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Want to create a great list of the best books to read and get lost in this year? After reading nearly 50 books in 2020, I share the best (and the worst) of my time spent in novels. My favorite books of the year vary from historical fiction, self-help, non-fiction, and memoirs, but you are sure to find something you love.
Have I lost my love of reading?
In 2018, I realized I didn’t read a single book. I was shocked and offended at myself. I made a goal to read at least one a month in 2019. I upped that goal to three books a month in 2020.
Well, the 2020 pandemic hit and I easily read {or listened to} over 50 books in my many hours stuck at home. I loved it so much. Getting into a book offers a different learning experience than mindlessly scrolling social media or reading news articles.
Creating this list of my favorite books of 2020 brought back so many good memories of the inspiration created in my life. Hope you find a few of the best books to read to inspire you!
When do I find time to read?
Over half of these books I listened to on audiobooks. You can use a service like Audible to have constant access to all the materials you want. I listen while I do dishes, mop the floor, run, drive, errands and do yard work. I’ve never been as excited to fold laundry as I am when I am in a good book. I actually find myself over-cleaning just to get to the next chapter. Listening to the best books is so addicting. I even get paid to read books when I am cleaning my house to host on Airbnb.
Try Audible Plus
An App called “Libby” can also be connected to your local library account and has several titles available for ‘checking out’ and ‘returning’- all digitally. You may have to wait a while for popular titles, but this option is free.
Reading does take concious effort. I have to will myself to put down my phone and not turn on the TV. This might be difficult when you get started, but soon you will find that you can’t wait to get back to your story.
If I found I wasn’t motivated to complete or start a book, I stopped. There are so many options of the best books to read, don’t waste time on books you don’t enjoy.
What you’ll find in this Article
My top ten best books to read are in no particular order. I can’t compare books that are so drastically different in content and purpose, but these 10 best books left a mark on my thoughts and life, so they made the list.
Keep scrolling past the top 10 best books of 2020 to see the books I hated. These might not make the best books to read this year but maybe you’ll give them a try and disagree with my thoughts.
Keep reading to find the other 30 books I read this year that didn’t quite make my top ten list. If you need more ideas for reading content, these can easily be some of the best books to read this year.
Top 10 Best Books to Read
1. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
by Lori Gottlieb
One of my favorite books of the year was written by a therapist seeing her own therapist. You will love the nuggets of physiology and life-wisdom woven throughout the messy, sad and encouraging stories. I was invested in every character storyline. I could see myself in nearly every plot and wanted to get a therapist to talk through it. Although I’ve never spent much time in therapy, I loved this insight into what they can do for people. Getting lost in Lori Gottlieb’s world will make this one of the best books to read this year.
2. The Heavens are Open
By: Wendy Nelson
As a spiritual person, I am constantly trying to bring more heavenly light into my life. This book is so short, yet packed with so many truths and principles you’ll want to read it nice and slowly. Digest the information and add it to your spiritual life for an increased connection with God. This is one of the best books to read this year if you want to increase your spirituality.
3. Lovely War
By: Julie Berry
Ok, so this book might be off-putting with the Greek Gods narrating the story, interweaving their personalities throughout. But I thought it was so well written and it adds so much to the unfolding of the ending. Of course, finding out the ending to the human’s story was gripping and intense. But in the end, what I learned from Aphrodite about love is what stuck with me. This is a love story for the ages.
Give this book at least 50 pages to see if you can get into it and it is worth it, I promise. It will quickly become a top book you can’t stop recommending
4. White Fragility
by Robin DiAngelo & Michael Eric Dyson
This was a heavy book because it points out your own rasism. It’s a bit dry and it took quite a while for me to get into it since I knew it was going to be uncomfortable. But it is worth powering through to really hear the message.
The audio version was perfect for me. I put it on while I was cleaning my whole house for Airbnb Hosting. The message was loud and clear. Not inducing guilt or shame, but just opening my eyes to my implicit bias’, racism, and white privilege.
I now have a base knowledge of the meaning of the terms. I can engage in conversations that understand my bias. I am open to learning more than I could before reading this. I think this is a must-read for every white person. We have to know how we contribute and perpetuate racism if we hope to improve our world! Especially with all that is going on in our country, this will be the best book to read this year.
I read a fiction book that also discusses racism called “Small Great Things” by Jody Picoult. This is a novel that introduces some of these issues, but in an intriguing and captivating story. These two books together is a perfect pairing for increasing racial awareness.
5. The Road Back to You
by Ian Morgan Cron
I am a personality test junkie. I had no idea what the enneagram is but would see bits and pieces floating around the internet. This book explains exactly what the 9 personality types are and ties them into your God-given nature perfectly. I loved analyzing myself, my husband, and my kids. It’s easy to relate with others who have your same number. If you love getting to know yourself as you relate with others, this is easily one of the best books to read this year. Get on the Enneagram train and tell me who you are. (I am a 3 with a side of 7 and 1).
6. Giver of Stars or
By JoJo Moyes
Where the Crawdads Sing
By: Delia Owens
I know this is technically cheating since these are two separate books, but I found so many similarities in each of these. Both are about young girls trying to survive on their own set in a historical time in the US. Each book has a {spoiler alert} murder and a love story. Each one is so captivating, you won’t be able to peel yourself away from the story. So give yourself plenty of time to be able to finish these best books to read this year.
7. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail
By: Cheryl Strayed
A journey of self discovery while also traveling hundreds of miles on a hiking trail. True tales of the reality of a messy human life always bring connection elements to books. But I did like how this book was a complete journey with ‘an ending’ even though her life story continue on.
If you liked this, you might also like Educated: A Memoir.
8. Power Thoughts: 12 Strategies to Win the Battle of your Mind
By: Joyce Meyer
I am such a self-help book junkie. I love anything to improve my mindset and motivation. With all the learning I’ve done with a life-coach and brain studies I was ready to take my thinking to the next level. This book gave me exact thoughts to meditate on that empower and inspire. I still haven’t finished this book because I am slowly reading and applying and re-reading and pondering. It has been life-changing to think ‘on-purpose’ thoughts that connect me to heaven. I have never been good at meditating, but from learning from the best books I read this year I am getting better.
9. Talking to Strangers
By: Malcom Gladwell
Wow! This book was life changing for me. Showing that although we assume everyone thinks or acts similar to us, this assumption is poisonous to communicating with each other. Understanding different background and perspectives can help us accept and be open to the variety of those we interact with. You will love how Malcom Gladwell weaves together stories and ideas.
10 Magnolia Story
By: Joanna Gaines
As a Christian mom of a big family, I can’t help but be inspired and motivated by Joanna Gaines and all she has accomplished in her life and with her family. I absolutely loved an inside peek into her journey, her fears, her struggles and her marriage. I think I devoured this book in a couple of hours!
Worst Books of 2020
You may not want to waste your time on these Books!
Most of these books I didn’t finish all the way. Although there may be parts I liked, for the most part, I would not recommend these. And a few I just plain hated!
- Girl on the Train: Violent, psycho, immoral, obsessive drunken lady gets involved with a murder. I could never cheer for the leading lady. I read the whole thing expecting and hoping for it to get better… but no, it was awful.
- Radium Girls: This is an important element of history that I was fascinated to learn about. However, after 50 pages or so, you get enough of the story to know what happened. I didn’t finish the book because the stories kept switching to new characters who got sick and died. While I am happy their stories have been told I struggled to follow along in audio form.
- The Chemist: Vile and violent, fast-moving, and action-packed, but I didn’t care for it. I do love Stephanie Meyer’s other books.
- Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s most famous Weapon: I really wanted to like this one, but I couldn’t follow the many historical people. Maybe if I read it faster? It is an important piece of history and good to know about, but I couldn’t get into it.
- Five Years: A girl gets a glimpse into her future in exactly 5 years. Interesting concept, but I was so disappointed in the ending. Very unrealistic turn of events. Also, did seeing the future cause future events? I think so.
- Smart Kids, Smart Money: Reading this, I felt guilt for the ways we haven’t taught our kids about money. But I decided that money isn’t going to be the focus of my parenting. I think teaching money will come naturally in our home and I don’t have to follow someone else’s methods.
- Graven Images: Old book of a few short stories I picked up at my mom’s house. Depressing and cringe-y. I threw it away when I finished it.
- Yes, Please: I love Amy Poehler in Parks and Rec, but reading this book made me lose some respect for her humor. Lots of language, sex, alcohol, and some humor. While I will say I laughed, it wasn’t worth my time.
- Outer Order, Inner Calm: I will say that most of the principles in this book are valid and important, I didn’t find many were life-changing for me. I have already learned to keep my space and mind clutter-free for an inner calm (not that I always do it, but I ‘know’ it is important). I probably would’ve liked this better earlier in my parenting and life.
- Work your Strengths: After reading Strength finders I wanted to see if I could figure out what career would be best for my personality. This was a lengthy read that didn’t really tell me much except what ‘most’ people who have certain career strengths are. SO many fast and data analysis, but no real connection to my own search for a career. I’m still searching for the best career that capitalizes on my strengths.
30 More Favorite Books I read in 2020
I read and enjoyed 30 more books, but they can’t all make my top ten. If you are looking for more reading material, I recommend these.
- Glow Kids: Every parent needs to understand the dangers of the digital age for our teens. This is a must-read.
- Lightning Girl (Youth): Girl is struck by lighting and can do math faster than a computer. But it comes with its own set of problems.
- Orphan Train : Eye-opening Historical Fiction of the history of the horrors of orphan adoption in the 1800s
- The Noticer : Life wisdom woven through the easy-to-follow story. Simple read, with deep lessons and life-changing inspiration.
- Atomic Habits : Many people recommended this, and I really enjoyed the topic of creating small habits to help you create the life you want. I think reading the book would’ve been more impactful than the audio version I listened to.
- 24/6 : This book almost convinced me to give up my phone for one day a week. I totally understand how beneficial it would be to take a complete tech break, I have yet to achieve this unplugged 24 hours! But I do give it a try for several hours each Sunday.
- Educated: A Memoir : Oh, Wow. This girl’s childhood was CRAZY! That part was entertaining. However, since some of my church’s doctrine was wrapped up in her story and she ends up losing her faith, I was a bit turned off by the ending. Since this wasn’t actually the ‘ending’ as it is her memoir and she wrote this at only age 28, I’m sure there is much more healing and hope to come. Learning how different people are raised even in my same state and religion is fascinating to me!
- 168 hours: You have more Time than you Think : Using your time to get the things you want out of your life. I’d like to say this changed the way I do things, but apparently, I’d rather clean my own house than figure out how to make money to pay someone else. Worth re-reading again next year!
- Daring Greatly: So many nuggets of wisdom and motivation. Probably better to read in paper rather than audiobook. Or at least digest it in smaller chunks to get the most out of it.
- Small Great Things: Possibly one of my top books – right up there with “Giver of Stars” and “Where the Crawdads Sing”. Eye-opening fiction about how black people are treated differently even if they live in white communities and get ‘white’ jobs. “White Fragility” presented these problems explicitly and directly. But this fictional novel told the same issues in an intricate story form you can’t wait to hear the resolution to!
- Freakonomics : Makes science, economy and statistics so fascinating you wont stop talking about it. I had my husband join me in this read!
- Louisiana’s Way Home (Youth): The audio version has engaging voices, making the story even more captivating.
- Seriously, I’m Kidding : Ellen is hilarious. The dry humor goes in so many tangents. It’s a quick read that had me laughing in bed and reading parts to my husband. Light and fluffy reading!
- Hamilton, The Revolution: I read this book before I knew the songs, history or play of Hamilton. That said, the book piqued my interest in the songs. Now my whole family has the entire score memorized. Probably should’ve read the book after I knew the play.
- Storied Life of AJ Filkey: Sad and happy love story through the reading of books. Masterfully written. Engaging plot.
- Happiness Advantage: Convinces you to fight against the natural negative mindset our brains give us for all the advantages thinking with happiness will bring to our life. Absolutely necessary self-help book, especially to boost your morale and work ethic in your career.
- Leaving Time: Heavy and thick mystery with a major plot twist (or 2 or 3) to keep you hanging on and wanting to reread it as soon as you finish.
- Timekeeper: I love all of Mitch Albom’s short, thought-provoking books. The Timekeeper helps you appreciate the time you have and the people you have it with.
- Landline: Please read this when your husband is out of town. You will fall in love all over again. Fun, clean romance for those of us who have been married for a while and need a refresher.
- Before We Were Yours: I thought this book combined elements of Orphan Train and Where the Crawdads Sing. Beautiful story of family love in history combined with a modern story of loss and healing.
- Strength Finders: Buy the book which has an access code to taking the test and finding your top five strengths. Knowing your strengths gives you direction for your career, family and life passions.
- Self-Driven Child: Most parenting books give me intense guilt for all the ways I am failing my children. However, this one pointed out that I actually do help teach my kids independence and responsibility! The book explains exactly why helping kids foster independence is a good thing, despite what helicopter parenting philosophies encourage! I’m doing something right and this book helped me want to do more!
- Attachments: A fun, modern and clean love story. The premise is a little odd, as the man falls in love with a girl by reading her emails, but still cute.
- Salt to the Sea: Fascinating historical fiction taking a tragic event the world knows little about and giving us characters to love. Despite the horrific nature of the topic, the book even gives a small happy ending to give hope.
- Creating Tech-Healthy Families: 10 Must-Have Conversations: This is more of a manual for talking to your family about technology usage in the home. Having these conversations is vital for every family navigating this new world of phones, video games, internet, and the digital age.
- The Book of Longings: Such a thought-provoking read! It is a historical fiction bookfrom the perspective of Jesus’ wife. Less Christian than you would think – given that Christ is a central character. But very empowering for women. Got me thinking about the role women have played in the history of the world.
- This is How it Always Is : From the parents’ perspective, about the transition of a boy to a girl. I was uncomfortable with the topic, but the writing was SO impressive it sucked me in. Honestly, I’m not one to rave about masterfully written books, but this one was jaw-dropping in its ability to weave the written word into something so beautiful. As a parent, I connected so well with the parents. This is one of the best books to read to increase awareness and compassion for transgender feelings. Reading this broadened my understanding and perspective.
- The Subtle Art of not giving a F***: Honestly, this would be in my top 10 if it didn’t swear so f***ing much! I don’t like foul language, so while the message was amazing, I didn’t care for the delivery. Skip chapter one and the language gets remarkably better. The content is valuable and helpful. One of the best books to read to help you let go of anxiety.
- How to win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age: Such a great reminder that despite the pace and chaos of technology, connecting with people is what matters most. Here’s how to do it today.
- I’ve Got your Number: Like Landline or Attachments, another funny, clean romance with a twisted plot.
- Bonus: Book of Mormon This took our family all year to read together. It’s not short and it is considered scripture so it’s meant to be read and understood slowly and with God’s guidance. Along with the Bible, this is one of the best books to read to learn about God. While the Bible is a record of God’s people in the Jerusalem area, the Book of Morom is an ancient record of a people living in the Americas. It is “another Testament of Jesus Christ” because, after His resurrection, he appears to the people in America and teaches them His gospel. You can’t read more than a few verses without finding the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you love Jesus, find out what he did for his people in America. It’s pretty amazing! And you can get it free right here.
If you have plenty of time to read, break out some games to play together. I complied our favorite games for you here. Top 15 games to play
Pin to remember the best books to read
- If you love reading, you must teach your child to read with this easy program!
- Find the perfect lunch to make to give you more time for reading!
- Entertain the toddler on the plane so you can read more!
- Create a Travel Wall for a space of beauty to read the best books this year.
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