Can we get a round of applause for it being a new year? Woof, 2020 was a whirlwind and I’m proud that between quarantine and having a baby I surpassed my reading goal for the year. I set a reading goal of 75 books for 2020 and I surpassed that by reading 84 books. This year I leaned into reading more than ever to take my mind off of everything going on in the world. Reading has always been a form of self-care for me, but I really used books to escape this year and I think it’s very reflective in the books I read. I’ve always enjoyed contemporary romance and thrillers, but this year those were the genres I consistently reached for over and over. I read a lot more “light” books this year that I could easily dive into and that I could start/stop easily since my reading time hasn’t been consistent since having Noah!
For the past three years I have loved recapping my favorite reads here on the blog. It’s a post that’s highly requested each year & one I look forward to writing. It’s been fun to see how my reading has changed over the years. Here are my favorite books of 2018 & my favorite books of 2019. So let’s get started on my favorite books of 2020, shall we?
It’s a bit daunting to narrow down the 84 books into a small group of favorites! This year I read 84 books and over 30,000 pages. Of those books 24 were fiction, 26 were contemporary fiction/romance, 29 were thrillers/suspense, 3 were historical fiction, and 2 were non-fiction. I had a goal to read more diverse books in 2020, but honestly, I kind of failed at that. This year was so heavy in many different ways that I really leaned in to reading books for comfort and to take my mind off of everything. This coming year I really want to diversify my reading and get out of my comfort zone a bit. I definitely made an improvement, but in 2021 I want to continue to do that. I would love to hear what your favorite books of the year were for 2020! Here’s to a good reading year for all.
fiction books
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
The Boys’ Club by Erica Katz
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
contemporary romance books
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey
American Royals & Majesty by Katharine McGee
Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
mysteries, thrillers & suspense books
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker
The Cousins by Karen McManus
And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall
historical fiction books
If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais
The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
non-fiction books
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
My reading lists from 2020
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
I always love the books you read and your honest and insightful reviews.I’ve never set myself a ready goal but this year, I am definitely going to x
We read so many of the same books in 2020 and had similar feelings! Those I haven’t read are on my TBR. Love it.
You read a lot of books!! I need to read more! Maybe I should add that to my goals for this year!
Xo, Steph
ok, just saved this to come back to it!! my goal is to read A LOT more in 2021 and it is already off to a good start, but my list could use a little revamping. thanks as always for sharing your reviews!
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com
We have a few common books on our list. 2020 was a good year for reading for me, personally.
❥ tanvii.com
Wow you read so many good books this year! Saving this post for later when I need something to read <3
I love that you use reading as an escape from the day to day just like I do. These reads all sound awesome, I’ll have to add a few of these to my reading list.
You had some good reads this year. Thanks for sharing!
I am so grateful that you read and loved Feels Like Falling! I am also BLOWN AWAY by 84 books. Holy cow! I need to be better about tracking in 2021. Thank you so much for your support! xoxo Kristy