This was an interesting year for reading. I read about the same number of books as last year, but this year I had a hard time choosing favorites. I read a lot of nonfiction this year, which doesn’t surprise me, as I’ve been enjoying that more and more lately. Despite that, typically I still prefer a novel over anything else. This year, however, many of the books that stand out as favorites are nonfiction.
I decided to split up my list into fiction, nonfiction, and YA fiction. Here are my best books read in 2020 from these three categories.
fiction
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This was a backlist book yet I just read it in December, and I absolutely loved it. I felt so immersed in Ifemelu’s life, first in Nigeria, then the US, then Nigeria again. I enjoyed the excerpts from her blog, and the way blogging helped her work out her feelings about both countries where she called home. The undercurrent of the story was the connection between Ifemelu and her college boyfriend Obinze, and I liked hearing his story too, yet it wasn’t their story in particular that I connected with most. I really just loved Ifemelu’s everyday life, her perspective, and the way she navigated life at home and abroad.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. I read this just last month but I can tell it will stay on my mind for a while. I loved Homegoing, and had heard so many good things about this one as well. It lived up to the hype for sure. The writing is excellent, and Gyasi explores so many topics: faith, addiction, family, racism. Yet these themes are woven naturally into the story–they’re not overt or preachy.
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal. Brewing beer is the theme that weaves this story together, and it’s just begging to be read with a good craft beer in hand. Brewing is the theme in this story like hockey is the theme in Beartown (although the comparison stops there)–it’s the undercurrent of everything, yet you don’t have to be a fan to truly enjoy the story. The women in this story were so well-written; I particularly liked loyal, hard-working, no-nonsense “grandma” Edith. If you want a heartwarming story without sacrificing substance, I can’t recommend this enough.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. I read this for my local bookstore’s book club, although I had been planning to read it anyway. It is another one that deserves all the hype it got. It is beautifully written and impossible to put down, and I loved it.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Despite being a fairly quick read, it’s a book that has stayed with me. It was enthralling and hard to put down, and usually those aren’t the types that stick. Yet while the plot had me cringing, laughing, and frustrated as all get out, beneath that there was so much that made me look inward and reflect on my own actions and beliefs. So good.
Sourdough by Robin Sloan. If you enjoy baking and you love a smart, quirky female narrator, you’ve got to read Sourdough. I adored this story of Lois, a software engineer who never baked a day in her life, and a sourdough starter she inherited that changed her life. Books like this one are my sweet spot: light but not fluffy, compelling yet just a little zany.
YA fiction
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. I listened to this short novel in verse on audio, and it was excellent. Will’s brother has just been murdered, and in his world, it is his duty to avenge his death. In an elevator, on his way to do just that, he has several encounters with people from his past that make him think twice about the act he’s about to commit. This was a short, powerful book that I still find myself thinking about.
Lovely War by Julie Berry. The concept of a World War I love story narrated by Greek Gods was hard to imagine, yet executed perfectly here. I felt so immersed in the stories of James, Hazel, Aubrey, and Collette; it was such a wonderful reading experience. Also, similar to my feelings about food, I appreciate when music is woven so beautifully into a story.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson. If you’re looking for a feel-good YA story that still tackles serious, timely issues, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s also fantastic on audio. While the main story is about a teenage boy’s death and his friends and sister trying to preserve his legacy through his music, what stood out to me the most were the friendships. The way Jackson told the story of their friendship (with each other and with Steph, the boy who was killed) as they navigated the grief of losing a loved one was so well done.
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. I listened to this after reading and loving Clap When You Land. It was fantastic on audio, and I loved the way Emoni’s love of food and cooking was the heartbeat of the story. I’m a sucker for a book where food feels like one of the characters.
nonfiction
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. I read this over the course of a couple of months, and I’m really glad it’s one I took my time with. This book (which I believe stemmed from an online challenge/course Saad created) is broken down into topics with journaling prompts, each focusing on white supremacy and racism, and the role it may play in your life. I recommend reading this book and not skipping the journaling–the prompts require you to go deep and do some soul-searching.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I listened to this on audio, and Stevenson himself narrates it. This is a must read. I was aware that our system unjustly punishes the poor and especially people of color, but this book still blew my mind and broke my heart. I also think the movie is worth watching, but the book goes into much more detail.
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. This is based off of Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, but adapted by Reynolds for a YA audience. Reynolds narrates it, so of course I listened on audio–he is just so good. It gives a historical perspective–past to present–of racism in America. This should be required reading in school, and at the very least it will be required reading in my house, when Jona and Violet are old enough to read and understand it.
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi. Adachi’s podcast, the Lazy Genius podcast–all about being a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t–is a must-listen for me. Her book did not disappoint; the way she laid out her underlying philosophy that’s behind everything she talks about on her podcast made perfect sense to me. I thought it was just the right blend of open-ended ideas and specific examples. I’m so glad I purchased my copy, so I can revisit chapters when I need inspiration or motivation. (I know I’ve talked about this book so much… I swear she’s not paying me.)
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. This memoir by a young neurosurgeon and his experience with terminal cancer may not be everyone’s cup of tea right now, but for me it felt right. Kalanithi’s writing is honest and sincere, and it’s heartbreaking, of course, but the circumstances make it so rather than the way it’s written.
Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. I heard about this book on several podcasts, and it’s about how and why women experience burnout. In a year that’s been particularly stressful, this was high on my list to read. It was fascinating and eye-opening, and I loved the writing style. Also–I listened on audio, and the way they said “ugh,” every time they mentioned the patriarchy made me laugh out loud. I recommend this to any woman who has experienced stress or burnout… so, all women.
I’d love to hear some of your favorite books you read this year too!
Linking with Show Us Your Books.
