Hello and welcome to a new week of #R3COMM3ND3D2020. We’re just past the halfway point (providing I can fill all 57 places – a handful are still available if you would like to take part!) so I wanted to share some interesting #R3COMM3ND3D2020 facts with you. So far (before I reveal today’s blogger and their three picks) 84 (EIGHTY-FOUR!!) brilliant books have been recommended. I’m afraid that’s it for interesting facts today 😂. If I were my husband I would have spreadsheets and pie charts to share too, but I’m not so I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with my one interesting fact for now 🤣.

I am delighted to welcome one of my favourite bloggers to share the book love with us today, it’s the fabulous Lynne of Fictionophile. Lynne’s blog is hugely popular and it’s clear to see why. If you don’t already follow Lynne then I recommend that you change that! She’s a bookish gem and an asset to the community.

So, what is #R3COMM3ND3D2020? It’s about sharing the book love. It’s a chance for authors, book bloggers and bookstagrammers to shout about three (yes, *only* three) books they love. They can be written by any author, in any genre and published in any way (traditionally, indie press or self-published). But there is a catch. All three books must have been published in 2020. To make things interesting I have added a couple of teeny, tiny rules this year which are; 1) the book must have first been published in 2020 and 2) special editions and reissues do not count. I like to keep you lovely people on your toes. 😉

Here are the three books Lynne chose…

All In Her Head by Nikki Smith
This debut thriller is a mesmerizing page-turner which deftly portrayed mental illness and a tortured soul with clarity that was only too real. The ending was chilling and assured that I will read more by this talented author.
Lynne’s Review of All In Her Head

The Creak on the Stairs by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir
The murder investigation was a slow burn. Multi-layered, it exposed secrets, shame, and egocentricity. A small town mystery with myriad ties to past sins. With themes of grief, loss, child abuse, and more, this story was well written and compelling with some secrets exposed near the end. The ending was both satisfying and poignant in equal measure.
Icelandic noir at its very finest!
Lynne’s Review of The Creak on the Stairs

The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson
A dual timeline saga featuring two women who were both strong and resilient. They had many things in common despite their sixty+ year age difference.
The story set during the war years was vividly rendered and well researched. The present day story was also quite compelling, including themes of family secrets, blackmail, and elder abuse.
The ending wrapped up the book perfectly. Poignant and hopeful in equal measure.
Loved it! Every minute of it!
Lynne’s Review of The Sea Gate

Three great choices, thanks Lynne. I think there are a couple of additions to the wish list there too!

If Lynne has managed to tempt you, or if you would like to find out more about the books recommended above, please see the following links:

All In Her Head by Nikki Smith
The Creak on the Stairs by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir
The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson

About Lynne:
I started my book blog to share my love of reading with others, and to document my own reading. I am a retired public library cataloguer, so blogging about books is a way of staying in touch with my bookish passions.
When not reading or blogging I enjoy the company of family and friends, gardening, red wine, and playing with my baby grandson.

Lynne’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Fictionophile | Twitter @fictionophile | Instagram @fictionophile56 |

If you’re a book blogger, bookstagrammer or an author and you have three books published this year which you want to shout about then please complete the following form (or click this link: https://forms.gle/kHTQeQdiUNZTsW4d6)