My Top 10 Best Reads of 2020
2020 was the year I took back my love for reading. Starting in January of 2020, I joined a book club that met monthly, I joined Facebook groups that were for fellow readers, and I started utilizing my Goodreads account again. I always blamed the hustle of college on why I didn’t have the time to read in the past, but something I’m learning is it’s difficult to call myself a writer if I never read. It wasn’t until I started prioritizing reading again that I realized how I was lacking inspiration creatively. Weirdly enough, it was sparking much more motivation in me, boosting my mood, and making me feel the way I did as a kid, like the world is full of possibilities and life has meaning and love is truly the most powerful force in the world. I started a reading goal for this year, to read 30 books. I ended the year reading over 40 (not bad, but I know I can do better next year) and I’m pretty proud of myself.
Trying to pick my top 10 favorites from this year was difficult, but I wanted to compile this list and share with you some books that brought back my love for reading. Enjoy!
10. American Predator by Maureen Callahan
Fun little fact about me: I’m a true crime junkie. Sign me up for all the podcasts, books, and documentaries! This book felt like one giant Criminal Minds episode. I had never heard of Israel Keyes until I started this book, but in my eyes, he’s about as bad as Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Jack the Ripper. This book is deeply disturbing, but insightful. If you’re into true crime stories, I absolutely recommend.
9. The Selection by Kiera Class
I am so late to the party with this series. Most girls already read this series years ago, but I finally got around to it during quarantine. I read the entire series (all 5 books) in a matter of 5 days. It was basically The Bachelor, royal edition. What more can I ask for? It was enchanting, fun, and a whirlwind of other emotions for me. Sign me up for a YA romance any day of the week.
8. A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
This book took me by surprise. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I really connected to the characters and while it is a YA novel, the themes explored in this story hit deep. It’s about a Muslim girl struggling to fit it in high school right after 9/11. It really opened my eyes to stereotypes and the pain that can cause. It also had the sweetest love story that felt believable to me. All the feels with this one.
7. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Read this and you’ll be rethinking everything you know about The Hunger Games. I am still processing this one. I gasped in shock and held my breath at how it ends. The connections between this book and the original trilogies made me want to grab someone, shake them and say, “IT ALL MAKES SENSE.” So brilliant, so heart-wrenching. Getting into President Snow’s head as a young man changed everything. One last thing: Lucy Gray Baird walked so Katniss Everdeen could run.
6. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
This book is an oldie that all of our parents probably know about because it was definitely a banned book in their school back in the early 80s. I remember my mom telling me about it when I was probably 12 or 13, so I eventually watched the movies (both the old and new versions) and knew eventually I would get around to reading it. Just a fair warning: everything about this book is messed up—absolutely insane, but that’s the whole reason why it sucks you in. You ask yourself, “How could this cruelty ever happen?” So if you’re into book that are absolutely insane, this is it. Read this one. I’m excited to read the other books in the series!
5. Beach Read by Emily Henry
This was a “finish in one sitting” kind of book. I love a good romance, especially when it starts out with the whole, “we hate each other.” Both the characters are writers who couldn’t be more opposite when it comes to genres. A story about two writers? As a writer myself, I’m here for it. The chemistry was insane, the romance was believable. When I finished the book so quickly, I was so sad for it to be over. If you’re wanting to get sucked into a story, this is the book.
4. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
If you hate unreliable narrators, you may not like this book. But I promise, the twist at the end makes it all worth it! The whole book I felt like I didn’t know who or what to trust. I love a good suspenseful story and that’s exactly what this book is. It is also being released as a movie and I pray it lives up to the hype of this book!
3. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This book. THIS BOOK. I wish I could force everyone to read it. It’s no surprise I love a good twist that I can’t predict. That last hour of reading had me PACING and gasping. I was so mad that I didn’t see it coming. I couldn't stop biting my nails as I read it. I insist that everyone give this book a chance because you will not be disappointed! Definitely one of my favorite stories of all-time.
2. The One by John Marrs
I read this book recently for a book club! I really didn’t know what to expect with this one but WOW. It reminds me so much of the Netflix original “Black Mirror.” There was a good chunk of twists I did not predict with this one. I was equally invested in each of the 5 narrators and their stories. Such a good thriller, such a good idea and concept. This would make an excellent movie or TV show.
1. The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow
Can we talk about this book cover? I am absolutely obsessed with it! Probably my favorite book cover of all-time. There are two things I love with all of my heart: books and music. This story has all of it with an epic love story in a dystopian world. I loved the layout of the chapters because it included either a quote or a song for me to listen to while I read. Seeing how things connected and came together in the end was everything I could ever want as a reader. I don’t know anyone personally who has read this book, but it’s felt like my little secret that I need to share with people!
Feel free to comment or message me your thoughts on my list and share with me your favorites from this year! I’ll gladly talk books with you any day!