A year ago, almost a full year after we moved to Oklahoma, we moved into our newly built dream home. it’s hard to believe it’s been a year.
So much has changed, but we still have so far to go. It’s a work in progress, and honestly, it probably always will be. That’s the nature of owning a home and a farm.
We’ve completed a lot of projects already:
A dock for our pond, plus stocking our pondOur chicken coopLandscapingRaising chickens – at least nine of my ten hens are laying now
And we have more projects in the works…
Pens for small livestock
I’m looking forward to the year ahead. We have some projects in the early stages and planning stages. Each step is exciting. I’m thankful for our first year here and looking forward to the years ahead.
2020 was a tough year, but it was a great reading year for me. More time at home and a less hectic schedule meant that I read past my goal and finished the year with a total of 68 books. I read so many great books this year. I probably gave more five star reviews in 2020 than ever before. It was honestly hard to narrow my list down for this post.
I think there are a couple of reasons for the multiple high reviews. One is my focus on prioritizing favorite authors. Any time a favorite author comes out with a new book, it’s an automatic read for me. Authors I don’t absolutely love didn’t make the cut this year. Another reason is the amount of rereads I had in 2020. I reread three favorite series this year, including The Chronicles of Narnia.
Following are my favorite books of the year:
The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts
Beautiful, heart wrenching, and haunting. I can’t stop telling people about this split time novel that stays with you long after you finish.
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
Charles Martin always makes me cry, and this is no exception. Five stars and five tissues for this one.
The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck
Rachel Hauck converted me to contemporary romance a couple of years ago. This book about a mysterious story society that brings a random group of people together is a little different from some of her other books, but it’s so good.
Synapse by Steven James
I’m usually not a sci-fi fan, but this novel by Steven James made me rethink that. Fast paced and well written, this brings out some great questions about where science is headed.
Kings Falling and Soul Raging by Ronie Kendig
Ronie Kendig is the master of military fiction. This series is part military, part Indiana Jones, and all heart pounding excitement – my only disappointment is that it’s over.
The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel
Lindsay Harrel blends heartache and hope in such a raw and beautiful way. When two young sisters-in-law who decide to run an ultramarathon in honor of their late husbands, their lives are changed forever. This book made me want to start running again, and it made me want to visit New Zealand.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner
Bethany Turner amazes me. She writes stories that are laugh out loud funny, covering some really tough topics without writing a “heavy” book. It takes skill and talent to do that!
Romanov by Nadine Brandes
Fawkes made my list last year. Romanov is another unique, creative story that blends history with fantasy. I loved this book as much as her last one!
Whose Waves These Are and Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
I kept hearing Amanda Dykes named mentioned, so I finally tried her first book, and then her second. Now I’m impatiently awaiting her third. Her books are must reads for split time fiction fans!
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox
An absolutely stunning debut novel, this book moved Amanda Cox immediately to my must-read authors list. A story of adoption, redemption, and the true meaning of family, this split time story captured me from the beginning.
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright
A circus, a serial killer, and a historic train depot with an eerie history…this story is the perfect, just-creepy-enough mystery. Two cases in two time periods blend perfectly into a story you can’t put down until the last page.
Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green
This debut novel is one of the most unique books I’ve read in quite a while. The entire story is told in letters and brings out a part of World War II history we don’t hear about enough. If you loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you’ll definitely want to read this.
The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano
I’ve read all of Joanna Davidson Politano’s books, and I’ve loved them all – but this is my new favorite. This historical romance’s feisty main character finds a hidden love note and determines she will find it’s intended reader while chasing her dream of becoming a doctor. She quickly loses control of the situation as the note takes on a life of it’s own.
What were your favorite books of 2020? Have you read any on this this list?
Amanda Holland 