Best Books of 2020

My “Best Books of XYZ Year” is always a favorite post to both write and share. Each year I set a reading goal, and most years it increases. In 2020, I wanted to read 32 books; however, 2020 was a bit of a mess. Although I spent more time at home than ever before, I spent less time reading. I did get the chance to finish 26 novels, and I can’t wait to share them with you. I know it’s past the end of the year, but I wanted to share this best books of 2020 post still, as I know many of you made a reading goal for this year and may be looking for suggestions! And, in case you missed it, here’s last year’s post.

I shared a lot of my reading updates on Instagram and Goodreads. If you aren’t following me on either, I recommend doing so now! I’ll continue to use both of these throughout the year to share with you what I’m reading.

I’m going to break down the best books of 2020 by category (just like I did last year), and also share my overall faves.

THE BEST BOOKS I READ THIS YEAR (TOP 5)

These are ranked in order and I’ve linked each so you can read a description/purchase. They’re also included below by category. I really have to say – I think these books have so much more substance than my previous year’s rankings. They have deeper, controversial topics. Even Elin Hilderbrand’s novel is a bit intense.

1. 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
2. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
3. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
4. Long Bright River by Liz Moore
5. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

THE BEST HISTORICAL BOOKS I READ THIS YEAR

These are ranked in order, but I still recommend you read all of them. At least add them to your list!

1. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
2. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
3. Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris 

THE BEST MYSTERY/THRILLERS I READ THIS YEAR

In 2019 I started reading more thrillers. In 2020, I added more “mystery” books to my lists. This was obviously my biggest category in 2020.

1. Long Bright River by Liz Moore
2. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
3. When You See Me by Lisa Gardner (this is in a series)
4. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
5. Someone We Know by Shari Lapena
6. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
7. A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight 
8. The Last Flight by Julie Clark
9. The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
10. You Are Not Alone by by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

THE BEST FICTION I READ THIS YEAR

These are books you want to read AFTER the thrillers. To bring you back to reality a little bit.

1. 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
2. After the Flood by Kassandra Montag (this would be my #6 after my top five best of 2020 AND it’s a NE author)
3. The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim (also a close top five contender!)
4. Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (the third in this series)
5. One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London
6. Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein
7. The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan
8. Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee

THE BEST NON-FICTION I READ THIS YEAR

There’s just one, but warning: it reads like fiction. It’s worthy of it’s own list; I gave it five stars!

1. My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress by Rachel DeLoache Williams

Lastly, I want to share my favorite books from 2018 and 2019 – Sarah’s Key by Tatiana Rosnay, The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, and Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris. I don’t even know if Behind Closed Doors was well written… but it stuck with me. Anyone else feel that way? I actually listened to it via audiobook earlier this year too. It was just a crazy read.