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I loved reliving the books I read in 2020 while writing up these mini reviews. I hope you find some good books to add to your list here! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear about the recommendations you’ve found through Talk Wordy to Me and loved. Please keep tagging me when you share them on Instagram! It’s almost better than getting snail mail.
This year, I broke my personal reading record with 46 books (last year was 38, the year before was 18). Forty five was a lot for me, considering everything I had going on this year between homeschooling, Promptly Journals, and this space. Books were a particularly needed escape and source of inspiration for me this year. 46 was the perfect pace for me and the way I like to experience books. I hope to keep the 40ish goal next year.
Here are the books that kept me company through a pandemic, quarantine, and all sorts of external and internal changes. I can’t thank them enough!
Fiction:
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis: A must-read short classic that’ll challenge the way you think of heaven and hell.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate: A beautiful tale told from the perspective of a tree about friendship, inclusion, and memories. I read it aloud with my daughter and we both loved it.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman: I’m a huge Neil Gaiman (and Stardust the movie!) fan, and reading this fairy tale for adults was a delight. I moderated our book club for it, which tends to make me appreciate the book even more.
The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty: This book was fresh and fun. It’s such a unique romance story, and reminded me not to make assumptions about people because everyone has a backstory that makes them relatable.
Beach Read by Emily Henry: One of my favorite books I read this year. It was a fun love story with depth and a bit of steam, which I always appreciate in a good romance! The writing and dialogue were engaging throughout the entire novel. I want more from this author.
Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin: This YA was a delicious just-for-fun read—the kind of romance that sweeps you up in a world totally unlike your own.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted and illustrated by Hope Davis: This graphic novel adaptation of one of my all-time favorite novels is brilliant. I read it aloud to my kids and they immediately re-read it when we closed the book.
Real Friends and Best Friends by Shannon Hale: This duology by one of my favorite authors took me by surprise, because I usually don’t get into graphic novels, but her autobiographical story was touching and relatable. My older two kids and I LOVED it.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg: I remember being smitten by this book as a kid, so I read it with my daughter. We both loved it, and, bonus! Found a homemade bookmark I made in the 90s tucked inside one of the pages.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: I read this with my book club at Halloween and it was the perfect fit. It was fun to get swept away in and reminded me a bit of Outlander (but much cleaner). I like the TV series too. I’m reading book two now in prep for the season two debut in January!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: This is a book I started reading but put down many years ago, but it kept calling me. I listened to it this time and really enjoyed it. The writing was phenomenal.
The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley: I loved The Winter Sea, and this one just as much. Romance and time travel in a UK setting always gets me.
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han: I read this sequel to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in prep for the Netflix film launch, and I loved it as much as the first.
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel: The author takes a heavy, important topic and builds compassion and understanding around it. It’s the story of a little girl who has to navigate the challenges of gender dysphoria and cultural expectations. It’s heartbreaking, but also fresh, funny, and refreshing.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman: If you liked A Man Called Ove, this book is another winner by Fredrik Backman. His characters are so engaging and human.
Girl From Nowhere by Tiffany Rosenhan: A fun YA spy thriller. I love the strong female protagonist and that the author doesn’t sexualize her to make her appealing. I’ll always root for a debut mom-turned-novelist.
The Lovely War by Julie Berry: Definitely one of the most unique approaches to a WWI and WWII novel I’ve read. Very entertaining.
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes: Easily a favorite of 2020. This story based on the real Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky and was an enthralling, beautifully written story.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin: It’s hard to explain why I loved this book so much, and it’s not only because it’s set in a book shop. The plot had depth and the writing was fresh and daring.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss: I’ve never really gotten into Christmas reads that aren’t classics, but I’m so glad I jumped into this one. It was entertaining and quaint, and I finished it in three days.
The Forgotten Kingdom by Signe Pike: I LOVED The Lost Queen, and was happy to jump back into the world of Languoreth in 573 AD Scotland.
Nonfiction:
The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon: Another favorite read from this year. I ate up all the research behind the good reading aloud does to our kids’ brains and how it can combat some of the drawbacks of modern-day technology. If you’re a parent or work with children in any capacity, I highly recommend reading this.
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates: Another top book for me this year. I learned so much about the roots of poverty and its inextricable link to inclusion and gender equality. I closed the book feeling empowered to stop assuming and start listening in order to recognize how my gifts might intersect with needs in the world and find ways to help in my own community.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi: An eye-opening look at the construct of race from the beginning, and how it still manifests today. A quick and important read.
When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams: I was introduced to this lyrical feminist author during my English undergrad and I’ve always been a fan of her writing. This book is so far my favorite of hers. “When Women Were Birds” had so many things to teach me about nature, worship, writing, and being. The brave, authentic words of Terry Tempest Williams are a true gift to the world.
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by the Arbinger Institute: I admit, the fiction narrative used as a vehicle for this message felt contrived and distracting to me at times, but the message in this book was too good to ignore. It taught me tools for being a better peacemaker in my relationships that I haven’t stopped thinking about.
Big Friendship: How We Keep Each other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman: Adult friendship can be HARD. I love the way this book shares some infiltered ups and downs of a friendship and how we can show up better to the friends in our lives.
Atomic Habits by James Clear: This book was ultra-hyped, but I can see why. I appreciated the practical tips for making and breaking habits.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle: A bold, empowering book that gave me the lift I needed to follow my own life’s path.
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff: If you’re looking for a quick, light read, 84, Charing Cross is delightful. It’s 20 years of actual correspondence between a snarky American writer and a proper British bookseller.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb: Another favorite book from 2020. It’s the account of a therapist, her experience with her patients, and with her own therapist. It was poignant and entertaining. It reminded me that we all have more in common than we think. We ALL have backstories and things to work on, and this book made me feel less alone in mine.
Without the Mask: Coming Out and Coming Into God’s Light by Charlie Bird: I read this one in a day. I met Charlie at his book launch (which was one of the coolest and classiest I’ve ever been to), and I have quickly developed an admiration for the love and bravery he envelops.
This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick: A must-read if you want to feel more attached to the place you live. I was kind of amazed at how much this book helped me recognize how much I love where I live.
I Like Me Anyway: Embracing Imperfection, Connection, and Christ by Brooke Romney: An excellent little read on offering yourself acceptance and grace.
Teaching From Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakeable Peace by Sarah McKenzie: A quick read that gave me the confidence I needed to dive into homeschooling this year.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke: A profound and poetic book of real letters from a famous German poet to a hopeful young poet. So many profound nuggets of wisdom.
Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, PhD: If you have sex or ever plan to, you need to read this. You’re welcome.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: I love Brené’s wholehearted approach to leadership and company culture. It feels like a must for anyone in a leadership role.
Save the Cat! Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody: I’ve read Save the Cat (the Bible for screenwriters) and took a class by Jessica on her structure for novelists, and am finally reading the book. It has really helped me fine tune the plot points of the novel I’m writing.
The Power of Stillness by Jacob Z. Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, and Ty Mansfield: A beautiful reminder of the importance of modern-day mindfulness and how it is at the core of spirituality.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo: One of the best, most important books I read this year that helped me understand systemic racism and recognize it in myself.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer: This book blew my mind. I’ll definitely be reading it again. Very helpful for my fellow overthinkers out there.
Sky Full of Stars: Learning to Surrender to God’s Perfect Plans by Meg Apperson: A heartwrenching but inspiring true story of a mom I know and her experience with her sweet daughter
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman: Another top book of the year. This one found me exactly when I need some laugh out loud writing and to hang out with a fellow bookworm friend (albeit fictional).
Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Ann Lamott: I love the way Ann Lamott writes and this super quick book was exactly what I didn’t know I’d need going into 2020. I scored it at a Little Free Library!
On Writing: A Memoir of The Craft by Stephen King: It was heavy on the autobiographical details in the beginning but there were tons of solid writing tips inside. I would definitely recommend it to writers.
Stay tuned for my What I’m Reading in 2021 post!
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