Hey there book lovers! I am delighted to share my Top 10 Books for 2020 with you! Even though this has been one of the hardest and craziest years of my life, I’ve still been able to get lost in the glorious world of books. By now, I’m pretty sure you all know that I’m an eclectic reader who reads a lot of diverse books (I’m just a nerdy girl with a persistent book dragon!) I’ve had a hard time with putting this list together because I have read so many awesome books this year and settling on just ten books seemed almost impossible but I eventually made up my mind. So this year, my top 10 list is filled with wonderful books from numerous genres—from young-adult fiction to mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi, dystopian and romance.

By the way, I’m already skating on thin ice with my boss because I’m always late for work after my all-night reading marathons (This is all Sheena’s fault because she told me about some of these books and I just had to read them!) Besides the threat of unemployment, I’m not ashamed to admit that the books on this list have caused me to lose sleep, create entertaining late for work excuses and pray to the literary goddesses for more books from these phenomenal authors!

1 The Stars and The Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

The Stars And The Blackness Between Them by Junauda PetrusPublished by Penguin Random House

Audiobook Yes, narrated by Junauda Petrus, Bahni Turpin and J. D. Jackson

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Port of Spain, Trinidad. Sixteen-year-old Audre is despondent, having just found out she’s going to be sent to live in America with her father because her strictly religious mother caught her with her secret girlfriend, the pastor’s daughter. Audre’s grandmother Queenie (a former dancer who drives a white convertible Cadillac and who has a few secrets of her own) tries to reassure her granddaughter that she won’t lose her roots, not even in some place called Minneapolis. “America have dey spirits too, believe me,” she tells Audre.

Minneapolis, USA. Sixteen-year-old Mabel is lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out why she feels the way she feels–about her ex Terrell, about her girl Jada and that moment they had in the woods, and about the vague feeling of illness that’s plagued her all summer. Mabel’s reverie is cut short when her father announces that his best friend and his just-arrived-from-Trinidad daughter are coming for dinner.

Mabel quickly falls hard for Audre and is determined to take care of her as she tries to navigate an American high school. But their romance takes a turn when test results reveal exactly why Mabel has been feeling low-key sick all summer and suddenly it’s Audre who is caring for Mabel as she faces a deeply uncertain future.

Why I love it

This story cracked my heart wide open! I could easily see parts of myself in Audre and I was thrilled beyond measure to see my Trinidadian dialect featured in this heart-tugging novel. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this story because it deals with the joyful feelings that first love brings, the power of ancestral healing, the issues that many people of color face and the devastating effects of a terminal illness.

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2 Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn BayronPublished by Bloomsbury Publishing

Audiobook Yes, narrated by Bahni Turpin

Read the full review here

Synopsis

It’s 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairytale is over.

Sophia knows the story though, off by heart. Because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she’s tiny until the night she’s sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen by a man at the ball … are forfeit.

But Sophia doesn’t want to be chosen – she’s in love with her best friend, Erin, and hates the idea of being traded like cattle. And when Sophia’s night at the ball goes horribly wrong, she must run for her life. Alone and terrified, she finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s tomb. And there she meets someone who will show her that she has the power to remake her world …

An electrifying twist on the classic fairytale that will inspire girls to break out of limiting stereotypes and follow their dreams!

Why I love it

This is the kind of story that I wished I had read as a teenager! There’s nothing I love more than devouring a captivating story that has headstrong and resilient young women who are willing to bring the patriarchy down and they are also willing to fight for the right to love whoever their hearts’ desire.

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3 The Athena Protocol by Shamim Sarif

The Athena Protocol by Shamim SarifPublished by Harper Teen

Audiobook Yes, narrated by Nicola Barber

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Jessie Archer is a member of the Athena Protocol, an elite organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice around the world.

Athena operatives are never supposed to shoot to kill–so when Jessie can’t stop herself from pulling the trigger, she gets kicked out of the organization, right before a huge mission to take down a human trafficker in Belgrade.

Jessie needs to right her wrong and prove herself, so she starts her own investigation into the trafficking. But going rogue means she has no one to watch her back as she delves into the horrors she uncovers. Meanwhile, her former teammates have been ordered to bring her down. Jessie must face danger from all sides if she’s to complete her mission–and survive.

Why I love it

I’m here for the spying, hand to hand combat and rescuing women and children from the clutches of ruthless human traffickers. This story was just right for me because it was fast-paced and riveting. Plus, I got to live on the edge while I tagged along with the awesome women in the Athena Protocol team and I loved every moment of it!

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4 Hotel Queens by Lee Winter

Hotel Queens by Lee WinterPublished by Ylva Publishing

Audiobook No

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Over one long night at a bar in Las Vegas, two powerful hotel executives meet, flirt, and challenge each other—having no clue they’re rivals after the same dream deal.

Brilliant ice queen Amelia Duxton is a hotel vice president who thrives on control, truth, and efficiency. She’s in no mood for love or the mess it brings. All she wants is to buy the coveted Mayfair Palace—a massive deal that could finally help her land the CEO job in her family’s hotel empire.

Fiery Kai Fisher is charming and chaotic and renowned for closing ambitious deals. Her sights are set on snatching the Mayfair Palace out from under the nose of her hated arch rivals, the Duxton family.

But when secrets emerge and everything starts to fall apart, how can either of the warring women win—especially when they’ve just met their match?

Why I love it

I am always having a shameless love affair with ice queens and this author does a fantastic job of providing me with more fictional wives. I live for the steamy, messy and palpable kind of attraction that was brewing between Amelia and Kai! By the way, I fell in love with this story from the moment I laid eyes on the cover!

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5 Remember Me, Synthetica by K. Aten

Remember Me Synthetica by K AtenPublished by Regal Crest Enterprises

Audiobook No

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Dr. Alexandra Turing is a roboticist whose intellect is unrivaled in the field of artificial intelligence. While science has always come easy, Alexandra struggles to understand emotional cues and responses. Driven by the legacy of her late great-uncle, she dedicates her life to the Synthetica project at her father’s company, Organic Advancement Solutions (OAS).​

Her life is rebooted when she wakes from a coma, six months after being struck by a car. Traumatic brain injury altered Alex’s senses, her memory, and her personality. Despite the changes, she feels reborn as she navigates her way back into her old life. Part of her new journey includes dating the alluring Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Emily St. John.

Emily is enamored with the hyper-intelligent scientist, but there are things about Alex and OAS that don’t add up. With Emily’s prompting, Alex undergoes testing that leaves her with more questions than answers. What she discovers changes more than her life, it will change the world around her.

Why I love it

Who needs sleep when you can hop into Emily and Alex’s world? I didn’t need any sleep at all until the sun came up and then I remembered that I had to go to work (this author owes me the strongest packet of coffee and a good night’s rest!) I love everything about this story because it is thought-provoking and it explores the depths of artificial intelligence and what makes us human beings.

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6 Finding Jessica Lambert by Clare Ashton

Finding Jessica Lambert by Clare AshtonPublished by Indie Author

Audiobook No

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Movie star Jessica Lambert is in danger of burning out. Returning to London for the premiere of her latest film, she’s recognised everywhere she goes. When she runs away through the streets of London, she’s taken in by the beautiful and more mature Anna. The two hide in the sanctuary of Anna’s roof-top flat, a haven away from the crowds, but why has Anna removed herself from the world?

As the two women get to know each other, stripping away the layers, both appreciate what each does for the other. This could be the start of something wonderful, more than either of them know.

Why I love it

I always wondered what it would be like to be rich and famous and this author gave me a frank and realistic portrayal of the true cost of fame. I lost my heart to Jessica and Anna because they had to deal with a lot of personal and professional hurdles in order for them to have the once-in-a-lifetime kind of love and belonging they thought they would never find.

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7 You Should See Me in A Crown by Leah Johnson

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah JohnsonPublished by Scholastic Inc.

Audiobook Yes, narrated by Alaska Jackson

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down . . . until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She’s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

Why I love it

I don’t know about anyone else but I fell in love with this beautiful book cover because it perfectly portrays black joy and the radiance of black girl magic! This is the kind of story that I have always wanted to read because I could easily relate to Liz and the challenges she faced. I would love to read more books like this one and I can’t wait to get my hands on more books from this wonderful author!

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8 Love and Chaos by Poppy Woods

Love And Chaos by Poppy WoodsPublished by Indie Author

Audiobook No

Read the full review here

Synopsis

The second collapse changed the world forever.

Cris has spent her entire life in her Tribe. Safe from the pollution that still clings to more populated areas, they grow crops to sell in the Cities, they hunt for their meat, and they take care of their own. Their rural way of life ensures the politics of the Cities doesn’t reach them.

Until one day, it does.

Like all orphans, Love Ward was conscripted into the Venus Guard as a child. She has done her best to take the opportunity and make it into a career, something she can be proud of. The Venus Guard is her family.

But the New Republic has secrets, the kind of secrets that can get a low-ranking officer like Love reassigned and even killed if she’s not careful.

When chaos erupts around them, the two women find themselves at odds but with only each other to rely on. Their shared past and the growing attraction between them can only serve as a distraction as they fight for their lives.

Can a guard from the Cities and a girl from the Tribes expose the New Republic’s dirty secrets?

Can they change their world without losing their lives—or their hearts?

Why I love it

This story is seriously mind blowing and I had a really hard time with putting my kindle down. I was lost for words for a long while after I devoured this novel because so many parts of this compelling story are very similar to what is happening in our world right now—deadly diseases, worldwide chaos, widespread pollution, climate change and the mind-boggling corruption that is running rampant in high places.

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9 Find Me When I’m Lost by Cheryl A. Head

Find Me When I'm Lost by Cheryl A HeadPublished by Bywater Books

Audiobook No

Read the full review here

Synopsis

When Charlie Mack is hired by her ex-husband’s new wife, things get awkward quickly. Her ex, Franklin, has been charged with his brother-in-law’s murder. Charlie and Pamela both believe he didn’t do it; it’s the only thing they will ever see eye-to-eye on. But he’s also in hiding for some reason neither of them understands. To the police, it adds up to guilt, but to Charlie, it indicates that Franklin has stumbled into an unplanned, and perhaps life-threatening, complication. Charlie wants proof the case doesn’t involve a double cross, and when the Mack Investigations team throws all their assets at the case, Charlie’s girlfriend, Mandy demands assurance that Charlie’s all-out efforts to find Franklin aren’t driven by lingering romantic feelings. In the end, everyone involved learns that loyalty often runs much deeper than love.

Why I love it

I’m rather fond of who-done-it stories and this book is dear to my heart because it deals with deep deception, racism and endless family drama (plus, I’ve got a crush on Charlie!) Even though this is the fifth book in the series, I am always happy to tag along with Charlie and her teammates because they care about the well-being of their clients. They will work around the clock in order to solve a case and get the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

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10 The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Henna Wars by Adiba JaigirdarPublished by Page Street Publishing

Audiobook Yes, narrated by Priya Ayyar

Read the full review here

Synopsis

Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled―but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back.

As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.

Why I love it

I have a lot of love for this story because I could totally relate to Nishat’s conflicting thoughts and emotions. This story will have a permanent place on my favorite re-reads list because it deals with cultural expression and appropriation and being true to yourself despite the disapproval of others.

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If you enjoyed this list then look at April’s other favourite reads here