Here they are, my top ten books of 2020! This has been a year. In so many ways, this year has been really rough. However, I have been so thankful for all the time I’ve had to read! And boy did I read. I read more books this year than in any other year of my life.
Here are some of the stats on my 2020 books:
104 Books Read | 33,238 Pages Read.
86 Fiction | 18 Nonfiction
51 Audiobooks | 53 Physical Books
84 Female Authors | 26 Male Authors | 3 Non-binary Authors
** There are more authors than books because I read a few books that were co written and featured multiple authors. **
27 BIPOC authors
Choosing the top ten best books was the most difficult thing because I’ve read so many remarkable books! And if I thought that was hard, putting them in order was even worse. These are all such great books; I really did enjoy looking back at everything I’d read. There are so many great books that didn’t make this list. But these ones really are the best, I highly recommend adding them to you to-read list.
And without further ado … here are my top ten books of 2020.
The Book of Rosy: A Mother’s Story of Separation at the Border by Rosarya Pablo Cruz and Julie Schwietert Collazo
At the recommendation of Bad Bitch Book Club, I picked up this nonfiction memoir about a mother’s journey to America and the devastating separation of her children. It is an eye-opening book that is incredibly relevant. It’s easy to sit in a position of privilege and remain ignorant of the reality of America’s immigration system and the wounds it causes, but I am thankful for the painful truths revealed in The Book of Rosy. If you’re looking for a powerful and moving nonfiction, read this book.
Read my full review right here.
A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
Well, this takes the cake for funniest book of the year! I’m not usually a comedy reader, but I’d seen Colin Jost live in 2019 and loved him. I also love SNL, particularly Jost and Che’s Weekend Update so of course I had to read this book. And I am not joking, at so many points in this book I was cracking up and crying from laughing so hard. This is great for anyone looking for a mostly lighthearted quick read.
Read my full review right here.
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown
I’m definitely going to be picking this one up again in 2021; I enjoyed it so much and suggested it as a read for my book club! This concept is so unique. I appreciated the light-hearted moments and heavier moments of this novel. The duel perspectives and timelines were very well done and creative. I also loved the characters featured in this book. [Go Nellie!] I’m really eager to pick it up again and discuss it with my book club ladies! The perfect read if you are looking for an intriguing mix of old and new with some tasty recipes added to the mix!
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
2020 taught me that my favorite fiction trope is books featuring older narrators. So of course, the duel perspectives with the young professional and her grandmother switching lives for two months was just darling. This was just a perfect feel-good story to read when my days felt heavy. If you are in search of a reality to escape in, pick up this book.
Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin
Gosh, this book is heavy. It was hard to pick up and read about two parents grieving the devastating death of their teenage son. Going into this book, I did have some knowledge about Trayvon Martin, and of course that his murderer continues to walk freely today. But this gave me insights I’d never heard or considered. This may be triggering for some, but lots of white people would benefit from this book. Pick this one up if you are learning about who Trayvon Martin was and the devastating effects of a racist justice system.
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
I loved this book because it was so much more than I’d anticipated it to be. I was expecting a deep story detailing realities of adoption; the good and bad. But Far From the Tree is so much more than that. The characters go through so much development throughout the pages of this book. There are so many important themes throughout this book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a serious and thought provoking contemporary book.
Read my full review right here.
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
I saw Barack Obama put The Vanishing Half on his best books of 2020 list so I put The Vanishing Half on my best books of 2020 list! (Who caught the Mean Girls reference?)
Okay, but seriously, this book is so great. This story features complexity and depth alongside beautiful writing. I love how the book turns into an entanglement of characters and it all comes back to the place it started. This is a great book to pick up; I will warn, it was not my fastest read but overall worth the while.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Clearly, Beth O’Leary makes the cut for favorite author of 2020 since she has two books on my top 10 list. The Flatshare is such an adorable love story filled to the brim with cute characters, awkward moments, and heart-warming scenes. Surprisingly, there is more depth to the story; both characters have stuff going on in their lives. The two help each other through some of the darkest moments. If you are looking for a light-hearted love story with some depth, give this book a try! I am eager for her next book Road Trip to come out in 2021.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
So I actually *just* got this one for Christmas, finished it, and decided it belongs on my 2020 favorites shelf, as well as my all-time favorites shelf. This is just a warm cozy story perfect for wintertime. It’s the perfect blend of heart-warming and devastating. Not all stories are happy but you can sense such character development throughout. My husband just told me there is a sequel and I am so eager to purchase and start reading that one. Pick this book up!
Read my full review right here.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
Likely, no one is surprised to see this one take the top spot for 2020. Ever since reading it, I have been non stop recommending it to everyone. This book has just stuck with me since reading it in early spring. Chanel’s bravery in sharing her story and reclaiming her narrative is so powerful. It is a great read, for so many reasons but Chanel is an incredible writer. She gives such beautiful and devastating insight into the reality of her experiences. This is truly a book I believe everyone should read!
Read my full review right here.
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SO there you have it, my top ten books of this year. It was a great year for reading books; I am so eager to see how much reading I accomplish in the new year. Here are the books I plan to start 2021 with:
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
- The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
