Everything I Read In 2020 & My 2021 Reading Goal

Are you really an avid reader if you don’t join the Goodreads reading challenge?

This year I didn’t even bother to make actual goals or resolutions, but I certainly set my Goodreads challenge.

Everything I Read in 2020 & My 2021 Reading Goal

I’ve signed up for the Goodreads reading challenge three years in a row. The first year I discovered the challenge in September and made a goal of 24 books. I did not hit it. The following year, I made an ambitious goal of 100 books. I did not hit it. Not only did I not hit that goal, but I didn’t even come close to hitting it. And in 2020, I made a well thought out goal of 30 books. And we finally hit it! It was genuinely one of the highlights of my year. The minute I closed that last book and updated my Goodreads account, I sat there with the biggest smile and just celebrated my small achievement.

There were some hits & misses of the year, but it was overall a really good book year. For reference my favorite & most read genres are romance as I love a good romcom and contemporary fiction. I created a comprehensive list of everything I read in 2020 below. To avoid this post being too long, I’ve linked the books for easy access to the blurb along with a quick yes or no review.

Everything I Read in 2020

1. Puddin’ by Julie Murphy | A must read. I actually enjoyed this more than Dumplin’ and that’s saying a lot because I loved Dumplin’
2. Save The Date by Monica Murphy | I had high hopes, but was a little disappointed. An easy read, but I just wanted more.
3. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus | So good. I loved the twists and turns. It kept me guessing the whole way through.
4. Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore | Incredible. One of my favorite books of 2020 with a great enemies to lovers dynamic.
5. The Mister by E.L James | Pass. I would not recommend this to my worst enemy. And I will say, I actually enjoyed 50 shades, but this was a disaster and it was so long!
6. Roomies by Christina Lauren | I’m a huge fan of the duo that is Christina Lauren and have read several of their books. This one was really sweet. Quick and worth the read.
7. Anna K by Jenny Lee | Gossip Girl vibes with an Asian American twist and somehow more scandalous. This book sucked me in and broke my heart. Incredible.
8. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang | My favorite Vietnamese author. Her work is incredible and this one was no exception. Highly recommend.
9. Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey | So good. Tessa Bailey has easily become one of my favorite romcom authors.
10. Well Met by Jen DeLuca | I had high hopes, but was actually disappointed. I found it hard to get through at times.
11. Tweet Cute by Emma Lord | Really charming and such a quick and easy read.
12. Majesty by Katharine McGee | The first book in the series, American Royals, was one of my favorite books in 2019 and the sequel did not disappoint. I just love the premise of the book.
13. Wasted Words by Staci Hart | It was cute. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. I found the leading lady to be quite annoying honestly.
14. Beach Read by Emily Henry | I really enjoyed this one. It was an easy read, but I still felt like there were so many layers to it and I enjoyed the character dynamics.
15. Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin | One of my favorite 2020 reads. Rich Manhattan mommy bloggers. Need I say more? I read this in one day. I did not see the twists coming, I will tell you that much!
16. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon | I enjoyed this one. A little too much shop talk for my taste and I wish there was more character development, but overall a good read.
17. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell | Sexual assault trigger warning. This one was really dark, but also thought provoking and insightful. It takes you through the before, during and after of a young girl’s affair with her teacher. It was a hard read at times, but I think it did a great job with showcasing the victim’s journey and struggles.
18. The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan | I love a good book about any royals. This one was quite long and felt long. But, I really enjoyed it and grew attached to the characters. I even felt sad when I finished it, like I was saying goodbye!
19. One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London | A plus size blogger goes on the Bachelorette. Incredible. Worth the read.
20. Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein | I’ve read all of Hannah’s books and I always know it’s going to be an instant favorite for me. This one was no exception.
21. A Rouge of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore | I enjoyed this. I didn’t love it as much as Bringing Down the Duke, but it’s worth the read.
22. Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting | Helena’s books are another “instant favorite read” for me. This one was no exception. A fun enemies to lovers storyline plus it was just really charming.
23. Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid | I wanted to like this more than I did. I would skip it to be honest.
24. Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey | Amazing. Loved. Tessa Bailey knows how to write a romcom.
25. Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey | The third book in the lineup and honestly it was my favorite. Enemies to lover storyline. The quick wit and banter between the characters. But, also the character development. It was so charming and fun.
26. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae | A quick and easy read. Issa Rae is great and I loved learning about her culture.
27. The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan | A great follow up to the The Royal We. There were some plot holes I wish were filled, but overall worth the read.
28. The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim | A great perspective of the immigrant experience from a Korean American point of view. An interesting look on the communication issues between a mother and a daughter. Heartbreaking, but insightful.
29. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman | I can not say enough good things. And yet, it was so amazing that I have no words. One of my favorite all time reads.
30. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren | Another Christina Lauren gem. I found myself smiling throughout the entire book.

My 2021 Reading Goal

The book lover in me always wants to go for the ambitious 100 book goal, but as I barely made my 30 book goal in 2020, I figured I should pace myself. For 2021, my reading goal is 50 books! I’m actually pretty confident that I will hit my goal although Eddie is being a hater and disagrees. There are a ton of books in my “to read” list that I’m dying to get to so I’m pretty optimistic, but we shall see come January 2022!