Top 20 Books of 2020

Five days into 2021 but I’m still going to share my favorite books of the last year! These are mostly fun for me to look back on to see how my reading has grown and changed throughout the years but if we have similar reading taste, hopefully you’ll be inspired to read some of these as well!

I think it’s easy to get distracted by all the shiny new releases (and they are amazing!) but I also read a ton of amazing “backlist” books from years past. A number of these had me wondering why I waited so long to read them because they have made it onto my All Time Favorites list!

These are not ranked but appear in the order in which I read them.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah—This book deserves all the praise it gets and I highly recommend the audio! It is funny and important but also inspiring and difficult. I love Trevor Noah so much and this book just made me have a greater appreciation for him! I LOVE South Africa so I really enjoyed this memoir. Another book set in South Africa is If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais!

The Simple Wild K.A. Tucker—How many times do I need to say it? This book has stuck with me. It may not be for everyone, but I truly loved this world and the characters. I read both books in the series twice this year as well as the novella.

The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Grath—A deeply moving, deeply difficult and intimate view of 9/11. I don’t normally read books that feature 9/11 as it is a huge trigger for me, but I felt really drawn to this book. I found it to be respectful and answered a lot of questions my eight year old self had from the day.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series (specifically ACOMAF) by Sarah J. Maas—I mean, if you know you know. If you’ve listened to Read It Or List It at all this year you know how much this series means to me. It pulled me out of a dark place at the beginning of the Pandemic and connected me with so many like minded folks. I am so grateful to this series.

Here For It by R. Eric Thomas—Need a laugh out loud memoir that is also incredibly educational and important? Can’t go wrong with Here For It! I loved it and want to be friends with Eric. Highly recommend.

A Tender Thing by Emily Neuberger—I love books that show behind the scenes of performing arts because it makes me feel so at home, especially since Broadway remains closed and I haven’t been been onstage in almost 11 months. I really enjoyed the journey the main character went on regarding her privilege in this book. I spoke to the author on Read it Or List It and she said she hoped that others who related to her would learn something from the character’s journey and begin it for themselves.

Majesty by Katharine McGee—I was IMPRESSED with this sequel and loved it so much! It’s the second book in the American Royals series and I liked the first book but LOVED the second. It took so many unexpected turns that made me really respect the author and characters.

Meet Me At Midnight by Jessica Pennington—I flew through this book over Memorial Day Weekend and simply loved it. I love stories set by a lake and this YA romance felt like it was teetering on the edge of new adult and I was here for it. I truly enjoyed it!

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds—Jason Reynolds can do no wrong. This book is written in verse and perfect to enjoy via audiobook but it just released as a graphic novel! I bought it for myself for my birthday and I am so happy to have it. It translates so well to the medium!

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson—Another must read memoir. This book made me smile and weep at the same time. I love that it is marketed as a YA memoir because I think so many young people will benefit from reading this story of identity and discovery.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender—I LOVE THIS BOOK. It is warm and feisty and educational and delightful. I could not put it down!

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett—The best book of 2020 in my opinion! This is a book I know I can recommend to anyone. It’s character driven which usually isn’t my thing, but I really appreciated it in this story. You move through time with the characters and while it’s sad, you love them so deeply you keep going.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune—Joy in a book. Pure, wonderful joy about chosen family with a hint of magic. I love this book and love that it speaks to so many different people in different ways. Go into it with no expectations and let the magic find you.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo—Another YA book I can’t stop gushing about! I love Elizabeth Acevedo and this might be my favorite book of hers. It will make you hungry and hopeful, what more can you want?

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria—My favorite romance of the year! This is telenovela style and it is steamy. Another “behind the scenes” type of story about filming a Netflix style comedy. The characters are so fun and this discussion on consent in this book is ** chef’s kiss ** wonderful.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson—This book hit me like a ton of bricks, in the best way. I want to read all of Tiffany Jackson’s backlist after reading Grown. It’s difficult as it deals with sexual assault and an older singer taking advantage of young women, but it’s so lyrical and hypnotic in it’s story telling.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid—I can’t believe I wanted so long to read this book. It’s going on my all time favorites list as well and I’m convinced I’ll love every TJR book!

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams—Okay want to talk about a romance that does it all? THIS ONE! A book that addresses trauma so delicately and thoughtfully while letting the characters bloom and blossom while having steamy moments that could be cheesy but are just so wonderful? GIVE IT TO ME! I loved this book and love the author even more. Thank you Denise!

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout—I need the third book NOW. A fantasy that doesn’t hit you over the head with world building but keeps you on your toes? I could never, until now. I loved this book! Hawke Flynn can get it any day and Poppy is one of my favorite heroines. We love body positivity in a steamy fantasy!

One Way Or Another by Kara McDowell—This was probably my favorite holiday read of the year. I adored the romance and the ending. I was really invested in the Finn storyline and thought the author handled the depiction of anxiety so well. I am a huge fan!

I read 150 books in 2020 so this is just a small smattering but I am really proud of how I read outside of my comfort zone so much! I read so many different genres and I can’t wait to continue expanding my horizons in the new year.

Did we have any mutual favorites?