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TS’s Top 20 Books Read in 2020

TS’s Top 20 Books Read in 2020


2020 has been such a strange, stressful and complicated year.  I took a one-year sabbatical leave from work from mid-2019 and managed to do quite a bit of travelling for about six months before the world got completely turned upside down.  I’ve read/listen over 120 books this year, 73 of which was completed during the first half when I wasn’t working and the entire world was on lockdown.  Getting back to work during the second half in the midst of a global pandemic and a new challenging role did affect my ability to read and also write reviews on a regular basis.

Despite 2020 being such a watershed/dumpster year, it’s been an incredible one for my reading as I’ve completed a lot books ranging from great to masterpieces.  In fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve added so many books onto my favourites shelf (many of which were from the same series).  If you’re curious/interested, you also can see my year in books for 2020 right here.

Similar to my previous list, I do not limit this to only books released this year.  There are simply too many great books that have been published prior and that I’ve yet to read, so there will always be older books included.  Below are the parameters that I’ve set for the list.

  • Rereads don’t count
  • One book per author
  • Not limited to books which are released this year.

None of these are ranked except for the top five.  The rest, I’ve listed them in the chronological order of when I’ve read them this year.  Almost all of these have been reviewed by me on Novel Notions and Goodreads, albeit some are quite brief.

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Petrik’s Top 20 Books of the Year (2020)

Petrik’s Top 20 Books of the Year (2020)

The featured image above was specifically designed by Felix Ortiz for Novel Notions’ Top 20 Lists. Check out his portfolio, he’s brilliant.


This list is also available on my Booktube Channel if that’s what you preferred: https://youtu.be/1gXaV7SQVio

 

Click here if you want to see the list of all the books I’ve read this year: Petrik’s Year in Books (2020)

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Book Review: Battle Ground (The Dresden Files, #17) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Battle Ground (The Dresden Files, #17) by Jim Butcher

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo

Review copy provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #17 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 432 pages (UK Hardcover)

Published: 1st October 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 29th September 2020 Ace (US)


Epic, relentlessly action-packed, full of destruction, Battle Ground has transformed The Dresden Files into an epic urban fantasy.

“I’d never been in an epic mythology fight quite this epic before.”

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Book Review: Peace Talks (The Dresden Files, #16) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Peace Talks (The Dresden Files, #16) by Jim Butcher

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Peace Talks by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #16 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 348 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 16th July 2020 by Orbit (UK) & 14th July 2020 Ace (US)


Stunning finish and setup for the next installment, but I’m not sure whether this should’ve been divided into two books or not.

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Book Review: Brief Cases (The Dresden Files, #15.1) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Brief Cases (The Dresden Files, #15.1) by Jim Butcher

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Brief Cases by Jim Butcher

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #15.1 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 444 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 5th June 2018 by Orbit (UK) & Roc (US)


This collection, especially Zoo Day, is mostly worth it just for the non-Harry’s POV stories.

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Book Review: Skin Game (The Dresden Files, #15) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Skin Game (The Dresden Files, #15) by Jim Butcher

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Skin Game by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #15 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 610 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 27th May 2014 by Orbit (UK) & Roc (US)


Skin Game is a parkour to 5 stars. Parkour!

“Did you shout ‘Parkour’?” Michael asked.
“Well, sure,” I said. “That was kinda Parkour-like.”
Michael fought to keep a smile off his face. “Harry,” he said, “I’m almost certain one does not shout ‘Parkour.’ I believe one is supposed to simply do Parkour.”
“Do I criticize your Latin battle cries? No, never once.”

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Book Review: Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14) by Jim Butcher

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjh…

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #14 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 529 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 29th November 2012 by Orbit (UK) & 27th November 2012 by Roc (US)


Cold Days once again established The Dresden Files as one of the most consistently good series out there.

“I know it’s not thematically in tune with my new job and all, but I find it effective. Build a man a fire and he’s warm for a day,” I say. “But set a man on fire and he’s warm for the rest of his life. Tao of Pratchett. I live by it.”

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Book Review: Ghost Story (The Dresden Files, #13) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Ghost Story (The Dresden Files, #13) by Jim Butcher

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjh…

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #13 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 608 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 28th July 2011 by Orbit (UK) & 26th July 2011 by Roc (US)


Ghost Story feels like a volume to reboot the series before it enter a new story arc, or the next season, in the life of Harry Dresden.

“It was never too late to learn something. The past is unalterable in any event. The future is the only thing we can change. Learning the lessons of the past is the only way to shape the present and the future.”

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Book Review: Side Jobs (The Dresden Files, #12.5) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Side Jobs (The Dresden Files, #12.5) by Jim Butcher

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #12.5 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 434 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 14th April 2011 by Orbit (UK) & 26th October 2010 by Roc (US)


Back Up, The Warrior, and Aftermath were the only noteworthy stories in Side Jobs for me.

“Whenever it gets too dark, think of the good things you have, the good times you’ve had. It will help. I promise.”

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Book Review: Changes (The Dresden Files, #12) by Jim Butcher

Book Review: Changes (The Dresden Files, #12) by Jim Butcher

Cover illustration by: Chris McGrath

Changes by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Dresden Files (Book #12 of 25)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 554 pages (US Kindle edition)

Published: 18th March 2010 by Orbit (UK) & 6th April 2010 by Roc (US)


Changes was insane, a true Game-Changer for the series.

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