Book reviews and ratings for book clubs and book challenges
I was way behind on my 2020 reading challenge at the beginning of December. Well, even toward the end of the month. But I rallied and finished my 2020 reading challenge with 50 books – and had four hours to spare before we rang in 2021. I have the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen to thank for several of my reads as I’ve had several fairytales on my #tbrlist for quite some time. I knew the Grimm fairytales were grim (compared to the Disney endings), but still found them disturbing (yet also fascnating). Have you read any of them? I also took this opportunity to read several of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories – he is pure brilliance!
So why was I so far behind? My Minnesota state parks hiking challenge kept me pretty busy through the fair-weathered months.
Here are my one-word book reviews and star ratings from my 2020 reading challenge. Check out my book reviews section for additional book reviews. And please feel free to follow me on Goodreads for my latest reading challenge updates or my stories on Instagram (even though the IG link looks like it’s broken, it’s not; otherwise find me at @kmfisreading) and Facebook.
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Most recent book reviews: December 2020
Here are my book reviews for December 2020 (I’ll incorporate into my overall roundup of one-word book reviews below). One note: I did read two additional books in December; however, I do not post one-word book reviews for unrated books from new authors (to avoid discouragement). .
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Book genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
One-word book review: Interconnection: 5*
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Horror
One-word book review: Dark: 5*
Brother Grimm Fairytales
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: What?: 3* overall [See editorial note.]
Editorial note: Here are all the stories I read from the collection of fairytales as written by The Brothers Grimm (along with their individual rating and one-word reviews). You can purchase the books separately; however, I recommend buying the entire anthology of the original Grimm fairytales. These are not the same fairytales that I remembered as a child. While I rated several only 2*, I still found them fascinating – I have so many questions!
Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Abusive: 2*
Little Red-Cap (Little Red Riding Hood) by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Obedience: 3*
Rapunzel by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Desire: 2*
Rumpelstiltskin by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Greed: 2*
Snow White and Rose Red by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Compassion: 4*
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Suspense
One-word book review: Revenge: 3*
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Book genre: Science Fiction (or is it?)
One-word book review: Thriller: 5*
The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Honesty: 4*
The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Gratitude: 4*
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Book genre: Young Adult
One-word book review: Angst: 3*
Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Compassion: 4*
The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Suspense
One-word book review: Fear: 3*
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Book genre: Inspirational
One-word book review: Enlightenment: 4*
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Poetry
One-word book review: Grief: 3*
The Red Shoes by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Desire: 3*
Book genre: Short Story
One-word book review: Secrets: 3*
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Book genre: Psychological Thriller
One-word book review: Twisty: 5*
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Horror
One-word book review: Guilt: 5*
Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman
Book genre: Mini-autobiography
One-word book review: Parenthood: 4*
Best books to read this weekend
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Friendship: 4*
William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Horror
One-word book review: Doppleganger: 5*
5* one-word book reviews
Here are my five-star, one-word book reviews for 2020.
One-word book review: Anxious People
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Book genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
One-word book review: Interconnection: 5*
One-word book review: Dark Matter
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Book genre: Science Fiction (or is it?)
One-word book review: Thriller: 5*
One-word book review: Daughters of the Lake
Daughters of the Lake by Wendy Webb
Book genre: Mystery
One-word book review: Page-turner: 5*
One-word book review: Heart, Sass & Soul
Heart, Sass & Soul: Journal Your Way to Inspiration and Happiness by Greta Solomon+
Book genre: Self-care
One-word book review: Gratitude: 5*
+Note: I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
One-word book review: Just Mercy
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Book genre: Biography
One-word book review: Justice: 5*
One-word book review: Little Women
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Book genre: Fiction
One-word book review: Classic: 5*
One-word book review: The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Suspense
One-word book review: Fear: 3*
One-word book review: The Power of Now
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Book genre: Inspirational
One-word book review: Enlightenment: 4*
One-word book review: Salt to the Sea
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Book genre: Historical fiction
One-word book review: Humanity: 5*
One-word book review: Selected poems by Robert Frost
Selected Poems by Robert Frost
Book genre: Poetry
One-word book review: Nature: 5*
One-word book review: The Boys in the Boat
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
Book genre: Biography
One-word book review: Resilience: 5*
One-word book review: The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Book genre: Psychological Thriller
One-word book review: Twisty: 5*
One-word book review: The Tell-Tale Heart
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Horror
One-word book review: Guilt: 5*
One-word book review: The Terror
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Book genre: Suspense / Thriller
One-word book review: Survival: 5*
One-word book review: Those Who Save Us
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
Book genre: Historical fiction
One-word book review: Survival: 5*
One-word book review: Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Book genre: Fiction
One-word book review: Survival: 5*
One-word book review: William Wilson
William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Horror
One-word book review: Doppleganger: 5*
4.5* book reviews
Here is my four-and-a-half star one-word book review for The Vanishing Half.
One-word book review: The Vanishing Half
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Book genre: Fiction
One-word book review: Authenticity: 4.5*
4* book reviews
Here are four-star one-word book reviews from my 2020 reading challenge.
One-word book review: The Black Cat
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Horror
One-word book review: Dark: 5*
One-word book review: The Fir Tree
The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Gratitude: 4*
One-word book review: A Good Marriage
A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight
Book genre: Suspense / Thriller
One-word book review: Deceit: 4*
One-word book review: Home Before Dark
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Book genre: Suspense / Thriller
One-word book review: Secrets: 4*
One-word book review: The Little Match Girl
Little Match Girl Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Compassion: 4*
One-word book review: The Snow Queen
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Friendship: 4*
One-word book review: Songs Without Words
Songs Without Words by Ann Packer
Book genre: Women’s fiction
One-word book review: Friendship: 4*
One-word book review: Tell Me More
Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan
Book genre: Self-care
One-word book review: Boundaries: 4*
One-word book review: Things My Son Needs to Know About the World
Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman
Book genre: Mini-autobiography
One-word book review: Parenthood: 4*
One-word book review: Unexplained
Unexplained: Supernatural Stories for Uncertain Times by Richard MacLean Smith+
Book review: Non-fiction
One-word book review: Chilling: 4*
+*Note: I received a complimentary advanced reader’s copy from Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.
One-word book review: What the Bible Says about Purpose
What the Bible Says about Purpose by David Ramos
Book genre: Religious / Personal development
One-word book review: Purpose: 4*
One-word book review: You Are Not Alone
You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Book genre: Thriller / Suspense / Mystery
One-word book review: Deceptive: 4*
3* book reviews
Here are the books I rated with three stars in 2020.
One-word book review: Baby Teeth
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Book genre: Fiction
One-word book review: Disturbing: 3*
One-word book review: Brother Grimm Fairytales
Brother Grimm Fairytales
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: What?: 3* overall [See editorial note.]
Editorial note: Here are all the stories I read from the collection of fairytales as written by The Brothers Grimm (along with their individual rating and one-word reviews). You can purchase the books separately; however, I recommend buying the entire anthology of the original Grimm fairytales. These are not the same fairytales that I remembered as a child. While I rated several only 2*, I still found them fascinating – I have so many questions!
Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Abusive: 2*
Little Red-Cap (Little Red Riding Hood) by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Obedience: 3*
Rapunzel by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Desire: 2*
Rumpelstiltskin by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Greed: 2*
Snow White and Rose Red by The Brothers Grimm
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Compassion: 4*
One-word book review: The Cask of Amontillado
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Short Story / Suspense
One-word book review: Revenge: 3*
One-word book review: The Emperor’s New Clothes
The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Honesty: 4*
One-word book review: Farm Girl
Farm Girl by Corinne Cunningham
Book genre: Fiction / Romance
One-word book review: Home: 3*
One-word book review: The Giver of the Stars
The Giver of the Stars by JoJo Moyes
Book genre: Fiction
One-word book review: Friendship: 3*
One-word book review: The Great Alone
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Book genre: Fiction
One-word book review: Disappointing: 3*
Editorial note: I feel compelled to say that the current Goodreads average rating for The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is 4.34. For me, it fell short of my expectations. I think partially because The Nightingale, also written by Kristin Hannah, is my favorite historical fiction novel ever. I cannot praise that book enough. You can see my review on that book in two other posts: Top 8 books about WWII and The Holocaust and Best books about inspirational women.
One-word book review: Hawthorn Woods
Hawthorn Woods by Patrick Canning*
Book genre: Mystery
One-word book review: Debut: 3*
*Note: I received a complimentary advanced reader’s copy from Smith Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
One-word book review: Let it Snow
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle
Book genre: Young Adult
One-word book review: Angst: 3*
One-word book review: Range of Motion
Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg
Book genre: Women’s fiction
One-word book review: Marriage: 3*
One-word book review: The Raven
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Book genre: Poetry
One-word book review: Grief: 3*
One-word book review: The Red Shoes
The Red Shoes by Hans Christian Andersen
Book genre: Fairytales
One-word book review: Desire: 3*
One-word book review: The Shortest Day
The Shortest Day by Colm Toibin
Book genre: Short Story
One-word book review: Secrets: 3*
One-word book review: Totally Useless
Totally Useless – Vol. 2: More fun but useless information and trivia by Tom Maule
Book genre: Nonfiction
One-word book review: Ok: 3*
Other book recommendations?
Have you read any good books lately that you could recommend to bookworms? I tend to lean toward historical fiction (WWII) and psychological thrillers, but am open to other genres as well. Leave a comment…would love to hear about your book reviews and book recommendations!
Note: My total number of books read in my 2020 reading challenge also includes two books I read, but did not rate or post a one-word book review. They were both from a newer author and I didn’t care for either book so did not rate them.
Pin it for later: One-word book reviews
Related posts: top book reviews
Deal Spotlight: Newsstand
I’m reading Where the Crawdads Sing at the moment. Must admit that I’m struggling to get into it.
I think I had a slow start also and then ended up loving it.
I thought the writing of Where the Crawdads Sing was lovely. The ending disappointed me though. It’s a great book club pick because I’ve seen so many different opinions on that one!
Endings usually make it or break it for me. Our book club definitely has a lot of opinions also.
I love the One Word idea! I have struggled to read this year – only YA stud through May!! But, I finished Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime 5* – HUSTLE. Currently I am reading Homegoing – at the half-way mark: COMPELLING. Endings make or break for me, too, so I’m holding out moderately high hopes for Homegoing!
My reading challenge always keeps me accountable. I say that when I’m 10 books behind schedule. But I’ll make it up before year-end.
Seeing you sitting next to your grandmother reading reminds me so much of Payton. She always seems to have a book in her hand or one close by. I love your reviews. A great way to help people choose a new book to read.
I love that candid photo of me with my grandmother. That just makes my heart happy when I hear that other girls like Payton love reading as much as I do. I love sharing my book reviews with others.
One word book reviews? That’s a new concept!
Thank you for the suggestions. I added Home Before Dark, A Good Marriage, Daughter of the Lake, and You Are Not Alone to my reading list. I have read 34/50 books on my reading challenge. I do listen to quite a few on Audible, but also have quite a few on my Nook. I hope to get some reading done today. 🙂
Wow…that’s super impressive! I’ll be looking forward to your takes and book reviews on these book recommendations. I did get some reading done today and planning to get in a few more chapters before bed.
Very impressed with the One Word Review and the volume of books that you have read. I too, as another of your readers, have struggled to get into reading. This has inspired me to check out some of the titles that you have listed. Thanks for the post.
Thank you! Great to hear you like the one-word book reviews. I love reading, but it always seems to take a back seat to other pressing priorities. My reading challenge helps keep me accountable and motivated to read and then share book reviews with others.
What a great idea! These one word book reviews kind of leave people in suspense and itching to read these books. My girls have read little women and they loved it. Definitely a classic.
Thank you so much! Some of my fuller book reviews are so long, I was looking for a way to provide book recommendations at a glance. Little Women is such a classic – my favorite childhood book!
I’ve read a few of these books, but not all of them. Since I always have a running TBR list, I’ll be adding a bunch of them to it! Thanks so much for sharing.
My pleasure! I’m always interested in other readers’ book reviews especially if our genre preferences match up.
What an impressive and inspiring reading challenge! I committed to 12 books this year in the personal development category, and that seems to be plenty for me with all of my current commitments. I love this format of giving one work book reviews and * ratings too. It’s concise yet informative too.
That sounds like an impressive and inspiring reading challenge also. And thank you…I’m happy to hear you like the format of my one-word book reviews and ratings.
This is great! I love the idea of a one word book review! I saw some on your list that I haven’t read, so I guess my list just got longer! 😉
Thank you so much. Good to hear you love the one-word book reviews…I mean, we barely have time to read a book, how are we going to find time to write/read book reviews. Ha! My #tbr list just keeps getting longer also.
I love these one-word book reviews. I also love how organized this is. I will be checking some of these great books out! Thanks!
Thank you! So happy to hear you like the one-word book reviews. I’m thinking about adding the location to every book review for some travel inspiration.
Wow you’ve been busy! I read Little Women a long time ago but I’m due for a reread.
I really have to be intentional to get the reading in (even though it’s how I recharge). Little Women was my favorite childhood book so decided to reread it when the Oscar-nominated movie came out.
Thanks for all the new book suggestions. I love your book reviews I always find some new books to read.
Thank you! So happy to hear you find some good books to read. I thought it would be easier to manage to write one-word book reviews, but it’s actually harder than a full book review. I may need to expand my posts to one-paragraph book reviews.
I love getting good book recommendations! That is awesome you are almost halfway through!
Thank you! Hope you see some good books you like!
I’m so impressed you find the time to do so much reading for these book reviews! Since I’ve started a blog, it’s consumed my time. You making me realize what I’m missing out on.
Thank you so much. I have to be very intentional as reading and writing book reviews do get pushed to the side when other priorities emerge.
I would love to get the Robert Frost book. Thanks for the recommendations!
A friend of mine gave me this book years ago. Robert Frost was definitely calling my name from the bookshelf this summer after hiking all those state parks. It’s so inspirational…I think I have nearly every other page flagged because his poetry spoke to me.
So great how just a one word review can tell you so much about a book.
I figured people like me would rather read the book than a long review – that and I was having difficulty keeping up with my reviews. Although I must say limiting the book review to one word is definitely challenging.