Book List 2020
Despite the hardships that 2020 brought us all, there is no denying that being stuck at home was the perfect excuse to read. A lot. And in my case, that meant I broke my record and read a total of FIFTY books this year! FIFTY!! My brain is filled to brim with stories and knowledge - at least something good came out of this past year!
This year, I was inspired to read a lot of self-improvement-type books in addition to fiction, so I thought I’d break up my Book List 2020 into two categories - Fiction and Nonfiction. I actually feel like my growth as an individual and as a member of society is due in large part to the books I read, which ranged from anti-racism work to expanding my views as an artist. I hope this list serves as both an avenue towards pure entertainment through stories, and as a jumping off point towards your own education about how to move through the world as a more conscientious, compassionate human being. I’ll be ranking my top 3 favorite books for fiction, and my top 3 favorites for nonfiction, so be sure to scroll all the way to the end to see those! ALSO - each title is linked so you can go directly to Amazon to purchase.
And without further ado…
FICTION
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh 7.5/10
Dystopian/cult-y fairy tale meets The Handmaid’s Tale. Super interesting writing style.
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid 8/10
Beautifully written story about a relationship beginning and unraveling during a refugee crisis.
The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker 9/10
Everything I want in a book. An ominous sleeping virus sweeps over a town. This needs to be made into a show!
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney 7/10
Hmm… this was an interesting one. It was written really well (I love this author), but I had a hard time relating to it.
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler 9/10
Beautifully written and an extremely honest portrayal of life working at a high-end New York City restaurant. Loved this one, even if it hit close to home.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward 9/10
Mesmerizing writing, but very hard to describe in a one liner - so you should just read it. Important story to be told.
City of Thieves by David Benioff 10/10
Based on the true story of the author’s grandfather’s time in Russia during World War II. Incredible journey.
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott 9/10
Secretaries turned spies during Cold War-era America. This book was a page turner!
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner 9/10
Beautifully captures the lives of two sisters, and the different paths they take in life. Loved reading about the feminist’s journey from the 1950s to present day.
Followers by Megan Angelo 9/10
After a horrific hacking incident in 2016, the Internet becomes controlled by the government. The story shows was life in 2051 looks like, and how social media has taken a new form. Seriously a fun read.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid 8/10
I really enjoyed this. Great story, great characters. Interesting lens on race and prejudice in our world today.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 9/10
Okay this was a lot of fun to read - I can see why it’s so popular and got made into a show. A woman travels back in time to Scotland in the 1700s.
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah 8.5/10
Beautiful story about two daughters connecting with their mother (who is a survivor of the Siege of Leningrad) later in life. Brought me to tears!
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory 3/10
What a dumb book. Gets a few points for being escapist and an easy read.
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole 7.5/10
Get Out meets The Woman in the Window. Seriously sinister and thrilling to read!
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffin 8.5/10
A scandal rocks the lives of four people in a Nashville community. I loved how the author wrote from each perspective. Quick read!
The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward 5/10
There were parts that were fun, but the growth of the characters came at such a glacial pace that it was excruciating to continue to try and root for them.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd 6/10
A fictional story about the life of Ana, wife to Jesus, and her life. I thought it would be more impactful than it ultimately ended up being. I couldn’t get past the thought of “Jesus didn’t have a wife…” so it was hard to fully loose myself in the story.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren 7/10
Sometime you just want a silly book to loose yourself in. This is that book!! A twin takes the place of her sister for her honeymoon after unforeseen circumstances occur - and falls for the groom’s brother in the process.
The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood 9/10
Totally freaky concept, but then it wouldn’t be a Margaret Atwood book otherwise! In a future America, residents alternate between living a quintessential care-free life… and serving time in prison.
The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah 10/10
This is easily one of the best books I’ve read all year. An epic coming-of-age story set in remote Alaska int he 1970s.
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty 8/10
Wonderful storytelling, weaving multiple storylines together to tell about the tragic events that happen on an ordinary day at a neighborhood bbq.
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker 9/10
Ooh this was a good one. The nest Big Little Lies. It follows the lives of four women at a high powered law firm in Dallas and how they are connected to a murder investigation.
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty 9/10
A page turner - three different secrets reveal themselves and alter the course of each family. Clearly, I love this author.
The Huntress by Kate Quinn 2/10
The premise seemed promising but the writing was subpar. I couldn’t even finish it.
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware 9/10
Ooh this was creepy and so much fun! A nanny is hired to look after three children in a manor house in the Scottish Highlands… and the house is haunted.
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman 7/10
Really fascinating character study or a neurotic male writer in Brooklyn and his personal growth as told through the relationships he has with various women. Quite interesting POV.
You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld 8/10
I typically don’t enjoy short stories, but the collection of these ones were gripping and though provoking.
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger 9/10
Wow. This was so impactful, and really well written. A boy experiences numerous deaths one summer and is forever changed.
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing 2/10
A couple keeps the spark alive in their marriage by killing women. True crime lovers may like this but UGH the characters were so annoying to me!!! And the premise was just too disturbing.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins 8/10
A prequel to The Hunger Games seres. A young President Snow’s coming-of-age story. A different perspective from Katniss/The Districts. It was really fun to read!
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins 10/10
This story was heart-wrenching and beautiful and brought me to tears multiple times from the courage and perseverance of the main characters against all odds. I know there is a controversy surrounding the author, but it is such an incredible work of fiction worth reading. A mother and her son escape Acapulco after the Cartel murders their entire family. A true hero’s journey.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 9/10
Old Hollywood glam. Scandal. Romance. I couldn’t put this book down! I love how this author writes.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett 10/10
A great story about twins who get separated at a young age and end up leading very different lives. Each character deals with the duality of self - I loved this story and really related to it.
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman 7/10
This book has been sitting on my shelf for over a year. It took a while to get into it. But a fun fantasy story for sure. Debating whether or not to read Book Two…
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware 8/10
Pretty riveting. I really enjoy this author. I found myself reading even faster than normal because I was dying to figure out whodunnit.
NONFICTION
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell 10/10
Super impactful. A must read for everyone - really gives perspective on various viewpoints.
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo 10/10
Absolutely necessary reading for everyone. A great starting point to further discussions on race and tangible action items we can all take to work towards anti-racism + dismantling White Supremacy in our country.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown 10/10
Brené Brown does it again - the perfect book to read during these uncertain times. Have courage, be brave and go forth!
I’ll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle McNamara 9/10
All my fellow murderinos, true crime and mystery lovers with be enthralled with this one. It is NOT for the faint of heart. Absolutely fascinating and so satisfying that they actually CAUGHT the guy in 2017!
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron 10/10
A must read for everyone on the journey towards true self love and acceptance. “For me to be a saint means to be myself.” (I’m a 7w6!)
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön 9/10
Beautiful food for thought. A bit dense in parts but overall it’s a great book to read during this time.
Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon by James Hibberd 10/10
This is everything I want in a book - a fantastic oral history of how Game of Thrones (one of my favorite shows) was made. Incredible cast and crew interviews. So much fun to read!
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo 10/10
Worth the wait. This should be required reading for all white people right now. Not only vital information, but it’s written in a way that is totally digestible.
Sick in the Head: Conversations about Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow 6/10
Okay I think this would be super entertaining to a very niche group of people (namely comedians/aspiring comedians). I’m just not the target demographic so I couldn’t really get into it.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron 10/10
I don’t say this lightly, but this book changed my life. It comes with a companion journal and is a 12-week course dedicated to discovering and rediscovering your creative self. It helped me create and implement a morning routine that helps me stay grounded, and has connected me fully to my emotions and opinions.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth 9/10
The content was amazing - how grit equals success more than any other factor - but it read a bit like a textbook. I’d still recommend it to anyone trying to achieve a dream.
No Baggage: A Minimalist Tale of Love & Wandering by Clara Bensen 6.5/10
A fun, escapist book based on a true story. Nothing groundbreaking, but I did enjoy loosing myself in their travels, especially being stuck at home.
TOP 3 FICTION BOOKS (in order):
The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
City of Thieves by David Benioff
TOP 3 NONFICTION BOOKS (in order):
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo
Here’s my wish for the coming year - to have less time to read. I wish for the world to open back up again so we can spend more time traveling, seeing loved ones, and making memories. I know I am forever changed by the once-in-a-century events of 2020, but I choose to find gratitude for the time it gave me to grow and expand as a human. I will be shocked if I can beat my 50 book record in 2021, but hey - that’s what I said last year! I hope this list inspires you and helps you find your next good book to read.
Happy reading!
