Tag: 2020

End of Year Book Survey 2020 

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Happy New Year! The End of Year Book Survey, created by Jamie of The Perpetual Page Turner, has been an annual tradition here ever since I started blogging back in 2017. I can’t believe that February 2021 will officially mark four years of Fangirl Fury!

I was originally going to have this final 2020 wrap-up posted yesterday, but I thought this favorite reading survey of mine would be a fun day to kick off the new year. I also finally took a note from my past blogger self and decided to complete this survey once my year of reading had officially ended, since I typically post my end of year survey a week or two before New Year…and end up having to go back to add to my reading total or adapt some responses. 

2020 Reading Stats

Number of Books You Read: 133 

Number of Re-Reads: 7

Genre Your Read The Most From: YA 

One of the reasons I also pushed this post until New Year’s Day vs. New Year’s Eve is because I finally put all of my 2020 reads into a Google Sheet to calculate how much YA vs. contemporary romance vs. other genres I actually read this year. I know I’ve said in so many posts that I couldn’t tell if I had read more YA or contemporary romance in 2020, but YA was the ultimate winner, having read 48 YA books and 38 contemporary romances (this number doesn’t include any adult contemporaries or adult fiction books I read. 

I’m here to admit that while I try not to repeat answers, there are at least 4-5 books within my responses that you’ll notice a few times. I do try to diversify my answers, but I want to be as honest as I can and reflect on the books I loved most & stand out the most in my memory. 

Best Book You Read In 2020?

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon 

Close runner-ups in no particular order: House of Earth & Blood by Sarah J. Maas, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein, You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle, More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn, Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett Read More »

Favorite Books of 2020: Contemporary Romance Edition

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I hope everyone has been enjoying time off over the holiday season. I mentioned last week in my favorite adult fiction and non-fiction books of 2020 post that I should’ve had a review posted on this past Saturday … but I’ll be totally honest & admit that I unexpectedly took a laptop break from Tuesday into Sunday afternoon. I’ve been off from school and work for the past 2 weeks, but it wasn’t until Christmas Eve Eve (yes, it’s absolutely a thing) that I really minimized my time on my laptop and ended up not turning it back on for nearly five days. If you’re someone like me who has been glued to her laptop screen between school and work this year, I highly recommend taking a break from the screen this week. I also completely admit I got distracted by a few books AND Bridgerton on Netflix! 

Anyway, today I’ll be sharing my final favorites post of 2020 with my favorite contemporary romances of the year! I shared my favorite young adult books of 2020 last Wednesday. I decided to save my contemporary romance favorites for my final favorites wrap up because contemporary romance was my absolute favorite genre in 2020. So many of the books below had the perfect blend of fluff and distraction I craved, while also often having depth and really unique premises. Out of my three favorites post this year, I had the most difficult time narrowing down my favorite contemporary romances between absolute favs and honorable mentions. 

Favorite Contemporary Romances of 2020 

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

If there was only one book on this list I could put in every reader’s hands, it would be Hannah Orenstein’s Head Over Heels. Following a former elite gymnast who’s tasked with coaching an Olympic hopeful, this book was so strong as a contemporary itself because of its plot, setting, and character dynamics, but was so enriched because of the relationship between the female and male leads. Head Over Heels 110% solidified Hannah Orenstein as one of my all-time favorite authors. 

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle 

I chose one book as my ultimate #1 favorite in my 2020 YA favorites list, but my favorite romance of the year is seriously a toss up between Head Over Heels and Sarah Hogle’s debut, You Deserve Each Other.  I often say that some of my contemporary romances have funny moments, but You Deserve Each Other is seriously the funniest and most sarcastic contemporary romance I’ve ever read. If only one book could have the ‘rom-com’ label, it’s this one. You Deserve Each Other follows two fiancés on the brink of separation – something I haven’t read in a book before- and I absolutely loved following this dynamic. 

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Emily Henry’s Beach Read rightfully took the contemporary romance world by storm this summer and honestly throughout 2020! This summer romance between two writers might become my new annual kick off to summer reading & beach reading season. 

The Honey Don’t List by Christina Lauren 

I’ve mentioned before on the blog that while Christina Lauren’s newer releases tend to get mixed reviews (especially from early CLo fans), but I’ve been such a fan of their newer books, including The Honey Don’t List. This Fixer Upper inspired romance following a fictional home renovation show’s two personal assistants totally met its synopsis – how can I a bookworm not love a book about a book tour?? – and introduced me to my new favorite CLo protagonist. Read More »

Most Disappointing Reads & DNFs of 2020

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It goes without saying that not every single book we read is going to be our cup of tea, especially for a reader like me who has read 100+ books each year since 2018 – I’m currently on track to surpass my 2019 total of 127 books! Today I’ll be discussing my most disappointing reads and did-not-finish (DNF) books of 2020. I realize as I’m finishing a book that it didn’t exactly meet my expectations, or as I look back on my monthly or yearly reading, I realize that it wasn’t that great of a read for me. I want to include a disclaimer that my dislike for the following books has nothing to do with anything other than the fact I didn’t enjoy the book. Additionally, just because I may have not enjoyed a book, doesn’t mean that you won’t or doesn’t discredit your love for it. 

Most Disappointing Reads

Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen – Loveboat, Taipei was one of the first books I put on hold once my county library reopened this summer. I’ve really been enjoying YA books and adult contemporaries alike that take place in Asia, as Loveboat, Taipei takes place in Taiwan at a summer cultural program. I wonder if it’s because I’ve been reading YA books with older characters/teenagers, but the main protagonist in Loveboat, Taipei felt so immature to me. She makes some illogical decisions, which I know is typical in YA, but the setting in Loveboat, Taipei wasn’t necessarily young or low stakes (picture hook-ups and a leaked photoshoot). I ultimately finished it because I liked the setting and honestly had hopes for the plot to turn around. 

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover – Colleen Hoover is truly a hit-or-miss author for me. I had taken a break from reading her books for a while after a few misses, but then read Verity this summer and LOVED it. I decided to then pick up Regretting You because so many of my blogging friends had enjoyed it, and I thought I’d love its blend of YA & women’s fiction, following a mother and daughter suffering from the loss of a loved one. While I think Regretting You does have a unique premise, I don’t think it brought anything necessarily new to what I’ve read in YA and women’s fiction. Read More »

2020 5 Star Prediction Results 

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Back in January, I went through my most anticipated 2020 releases and predicted which ones were the most likely to earn 5 stars in the Fangirl Fury star rating book. I’m actually surprised I only chose 6 books because I LOVED so many 2020 releases. In today’s post, I’ll be going back to those six books I predicted would be 5 star reads for me to see if I was correct about my predictions. I’m super content with my predictions, especially since the few books I weren’t so right about were SO close to being 5 star reads and still rank among my most enjoyed books of the year. 

My Correct Predictions 

We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian – We Are the Wildcats was one of my most anticipated YA releases of 2020, and I’m so glad it delivered. I know this one has mixed reviews, but as a former field hockey player, I loved that the sport was the backdrop and the setting held so many relatable moments for me. However, you definitely don’t need to be a field hockey player or even into sports to enjoy this one. I just loved how We Are the Wildcats was really about each of the six girls it followed (trust me, the multiple perspectives WORKED) and had so many messages about feminism and what it means to be part of a team. 

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett – As one of my all-time favorite authors, it’s really no surprise that Jenn Bennett’s Chasing Lucky was indeed a five star read for me. I loved, LOVED the summer coastal town meets bookstore setting. Lucky and Josie’s romance was so sweet and mature, two elements that I tend to find and love across all of Jenn Bennett’s books. 

House of Earth & Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas – I read House of Earth & Blood between the last few days of my spring break and what we didn’t know at the time was the beginning of the pandemic lockdown. I really wish it didn’t turn out that way, but I was content staying home reading this 700+ page beast. I normally hate feeling that it’s taking me days on days to read one book, but I totally took my time reading House of Earth & Blood because there were so many details and I wanted to linger in Sarah J. Maas’ writing for as long as possible (which ultimately ended up being maybe a week total because I am the reader I am who needed to find out what happened next). As expected, House of Earth & Blood was definitely a 5 star read for me and I could so see myself giving every upcoming book in the Crescent City series 5 stars as well. 

Undercover Bromance (The Bromance Book Club #2) by Lyssa Kay Adams – Undercover Bromance wasn’t the most perfect contemporary romance I’ve ever read, but I did end giving it 5 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it so much. I loved the balance between contemporary romance fluffiness and steam and its deep dive into more serious topics. This book also solidified the Russian as my favorite character in the series. 

My Not-So Correct Predictions 

10 Things I Hate About Pinky (Dimple & Rishi #3) by Sandhya Menon – 10 Things I Hate About Pinky was such a fun way to get back into the Dimpleverse. I loved Sandhya Menon’s play on the frenemies-turned-loves trope. I wanted a few more cameos from the other members of the Dimpleverse, especially since this is the last book in the companion series (for now).  I know I read a lot of books with the enemies-to-lovers trope, but some of the plot points and fall-out felt a little predictable to me. I gave 10 Things I Hate About Pinky 4.5/5 Stars. 

Majesty (American Royals #2) by Katherine McGee – I realize there’s only two books in this category, but I’m the most disappointed that Majesty wasn’t a 5 star read because I loved American Royals so much upon my first read and reread. I still loved being back in the world of the American monarchy with Majesty and did like the plot direction, especially when it came to Beatrice. However, I really, really hope there will be a third book because Majesty  fell into middle book syndrome for me (even as a the sole sequel!). Some of the bigger reveals and ending overall felt lackluster. I gave Majesty 4.5/5 stars. 

What were some of your 5 star reads in 2020? Do you predict what will be your favorite reads of the year? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? Share in the comments! 

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag: 2020 Edition 

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I think out all of the years I’ve done the Mid-Year Freak Out tag, I think 2020 is the year it’s officially okay to say that I can’t believe it’s June. This year has felt like the longest and fastest year yet. I spent some time this weekend with my best friends and as we were reminiscing, it’s really crazy to think what we thought June and summer would look like in January vs. March vs. even a month ago.

I plan on having my If We Were Having Coffee for June posted this week, where I’ll probably talk about how busy I’ve been lately between graduate school and starting remote work. I was so excited then that the Mid Year Freak Out tag was starting to float around the book community over the past week because I think it’s a nice to reflect on the reading I’ve done and some of my reading plans for the rest of the year. The first 2020 version I saw was from Jessica of Peace Love Books. At the time of this post, I’ve read 50 books so far this year – I think there might be at least two novellas in there, but I’m not getting technical until the end of the year. 

Best book you’ve read so far in 2020

Who really thought I’d be able to pick one book? Check back at the end of 2020 if I could choose just one book, but for right now I’m going with a toss-up between all of the books below (blame my indecisiveness and current tiredness):

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

House of Earth & Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020

It’s technically a companion novel, but 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon was such a fun return to the Dimpleverse.

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SUMMER READING TO-DO: Summer 2020 Most Anticipated Releases

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Summer is one of my favorite times of the year to dive into a new pile of books because it’s beach and poolside reading season! My anticipated Summer 2020 releases list is definitely different than what I had imagined it would be at the start of 2020. Many spring books got pushed back to summer, so you might see a few repeats from my Spring 2020 anticipated releases posts.If you want to refresh on what books came out this spring, I shared my anticipated adult and YA releases. Some new books that were originally scheduled to release this summer also were moved to the fall. The following books are scheduled to release from June through August 2020.

The Dare (Briar U #4) by Elle Kennedy | Release Date: June 16

Elle Kennedy made my April when she announced that there would be a fourth book in the Briar U series, The Dare! I cannot recommend the Off-Campus and spin-off series, Briar U, enough! This hockey romance follows crowd-favorite hockey player, Conor. I have all of the Briar U books in paperback, and I believe the paperback version is available for preorder on Amazon.

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai | RD: June 9

The enemies-to-lovers storyline is one of my favorites in rom-coms, which makes me even more excited for Sara Desai’s The Marriage Game. Working above her father’s restaurant, Layla is getting her new business up and running while also deciding to join the world of online dating (even though her father decides to set her up on a bunch of blind dates). CEO Sam unexpectedly ends up sharing the office space with Layla, and the two spar off over their shared space and Layla’s blind date suitors.

The Sullivan Sisters by Kathryn Ormsbee |RD: June 23

After really enjoying Kathryn Ormsbee’s Tash Hearts Tolstoy back in 2017, I was instantly intrigued by her upcoming release, The Sullivan Sisters. Painful events have kept the Sullivan sisters from confiding in each other like they used to, but a letter about their dead uncle and an inheritance they knew nothing causes them to work together to solve a family mystery. I’m also up for a mystery or thriller to break up my contemporary reading game!

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein | RD: June 23

I feel like we’re starting to see gymnastics more and more across genres. The one I’m most excited for? Hannah Orenstein’s Head Over Heels! After a disastrous performance that ended her hope to get into the Olympics and career, Avery is asked to help coach a young gymnast with Olympic aspirations. While sparks fly with her fellow coach, Ryan, Avery’s world is turned upside down yet again when a scandal breaks out in the sport.Read More »

FOODIE ROM-COM: Tweet Cute Review & Inspired Recipe

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Summary (from the publisher):

81AFV9waKfLMeet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

 

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

You’ve probably had everyone and their mother screaming- or tweeting- over their love for Emma Lord’s YA debut, Tweet Cute, on your timelines this year… and now it’s my turn!!

There are a few early 2020 releases I need to get to, but Tweet Cute was on the top of my list because it spoke to my bookish and foodie soul so much. The book is told from the perspective of high school seniors, Pepper and Jack. In between being swim team captain, overall overachiever, and running a baking blog with her sister, Pepper pretty much runs her family’s fast chain’s Twitter account. Her classmate, Jack, class clown and secret app developer, does the same for his family’s NYC classic deli, Girl Cheesing. When Big League Burger starts selling a grilled cheese sandwich very similar and with the same name as Girl Cheesing’s specialty sandwich, a Twitter war breaks out with Pepper and Jack running the show.

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I guess Tweet Cute ultimately does fall into the hate-to-love category, but Pepper and Jack really don’t see each other as ultimate enemies. There are some tense moments between Jack and Pepper, but there’s never any true animosity or rivalry between them. Their chemistry is instantaneous, and their banter carries throughout the story. It was just so refreshing and was such a YA enemies-to-lovers romance done absolutely right! I don’t want to spoil it here, but their ultimate ship name was just so, so clever and fit the book perfectly.Read More »

SPRING SHELFIE: Spring 2020 YA Anticipated Releases

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I can’t believe it’s already time to talk about the books I’m looking forward to this spring! Many readers look to fall for their absolute most anticipated books of the year, but this spring might just be my most anticipated season! I didn’t realize how many books I can’t wait to have my hands on until I was putting this list together. I originally was going to combine my most YA releases with my anticipated adult releases… until I realized I had a 20+ book list. That being said, while today I’ll be focusing on YA releases, I’ll be sharing my anticipated adult fiction spring releases next week.

I’m especially excited for Spring 2020 because there are SO, SO many amazing contemporary books coming out from some of my all-time favorite authors and debut voices!

March

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The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu 

Although contemporary seems to be the name of my reading game this spring, I am of course looking forward to Marie Lu’s upcoming musically-inspired historical fantasy.

Release Date: March 3

 

 

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Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee

While I haven’t read Anna Karenina, Anna K has been described as a dark and diverse take with major Gossip Girl vibes, following Anna K.’s life as a Korean-American teen in Manhattan society.

Release Date: March 3

 

 

harley-in-the-sky-9781534437128_hrHarley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Having been fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Harley in the Sky, I can 110% confirm that this YA contemporary release is a must read book of the year! Following Harley’s life growing up in circus life and dream of being a trapeze artist, Akemi Dawn Bowman completely nailed the setting while exploring family, friendship, and mental health.

Release Date: March 10

 

46404346Girls with Razor Hearts (Girls with Sharp Sticks #2) by Suzanne Young

If you haven’t jumped on the Girls with Sharp Sticks train yet, you have a month to catch up before the sequel comes out! I absolutely cannot put these books down, following an all-female private school where the girls are taught be perfect women, until Mena and her classmates start questioning the school’s strange occurrences.

Release Date: March 25

 

we-are-the-wildcats-9781534439900_lg

We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

I feel like I’ve been talking about my anticipation for Siobhan Vivian’s next YA contemporary, We Are the Wildcats, since I finished Stay Sweet two years ago. I’m really looking forward to this one because it features members of a high school field hockey team – as a former high school field hockey player myself, I’m excited to see how much it delves into the sport because it’s not really a sports book- and focuses on female friendship and empowerment. Siobhan Vivian slayed these two themes in Stay Sweet. 

Release Date: March 31

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2020 5 Star Predictions: 2020 Releases Edition

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One of my new favorite ways to ring in the bookish year is by choosing new releases that I believe will earn 5 stars upon reading them. In 2019, I was pretty accurate about the books that I predicted would be 5 star reads, and even the books that didn’t get a full 5 stars were mostly pretty close.

We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

Release Date: March 31

We Are the Wildcats is currently my most anticipated contemporary release of the year! I loved everything about Siobhan Vivian’s previous release, Stay Sweet. The book is told over 24 hours, following a high field hockey team’s sleepover/initiation.

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

Release Date: May 5

I haven’t met a Jenn Bennett that I haven’t LOVED, so I’m sure Chasing Lucky will be no exception. I always love the character growth, relationships, and maturity in her books. Chasing Lucky also takes place in New England at a family-run BOOKSTORE.

House of Earth & Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: March 3

Sarah J.Maas is another favorite author of mine whose books I haven’t ever not loved. I’m so excited for her to enter the adult fantasy world with Crescent City. I’d read this book regardless of its synopsis, but I’m so intrigued by this one. I’m also excited to see SJM take on a contemporary fantasy setting, although Fae will of course be involved.

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Most Anticipated 2020 TV & Movies

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Right after reading of course, my favorite way to relax and unwind is with a good binge-worthy TV show or ten. While there are plenty of books I am looking forward to in 2020, today I’ll be discussing the TV shows and films that I can’t wait to hit the big screen and my small screen this year.

TV

Schitt’s Creek S6 (Pop TV)

Release Date: January 7

Although I just discovered Schitt’s Creek in 2019, I know the final season of the show will be bittersweet because it’s just so well-done and it will be so sad to know that it’s over!

Zumbo’s Just Desserts (Netflix)

Release Date: January 10

Everyone knows that I love a good baking competition show. One of my favorites is Zumbo’s Just Desserts. I’ve been honestly waiting for a second season since finishing the first one in October 2018.

Grace and Frankie S6 (Netflix)

Release Date: January 15

Grace and Frankie just might be the show I am anticipating the most on this list! After binge-watching the first five seasons this summer, Grace and Frankie absolutely stole my TV-loving heart.

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