You may have noticed on AlchemyBookshop that we really don’t rank books as some other book blogs and bookstagrammers do. Occasionally we throw around random ratings like 3 star, 4ish stars, it has a certain number of stars but still wouldn’t read again. Generally our internal ratings are something like this:
- Ugh, wish I never read and will gladly pass on only to my enemies (since I have so many enemies)
- Meh, likely won’t re-read but don’t regret reading
- Sigh, so happy I read this book
- Swoon, will absolutely re-read
However, the only rating we hold sacred is the “Five Star Book”.
So what do we mean when we say it was a Five Star Book?
Five Star Books are stories that stick with me long after the last page is read. They are stories that I dream about, that I can’t wait to talk to friends about, and I gift to other friends and family members just in hopes that they will finally read the book.
These are books that I own both the physical and E-book copy to have the ability to re-read at my leisure when I’m outdoors on my E-reader and to annotate on my physical copy. If I borrowed these books from a friend or the library, I IMMEDIATELY run to buy my own copy of the books to treasure. That is a Five Star Book.
I’ve read wonders about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue! I can’t wait to get to it! Happy New Year!
I really really enjoyed that book. HIGHLY recommend getting your hands on it. I’m now diving into the rest of V.E. Schwab’s books.
I think honestly almost all bloggers rate a little differently. I rarely have anything besides 3-5 stars on my blog because if I’m not enjoying, I just don’t finish them anymore. There are too many books out there I want to read to waste time on ones I’m not enjoying. You’ve got a few on this list I’ve read in years past and really enjoyed, so I can see why you chose them! You also have a few I need to read soon. Great list!
My Top 10 of 2020
Right?! Plus, everyone has such different tastes. There are several books that I have adored that have been ranked incredibly low by other bloggers.
It is always hard to narrow down favorite reads. I read a lot this year and I’m getting fairly good at picking out the good ones so overall I had a great reading year (there was only one or two duds).
That’s pretty remarkable to have a year with only one or two duds. I will say that I got much better this year about putting down crappy books sooner instead of having the mentality of “I must finish”.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is one that’s high on my list to read. And I loved both The Kiss Quotient and Born a Crime. The rest of these are new to me, but I’m glad you found so many books you loved!
I feel like I’ve been all over Bookstagram and the internet shouting “Read Addie!!!!” Its been a long time since I have had a book that felt like that.
So many great books here! Beach Read was my favorite book of the year, and The Kiss Quotient was a five-star read for me, too. I’m excited to read The Bear and the Nightingale and The Vanishing Half, as well. Happy Reading in 2021!
Beach read was surprisingly fantastic. I think the cover and title really throw you off a little thinking it’s just a feel good rom com, but it is so much better than that with surprising depth. There was at least one section that had me tearing up in the car while listening to the audiobook. I will read everything from that author now!
I just received The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and I can’t wait to start it. I totally agree with your 5 star book rating–if a book sticks with me long after and I can keep recommending it to others, then it’s my 5 star book also. Jason Reynolds Long Way Down is still one of those books for me and I read it over 2 years ago. In fact, I just read the graphic novel adaptation and loved it too. Picking a favorite book is way too hard for book lovers!
I agree. Picking my favorite book is agonizing! I mean, I have an ENTIRE bookshelf in my house of 5-star reads!
I can’t wait to read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue! Great choices!
It was SOOOO good! It’s going to take a couple of months before I stop gushing about this book to everyone I meet!