The Best Books I Read in 2020

2020 was the year of reading for me. These are the best books I read, so if you’re looking for book recommendations, look no further. 

Aside from spending exponentially more time at home with my dog, Lyla, a 2020 highlight for me was definitely reading (on my Kindle especially). In such a crazy, turbulent, anxiety-ridden year, reading became a really safe space for me to escape and relax. It gave me something to look forward to and was the best way for me to stay “busy” while stuck at home.

I also discovered the Bad Bitch Book Club—a saving grace for me in 2020! I randomly came across their Instagram account at the start of quarantine, then joined the Facebook group and started reading along with their books of the month. I love being a part of this empowering, supportive, fun community and their book recs are 10/10 (several books on this list were BBBC picks!). Another thing I loved? Joining this online book club got me out of my comfort zone reading books I never would’ve discovered otherwise. I highly recommend giving them a follow. They also inspired me to set my first ever reading goal, which was an ambitious 50 books (and somehow I made it to 60, who is she?).

So out of all 60 books I read in 2020, these are my top reads of the year.

• “Open Book” by Jessica Simpson: If you ever watched Newlyweds or loved (or even liked) Jessica Simpson, pick this one up. “Open Book” exceeded all of my expectations. It was fascinating hearing her behind-the-scenes POV on her biggest music videos, hit songs and relationships. I told my boyfriend, Alex, I felt like I was doing historical research because I had my phone handy to YouTube music videos, old concerts, or Newlyweds clips after she described them and saw things completely differently. This was a fav and one that I shared wide and far. 
• “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This book will straight up gut you. Evelyn was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood in the 1960s through the 1980s, and she’s never done an interview about her life (and her seven husbands)—until now. This is her story. (Honorable mention to “Daisy Jones & The Six,” specifically the audiobook.)
• “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston: I LOVED this book about the son of the (female!) president of the U.S. and his relationship with the prince of England. It’s funny and light but also smart and forward-thinking. 
• “The Roommate” by Rosie Danan: This book was so fun and also steamy AF. I loved all of the characters and the storyline was unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s an interesting look into the life of a sex worker, and the banter between Clara (the good girl) and Josh (the famous porn star) made this book so good. 
• “The Last Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine: This thriller was one of the first books I read in 2020, and I’ve recommended it so many times since. Amber is obsessed with Daphne Parrish, a beautiful, rich mom and wife who has it all. Amber basically sets out to steal Daphne’s life, her husband, her money, everything. You will not be able to put this one down.
• “Parachutes” by Kelly Yang: This YA book about wealthy teens from Asia living alone and going to school in LA (called parachutes) was described as “Crazy, Rich Asians” meets “Gossip Girl,” which is so spot on. It’s a fun, quick read that also tackles important issues like racism and sexual assault based on real-life events. 
• “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett: This was one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. Two mixed race identical twins go in totally different directions: one moving away and passing as white, and the other moving back to their hometown living as a black woman. Brit’s writing is stunning, and this is a must-read.
• “The Matchmaker” by Elin Hilderbrand: An oldie but a goodie, this was the perfect beach read to me—and one of my first Elin Hilderbrand books. Elin’s books are mostly all set in Nantucket, and this book is the perfect introduction since Dabney Beech is basically the face of Nantucket. Dabney’s a matchmaker with an impeccable record of 42 happy couples, but her own love life is a bit of a mess. After reading this, Nantucket is at the top of my travel list.
• “Love Lives Here: A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family” by Amanda Jetté Knox: I loved this book and learned so much about the transgender community from start to finish. It’s a powerful story of love and empathy that will spark a lot of conversations and challenge preconceived notions. I highly recommend everyone reads this. 
• “Normal People” by Sally Rooney: If you had an angsty on-and-off high school/college relationship, this will put you IN. YOUR. FEELS. It was very polarizing, people loved it or hated it, but I personally loved it and related to it a lot in a ways that felt very cathartic. Also, you should know, the book was 100% better than the Hulu show.
• “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb: This book is written by a therapist sharing her first experience going to therapy. It wasn’t a quick read for me—I found that I couldn’t read too much in one sitting—but it was healing and transformative and felt like I was in therapy myself. I highly recommend reading a few chapters of this each morning with your coffee for a *chef’s kiss* experience. I made a million highlights and know that it’s one I’ll come back to again and again.
• “The Stationery Shop” by Marjan Kamali: “The Stationery Shop” is a beautiful historical fiction book about young love set in Tehran in the 1950s. I still find myself still thinking about this one often. It’s a thought-provoking story that explores the themes of cultural integration, forbidden love, legacy, mental illness, and so much more. This was a five-star read for me that I couldn’t wait to share.
• “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris: I’m normally not a big historical fiction reader, but this book based on a true story was both horrifying and fascinating. If you’re not a big historical fiction buff but want to dip your toe in the genre with a captivating read, this is it. 
• “The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai: A heartbreaking look into the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s in Chicago, this book transports you to that time and makes you feel like you’re in that group of friends. This was one of the most impactful books I’ve read in a long time, and I loved that it was set in Chicago not far from where I lived for so many years.   
• “Beautiful Disaster” by Jamie McGuire: A former coworker lent me this book and called it her “palette cleanser” that she reads every few months to get out of a reading rut or break up especially heavy reads. I had no idea what to expect (good girl goes to college, gets caught up with a typical bad boy who also fights in an underground fight ring), and I’m kind of embarrassed to admit how much I loved this one, but I finished it in two days and loved every minute. Said coworker is also super smart, so I don’t really feel that embarrassed for loving it.
• “American Royals” by Katharine McGee: I’m not royal-obsessed in real life, but this YA book is so cool and you’ll love it even if you’re not a royals stan like me. Think if George Washington became king instead of president. Generations later, his descendants are modern-day royalty, trying to navigate dating, friendships and royal duties as American teenagers. The sequel, “Majesty,” was also amazing, and I really need there to be a third one! 
• “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah: This was slower paced than “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” but was still a quicker read for me in the historical fiction category, and I loved the characters and the ending. It was honestly a little much to read during the pandemic, as there were several eerie similarities to what our modern-day world’s been going through, and it put me in a dark place for DAYS after. But it was very powerful, and I think this is another one everyone should read. Maybe after some time has passed.

And there you have it: my top reads of 2020! What were the best books you read this year? I’d love to hear your top picks! Share them below in the comments so we can read together this year 🙂

P.S. I also just reviewed my new Kindle Oasis, which I’m obsessed with, so be sure to check out that review here!