"Remembrance" by Rita Woods

Title: Remembrance

Author: Rita Woods
Publisher: Forge
Year: 2019
Genre(s): historical fiction, supernatural
Part of a Series: No.
Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: Abigail has everything taken from her – her freedom, her real name, her husband and her children. In New Orleans, she discovers a power deep inside her that could give her back at least some of what she’s lost. She creates a safe place for Black people called Remembrance, which becomes home to Winter and eventually Margot, who runs away when her master’s death costs her her promised freedom. Together, they fight to preserve their way of life in Remembrance and as the 21st century continues on, another person may be called to continue their legacy.

“The Elite” by Kiera Cass

Title: The Elite
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year: 2013
Genre(s): young adult, romance, dystopian
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2. You read review of Book1 here.
Rating: 

Why I read it: Because I enjoyed The Selection and wanted to see what happened next.

Summary: With the competition now narrowed down to eight contestants, America is torn between Maxon and Aspen. She needs to make a decision as she gets more enmeshed in court and the attacks by the rebels increase – does she want to be queen? And if she does, will she support the status quo or shake everything up?

“In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren

Title: In a Holidaze
Author: Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2020
Genre(s): contemporary fiction, romance, Christmas story, some fantastical elements
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I Read It: Once Upon a Book Club holiday box selection

Summary: Mae and her family has spent every Christmas with family friends in a cabin in Colorado her entire life. But this year, it’s announced that the cabin is going to be sold and it’s likely the last Christmas they will all spend together. As Mae and her family drive away, she feels nothing but despair as she feels just stuck in her life. She makes a wish to find happiness just as the car gets into a terrible accident.

Mae then finds herself on the plane to Colorado, ready to celebrate Christmas all over again. She is given a second chance to find her happiness – but will she be brave enough to grab it?

“The Lost Vintage” by Ann Mah

Title: The Lost Vintage
Author: Ann Mah
Publisher: William Morrow
Year: 2018
Genre(s): historical fiction, contemporary fiction
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I Read It: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: Kate returns to her family’s vineyard in France to prepare for the prestigious Master of Wine test. While there, she discovers a family secret that dates back to the Nazi Occupation of France. As Kate digs deeper, will she be able to find the truth? And if she does, will it bring only shame…or much needed absolution?

“15 Minutes of Flame” by Christin Brecher

Title: 15 Minutes of Flame
Author: Christin Brecher
Publisher: Kensington
Year: 2020
Genre(s): mystery, modern
Part of a Series: Yes, book #3
Rating: 

Why I Read it: Once Upon a Book Club Halloween box

Summary: After agreeing to help the local Girl Scout troop with a Halloween fundraiser, Stella ends up biting off more than she can chew when she finds a dead body in the house she convinced a friend to let them use for it.  The body is determined to be a couple centuries old, reigniting interest in an old Nantucket mystery. It brings some newcomers to Nantucket and when a more modern murder occurs, Stella finds herself trying to figure out who is there for good and who is there for ill. Can she solved two mysteries before it’s too late?

“The Selection” by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year: 2012
Genre(s): young adult, romance, futuristic
Part of a Series: Yes, Part 1 of 5
Rating: 

Why I Read It: I think Goodreads recommended it to me.

Summary: In a future where all the countries we know are gone and combined to make new ones and monarchies have replaced democracy, America Singer is coming of age in the kingdom of Illea – and so is the future king, Maxon. Which means it is time to find him a bride and future queen in a process known as the Selection. Several young women are selected from across the country and brought to the palace to compete for the prince and a chance to be his wife. When America is selected, she reluctantly goes and is certain she will get kicked off relatively quickly. But when she develops a friendship with Maxon, she starts to rethink everything she wants from her life.

“Where the Lost Wander” by Amy Harmon

Title: Where the Lost Wander
Author: Amy Harmon
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Year: 2020
Genre(s): historical fiction, romance
Part of a Series: No
Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club selection

Summary: Recently widowed, Naomi decides to head west on the Oregon Trail with her family and some friends. At the starting point, she meets John Lowry, who works with his father raising and selling mules to the pioneers getting ready to cross the American frontier. He and Naomi feel pulled toward each other and he decides to join their wagon party to start a new life out west as well. But the Oregon Trail is not kind to the pioneers who traverse it and John Lowry must also contend with the fact that he was born to a white father and a Pawnee mother, a man who has a foot in both worlds but doesn’t feel at home in either. Will he and Naomi survive the trials and challenges of the Oregon Trail? And if so, will they be able to find a life together? Or will life on the Oregon Trail prove too much?

My Books of 2020

 

I made my reading goal for 2020! Most of it was done at the end of the year but I got it done! in 2021, I hope to read one book a month. Can I do it? Let's find out!