2020 Book Challenge

I have explained on my blog before that while I adore reading I am a very slow reader so I try to challenge myself to read more each year and this year it was to read 8 books. I accomplished it and it felt so good to do so! I've started to read more before I go to bed to help me relax and more in my downtime so I'm not constantly looking at a screen. It's certainly doing wonders for me so it was no surprise I managed to accomplish my book challenge for 2020. 

Here are the books I read and my thoughts on them:

1) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 

The main reason for reading this was for my dissertation but it had been on my list after reading the blurb while book shopping one day. I loved the mystery of the story and really got pulled in. My only issue is I felt the story was a bit slow in the middle but when the mystery is unfolded (I shan't spoil it because it's an amazing twist) the plot instantly picks up. It was a great Gothic novel and I think I'll delve into more books by du Maurier in future. She really knows how to set an atmosphere and give such vivid descriptions you feel as though you're being pulled into the story. 

2) Fairest of All by Serena Valentino 

I was given a box set of four books that were about Disney Villains for Christmas the year before. I felt during my dissertation it would be perfect to read one because they wouldn't be too intense and could help me relax. I picked this one and it centered around the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I really liked the story and picturing how it fit in around the actual Disney film. It felt realistic and really made you pity the villain and I love stories like that. If you've Wicked it really gave me those vibes where it fit perfectly and you can see why the Queen did the things she did. 

3) A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab

I was recommended this years ago and bought it around the same time so it's been on my book shelf a good few years now. I said to myself I'd try and read books I already owned before buying more so I picked this up. I really liked the concept of different realms and the magic but I couldn't seem to attach myself to the characters. I really liked the story but I wasn't as into it as I'd hoped. I don't think I'll read the others in the series but I would like to try more from the author. 

4) Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino 

This was another of the villain stories and I was quite disappointed in this one. While I enjoyed the fact that it linked all the other stories together I just felt it didn't center that closely on Ursula and I found myself getting a bit bored. When I found out this was actually a series and not separate stories I tried to make sure I organised the next one so it was in order. I like the concept of the series and the original characters but this missed the mark a little for me as I felt it didn't make Ursula feel realistic. 

5) The Beast Within by Serena Valentino 

Now Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite Disney films so I was always going to be a little protective of this. I did like the idea of a slightly different origin story for how the Beast came to be but I wasn't as immersed in this story as the others. This book did help me understand Poor Unfortunate Soul a little more as I realised I'd read them in the wrong order. It was good and had some spooky elements that I enjoyed but I think I'm a little too attached to the original.  

6) The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton 

I had heard of this book as it was raved about by a few YouTubers I watched at the time. I adored this book. The descriptions were so vivid  and clear and I loved the fact it took place in the past. I constantly found myself wanting to know more and while sometimes I knew what was going to happen other times I was completely surprised. I did find the ending a little disappointing but I really enjoyed it and it's helped me realise I'd love to try more mystery style books in the future. 

7) Circe by Madeline Miller 

This is not only my favourite book I read last year but I think it's in my favourite books I've ever read. I adore Greek mythology. This was a wonderful story about a powerful witch in Greek mythology and I just found myself getting obsessed with mythology all over again. It was rich in descriptions and I really became attached to the characters. It was even greater hearing about a goddess I'd not heard of before so it was very exciting to learn more. 

8) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 

I was given this beautiful version of A Christmas Carol the year before by my Nan and Grandad and saved it especially to read at Christmas time. It was quite a short book and obviously it's a story that's been told over and over in many different ways so I knew what to expect. However, it was still interesting to read the original text and see little bits that were missed out of versions I'd watched on TV. I won't deny I did have to search up a few things that I was unsure of, whether it was words or things from that era, but it was still nice to read. 

Let me know in the commends what books you guys read last year and any I should keep in mind to try this year!