The WORST Books of 2020!! (+Most Surprising)

[@sarahiles520]

I just discovered your channel and I love it! I had no idea booktube was a thing! 😂 I’m so glad to hear you talk about Robin Hobb, I read her liveship trilogy as a kid when they came out, and LOVED them! But then I was almost always dissapointed with every fantasy novel I picked up after that, but now I know why, I unknowingly started with one of the best! Excited to pick up some of your reccomendations now ❤️

[@legendaryreader39]

I discovered her about six months or so before I started my BookTube channel back in 2017. She has been my inspiration

[@Emiloid]

Oh man I loved Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, was one of my favorite books of 2020 - I can definitely appreciate that it isn't for everyone though. I also enjoyed A Discovery of Witches and I definitely think my low expectations as well!

[@loststreetspirit]

It's really refreshing to see someone else who just didn't gel with JS&MN. Everyone kept telling me how much they loved it and I was so disappointed by it. I can see why people would like it but I just don't understand how it's so popular. Looking forward to seeing your favourite books of the year!

[@lari_27]

Tessa Dare is everything to me this year. A Discovery of witches is awesome and the tv show is Very good too.

[@raquelc.c.4195]

Same here in terms of Tessa Dare! 2020 was the perfect year to discover I love Romance novels. I really needed those happily ever afters!

[@lari_27]

@@raquelc.c.4195 I love romances novel

[@summerb5153]

Tessa Dare single handedly saved my sanity this year!

[@lari_27]

@@summerb5153 this

[@maya-gur695]

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is one of my favorite books of all time! I'm reading Susanna Clarke's long awaited second book, Piranesi and I love it! I can understand why it's not for everyone, though. It is slow and I personally like it.

[@rhondadipronio5495]

The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness is my favorite series ever. Absolutely loved that one. I genuinely miss the characters and really hope she does more.

[@SereneDancer]

I'm also having issues with the Dresden Files. Everyone says they're quick reads but despite being a fast reader they take me so long to get through. I may push myself to read all to the 5th book just to give it a chance but there are also so many other books to read.

[@fa3ryg1rl1]

I just couldn't get into that series at all.

[@nursyvibz3788]

I stopped in the second book. The lady cop was so awful I just couldnt....

[@nocompromisetostand]

True

[@Bonnie_Blues]

I was also positively surprised by regency romance this past year! I especially enjoyed 'Shades of Milk and Honey' by Mary Robinette Kowal; it's regency romance with a little bit of magic in it and I really recommend it for some light fun reading. This year, thanks to Netflix, I think I'll check out the Bridgertons series.

[@fringestud]

Robin Hobb was a big surprise for me this year too!! I'd already read Farseer and Liveship 2 years ago and thought I'd just casually read Tawny Man. But then... that trilogy highkey ruined my life and I had no choice but to binge the entire rest of this 16-book series 😂 Now, Hobb is my favorite author. I'm overjoyed that you love her too! 🥰

[@barbiestargirl1700]

Your book recommendations are amazing 💖 Please recommend some more books like the "Keeper of the lost cities" series 💖💖💖

[@michellenaomi495]

Yesss I would love some recommendations as well!! A few that I think would be perfect of you like middle grade are The Trials of Morrigan Crow and another middle grade I loved is Etiquette and Espionage which is about a finishing school where the girls learn to become spies as well

[@annakhjelm146]

Etiqette and Espionage is actually young adumt, but it's a great series none the less that I really enjoyed and Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend is an amazina middle grade, loved all 3 books so fare and would also recommend the Polar bear explorers club by Alex Bell triology, it is such a sweet middle grade fantasy adventure story 😁

[@joalgustas6498]

Harley Merlin is great too, and there’s a whole series on her brother Finch Merlin later!

[@spokeforhours]

This year, I read two Tessa Dare books and A Discovery of Witches because of you! I’m loving the Girl Meets Duke series and will continue it, but, unfortunately, I was very disappointed on ADoW. That book really didn’t need to be almost 600 pages long. Before reading it I saw some reviewers I follow had DFD it as far as 400 pages in and now I get it, I skimmed the last 80 pgs 😬

[@elizabethbuerke7854]

Of course Harry Dresden isn't your man. Clay is your man. 😉

[@OverstuffedShelf]

One of my best surprises of 2020 was discovering your channel (and booktube in general!) Seriously a highlight, thank you for continuing to post cozy vlogs through thick and thin 💕

[@brekkered]

I'd like to recommend Lisa Kleypas' historical romance series. Such good reads! Happy holidays! Stay safe and healthy. ❤

[@GirlWithTheScarf]

Oh wow- I loved Jonathan Strange, but I read it over a longer period (during lockdown) at the same time as other books, and I think that shaped my experience. Reading smaller books alongside it meant I got small wins to keep me going, and also meant when I lost enthusiasm I could let the story breathe for a bit. I just read Priory of the Orange Tree, and I thought I'd have to use a similar strategy but the pace of that book was insane. Different reading strategies for different books! Definitely not for everyone!

[@ash_and_books3975]

I got into historical romance from June this year and I fell hard into them. My favourites that I go back to are The Duchess Deal and Any Duchess Will Do both by Tessa Dare

[@Bekkie8893]

Loving the Christmas vibes of your outfit!! 🎄

[@safinan8008]

Ship of destiny book by Robin Hobb is so good, almost half way through her books! Enjoy the rest of her series. Happy reading to u!! 🎄❄️☃️

[@PeruseProject]

yay!!

[@jennicemishra6425]

Is this sweater some kinda trend? I saw this on Studyvibes channel too! I love this 🤭❤

[@penciltwirler]

Legendborn was one of my most surprising reads too, it's one of the best YA fantasies I've read in years too

[@odditycat6233]

I was actually really sad to see guest list on here. I know you said it wasn’t horrible- but I definitely had high expectations for this book.

[@smritithapa]

please do 'end of the year' bookshelf tour🥺

[@BreakevenBooks]

Oh I know so many people that loved The Guest List. I get that though. I had the same feelings with Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware.

[@elayneharrington]

My most surprising book of the year was definitely The School for Good and Evil. I didn’t think I was going to love it as much as I did. I even named my new plants after its characters!! 😂

[@clareseymour6227]

Some disappointments for me this year would have to be We Hunt the Flame and Transcription. Some great surprises were Nocturna, Girls of Paper and Fire, and The Devouring Gray!

[@sarahlentz507]

Please make a Regency Romance recommendation video!!! I need to know which ones to try 😊

[@skye1767]

I had a realllllly hard time dealing with the early Dresden Files...the only thing that kept me going were the audiobooks narrated by James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire's Spike) who is *such* an excellent narrator. I can definitely attest that Harry grows and the characters change. I really love these books so much, but I have listened to all on audio. If you are going to give volumes 4 and 5 a try, maybe do the audio versions? And yay re: Robin Hobb! I knew you would love her books!

[@mrscharlotte7170]

There will come a darkness by Katy Rose Pool was really surprising to me. Same as your Legendborn situation. Later is now on my TBR together with Robbin Hobb

[@barbiestargirl1700]

Please make a video on your favorite middle grade books 💖💖💖

[@livelife5761]

Your matte red lipstick is the focus point.. lol.. U look beautiful

[@QueenBethJoy]

=O I loved Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell so much and I'm even rereading it right now. It does take me a long time to read it, but I just love the way Susanna Clark described the magic in there.

[@PianoLibra]

You should check out Georgette Heyer’s books, she is a queen right after Jane Austen and has similar style of strong female regency characters even though she wrote them in the 1920s!

[@CrankyOldErin]

She’s my favorite. I love her characters. She started the Regency romance sub-genre. She wrote them from the 1920s through the 1960s.

[@femke5161]

Okay readers I want to ask something. I just started rewatching Winx Club and I freaking love it. And I started thinking about it and how I want to read something like that. I really like the kingdom element and the cheesy romance/friendship thing. Holland has gone in the second lockdown so I need something fun/fluffy to read. Does anyone have a recommandation of a book like Winx Club? I have read the Selection and even though I see how problematic it is, I LOVED that Kisses (coronaproof)

[@paularodriguez726]

Have you read The House in the Cerulean Sea? Nothing like Winx but it's fluffy, light and really amazing. I read it because Reagan recommended it and it's my favorite of the year

[@starrynightfall00]

I feel the exact way about the Dresden Files lol I also want to get to that 5 book mark because I can see the potential

[@katyvee01]

Tessa Dare was also a huge highlight for me this year! I went through her Spindle Cove series so fast!

[@takini4918]

I think you will absolutely LOVE Meluha by Amish Tripathi. Its a high fantasy/mythology. Its a very famous trialogy in India. (Shiva trialogy by Amish Tripathi)

[@nivithanoronha7714]

Yesss it is so goood. Please check it out

[@crystalsbookishlife]

Tessa Dare YES!!! This makes my romance reader heart so happy!!

[@PeruseProject]

Romance is soooo fun!

[@stephanieokelberry8621]

The Poppy War though!! So AMAZINGGGG!!!

[@clariseherrle1133]

Where did you get Robin Hobbs books because I love those covers!!!

[@drawingwith_me4243]

You can find them on book depository, maybe amazon too but iv only see them on book depository

[@Starrysong]

The Power by Naomi Alderman, was a five star book for me, which I actually didn't like. I don't usually not like the books that I read. I kept reading because the writing style was so good, that I just couldn't stop until I finished it.

[@nelliandbooks]

I started Keeper of the lost cities series and I'm on the fourth book now! This series is amazing

[@theendpages1788]

I think I’ve read 12 of the Dresden Files at this point and the male gaze-ness improves but never goes away. I’m not a huge fan of Harry but I love all the stuff going on around him! Have you tried the audiobooks? They are narrated by James Marsters and make it easy to fly through!

[@moirad3504]

Lol, so I've spent since Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell came out trying to read it and this is the year I finally made it through (on attempt 4 of 5) and it is my favorite of this year, I'm actively planning to reread it in a few years.

[@stina98XD]

I looovee a discovery of witches. I flew through the first book. The second book is also very good. Haven't yet read the third one but I am very excited for it. Also the TV show is also so amazing. Season 2 just came out. Sadly here in Germany I still have to wait for season 2 but I only heard great things. Definitely check it out

[@nataliepolidoro9760]

I recommend watching the show Reign on Netflix. It’s so good and full of ridiculous romance in the 14th century. I love it so much.

[@Serena-lm3iy]

I read Legendborn months ago and it still lives in my head rent free!! 😂😍

[@elinamauno8833]

Okay A Discovery of Witches sounds like something different from what I thought it would be for some reason... It sounds absolutely right up my alley, so will definitely be checking it out after this.

[@miavillegas6022]

Legendborn might be my favorite book of the year!!! Went into it knowing nothing about the book and was absolutely BLOWN AWAY. Loving all the fantasy recs I'm getting from your channel!

[@dianthaadabbles384]

That's exactly how I felt about Legendborn! It was so great and I'm so happy whenever I see someone talking about it, this book deservers ALL THE HYPE

[@booksandlifewithlaura2143]

I'm happy to see that you loved Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. I haven't seen people talk about this book on booktube and Legendborn deserves to get more readers and more hype.

[@CelesMaria]

Piransi by Susanna Clarke was really great, I defintely recommend that one (and not at all like js&mn). It reminded me of the starless sea but with less confusion haha there's def mystery but it's all explained and revealed really well. A perfect short read too

[@Katiedora122]

I think my best surprising book this year was A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green, because even though I liked his first book I was shocked by how much more I loved this one (although it felt like a pandemic book but in a comforting way?). My worst surprising book was actually A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos, which I was hopeful about and it did include a lot of interesting things, but I hated all the characters (and also I counted the word "lugubrious" at least 5 times in the book, which makes me question the skill of the translator).

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

I picked Jonathan strange and Mr. Norrell because of your rec. I enjoyed it initially but was lost towards the end

[@misspopcoin2204]

If I have to painfully sit through four books in a series, to get to the good one. Then it's a bad series overall with one redeeming book. & That's the tea ☕

[@sketchbooktass1812]

I also discovered Robin Hobb and Tessa Dare recently and you're right! Great stories and characters!

[@stephaniereese4949]

I seriously can’t wait to read Legendborn and I’m so happy to see it in this video!!

[@PriscaL]

I'm excited for the Bridgerton show to come out on Netflix so maybe I should read the first girl meets Duke book.

[@NekoNya12]

A surprising book I read and loved this year was the Winter Night Trilogy :) so good

[@annakhjelm146]

My most plesant book suprice this year was reading the first book in 'The Polar Bear Explorars Club' triology. Such an amazing middle grade series, relly fun and so sweet. I can't believe that it has been sitting on my shelf for over a year before I picked it up 😲 Deffenatly one of my favourite middle grades ever together with the Iceheart series, the Nevermoor series and the Christmassaurus books. All of them are fantastic adventures with alot of fun and such sweet caracters 😁

[@louiseemborong5852]

Tis the season of year end videos~

[@PeruseProject]

yessssss the best time imo

[@fredrickbass4994]

That having to read five books before it gets good thing is how I feel about Malazan. Lol

[@thefantasyfanatic7127]

I got through 7 books of the Dresden Files and it does not get better. The male gaze is too strong for me too.

[@dougperry691]

Completely get your views on Jonathon Strange as I read it over a few days and found it quite slow at times and was happy for the book to finish as it was a tad drawn out but still loved the overall mashing of austen history and magic thinking it to be a fantastic book. If I recall right you read this over a few months and I can imagine if I did that I would have found it infinitely slower and more tedious.

[@heiditheowl2277]

i've never been this early! you should definitely check out sarah maclean, she has incredible historical romances with badass female heroines and steamy romances.

[@PeruseProject]

Thanks so much for the rec!

[@crystalsbookishlife]

I second this. Sarah MacLean is my favorite author and she writes historical romance for the modern reader so well! The heroes are consent kings and the heroines are strong and independent. HIGHLY recommend her!!

[@shizayaaa]

I read the duchess deal recently because of your recommendation and LOVED it!!

[@blandface9957]

Love how you had such a good reading year! I was the complete opposite 😂 I stopped reading as soon as quarantine happened and didn't pick up a book again till late November 😬

[@MarionOlvas]

Robin Hobb was the exact same for me this year. A new favorite for sure! :)

[@emiliereads4765]

A Discovery of Witches is definitely on my list! I don't think I have a list of worst books, just ones that I never finish 😂

[@judycarrasco74]

Same here - my Goodreads ratings are high because books I don't enjoy very much I don't finish.

[@emiliereads4765]

you save a lot of time that way, and let's be honest life is too short to read books you don't enjoy!

[@barbiestargirl1700]

Your videos are amazing 💖💖💖

[@barbiestargirl1700]

I discovered this year that I LOVE regency romance novels 💖💖💖 They are so sweet and good💗 Please recommend some clean and sweet regency romance novels 🌼

[@michellenaomi495]

Have you read Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins already? If not I would highly recommend it, it is a female female romance between a Princess and An exchange student and it was just so wholesome

[@Bonnie_Blues]

If you don't mind a little bit of magic I really liked 'Shades of Milk and Honey' by Mary Robinette Kowal

[@aliaswired]

Totally unpopular opinions here, but my hands down worst that I finished: Darkdawn, Court of Thorns and Roses 🤷🏼‍♀️. Lots of great reads, but most surprised by the Daevabad Trilogy, Shadow of the Fox, Spinning Silver. Can’t wait for more of your 2020 videos!

[@hamzaahmad4058]

I recently finished "The Ash Princess" which was recommended to me by a friend and really enjoyed it.

[@heathers_happily_ever_afters]

I was surprised by "The Proposal" by Jasmine Guillory. I picked it up on a whim and really enjoyed it. Most of the books I read was by authors I already know and love, so they didn't surprise me, but they delivered. I guess the worst book I read was "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer. I wanted to read this before the movie came out, but they were both really disappointing. If I was a kid I may have enjoyed them, but as a 31 year old female, not my cup of tea.

[@starlahenjoys]

Oof from unseen fire was ROUGH

[@Amyduckie]

I was surprised that The Memory of Babel got a soft DNF from me. I’m sure I’ll get back to it, but finding the r-slur in the book really threw me. I also have to say, it’s great seeing The Discovery of Witches getting the love it deserves. I thought it was really cleverly written and I promise you, the second one is better. 😁

[@Amyduckie]

Oh and this year was the WORST reading year for me. I read half of what I read last year.

[@takini4918]

I loved The duchess deal too! My all time favorite book in historical romance genre is The Secret by Julie Garwood...its amazing!

[@Neska1066]

Yes - Julie Garwood was my favourite as well

[@judycarrasco74]

I love that book! I also love Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught.

[@WhimsicalFamilyLife]

I thought you would include the Memory of Babel

[@annetteanderson7482]

Yes for Robin Hobb - I love her books. Too bad about the Dresden files, although I can see why you did not like his POV. It didn't bother me as I found it amusing. One of the things I liked about the Dresden files is his progression as a character. The female characters also really come into their own as his relationships with them evolve. However, I do understand you not reading further if you really did not enjoy it.

[@SimplySaraReads]

Biggest surprise for me was discovering Jennifer l armentrout. I’m on my 5th book and I’m here for it. I’m glad I found her so late because I have so much to read. It’s my fantasy steamy fix it didn’t know I needed. Lol.

[@TKDDLJ09]

Welcome to the party!,, she is by far my favourite author! And i have read all her books, also those under J.lynn. she makes fantastic new adult contemporary books as well! The covernant series was the first book series i ever read and i still love it to this day! And her new fantasy series, blood and ash, is so so so good! Hope you enjoy her as much as i have these last 8 years!

[@SimplySaraReads]

@@TKDDLJ09 I’ve done the blood and ash and am gonna start the covenant soon. So excited!!

[@TKDDLJ09]

@@SimplySaraReads blood and Ash is by far her best yet, I think. But covenant holds a special place in my heart because it was the first! And Alex is such a good character! But it is gonna remind you of Vampire academy in the first book, because that was her inspiration. But it's gonna change a lot throughout to become it's own thing. Just have that in mind! Also JLA writes THE best book boyfriends, like THE BEST! Not a single one I haven't loved. She is so good at it! And they are all such sweethearts!

[@Kelly2k1]

Love A Discovery Of Witches series By, Deborah Harkness and the tv show.

[@TiliaHaggstrom]

I actually picked up JS&MN because you talked about it and it ended up being a new all time favourite! So I'm really happy that you read it, even though it wasn't for you :) Edit TOTALLY on the same page with Dresden though. I really wanted to have fun reading it with everyone else, but the male gaze is strong with this one

[@PeruseProject]

yes!! I can totally understand why some people love that story! Like objectively I have a lot of respect for the choices, it just personally was not for me!

[@laurajob4532]

I added Robin Hobb and Legendborn to my list!! Thanks you 😊😊 I though the Queens of Innis Lear had potential but was pretty boring and long.

[@KMort]

I have MANY worst books of this year but a notable dnf at 450 literal pages was Mistborn 1, I DID NOT want to force myself to suffer any longer since my book club stopped at pg 120😂

[@NadaAlawadhi]

My worst reads were Crescent City and From Blood and Ash. They were really slow for me. I also DNFed a lot of books this year 😂

[@alesanamaine]

I was 20 pages into Crescent City and quit lol. Pre-ordered and everything but nah. That was the most awful drudgery.

[@NadaAlawadhi]

@@alesanamaine IKR?! Too bad I couldn’t return it on kindle. I couldn’t handle it 🤣 Her writing style is not for many of us. It’s too descriptive as if we’re dumb and can’t jump into conclusions ourselves and there are a lot of other major things that are not for me.

[@selinana29]

Fireborne was my favorite book that I read this year. It was so sad but so good. I was really let down by Tigana. It sounded like it would be fast paced, but it really dragged for me. It was far too sexual for my liking, and when it wasn’t sexual it was dull. I usually read books that long in a few days, but I tried for a month before finally giving up halfway through.

[@barbiestargirl1700]

Legendborn is an AMAZING novel💖💖💖 I am so excited for the next book💗

[@lanternwaste8361]

How many books did you read this year?

[@panienkashy]

One of the books I liked the least (mostly because I thought I'd love it) was Bone Crier's Moon.

[@watermelonprose5497]

I really want to read A Discovery of Witches!

[@ZeeZeeDreaming]

Awesome video!

[@donteven8938]

Where is The Poppy War?? 😭😭😭

[@rudig5698]

Did anyone read „The Alchemist“ by Paulo Coelho? 🥺❤️

[@misttborn]

I did when I was in middle school, I don't really remember it.

[@rudig5698]

@@misttborn okay, so you can’t remember if you liked it?

[@samankhalid8590]

Yup i read it last year. I found it to be very long winded and implausible

[@misttborn]

@@rudig5698 I think I liked it.

[@misttborn]

@@samankhalid8590 It is a really short book though

[@Minaru16]

Also didn't like Harry Dresden, my aunt loves them but i dont like the writing Style

[@elenichamou1791]

Oh noo I really want to read Jonathan Strange...

[@AndrewWatson401]

Read it. It's great.

[@PeruseProject]

I would still recommend checking it out! I personally didn't like it, but can totally understand why people do!

[@evareads2817]

I think my most surprising book was The Nemesis this year 😊❤️

[@nelliandbooks]

Are you gonna talk about The Memory of Babel in some video even though you DNF'd it?

[@vivianwakoff]

Who else couldn't stand Jonathan Strange... and doesn't get the hype? o/ (The best DNF of my life!) By the way, if you want quality historical fantasy with Jane Austen vibes, I highly reccomend the Glamourist Histories series by Mary Robinette Kowal! Chef's kiss from book 1!

[@chrish4991]

I tried Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel 🙅🏻‍♀️DNF

[@aliaswired]

Same.

[@alainahiteshew4685]

My least favorite book this year was The Night Circus, I’m so disappointed that I didn’t like it.

[@alainahiteshew4685]

@Lea B yes! I thought it would be a lot more action/adventure but instead it was more of a ~vibe~ than a plot.

[@cottonsparrot]

The worst book of the year for me was Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.