In 2020 I’m really trying to push myself with some TBR challenges. One of them is to pick up at least one book each month outside my comfort zone!

In 2019 I really honed in on the type of books I enjoy. But because of that almost everything I read was a contemporary/romance. So in 2020 I really want to push myself to read outside those genres.

Here are the 12 books I chose to start off the TBR jar! However, throughout the year, I plan to add additional books to the list ♥

1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Dystopian and epic fantasy are definitely not words that usually draw me to a book. But I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this book (and series). I received the entire trilogy for Christmas back in 2018 so this year I’m making it a priority to at least start!

2. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

I had all but written off historical fiction but I’m planning to give the genre another fair shot. I know I don’t enjoy war stories (so please don’t recommend me The Nightingale, I won’t read it) but I want to give other eras of historical fiction a shot since I found I really like Victorian era stories.

3. The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

This was 100% because Riley Marie hyped this up so much! The premise is definitely intriguing but it’s not something I would have ever picked up otherwise. I’m excited to give it a read though. This is actually the first book off this list I’m starting!

4. The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard

Entangled Publishing is absolutely amazing and sent me a copy of this a couple months back! I’ve never read a historical romance but I’m really excited to give some a try this year!

5. The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne

This is another historical romance I want to give a try this year! I’ve heard only rave reviews so hopefully it’s something I love!

6. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

At the end of 2019 I started to dip my toe into fantasy romance and I’ve heard this one is fantastic!

7. Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton

This is a super polarizing book but I want to give more fantasy a read in 2020. It was a genre I loved with a few years back but I had a rocky relationship with it in 2019. But I’m itching for some, so I’m strategically picking a few to read this year!

8. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsin Muir

This book was ridiculously hyped when it was released but there has been all kinds of drama surrounding this and the author since. I’m still curious to see what all the hubbub is about myself, even though necromancers in space is definitely not my genre haha.

9. Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett

Another adult high fantasy! And this one is a massive chunker! Historically I’ve been disappointed with heist stories but I’m hoping this one goes the distance. I’ve heard amazing things about this book/series so I have high hopes!

10. The Institute by Stephen King

This will be my first Stephen King. I’m new to horror and this one involves kidnapped superhuman. Again – definitely not key words for me.

11. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I’ve technically unhealed this once already… historical fiction and books about famous people tend to be deterrents for me. But TJR is my favorite author of all time and I’ve been told to give this a try on audio. So I’m going to give it a shot in 2020!

12. Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

Last but not least! I’ve gone back and forth on picking this up so many times but I’ve decided to give it a shot! This is an adult fantasy about gods. This was on so many favorite books of the year lists so hopefully I love it as much as everyone else!

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Do you try and read books outside your comfort zone? Which ones are you planning to read this year? And let me know what you thought of any of these books if you’ve read them!

♥♥♥♥