My Favorite Reads of 2020

I read some really good books in 2020.  In fact, I had starred around 20 books in my reading journal as being favorites.  However, looking back, I think I can narrow the list further.

Rachel is part owner and head chef of an upscale restaurant in Denver.  When a food critic writes a negative review and Rachel responds, in a weak moment, to a reporter, the restaurant is in danger of losing business.  What a great book!  It is full of deep characters, delicious food and an irresistible location.  See my full review here.

I had never read Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.  It turned out to be one of my favorite reads of the year.  See my full review here.

Five people receive an invitation to come to a meeting of the Fifth Avenue Story Society.  They all choose to attend, but no one knows who has invited them or why.  Read my full review here.

I enjoyed this book on writing and tend to agree with King when he says, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others:  read a lot and write a lot.  There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut."  My full review is here.

I loved this book of letters written from Helene Hanff to a bookshop and the shop employee's return letters.  It had been on my TBR for a long time.  I think I was avoiding it because I wasn't sure I would like to read a book written in letters.  Read my full review here. 

This was my introduction to Wendell Berry.  I wasn't sure I would like his writing style.  I was wrong!  I really liked it and want to read more fiction by him.  Read my full review here.

I always enjoy Agatha Christie, but I particularly like this one.  I enjoy the exotic setting and the clever mystery.  My full review is here. 

I always enjoy spending time with Everly Swan in Charm, NC.  This time she is hosting a wedding reception on the beach outside of her tea shop.  Unfortunately, the groom is murdered.  My full review is here. 

Daisy and her crew are giving a tea for a wealthy former actress and the cast of an upcoming play.  The host is found murdered.  The characters and their relationships with one another are what keep me coming back to this series.  My full review is here. 

This was a new author and series to me.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to read more of the series in 2021. Wanda Batton-Smythe, the leader of the Women's Institute and bane to many in town, is found murder in the village hall during the Harvest Fayre.  Max assists in the investigation.  My full review is here. 

I enjoyed this slowly unfolding, page-turning, police procedural by a new to me author.  My full review is here.

I am still talking about this memoir written by a doctor during her time at the last alms house in the country.  My review is here. 

Have you read any of these books?  Are any your favorites?