We’re almost a month past the halfway mark of the year, but I still think this is a good time to do this post because by December, the entire list could be different. It’ll be interesting to see how it changes by then, if I ever get out of this reading slump I’m in.

So at this point in the year I’ve read 53 books. About the same as last year, though at a much different pace and different formats of fiction. I read about twenty volumes of manga, as opposed to five last year. While I enjoyed the mangas, I’m not counting them on the list this time.

For the most part, I’ve read a lot of great books. I’ve only DNF’d one book so far this year, which is awesome, so everything I finished I did enjoy… there are just different levels of enjoyment. In any case, here are my top ten reads of 2020… so far.

Favorite Books of 2020 (so far)

1. Not Like the Movies – My most recent read. I can see a lot of Chloe in myself and I just simply enjoyed the book from page one until the end.

2. Gone With the Wind – Obviously the longest book I read. I actually read this one in quarantine, like the full-on lock-down, working from home quarantine. It took me a few weeks to get through this book, but I was left with the worst book hangover after finishing… and that’s how you know a book is good!

3. Restart – This is such a good middle grade novel that I feel is a must-read. I was happy to see that it made it to my state’s Nutmeg Award Nominee list for middle grade books, and I’m hoping it wins.

4. I’ll Be There For You: The One About Friends – If you’re a Friends fan, I think you’ll really enjoy this book. It gives a lot of background information on the show, not only while filming but also the process of coming up with the show and casting the roles. I enjoyed this book all the way through and I would gladly read it again.

5. The Paper Girl of Paris – On a whim I decided to read this book (and buy it) and I’m so glad that I did. I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction (or partial in this case) but I found it very interesting and I loved the entire story. I highly recommend this one!

6. One of Us is Next – The follow up to One of Us is Lying, and while I like the first book a lot more, this one is still very good. I think if you keep away from comparing the novels, you’ll find that this book is just as good as the rest of McManus’s books.

7. The Bookworm Crush – I gushed over this book so much while reading it. The main characters have a great banter, as well as their families and friends. Amy is a bookworm who’s shy and awkward and I relate to her so much, and Toff is just a goofball that you have to love.

8. The Printed Letter Bookshop – This novel was such a good book about finding yourself and friendships in places you’d least expect. I loved how the author chose to do the narration for each character – something I didn’t notice right away, but loved that little nugget! And of course, it mostly takes place around a bookshop, so that gives the book like 50 points right there.

9. Noel Street – I pretty much love every Richard Paul Evans book I read, and this was no exception. It’s a very easy read about redemption, which also covers racism in the 1970s as well as mental health of Vietnam veterans. I definitely recommend this one.

10. Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food and Love – This is a great collection of young-adult short stories, though I can’t say I liked each one. There were three or four that I didn’t care for, but were still written well and I think others would enjoy them.

And there you have it! These are my top favorite reads of 2020 so far. I’m hoping to kick this reading slump today by starting a book that’s been on my TBR for a while, rather than rereading something. But if I have to, I will.

Anyway, do we think I can read 50 more books by the end of the year? (I kind of doubt it, haha)

What were some of your favorite reads so far this year?