December 29, 2020
2020 Memorable Reads:
The Top Ten List and The Categories
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books Read in 2020
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
I mostly love the angst of creating top ten lists! Although it can be a daunting task, it’s my most anticipated post of the year! First, let me remind you that this list is subjective. It’s compiled of books I’ve read this year (there are always so many more great ones that I didn’t get to), and each one has made it onto this list because reading it was a memorable, emotional experience and gave me a “book hangover.”
I’m presenting my list this year in two formats: in list form and in categories. The categories part is a bit more comprehensive because I provided some runners up. Titles are links to my reviews or Amazon affiliate links. Although most titles in this post were published this year, a couple were not.
Thanks for sharing great reads with me this year!
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Top Ten Memorable Fiction Reads of 2020
(see categories below for runners up and additional selections)
1
The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
2
3
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
4
All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
5
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton
6
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
7
Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly
8
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
9
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
10
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
Most Memorable Nonfiction
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9-11 by Garrett M. Graff
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
* * * * * BONUS *****
Memorable Reads by Category
It’s difficult to rank books in order from 1-10 because they are each special in their own way, so I’ve sorted them into categories and included some runners up (because who can choose just ten?). Even though not all of them are 5 star reads, these are the books that were the most memorable for me….the ones that I still think about….the ones I recommend the most often.
Most Memorable Overall
(and my BEST read of the year)
#1
The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
Genre: Contemporary Nigerian Fiction
5 Stars
#2
Close Runners Up
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Genre: Histfic (1500s)
5 Stars
#3
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Genre: Contemporary and complicated Family Drama
5 Stars
Most Memorable WW11 Historical Fiction
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton
Genre: WW11 HistFic
5 Stars
Close Runner Up
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Genre: WW11 HistFic
5 Stars
Most Memorable Light Fiction
(with “found family” themes)
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
4.5 Stars
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
4 Stars
Most Memorable Non WW Historical Fiction
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Genre: Literary Histfic (1500s)
5 Stars
Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly
Genre: Civil War Histfic
5 Stars
The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
Genre: HistFic (post WW1)
4 Stars
Most Memorable Women
The Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton
Genre: WW11 Histfic
5 Stars
Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly
Genre: Civil War histfic
5 Stars
Most Memorable Historical Fiction/Love Story
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
Genre: WW11 Histfic
5 Stars
Most Memorable Biographical Historical Fiction
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
Genre: WW11 Histfic
4 Stars
Most Memorable Middle Grade
The Next Great Jane by K.L. Going
Genre: MG Contemporary Fiction
5 Stars
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist
Genre: MG Contemporary Fiction
5 Stars
Most Memorable Complicated Family
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Genre: Contemporary Family Drama
5 Stars
Most Memorable Mystery
All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
(#16 in the series)
Genre: Mystery/Detective
5 Stars
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Closed Door Mystery
5 Stars
Most Memorable Memoir
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir
5 Stars
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir
4 Stars
Most Memorable Nonfiction
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
Genre: Historical Event, Personal Accounts (oral testimony)
5 Stars
Most Memorable Young Adult
Clap when You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Genre: Contemporary YA Fiction
4.5 Stars
Most Memorable Literary Fiction
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
5 Stars
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger
5 Stars
Link to Previous Best of Year Posts
Most Recommended Reads of 2017
QOTD:
Share your best read of the year in comments! Please?! I’d love to hear!
Happy Reading Book Worms
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
Happy New Year!
In Movie News….
Have you seen News of the World?
Our theaters are closed. After I receive my vaccine, this will be my first extravagant outing!
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Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.
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Hamnet wins hands-down, eh? Though I’m very happy to see Louise Penny here too. In November, I tried out the #NonFicNov reading challenge, and I do remember that a lot of people recommended The Choice, which reminds me a lot of Frankl’s Man Search for Meaning.
Great selection — Happy TTT, and Happy New Year 2021 in advance!
Thanks for commenting! Hamnet is amazing and probably the best written of the titles on my list! Penny’s last installment was so good…especially the poignant and satisfying ending. It’s noteworthy that Edith, the author of The Choice, actually met Frankl in her life, they were friends, and his work greatly influenced her thinking and life! Hoping for a brighter 2021! Happy new year! 🥂
Oh wow, this is quite the concise list. I was also contemplating putting The Last Train to London on my list, it was a great read, but I cried for days.
The book of lost names and Hamnet are still on my TBR list.
I hope 2021 will bring along some even greater reads for you.
Happy New Year!
Elza Reads’ Top Ten Favorites for 2020
Last Train to London is memorable and she is so brave and inspirational! I always wonder what I would do! I love histfic based on the lives of real people.
I know you’ll love Book of Lost Names and Hamnet!
Looking forward to a brighter 2021! Happy new year! 🥂
I’m hopping over now to read your post.
I’ve been meaning to read Louise Penny, I think this should be the year!
It’s always too hard to choose just one “best read” — ten is difficult enough. But one that really stuck with me was An Anthropologist on Mars by Oliver Sacks. Such incredible stories and he’s also an excellent writer. I’m definitely going to be reading more of his books.
Wishing you good reading in 2021!
Picking one or even 10 is difficult! But it’s fun to look back over the year, too!
Thanks for commenting and for the rec! I’ll check that out! Happy reading and Happy New Year! 🥂
I love me a good bookshop book and historical fiction focused on World War II so thanks for the recommendations 😀 Happy holidays and happy reading! https://readwithstefani.com/top-10-books-of-2020/
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I’m hopping over now to read your post!
I read and loved Homegoing a few years ago so definitely need to check out Yaa Gyasi’s latest book. I also loved Clap When You Land this year.
My favourite books of 2020.
Yes! I think you’ll love Yaa Gyasi’s new book! Thanks for commenting! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
Hamnet sure does sound interesting.
My post.
It’s beautifully written! I think you’d appreciate it but have tissues handy!
I can’t wait to see News of the World.
I’m eager to read Transcendent Kingdom. I have it here.
I JUST heard that News is releasing to dvd on January 15!!! 🙌 I know you’ll love Transcendent Kingdom! Happy reading!
I love how you broke this post down! So fun! Cleeton’s book made my list for the year.
Thank you so much! Last Train to KW is a fun read!
I haven’t read most of these, unfortunately, but a bunch of them are on my TBR list. I did read BORN A CRIME last week and I agree that it’s a memorable book. Very interesting. I also read ISAIAH DUNNE this year. It’s also a touching one. I’m glad you loved them!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I’m happy to hear we share some favorites! I’m hopping over now to read your post!
I love how you approached this. I’ve said this so many times lately, but, for as bad as this year has been, the books have been excellent—and your list more than proves that! I appreciate that you included The Only Plane in the Sky. It’s such a difficult read, but so powerful.
Thank you! Only Plane should have been categorized as most devastating! I was wrecked! I could only read a few pages at a time before taking a break. 💔 Thanks for commenting!
Great list. I really enjoyed Ordinary Grace.
Thanks! Ordinary Grace has been on my TBR forever and I’m glad I finally read it! Did you read This Tender Land?
Great list, Carol! I love how you broke it down.
I am reading The Printed Letter Bookshop now. I have read most of Katherine Reay’s other books and have loved them. I am loving this one so far.
Picking favorites is hard, but enjoyable. My list will post on my blog tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Gretchen! I loved the themes of friendship and forgiveness in Printed Letter! Enjoy! I’ll check your post tomorrow!
Lots of good books in here!!
It was a great reading year! 🙌
I agree!!
I love your categories Carol and must admit I’ve not heard of many of these books! I get the angst you mention when compiling these types of posts :). Happy 2021 to you too.
Thanks Debbie! I can highly recommend each one! Hoping for a brighter 2021. Happy New Year!
Amazing wrap up Carol!
Thanks Jaymi! 🙌😍
Love your different categories here, and I think you know which of these books I’ve read and loved!
It’s so hard to narrow the list down, I was going to post my recap today but it’s going to have to wait! I like the way you btoke it down!
Thanks! I’ll look forward to your post!
Hamnet is on my must-read list. And, I LOVED Born A Crime. Have a great 2021!
I think you’ll love Hamnet! Happy New Year! 🎉🥂
Mine was Addie LaRue! Happy new year!
I’ve read great reviews of it! Happy New Year! 🥂🎉
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