Another year draws to a close, so it’s time to publish my Top Reads of the year. These are the stories that stood out for me over the past 12 months. They are listed in no particular order; just the ones I enjoyed reading the most during this crazy year of 2020. If you click on the title, it will take you to my review.
Best Books Read in 2020
Dune (1965) by Frank Herbert
Dune Messiah (1969) by Frank Herbert
Europe at Dawn (2018) by Dave Hutchinson
In the Forests of Serre (2004) by Patricia McKillip
Utopia Avenue (2020) by David Mitchell
The Folding Knife (2010) by K.J. Parker
The Secret Commonwealth (2019) by Philip Pullman
Lancelot (2018) by Giles Kristian
The Stand (1978) by Stephen King
Best Collections Read in 2020
The Private Life of Elder Things (2016) by Adrian Tchaikovsky & more
Elric of Melnibone and Other Stories (2013) by Michael Moorcock
Best Novellas & Short Stories Read in 2020
Tracking Song (1975) by Gene Wolfe
A Dead Djinn in Cairo (2016) by P. Djeli Clark
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 (2019) by P. Djeli Clark
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (1966) by Philip K. Dick
The Temple (1920) by H.P. Lovecraft
The Dunwich Horror (1928) by H.P. Lovecraft
The Devil You Know (2016) by K.J. Parker
Gray Matter (1973) by Stephen King
A Good Marriage (2010) by Stephen King
Cover art by Bruce Pennington
Best Comics Read in 2020
Sandman Mystery Theatre, Vol.1: The Tarantula (1995) by Matt Wagner & Guy Davis
Once & Future, Vol.1: The King is Undead (2020) by Kieron Gillen & Dan Mora
Saga, Vol.1 (2012) by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits (1991) by Garth Ennis & Will Simpson
Coffin Bound, Vol.1: Happy Ashes (2020) by Dan Watters & DaNi
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth (2020) by Daniel Warren Johnson
So, 2020, what was that all about then? Ignoring other things, 2020 was a good year for reading, writing reviews, and–best of all–discovering some cool new blogs. I’m happy to say that I received the most views and comments this year. I’m sure this was hugely helped by my finding these new-to-me blogs. That led to much more interaction with fellow bloggers this year, which has been one of my highlights😀
So, a BIG thank you for all your comments, recommendations, jokes and company. Best Wishes for 2021 and, as always, thank you for reading!
Wakizashi's Reviews 
Glad to have found your blog, there are some treasures in it yet to be discovered!
Keep on with the good work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Andreas! And the same to you. It’s really good to find fellow reviewers with similar tastes. Looking forward to more recommendations in the coming year 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are a few excellent titles! Reminds me to continue Hutchinson.
Btw, what are the new blogs you found?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, the Europe series is definitely worth reading to the end.
New to me blogs are Bookstooge, Re-enchantment of the World, Bookidote, Reiszwolf, and Film Authority.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, most of those were a
on my radar already!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought so. I’m slow to the party 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great choices!
And congrats on jumping into the wider pool of book blogging. Hope you can discover some more great bloggers in ’21…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😀 This year has helped reinvigorate my blog and introduced me to some great new friends! Long may it continue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved Europe at Dawn as well, the Fractured Europe Sequence is amazing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, really good.😀 I’ve said it before, but if I had more time I would re-read them all one after another. I wonder if he will return to the series in the future?
LikeLike
Nice range to the list, I like it! I reread Dune this year and it made it into my top 5 fiction books of the year. And I’m about halfway through The Private Life of Elder Things thanks to your review earlier in the year. I’m really enjoying it so far, so thanks for that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Todd! Glad to hear you are enjoying Elder Things. I’m so happy I re-read Dune this year because it reminded me what a brilliant piece of storytelling it really is. I’m planning to read Children of Dune some time in 2021.
LikeLike
Way to go! Saga is an excellent comic series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I’m looking forward to starting Volume 2 soon 😀
LikeLike
Looks like you had a great 2020, reading-wise! I wish I could read “Dune” for the first time each year 😉 I’m happy we made the connection this year, my New Year resolution is to be a more active commentator 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was a good year for reading 😀 Me too, it was great finding you and Ola. I also need to work on my commenting 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fantastic wrap-up with excellent choices, some that I adored myself, Dune, in particular, Saga as well (can’t wait till you see how much of a torture volume 9 was as they went on a hiatus)! Hope 2021 will prove to be a fantastic year with great reads and even more interaction, sir! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lashaan😊 I was lucky to enjoy a lot of what I read last year. Yes, looking forward to more Saga and Dune in 2021. And, of course, continuing our conversations about comics and other good stuff. Best wishes!
LikeLike
I was scratching my head trying to remember where I got the Dead Djinn in Cairo recommendation and now I know! I just started it tonight and now Misty is getting to hear about the cool things I’ve read and learned already! It’s a beautiful thing and you can look for a review for it in the next couple of days. 🤠
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great ☺️ I’m looking forward to your review. I like what I’ve read by this author so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Great list by the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Have you enjoyed any of the books listed here?
LikeLike