WELL. 2020…has been a YEAR, amirite? It’s honestly a miracle that I read anything at all since March but I’ve managed to get some books read.
It’s basically a miracle and we are going to clap wildly for anything we did this year! Extra applause for the fact I could even compile a best books of 2020 list because it was DIFFICULT to read at points this year.
Last year’s reading was all about learning how to work reading back into my life after having Riley (here’s my tips for ways to find more time to read) but this year was all about finding the space to read (and not read) in the midst of such a hard year — pandemic, mentally struggling and health issues flaring up.
While this reading season has been full of periods of not reading (and doing lots of binge watching instead) it also has become a year in which I’ve learned to be okay with that. Books will always be there for when my brain can handle them.
I’m thankful for the books I’ve read this year and honestly I’ve read some AMAZING books so it’s really been a good reading year for me — despite having a hard time reading sometimes during this.
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BEST BOOKS OF 2020
While there is still plenty of time for me to read a new favorite book this year, I’m locking it in now. I will come back and add if I do somehow read a new fave between now and then!
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
I can confidently say this is one of the best books I’ve read in 2020. Like hands down. Number one pick. Which if you know me…is hard. I am not good at choosing just one. There’s always a caveat. NOT THIS TIME.
Powerful and moving story about sisterhood, race, privilege and identity. The hype was real on this one but it blew me away. Also…the writing was *chef kiss*.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
This book takes the cake for FAVORITE and one of the BEST books I read this year. I was so swept up in Addie’s story that spanned through centuries and continents.
Superb writing, made me sob because THE FEELINGS this one gave me and as an Enneagram 4 I swear this book combined my greatest fears and biggest desires in one book.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
This is definitely one of the most hard hitting and page-turning book I read this year. I honestly can’t stop thinking about it still. Tiffany D. Jackson’s books ALWAYS do that to me.
It deftly tackles SO MUCH throughout the story of a young girl being preyed upon and abused in her search for stardom by a famous singer who has promised her a career.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
Probably in my top 3 of the year. One I will be recommending to EVERYONE — even if you don’t normally read fantasy.
This book was a DELIGHT. Just an absolute delight. It’s about found family and seeing people who for they really are.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
I normally do not do books in verse. I just haven’t been able to get into many but this one….brilliant.
It’s about two girls who lose their father on a flight that crashed (based on a real event I had no idea about!) and the reckoning of the secrets exposed after. Beautiful, crushing writing and an amazing YA audiobook – one of my top recommendations actually!
I can’t recommend this enough — even if you think you wouldn’t like novels in verse!
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
I LOVED Get A Life, Chloe Brown and I couldn’t wait for Dani’s book. These sisters have my heart!! If you are looking for a fantastic romance, this book was a delight! This faux romance is full of amazing chemistry but also just such richly written characters whose struggles feel so real.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
You May Also Like: Best New Romances To Read This Year
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Perhaps one of the hardest books I’ve ever read. I don’t think I’ve ever had quite such a visceral reaction to a book before.
Felt sick to my stomach quite often honestly as I read this book about the grooming and affair of a young girl and her teacher and the reckoning she has as an adult when someone reaches out to her with the same experience considering she always thought it was love and something special between them.
Raw, unflinching and unapologetically tough read but an incredible nuanced and important one, if you can stomach it, as it so deftly exposes the ways (and ease) in which society allows these things to happen, the complexity of trauma and things like the #metoo movement for victims.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
This book made me so happy while also making me cry! A delightful romcom about two writers (one a romance writer, the other a literary fiction writer) who spend the summer together trying to get out of their writing funks by writing in each other’s genre while also working through some big life things (namely grief and secrets!).
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
You May Also Like: The Must-Have Beach Reads For This Year
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
THIS BOOK! Probably one of the biggest surprises for me. I picked it up on a whim at a conference last year and definitely one of the best books I’ve read in 2020.
I thought it was going to be a police procedural/suspense novel (something I don’t read often) but it was SO MUCH MORE.
It was that for sure but it also was a literary fiction family drama that was gritty and emotional. So incredible how suspenseful it was but also so so compelling how the family story was weaved in there.
I didn’t expect to be so moved by it. As an aside, I did this in both print and audio and the audio was FANTASTIC.
If you liked Long Bright River, I also highly recommend my list of favorite literary mysteries and thrillers!
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
Wanna know one way I get more reading done?
Audiobooks! I love listening to audiobooks when I’m driving or doing tasks like folding laundry or cleaning. LibroFM is THE best audiobook subscription. Hands down. Get 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 here! Check out my review of LibroFM for more info.
Oona Out Of Order by Margarita Montimore
I haven’t found a time travel book I’ve loved as much as The Time Traveler’s Wife up until this one! They are SOOOOO SOOOO different but I was really swept up in the same way.
It’s about a woman who lives her life out of order — instead of turning 19 on the eve of her birthday she suddenly wakes up as her 51 year old self.
Innovative and completely captivating!! It was one of my most anticipated books for 2020 and it lived up to my hopes — check out my review of Oona Out of Order!
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk
This quiet hidden gem of a YA novel is one of my favorite books of 2020 for sure and one that I’m sad isn’t getting more attention!
This one sliced through my heart in such a visceral way! An intimate look into a crumbling friendship and the unparalleled loss felt after plus the pain and joy in making space in our wounded hearts for new friendships as we continue to let go of what was.
Explored so many complexities of friendship and friend breakups in all their messy glory showing the faults in both parties.
FIND IT: AMAZON | BOOKSHOP.ORG
You May Also Like: 2021’s Must Read YA Books
What have YOUR best or your favorite books of 2020 so far??
P.S. Have you seen this list of upcoming book to movie adaptations? Or maybe you need some light and easy books to read?
Your Name says
I’m absolutely loving your list and bookmarking almost everything you mentioned to read. I’ve read A Man Called Ove – and love, love, love! Continue to read more from Bachman – he will not disappoint you! I also loved Gat a Life Chloe Bron but was on the fence about reading the follow up //// now I’m convinced I need to get it!
Jamie says
Oh I read My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry and loved that one a few years ago! What is your fave of his?
Ethan says
Long Bright River was one that I read at the start of the whole pandemic. I’m surprised I was able to get as much out of that dark book as I did at the time, but it is one of my favorites so far too!
Jamie says
Oh wow! yeah I read it in January before everything happened. I don’t know that I would have been able to handle it in the beginning of the pandemic — though just shows what a captivating book it is!
Sam@wlabb says
I 5-starred When You Were Everything. It was magnificent and friend breakups are such a thing which need books dedicated to it. Woodfolk did an incredible job with that book. (Love and Other Words is one of my favorites as well)
Jamie says
AHH THAT BOOK. Definite 5 star book. It just really took ahold of me — probably because it was SO true in my life with how this stuff happens with friendships.
Kristina says
Ohhh so many of thoses are on my wanting to read list!! I’m excited to get to them eventually, knowing how much you liked them 🥰
Also love the initiative of adding an indie bookstore’s link too! Xx
Jamie says
Eee let me know when you get to any of them what you think!
And yes..I’ve always linked to Indiebound but I feel like it wasn’t the most user friendly so as soon as Bookshop came around I decided to switch but wanted to really call it out because people might not know what they are yet!
Lisa @ Reading, Writing, and Random Musings says
Long Bright River, Beach Read, and The Vanishing Half would totally make my top books of 2020 so far list! Beach Read was the perfect read for me this summer when pandemic living started to get to me a bit! I also loved A Man Called Ove. I haven’t read the others, but seeing the overlap in our reading, I’m adding to my TBR!
Jamie says
We do seem to love a lot of the same ones!! What are some of your faves that aren’t on my list? Clearly I need to add some books you loved to my list!
Jade @ Reading with Jade says
I don’t usually read books in verse either, but also loved Clap When You Land – I feel like being written in verse added to the beauty of the story. I has definitely intrigued me to other books I’ve put off reading due to being in verse also.
Great list! I hope the rest of the year treats you to more wonderful books also!
liz says
I usually don’t like books in verse either, and I ended up listening to Clap when you land instead of reading it, and it was amazing. I think it really helped create this beautiful performance, and I honestly didn’t even focus on the verse.
Erica Robyn says
AWESOME list!
Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales says
Thank you for these recs! I can’t believe I still haven’t read Addie LaRue considering what a big Schwab fan I am – I have multiple copies sent/shipped to my college apartment while I am still home haha – but I am super excited to get to it soon. Clap When You Land is def in my TBR, I loved The Poet X, and I saw the audiobook on Scribd and might try that soon.
Happy Holidays Jamie!
Jade @ Reading with Jade says
Great list! I totally agree with Clap When You Land – I’ve always been put off by novels in verse, but having read this book I now want to read ALL the novels in verse. Ha!
Happy reading in 2021!