Favorite The Write Reads Tour Books of 2020

Today's post is something I made up. I've done quite a few tours this year with The Write Reads and got to thinking: some of the books have been bitchin' good! Wait, does anyone say "bitchin'" anymore? Or am I showing my advanced age? Oh, well. Fuck that noise. 

Anyway, I polled my fellow bloggers and asked which books they enjoyed the most. Of course, we're book bloggers and couldn't pick just one, but the numbers still add up. I've included First, Second, and Third Place as well as an Honorable Mention. That's not to say those were the only good books. There were A LOT of good ones in 2020 and I hope to have just as many great reads from The Write Reads in 2021. Hmmm, better start drafting that post for end of the year or I'll forget.

But wait! There's more! I also asked my fellow book bloggers if they wanted to say a few words about how Dave, Head Blog Tour Wrangler Number 1, at TWR has affected their blogging life. And they answered the call! To see what they had to say, be sure to keep scrolling after you see the books that won my Unofficial Poll (+/- 3% : btw, a number completely made up by me because I like threesomes. Ha! Just kidding. Or am I? ).

1st Place

Congrats!!

Beauty comes at a price. And no one knows that better than Ebenezer Tweezer, who has stayed beautiful for 511 years. How, you may wonder? Ebenezer simply has to feed the beast in the attic of his mansion. In return for meals of performing monkeys, statues of Winston Churchill, and the occasional cactus, Ebenezer gets potions that keep him young and beautiful, as well as other presents.

But the beast grows ever greedier with each meal, and one day he announces that he’d like to eat a nice, juicy child next. Ebenezer has never done anything quite this terrible to hold onto his wonderful life. Still, he finds the absolutely snottiest, naughtiest, and most frankly unpleasant child he can and prepares to feed her to the beast.

The child, Bethany, may just be more than Ebenezer bargained for. She’s certainly a really rather rude houseguest, but Ebenezer still finds himself wishing she didn’t have to be gobbled up after all. Could it be Bethany is less meal-worthy and more…friend-worthy?

Goodreads

Friday Featured Spotlight Part I | Friday Featured Spotlight Part II

2nd Place

She came from nothing.

Avery has a plan: keep her head down, work hard for a better future. Then an eccentric billionaire dies, leaving her almost his entire fortune. And no one, least of all Avery, knows why.

They had everything.

Now she must move into the mansion she's inherited. It's filled with secrets and codes, and the old man's surviving relatives - a family hell-bent on discovering why Avery got 'their' money.

Now there's only one rule: winner takes all.

Soon she is caught in a deadly game that everyone in this strange family is playing. But just how far will they go to keep their fortune?

Goodreads | Friday Featured Spotlight

3rd Place

Aleja whiles away her days in her family's dusty tavern in Seville, dreaming of distant lands and believing in the kind of magic that she's only ever read about in books. After all, she's always being told that girls can't be explorers.

But her life is changed forever when adventure comes for her in the form of a fabled vessel called the Ship of Shadows. Crewed by a band of ruthless women, with cabin walls dripping with secrets, the ship has sailed right out of a legend. And it wants Aleja.

Once on board its shadowy deck, she begins to realize that the sea holds more secrets than she ever could have imagined. The crew are desperately seeking something, and their path will take them through treacherous waters and force them to confront nightmare creatures and pitch-dark magic. It will take all of Aleja's strength and courage to gain the trust of her fellow pirates - and discover what they are risking everything to find.

Goodreads | Friday Featured Spotlight

Honorable Mention

Because I asked for everyone's favorite before the Amari tour, it got left out of the poll. However, the reviews have been overwhelmingly favorable so I'm including it as an Honorable Mention. It's my post so I can do that if I want.

Quinton Peters was the golden boy of the Rosewood low-income housing projects, receiving full scholarship offers to two different Ivy League schools. When he mysteriously goes missing, his little sister, 13-year-old Amari Peters, can’t understand why it’s not a bigger deal. Why isn’t his story all over the news? And why do the police automatically assume he was into something illegal?

Then Amari discovers a ticking briefcase in her brother’s old closet. A briefcase meant for her eyes only. There was far more to Quinton, it seems, than she ever knew. He’s left her a nomination for a summer tryout at the secretive Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Amari is certain the answer to finding out what happened to him lies somewhere inside, if only she can get her head around the idea of mermaids, dwarves, yetis and magicians all being real things, something she has to instantly confront when she is given a weredragon as a roommate.

Amari must compete against some of the nation’s wealthiest kids—who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives and are able to easily answer questions like which two Great Beasts reside in the Atlantic Ocean and how old is Merlin? Just getting around the Bureau is a lesson alone for Amari with signs like ‘Department of Hidden Places this way, or is it?’ If that all wasn’t enough, every Bureau trainee has a talent enhanced to supernatural levels to help them do their jobs – but Amari is given an illegal ability. As if she needed something else to make her stand out.

With an evil magican threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.

Goodreads | Friday Featured Spotlight*

*There's no Spotlight yet as the tour hasn't ended. I'll add the link later.

What Bloggers Have To Say About Dave

Me first because it's my post.

I've been with The Write Reads basically from the beginning when it was just a gleam in Dave's crafty eye. He just keeps thinking of ideas or building on ideas we throw at him (Sorry again about that nut shot, Dave. I swear I wasn't aiming there.) and The Write Reads just keeps growing by leaps and bounds. It's like having a favorite books series that keeps churning out great books and THEN adds a sister series that's just as awesome! In the case of TWR, the sister series is the BBNYA (Book Bloggers Novel of the Year). Oh, fuck! I should have included the winners for that, too! Ah, I'll just whip up another post. How's that sound? Anyway, I've been doing some behind the scenes stuff for Dave and all these tours (25 just this year! Gah! 26 since another one just started and goes into 2021-thanks for screwing up my spreadsheets Dave! lol) and other stuff, so I've been busier than ever, but I've also met some of the most wonderful bloggers and had access to some seriously awesome books. I'm eagerly looking forward to 2021 and all the tours (and what else is he plotting?!) I'm sure are coming! ~ A Voracious Reader

"When I started book blogging, I honestly thought I’d be shouting into the void. I never expected to find a community of other people who also have a-frankly, terrifying- obsession with books. I would have never been able to meet so many fantastic writers and readers if not for Dave at The Write Reads. The amount of care and energy he puts into making everyone feel welcome and seen is astounding. Dave is passionate about books and truly cares about people. The Write Reads book tours have been some of the highlights of my reading year and I am so grateful to Dave for helping make book blogging so enjoyable." - Witty & Sarcastic Bookclub

"Dave works tirelessly on the blog tours he puts together and has been hugely helpful when I didn’t even know what a blog tour was! I’ve been a part of many of TheWriteReads ultimate blog tours now and each one has been even better than the last and that’s all down to the work Dave puts in. So thankful to be apart of this amazing gang!" – Rachel The Reading Reaper

"For me The Write Reads was (and still is!) an incredibly welcoming place for me as a new blogger and now as a more established one. It’s a great community and I’ve read some amazing books on tours that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. Thanks to Dave and all who keep it running." xx Charlotte. Mug Full of Books

"When I first heard about TWR and Dave at the start of the year, I had just started blogging and I had no idea what I was doing. Dave welcomed me into the gang and from the first tour I have done, I have loved every single one. These tours are so inclusive, happy, supportive, you meet so many amazing bloggers, talk about some fantastic books and get to hype up great authors! Thanks to these tours, I have picked up books I would never have even noticed and some have become my favourites of the year. It was one of the best choices of 2020 for me and I couldn't think of a better tour organiser and a genuinely great person!" – Ellie Read to Ramble

"Thanks to TWR tours, I have had the opportunity to read some great books. Not only that, these tours have high engagement in the book blogging community. So, good books get hyped and book bloggers receive their much due appreciation." – Debjani Debjani’s Thoughts

"I'm so lucky to have discovered Dave and The Write reads gang. Since joining this community I have discovered many new authors and got to read amazing books. But most importantly, I got to meet and connect with other book bloggers all over the world, which is amazing. I've made new friends, discovered new blogs, and got the chance to take part in some great blog tours.  Thank you for this and I wish everyone happy holidays! "– Anca Summon Fantasy

"Dave and the crew over at TWR are the best! I started my blog this year over lockdown hang had a bookstagram for almost a full year and after I won the Ship of Shadows in a giveaway Dave reached out to see if I wanted to be on the blog tour and I don’t think that I will ever regret saying yes! I love the community that I have become part of and I am so grateful to Dave for helping my blog grow over the last couple months. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings as part of TWR gang." – Shelves of Starlight

"TheWriteReads Blog Tours consists of a fantastic group of bloggers who form a community of encouragement alongside their love of books. These tours have introduced books I may have never discovered otherwise. Several have become favorite reads this year and I hope the same can be said for many of the other visitors. TheWriteReads has introduced me to fellow bibliophiles and the expansive world that is the book community. I am extremely grateful and humbled to be included in such a wholesome group." - Ryan Yarber

"I remember a year or so ago Dave approached me on Twitter and told me about this idea that he had, how he wanted to start blog tours and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it. Obviously I said yes because Dave at TheWriteReads has been one of the most supportive voices of the Book Blogging community and I was excited to see the kind of books he would bring. Fast forward to a few (many?) tours later, TWR on tour has brought amazing books on the scene and has introduced me to so many different genres. Many of which I wouldn't have read if it wasn't for the tours. As someone who has been here since the beginning of TWR Tours, I can see how far it has come and I can only feel pride and happiness. The books that they have been able to bring to us have all been brilliant and there has not been a single tour which disappointed me. Dave is extremely supportive when it comes to sending us the ARCs/PDF or the blog graphics and any other details that we need for our posts and is always ready to help." – Zenobia That Zen Blog

"The Write Reads doesn't just feel like a book promotion site, it really does feel like a book-lover's community. Dave himself is so friendly, supportive and encouraging.

I've loved being part of the group and really enjoyed all of the tours I've been part of. Looking forward to many more in 2021!" – Booktails

"Dave found me over this past summer and it has been so amazing! I’ve met so many wonderful bloggers through him and the blog tours! His involvement in the blog tours is also the best one I’ve been a part of! Always answering questions and just going above and beyond. Such an awesome person and I’m so glad to be a part of TRW blogging family!" - Leslie Books Are TheNew Black

"TheWriteReads and their blog tours have always been a warm and welcome place for me. I started blogging two years ago and honestly, the last thing I expected was being accepted and welcomed into a like-minded community. Dave reached out to me at a time when I was at my lowest. I don't know how he sensed that but it is no surprise because what little I know of him, I have seen the kindness and empathy for others always. The world needs people like him who have this magnetic energy of bringing people together. So, what I want to say, in short, is Thank you Dave, for making me part of your bookish community where there is no room for anything but positivity." - Rejitha Bookbugworld

"How TWR tours have affected my blogging, reading, and all-around general involvement in the bookish community? Well, that‘s a tough question, but it‘s also so easy! Dave is just a rockstar. I don‘t know how he does it, but I literally loved every single blogtour book he picked this past year! My reading has changed so much since I became a member of the TWR gang - and I‘ve been in from the very early days on, so I saw all the changes and the ENORMOUS development! My reading horizon has definitely broadened, and I have met so many lovely blogging friends through TWR. I started reading outside my comfort zone and found some new favourites - books AND genres - this way! I’m so grateful for all that Dave does - he‘s so supportive of everyone, and he does an incredible job with all the blogtours. I am looking forward to all the tours to come! Thank you for being so supportive of us bloggers, Dave!!!" - Noly The Artsy Reader

"I'm definitely grateful for Dave. Not only has he given us some amazing blog tours, but he's so supportive of all bloggers here. And on top of that, I've met some amazing bloggers and speak to them daily in the chat that he created. I can't imagine not knowing all of these amazing people!" - The Book Dutchesses

"If it wasn’t for Dave from the writereads I don’t think I would be where I am now with my blog and followers. Also a big thanks to all the book tours he has organised in 2020." - Reading Through the Looking Glass

"The TWR Tours have introduced me to some fantastic books that I would have otherwise skipped over. I love how supportive the TWR community is, and I am incredibly grateful for all of the friends I have made and the support I’ve received from this community. Dave is clearly a superhuman for organizing the tours, blog of the day, etc., and he deserved a trophy or a parade or, at the very least, a nice glass of wine for all of the work he puts in!" - Books Are 42

"Dave and The Write Reads have totally made my year. He does so much for the book community and individual independent authors. I have nothing but respect for his amazing organisation skills and the way he genuinely cares about his bloggers." - Broken Geek

“I just started actively blogging this past year and, at the beginning, it was a lot of flailing around. At least it felt that way! Then Dave invited me into The Write Reads gang and I found the most supportive, wonderful group of bloggers I’ve had the pleasure to meet. They were always available to answer questions, they gave me ideas for posts, they were constantly commenting and helping my little blog grow. I don’t think I would have grew nearly as much without them and Dave! He works so hard for bloggers and I can never truly articulate how grateful I am for him!” - Kerri McBookNerd

"I found Dave and The Write Reads right when I started blogging and I’m so glad that I did. Not only does he help so many bloggers reach others he’s also built an impressive community. If it wasn’t for him then it would have taken me a lot longer to grow and build friendships with other book bloggers. Dave is awesome for creating this safe space for both book bloggers and authors!" - Kaili Entertainingly Nerdy

"Working with Dave and The Write Reads has helped me come out of my shell as a blogger. He is very committed to making his tours the best they can be and provides so much support to all of us who participate. Dave also introduced me to the greatest gang of people I’ve ever met. The gang gave me a place to belong and make every day brighter. This would not have been possible without Dave. I will be forever grateful that Dave has come into my life." - My Bookish Bliss