Another five books in the bag for 2020! I’ve now brought my total up to 75 which was the target I was aiming for by the end of the year (even though I originally started with a target of 16 – the number of books I read last year).
Part of me wants to beat this number in 2021, but another part of me hopes I’ll be too busy travelling, going out and socialising to be reading so many books. Either way, I still want to keep up my hobby of reading.
You can keep up with my books in realtime over at @ocbookshelf and in the meantime, I’ll be finishing off the last few books of 2020.
1. THIS IS GOING TO HURT BY ADAM KAY
What a book. If you ever want an insight to what it’s like to work for the NHS, read this book. If you don’t want an insight, also read this book. This should be mandatory reading for everyone to know just what it’s like as someone working as a doctor, nurse, or in any part of our National Health Service.
The minimum wage, the long hours, unpaid overtime, stress, abuse and negligence is appalling. I don’t have any close friends that work in the health sector so had no idea just how awful it is.
The book made me laugh out loud and I actually learnt some new things that I hadn’t picked up when watching all 16 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. Read this book!
2. A MAN CALLED OVE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN
It took me a little while to fully get into this book, but by the end it had me (almost) weeping. The story follows a grumpy old man very set in his ways and rules, who wants to end his life and be with his recently deceased wife. However, it seems that there is always someone getting in the way before he can actually do it.
Nosy neighbours, small children and a cat somehow worm their way into Ove’s grumpy life and over time change him into a more caring man. A very wholesome read that makes you see that there’s a better way to live life than to always seeing the negative in everything.
3. BLOOD ORANGE BY HARRIET TYCE
As you’re probably aware by now, I am obsessed with thrillers. Last year’s chosen genre was very much business and self-help books, but thrillers have taken the forefront this year. And what a thriller this was.
A great crime novel with many twists and turns, and running up to the end I finally figured out what was going on. If you’re looking for a novel to keep you engrossed, this will be the one.
This is Harriet Tyce’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read her next release.
4. THE CHALET BY CATHERINE COOPER
I saw this book recommended on my book Instagram feed (shameless plug, @ocbookshelf) and that it was only £3.50. Since I was in the mood for some Christmas themed reading, this sounded right up my street as it was a crime novel.
I gave the book a 3 star rating, as even though the book was good, there were a lot of loose ties at the end and characters I thought would play a part that really didn’t. It got a little confusing towards the ending but the story in itself was good and intriguing.
I just wish there was more of a twist or more of a detective aspect to the story.
5. WONDER BY R. J. PALACIO
Excuse me while I try to stop crying. This book is honestly one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever read. Kids can just be so mean. Now to watch the movie and cry all over again.
Even though this is a kids book or young adult, to me, it should be required reading for anyone of any age. It teaches us to be kind to everyone, not to stare, not to laugh, not to point and go that extra mile to be kind to everyone we meet.
It broke my heart with every page, and it’s definitely made me think about being the kindest I can to everyone I encounter as we never know what anyone is going through or how anyone feels about themselves. Be kind, and then be kinder.
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