, i felt like the characters in this book were flat. It's as though whatever the assisned personality was, eash character was always only that flat personality. I didn't love iscariot, maybe, as the author explains at the end, maybe too much research was left of the cutting room floor for the sake of space. I would have preferred a richer chunker.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I knew when reading it that Iscariot may not be for everyone. Something about it just captured me, though! I do agree, though, I think the characterization could have been fleshed out a little bit. I’m curious how it compares to Tosca Lee’s other books!

[@jeanettepaulson4525]

Such interesting reviews of books you loved. I read many of them and loved some of them. I don’t rate books because it seems I either love and I am moved by a book or I can let it go quickly.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

It’s true! I don’t remember the details of many of the books I read, so the ones that stick with me I know I loved!

[@anitahayne8621]

I will give “A Gentleman in Moscow a try.” Just reading the dust jacket at the bookstore didn’t pique my interest Question: Was your conversation with the author recorded? I would be interested in seeing it.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

I’m so glad! It didn’t pique my interest when I first heard about it as well. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to my instincts and picked it up!! I did record the zoom call, but I still haven’t put it online. I will try to do that at some point! 🙈

[@Emmareads15]

@@LifeBetweenWords1 That would be really wonderful, would love to hear his insights on it along with you.

[@jenhasaplan]

Girl, we could USE some hopeful post-apocalyptic books in this day & age. ❤️ And that quote about carrying hearts as a mom just hits so hard. It’s so true.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Isn’t that quote so poignant?? It really struck the heart of me!

[@samantha.irenes]

I've had "A Gentleman in Moscow" on my bedside stand for...a long time. This video finally gave me the push to stat it!

[@meredithgreene4817]

It is amazing!

[@margaretbuccilli605]

After the flood. Is a great book 📖

[@kimcobb6]

Loved A Gentleman In Moscow as well.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

It’s such a treasure of a book!

[@sharonperks7002]

Really!! I want to read each one of these!!!!

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

Yay! Cant go wrong with any of them!

[@cecethompson914]

I’m getting Judas Iscariot on my Kindle right now. It sounds fascinating.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

YAY!! This makes me so happy.

[@ThatBronxgirl7]

You're not excited about A Gentleman in Moscow at all! LOLOL I'll read that and Iscariot.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

😆😆😆 I know, I’m such a closed book, right??

[@bastardizedforeigncuisine]

hi fox!! what a cutie 🌞🦊

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

He steals the show every time 😆

[@AlwaysBooked]

... watches with Amazon open... haha