Kelly’s Top 10 Books Of 2020
Here are my Top 10 Books Of 2020 in random order! Whether I laughed out loud or was completely moved, each one of these books spoke to me in a unique way!
All Aboard
Confessions On The 7:45 by Lisa Unger begins with a nanny-cam gone wild, a train ride home from work, and all the dirty little secrets that were shared. Lets see what happens when the train pulls in the station, shall we.
The Jury Has Spoken
Today my friends, I have a book that will make it impossible to fall asleep after just a few pages. This book has built in momentum, pages that practically turn themselves and a riveting storyline with an ending to please. Britney King’s latest psychological thriller, Savage Row, is out now! It’s time for your bedtime story!
“Ernest” Chitter-Chatter
Dear Book Friends!
Can you believe that it is OCTOBER??? Wow…fall is in full force, that’s for sure. In my opinion, the best way to kick off October is to read a thriller. This month’s “Ernest” Chitter-Chatter book pick is The Wife Who Knew Too Much by bestselling author, Michele Campbell.
You Thrill Me Right Round Baby
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Today I am writing to you about two books that literally thrilled me to death. Suspense and crime fiction have really added some zest to my summer days. I’m not going to lie though, you weren’t exactly Mr. Thriller back in the day. As you are aware from previous letters, I will always rely on your simple, yet zealous writing. But once again, I am leaving the thrills and chills to a few others. Let me introduce you to E.G. Scott and Alice Feeney.
Buzz Go The Murder Hornets
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
As much as I love your writing and getting lost in your words, I sometimes crave a thrill that you simply can’t deliver (no offense). The breathless feeling from dangling off the top of some absurdly wild amusement park ride. The feeling of my heart literally pounding out of my chest. My mind playing tricks on me. You get the idea, right? Not to worry though.
Row~Row~Row Your Boat
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Who doesn’t love a warm summer day at the lake? Swimming, fishing, and boating on these glassy waters make for the perfect afternoon. I know you have spent your fair share of time on a lake. Your honeymoon with Hadley on Lake Walloon in Michigan (sorry the weather was crappy for you guys), and let’s not forget your 10 days on Lake Maggiore in Italy while on medical leave during the first World War. Let me ask you this though…did you ever see a dead woman floating in one of those lakes while you were relaxing onshore or boating around?
Murders & Mysteries & Madness…Oh My
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
MURDER! Is it madness, or maybe, just maybe, a curated act that offers on a silver platter, a mystery to be solved? Today I am talking about Peter Swanson’s latest book, Eight Perfect Murders, and John Marrs’ new book, What Lies Between Us. While Swanson’s book pays tribute to eight brilliant fictional murder mystery novels, Marrs’ book takes a deep dive into a strained (ok…demented) mother-daughter relationship…murder included!
Simon Says…”Read This Book”!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
During your life, you experienced your fair share of despair. There was never a shortage of troubled times for you Mr. H…that’s for sure. It is now April 2020, and we are in the middle of a global pandemic…the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Comparing our experiences is pretty much like comparing apples to oranges.
Round and Round They Go
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Ok…this past year, I have really been craving books that offer me a thrill, a few chills and a suspenseful mystery to be solved. When I was offered up an early look at Amy Engel’s new murder mystery, The Familiar Dark, I gobbled it right up. I went into this book predicting murder, investigations, ever-changing suspects, and some twists and turns along the way.
Anybody Could Have A Rolex
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Reading slumps are legit. Seems crazy to have a problem such as this with a TBR list longer than my own life’s expectancy. Even with a bookshelf overflowing with unread books and a library just a quick two-minute drive away, I sometimes find myself struggling to find a book to suit my mood. Everyone has their own unique strategy to overcome this malady, but for me, suspense or thriller usually remedies the problem.
Audio Books Worth Your Hours
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I need to say something and I really hope you and everyone else hears this correctly. AUDIO BOOKS COUNT AS READING! I can’t believe that there are actual people in the world that believe this to be untrue. I am setting the record straight today. Listening to your books vs. reading a physical book comes down to modality. One uses visual, while the other uses auditory. That is it. Still reading!
Get A Room!!!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
WOW!!!!! That is all I have to say about today’s book. I am always blown away when an author can write something that causes such an intense, visceral reaction. Murder, ghosts, and fear are what’s on tap for today.
Honor codes, Secret Societies & Traditions.…Oh My!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
What does a prestigious all-girls boarding school with a dead student hanging from the front gates make you think of??? My first thought would be that the cast from Gossip Girl invaded Rory Gilmore’s Chilton High School (not a boarding school, but same idea) and something BIG “goes down”. Well, if you think that makes an interesting combo, you must check out J.T. Ellison’s new book, Good Girls Lie.
The Best Books of 2019!!!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Can you believe that today is the last day of 2019? The last day of this DECADE???? This year has turned out some tremendous reads. Today I am sharing my top nine reads of 2019. Whether I was excited, crying, horrified, or genuinely scared, these nine books delivered the feels!!!!
Eight Days A Week
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Oh, readers…do I have a book for you. Fans of psychological thrillers will consume Tarryn Fisher’s latest book, The Wives at top speed. Her story revolves around Thursday, a married nurse living in Seattle. Thursday’s marriage is unconventional. She only sees her husband Seth, one day a week (Thursday). Why is this you ask?
Post Summer Catch Up With Kelly
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
It has been weeks since my last letter to you. Time flies by when you are on vacation, spending time with friends and family, and reading wonderful books! Nevertheless, summer is over 😢😢 and fall is in the air 😁😁. Today, I thought it would be great to recap a bunch of books that I’ve read recently. Now is the time to get everyone’s fall TBR piles stacked and ready to go.
Jackson & Marais ~ Authors To Love
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I have said it before and I will say it again…summer reading is simply the best. Let’s face it, time seems endless on a sweltering hot day. What makes this summer feel so exceptional is that all of the new release books are over the top marvelous. The authors are strong, their writing is spot on and the stories are unique. Today I am going to share two new books I just recently finished for this July that are completely disparate.
Devils Actually Do Wear Prada
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Reading about the New York City fashion world never grows old to me. How can you not love a female character who can flag down a cab in six-inch stilettos while juggling her high-end handbag, designer umbrella, diamond-studded iPhone, and piping hot Starbucks?
What Do You See When You Look Out Your Window???
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Can you see your neighbors when you look out your window? I can, but it is not particularly entertaining. They mow their lawns, start their grills, play with their dogs, and shoot hoops with their kids. Imagine if one day when you glanced out your window, you saw someone being murdered in your neighbor’s house! Keep that thought in mind while I set you up for your next big read.
Wicked Fast Reads
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
The number of books on my ever-growing “To Be Read” list can seem completely overwhelming at times. There is nothing more satisfying then gobbling up a few super-fast reads while enjoying my morning cup of Joe or a cocktail on my front porch on a warm fall evening. I am not always looking for a book that is a literary work of art, just quick, entertaining, and a little bit mysterious to keep me on my toes.
Tangerine…Not Just a Led Zeppelin Song
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I will admit, I picked up the book, Tangerine, by Christine Mangan based on looks alone. It was hard to resist a cover that screamed style, class, and Marilyn Monroe. Though this book does take place during the prime-time Marilyn era (1950’s), it has nothing to do with the lovely Norma Jeane. Instead, it follows fictional characters Alice Shipley and Lucy Mason as they both individually narrate this story in alternating chapters.