Top 10 Book Recommendations from an Avid Reader (2020)
No matter where you live or what your circumstances, I think we can all agree that 2020 has been one hell of a year.
I really can’t claim to be in a place mentally or emotionally to reflect on it all or assign any meaning to the madness. What I can say with confidence, though, is that through it all, I’ve taken much solace, edification, enjoyment, escape, and delight in reading this year.
Still, this post has been surprisingly difficult to write. At first, I thought I’d divide my top book recommendations into sections and choose my favorite from each category, giving it a nice little “best of” award: “Best Fiction Book I Read this Year,” “Best Non-Fiction Book,” etc. Sounds nice and neat, right? A Virgo’s dream.
What I found was that it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do so! I read too many noteworthy books in each genre, I felt I was betraying the books (and myself) to only select one in each. I tortured myself over it for an embarrassing amount of time until I remembered… I make the rules here. Whatever I say, it shall be done. This isn’t the Pulitzer or the Booker prize. I can choose however many “winners” I like. I’m mad with power.
So here is my very messy, in no particular order, round-up of my very favorite books I read in 2020, who must read them, and where to buy them.
I get asked for reading recommendations all the time, so here are my book recommendations in Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, the Classics, and Non-Fiction from my 2020 reading.
Knowing that not every book is for every reader, I’ve listed my best advice for who will most enjoy each book recommendation. I really think there’s something here for everyone.
You can also find the entire list of these books in my Bookshop.org profile.
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As always, this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, shopping from them may generate small commissions to support the operations of this blog.
Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.
Contemporary Fiction Book Recommendations
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
This book really took me by surprise with how quickly I tore through it and how captivating I found it. I’m so glad my book club picked this read, or I don’t know if I’d have ever gotten around to it!
Read this book if: you enjoy lyrical writing and don’t shy away from an open-minded dissection of themes such as marriage, fidelity, and love.
Related: Looking for more book recommendations? Check out my top reads from 2022.
Circe by Madeline Miller
After reading The Song of Achilles last year and absolutely loving it, I was thrilled to read another by Madeline Miller. Circe did not disappoint! Madeline, I think we are all ready for another!
Read this book if: you love beautifully written fiction with a strong, complex female lead. Bonus stars if you enjoy Greek mythology.
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
I fell in love with Elena Ferrante when I devoured her My Brilliant Friend/Neapolitan Novels series. This stand-alone novel is just as good. I read it in two days because I couldn’t put it down. I may just choose this one for an upcoming book and tea pairing.
Read this book if: you can handle a little psychological darkness and like diving deep into the human psyche. Bonus if you like reading books set in Italy.
Historical Fiction Book Recommendations
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
I have read a LOT of Lisa See novels, and there’s not one that I haven’t enjoyed. This one is up there among her very best.
Read this book if: you enjoy being transported into places and cultures about which you previously knew little or nothing. Also, if you love to read about strong female characters and friendships.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I know, I know, I know. I’m late to the party with Outlander. But what a party it is! I’m so glad I waited to watch the STARZ series before reading this one, because it’s such a fun ride.
Read this book if: you love Scotland, time travel, adventure, and romance. While this book certainly isn’t ALL about the love story, don’t pick it up if you can’t handle a little steamy sexiness mixed in with all the adventure.
Related: If you’re an Outlander fan, check out these Outlander-inspired gifts for book lovers.
“The Classics” Book Recommendations
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
This year, I dove into a lot of Edith Wharton novels I’d never read before, and this was my favorite (I even preferred it to The House of Mirth, which is also excellent). If you’ve never picked up an Edith Wharton novel, you’re missing out. Think of her as akin to Jane Austen but of New York Society.
Read this book if: you love high society period pieces but also a good, deep character dive
Purchase it at Bookshop or Amazon.
Related: Before you read Edith Wharton, check out these surprising facts about Edith Wharton. Once you’ve read The Age of Innocence, check out this Edith Wharton literary tour of New York.
Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
I read Nicholas Nickleby for my “Dickens December” challenge, and while it was a slow burn, it was also witty and reliably peppered with humor and excitement. A reader’s patience certainly pays off with this Dickens novel.
Read this book if: you’re not scared away by an 800-page novel, you’ve got lots of patience, a good sense of humor, and want the bad guys to get what’s coming to them.
Related: Visiting London? Check out everything you need to know about visiting the Charles Dickens Museum.
Non-Fiction Book Recommendations
Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright
If ever there were a book you just have to read right now, it’s Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright. Surprisingly entertaining and eerily relevant, you’ve never had so much fun reading about plagues and pandemics throughout history. Please pay extra special attention to the end bit about vaccinations, thanks.
Read this book if: you are a human being residing on planet earth
Buy it at Bookshop or Amazon (it’s particularly enjoyable in audiobook format).
Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read
Alive is one is a few decades old, but I’m so glad I stumbled across it this year. Talk about a page turner! An incredible true story told by an engaging author who manages to remain objective while writing about very controversial topics (like, cannibalism?).
Read this book if: you love to read incredible, true adventure and survival stories or simply want to marvel at the human will to survive.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Absolutely essential anti-racist reading. Beautifully written truth telling. Ta-Nehisi Coates is an absolute gem of an author.
Read this book if: you want to begin or continue your anti-racist work and can open yourself to discomfort and growth
Well, that ended up being my top 10 books I read in 2020. It almost sounds intentional. We can pretend it was.
What was your favorite read this year?
Pin this now so you can revisit it for reading recommendations.
