Hello bookish chums and welcome to a new day on the blog and more fabulous #R3COMM3ND3D2020 recommendations. Today I am delighted to be joined by the absolutely brilliant Jen Lucas of Jen Med’s Book Reviews. Jen’s blog is incredibly popular and it’s easy to see why. I’m a huge fan and I heartily recommend you give Jen Med’s Book Reviews a follow. You won’t regret it.

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 Jen recommends…

The Waiting Rooms by Eve Smith
It may seem a bit perverse to be choosing a book about a world that is paralysed by an antibiotic resistant infection right now, but this book is so much more than that. Part crime thriller, part dissection of our perilous over reliance on antibiotics, Thai book is 100% thrilling and had me completely hooked. It also examines the fragility of our lives, last regrets and the absolute importance of family and is highly recommended by me and many others. Even reading it in the height of the first lockdown, this book felt timely and important.
Jen’s Review of The Waiting Rooms

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
This guy … Chris Whitaker has the amazing ability to write a book that completely takes you out of the present and into his fictional world, not letting go until you are done. Following a small group of people in a small American town whose lives have been torn apart by tragedy, this story looks deep into the heart of love, family, friendship and loyalty. The characters are so memorable, especially The Outlaw Duchess ‘Day’ Radley, I was left bereft when it finished. The story is moving, emotional, occasionally dark and very, very powerful. Just don’t tell Mr Whitaker I said so.
Jen’s Review of We Begin at the End

Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald
This is a short but incredibly powerful book. The imagery is stark, following the residents of a small Australian town caught up in a devastating bush fire, the impact is immense. With some tender, poignant and even occasionally funny moments, this book plays with all of your emotions and will leave you breathless by the end. There are some darker times to be read, difficult subjects handled carefully, as well as taking a good look at the subject of family and friendships. My lasting memories of this book? How fragile life can be and poor Ronnie Corbett.
Jen’s Review of Ash Mountain

Thanks so much for your brilliant choices, Jen. I’m particularly pleased to see We Begin at the End on your list as it’s my book of the year, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s now also in the lead along with She Lies Close by Sharon Doering, The Secrets of Strangers by Charity Norman and The Miseducation of Evie Epworth by Matson Taylor. I’m a little bit giddy. One of these four books could be our #R3COMM3ND3D2020 winner!

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

The Waiting Rooms by Eve Smith
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Ash Mountain by Helen Fitzgerald

About Jen Lucas:
Full time Contract Officer and part time moderately functioning book blogger I read to keep me sane. I live in a beautifully rural part of the country which means I have few distractions from my reading, other than going for lovely long walks.

If I’m not working, I’m generally reading. I a degree in American Studies and Literature but barely picked up a book in the fifteen or so years after graduating so have spent the past six or seven years making up for lost time (yes I’m that old). I love a good book and I love a good book recommendation.

Jen’s Blog and Social Media Links:
| Jen Med’s Book Reviews | Twitter @JenMedBkReviews | Facebook | Instagram @jenmedsbookreviews | Instagram @ramblingreviewer |

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)