Top 10 Books of 2020!

I’ve read so many amazing books this year and it is so hard to pick just 10. I’ve been thinking about this for weeks and with a total of 18 books that had a 5 star rating and a bunch of “Read NOW” non-fiction books it was hard to narrow it down. These are all books that came out in 2020. I have a separate post specifically about backlist books, which you can check out here. Without further ado, here are my Top 10 Books of 2020!

10. The Undocumented Americans

Genre – Non-Fiction

Short Synopsis – This book is about the author’s journey to different parts of the US and her documentation of the people she met as well as part of her family’s story. Some of the events covered are The World Trade Center at 9/11, the Flint water crisis, Hurricane Sandy and how these events impacted the lives of undocumented immigrants. These are the stories we don’t see in the news.

My Thoughts -I think it is so important to read about the day to day lives of undocumented immigrants in the US in order to begin to understand what they go through. The author doesn’t just want us to passively read her words. She wants us to think and be uncomfortable. That is what makes this book so powerful. Check out my full review here.

9. Hood Feminism

Genre – Non-Fiction

Short Synopsis – Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues.

My Thoughts – This is an important book that I think anyone that considers themselves a feminist should read. There are so many important topics addressed, each chapter focuses on something different. At the end of each chapter it summarizes what the feminist movement needs to address in order to call themselves feminist for ALL women. I liked how the author was very open about her own experiences and at the same time included a lot of research and data, anecdotes from other people’s experiences and reference to articles. Check out my full review here.

8. Furia

Genre – Young Adult

Short Synopsis – An #ownvoices contemporary YA set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line even her blooming love story to follow her dreams.

My Thoughts – This is a great Young Adult book! It is full of amazing characters, a great setting and the author is amazing. I got a chance to host an Instagram live with Yamile and it was so much fun. I loved learning more about Rosario, Argentina and loved the main character Camila. She is a young woman who is able to rise above societal expectations and navigate her own path. Check out my full review here.

7. The Last Flight

Genre – Mystery/Thriller

Short Synopsis – The Last Flight is the story of two women―both alone, both scared―and one agonizing decision that will change the trajectory of both of their lives.

My Thoughts – I couldn’t put down this book! The short chapters, alternating POV/timelines and the sense of urgency made this a book unputdownable. Both Claire and Eva are fascinating characters. They are very different but they are both smart, strong and determined. You can’t help but root for them throughout the book. I loved how the book tackled the topic of bias towards women. Check out my full review here.

6. Dear Edward

Genre – Contemporary Fiction

Short Synopsis – One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them is a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured vet returning from Afghanistan, a septuagenarian business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. And then, tragically, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.

My Thoughts – There’s so many amazing characters in this story. I really enjoyed the character development and the role each played in the story. At first it was hard to keep up with each of them but in the end I loved them all! While this is a story of tragedy and grief, more than anything it is a story of the many ways a broken heart can learn to love again. Check out my full review here.

5. The Vanishing Half

Genre – Literary Fiction

Short Synopsis – A stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds, one black and one white.

My Thoughts – he premise of the book is so interesting but it is so much more than that. The story focuses not only on the two sisters but also their daughters. If you are looking for a powerful and relevant book pick this one up. This is a character driven story that I know will stay with me for a while. Check out my full review here.

4. Running

Genre – Young Adult

Short Synopsis – When fifteen-year-old Cuban American Mariana Ruiz’s father runs for president, Mari starts to see him with new eyes. A novel about waking up and standing up, and what happens when you stop seeing your dad as your hero—while the whole country is watching.

My Thoughts – This is a coming of age story centered around having an opinion and politics. It is a very timely depiction of our current political climate in America and the role social media and journalism play in elections. It is an empowering and powerful story about having a voice and realizing that not having a vote is not equivalent to being helpless. Check out my full review here.

3. Anxious People

Genre – Contemporary Fiction

Short Synopsis – This is a poignant comedy about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined.

My Thoughts – What is this book about? It’s about being human and about how we are all doing the best we can. The writing is so good, that is what makes Backman’s books so special. I marked so many quotes that I ran out of book darts. The story was very clever and written perfectly. It is heartfelt but also funny at times. I laughed out loud a few times. Check out my full review here.

2. The Girl with the Louding Voice

Genre – Historical Fiction

Short Synopsis – A powerful, emotional debut novel told in the unforgettable voice of a young Nigerian woman who is trapped in a life of servitude but determined to fight for her dreams and choose her own future.

My Thoughts – This is an emotional and powerful read but also full of hope. It made me think about the things we take for granted and the power of education. What Adunni goes through is unimaginable but she doesn’t let that break her, she doesn’t stop fighting for what she wants. The character development is outstanding, she is a character I wont forget anytime soon. Another thing I liked about this book was learning more about Nigeria and some of the terrible things that women experience there. Some of the chapters start with some facts about the country as an introduction to the chapter which blew my mind. This is a story about survival, perseverance, friendship and hope. Check out my full review here.

1. Clap When you Land

Genre – Young Adult

Short Synopsis – In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives. This is the story of two sisters that are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

My Thoughts – From the beautiful writing, to the complex characters this book is my definition of a 5 star book. I hugged it when I finished and I automatically ordered all of Elizabeth Acevedo’s other books. The story is breathtakingly beautiful. The topics addressed include love, loss and family. Check out my full review here.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the year that my favorite book would be a young adult book? I fell in love with the genre in 2020 and can’t wait to continue to read more of it. Are you surprised by the number 1 pick? Let me know in the comments what your favorite backlist book you read this year!