Mabuhay, friends!
My reading goal for 2020 is 50 books but, to be honest, this might be the first year where I fail to meet my goal. I have found myself not setting as much time for reading and even when I do settle down to read, I am always distracted.
As of today, I have read 22 books: 16 books were fantasy, two were romance, two were contemporary fiction, two were historical fiction, one was a dystopian, and one was urban fantasy.
As you can see below, a majority of my reads are 2020 releases with a few being backlist books and re-reads. This particular reading stat bothers me because it reveals that I am more prone to pick up ARCs, and check out hyped books, rather than going towards books I truly want to read. Albeit though that a majority of my books read
Albeit though that majority of the books read received four stars from me. In the future, I would like to more specifically analyze the books I read because I want to see how inclusive my reading has been and also remedy ways I can be more inclusive.
🌺 Check out this free Book Blogger and Reader Spreadsheet Template created by Kal at Reader Voracious
2020 END OF THE YEAR GOALS
- Prioritize current book pile and older reads
- Prioritize requesting books from libraries rather than ARCs
- Have more detailed categorizations for authors to keep track of the inclusivity of my reads
I am going to write up my call to action in another post so I can make concrete goals to achieve. So, on to the tags!
Best book you’ve read so far in 2019
I love, love, love The Empress Of Salt And Fortune by Nghi Vo. This novella is an amazing story of women in politics and power, and surprisingly, a story of loyalty.
🌺 THE EMPRESS OF SALT AND FORTUNE BY NGHI VO: A BEAUTIFUL NARRATIVE ON FIERCE FRIENDSHIPS AND THE ANGER OF WOMEN
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019
Oh, I have…actually…not read too many sequels this year. I have been working my way through The Wheel of Time series and among the sequels that I’ve read, my favourite has got to be The Great Hunt, so far.
🌺 IS THE EYE OF THE WORLD BY ROBERT JORDAN WORTH READING? || A BOOK REVIEW
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
The Silence Of Bones by June Hur not only has an intriguing premise but the historical mystery is quite similar to my own WIP. I really want to read this book to be able to study how the author plotted and paced its mystery arc.
Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callendar has a gorgeous cover, doesn’t it? I am drawn to the book because it tackles colonial oppression and has a very morally grey character. I really believe this book is going to be a good fit for me.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
I have been waiting for The Burning God by R.F. Kuang for what feels like forever! Where do I even begin with this series?
🌺 THE POPPY WAR BY R.F. KUANG: DISCUSSING THE BOOK WITH DANI
The Ikessar Falcon by K.S. Villoso is another I can’t wait to get my hands on!
Biggest disappointment
Despite being loved by many, Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust just wasn’t for me. While I did want to continue following the story, I couldn’t get into the author’s writing.
Biggest surprise
I picked up this book not really aware that it was horror. Oops! But, oh my goodness, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. The horror, the fear, the fricken mushrooms!
🌺 MEXICAN GOTHIC BY SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA // a disturbing & utterly captivating horror novel
Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
I did a whole post on this and I feel it would be unfair if I recommended only one author! So I’m linking my post for you to check out.
🌺 NEW (TO ME) AUTHORS WHO ARE WORRYING MY TBR!
Newest fictional crush
I pledge my allegiance to Queen Talyien. Like, how could I not be crushing on this badass, constantly lost woman?
🌺 THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO BY K.S. VILLOSO // MY FAVOURITE COMPLEX HEROINE WITH A NASTY BITE & A SOFT HEART
Newest favorite character
Emoni from With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo is my fictional role model. I love how level-headed and creative she was. She pursued her passion with such fire that inspired me.
🌺 WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH BY ELIZABETH ACEVEDO // a daring coming-of-age novel
Book that made you cry
I wouldn’t say that this book made me cry in the literal sense but the ending of Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova made me want to fling the book as far away from me as possible because of all the feels.
🌺 INCENDIARY BY ZORAIDA CORDOVA: A MEMORY THIEF GRASPING AT REDEMPTION DURING A TIME OF OPPRESSION AND REVOLUTION
Book that made you happy
This honour would have to go to The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso. I hadn’t had the chance to read this book when it first released though I wanted to. So, I made a post on Twitter asking about this book and, to my surprise, I was approached by some lovely people offering to send me the book! Eventually, Orbit saw my tweet too, and sent me a copy.
🌺 THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO BY K.S. VILLOSO // MY FAVOURITE COMPLEX HEROINE WITH A NASTY BITE & A SOFT HEART
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
The bright gold of Copper Mage by Dorothy Dreyer, and the male character on the cover are so pretty! I love the use of the different shades of the gold colour. As for The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter, I love the bone-like sculpture at the back and the varied weapons decorating the shield that makes me excited to be introduced to the world.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, and If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha are two books on my list. I know I could request them from the library and read them but I have a feeling that I am going to fall in love with these books and as I love annotating, I would prefer owning copies of these two.
Favorite book community member
📚 The Orangutan Librarian: Ways To Be Creative When You’re Not Feeling It
📚 The Paper Procrastinators: Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2020 Edition
📚 Forever And Everly: 5 Reasons Why I Love Book Blogs + 7 Ways to Support Book Bloggers
📚 Your Tita Kate: [Mini-Review] 2 Five-Stars and A Flop (2020 Releases)
📚 The Quiet Pond: The Pond Book News #49 – Steampunk Fantasy, and Announcements For Black & Asian-Authored Titles
BOOKS MENTIONED
This contains affiliate links. If you do feel like purchasing any of the books I listed, please use these affiliate links as I make a small commission which helps support me and my blog at no extra cost to you. But, of course, no pressure!
📚 The Empress of Salt and Fortune: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 The Silence of Bones by June Hur: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 The Burning God by R.F. Kuang: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 The Ikessar Falcon by K.S. Villoso: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 With The Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 Crimson Mage by Dorothy Dreyer: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
📚 The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett: Book Depository // Amazon // Amazon Kindle
I’m shamelessly plugging in my Amazon wishlist here, if you’d like to gift me one of the books mentioned!
🌺 What’s your favourite read of the year?
🌺 Do you have any reading goals for the end of the year?
🌺 Share some book blogger love by commenting your favourite blogger!
If you enjoy my work here at Camillea Reads, consider helping me by donating to my buying me a coffee through ko-fi, or using my Book Depository affiliate link!
Camillea Reads 
Love seeing your stats!
I’m hoping to read The great hunt in August, so I’m glad to hear you loved it!
I also cannot wait for the burning god!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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Ah, can’t wait to hear what you think of The Great Hunt!
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Stats looks amazing. I enjoyed Girl, Serpent, Thorn. Sad, it didn’t work for you.
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Emoni is a great choice for fav fiction character! I admire her a lot too, she’s certainly stronger and braver than I am.
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Aaaw I’m glad you love her! It feels like that but we are all strong in our unique ways ❤
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I bought the Wolf of Oren-Yaro when it was on sale (kindle) so I will be bumping that up! I really enjoyed Girl, Serpent, Thorn so I’m sorry it was a disappointment for you. Have you read her debut?
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Aaaah please let me know what you think once you’ve read it! And no, I haven’t read her other books! What did you think of her debut?
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I really enjoyed Girls Made of Snow and Glass but it reads a lot like Girl, Serpent, Thorn so you might not be a fan of the author’s style.
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i loved reading this so much! i hope the last half of 2020 treats you kindly, bby! and… the burning god…. soooooon! ahhh! so excited! ❤️
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I can’t wait! But I’m also dreading it. I don’t want the series to end!
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Good luck with your reading goals! I think a lot of people have struggled with reading this year. I’m glad you liked Mexican Gothic because I need to read that one.
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I loved the pie charts!! Also, sooo many of your answers are on my TBR! As you know I am very excited to read The Wolf of Oren-Yaro, and every time I hear about how much you loved it, I get even more excited! And Burning God! Omg based on the preliminary reactions we are definitely not ready for that one 😭
Aaah, thank you so much for saying we’re one of your favorite book community members! I adore your blog, and I always get the best recommendations from you 💕💕
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The Empress of Salt and Fortune is just TOO GORGEOUS! I am so goad you loved it, Cam! I am going to look out for it too now! 😍😍
It DOES! Queen of the Conquered looks AWESOME! And I am hoping it’ll READ awesome as well! 🤷🏻♀️🤣😍
I AM SOOOO EXCITED FRO The Mexican Gothic! ITS GOING TO BE AWESOME! 😍😍
Loved the post, Cam!
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Shame about girl serpent thorn, but glad to hear you liked mexican gothic, really want to read that one. And Queen of the Conquered does have a gorgeous cover! Loved your answers! And thank you so much for linking to my post!! That’s really kind of you!! ❤
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Ahh I love Emoni so, so, so much, certainly one of my favorite characters ever as well, I found her so inspiring ❤ ❤
I hope the rest of your reading year will be lovely ❤
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THE FRICKEN MUSHROOMS INDEED!
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