My Favorite Books of 2020

My books of the year always tell me something. What did I reach for? What did I need? What did I seek in the quiet? As I peer back on twenty-twenty, one thing is abundantly clear: I read to enjoy, to escape, to be entertained. In plenty of previous seasons, I have devoured self-help, true stories, and/or deep, serious fiction. That wasn’t this year, for me. I read what I wanted, whenever I wanted or needed! And it’s beautiful to me that books met me where I was at. Needing hope. Needing light. Quite honestly, needing a whole other world in the magic of written pages. 

This year I was also sparked to begin—and I humbly say, only begin—the overdue act of diversifying my reading lists and TBR authors. I learned so much from fresh BIPOC voices and other underrepresented minorities.   

While 2020 might’ve been interesting, it was also one for the books! Whittling down to my favorite picks wasn’t easy, friends! But I feel thrilled with this list. Based on popular vote via my Instagram Stories, I opted to share my top reads by genre. Ten of them, to be precise. Hopefully this way, I include a little something for everyone!

Although, do I list five whole titles for Mystery/Thriller?! You know I just can’t help myself!!!! 

I hope you enjoy, my dears! Without further delay: The most beloved books I devoured in this historical year!

Historical Fiction

If you’ve been reading my reviews for a while, you know that historical fiction isn’t really my favorite. But there’s 2020 for ya!!! My two favorite books of THE ENTIRE YEAR were both, technically, historical fiction! Slow clap for The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain, which tie for my top picks of the year. The Vanishing Half is a magnificent and heart-moving saga of two fair-skinned Black identical twin sisters. The book left me breathless and still has me thinking. Big Lies in a Small Town is a plain-old, big, brilliant, beautiful piece of fiction that I can’t seem to stop recommending. These novels both deal captivatingly with issues of race, family, identity, and self-discovery. I can’t rave about them enough!

Fiction

Goodreads nominated In Five Years in the Romance category for its Best Books of 2020. But I just don’t think it’s a romance! Not a traditional one, anyway. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle is equal parts modern-day magic and an unforgettable tale of female friendship. I wept like a baby because of its piercing emotion—and also because the book had to end! The story swept me away to New York when I needed it most. March 2020, ahem, to be precise. Rebecca Serle, superstar, also a college friend of mine: We all really needed your book this year. Thank you for this beautiful gift!

Romance

I can’t get enough romance! My favorite this year was, I suppose, an unconventional one: 28 Summers by Elin Hildebrand. I warned in my initial Instagram review that I don’t think this book is for everyone, and I would still echo that. It’s the story of two soul friends turned lovers, Jake and Mallory, who agree to meet every summer—no matter what—for Labor Day Weekend on Nantucket. It’s a “same-time-next-year” arrangement, come marriage-to-other-people or high water. Now, of course, I would never condone this in real life, or even a book! But I feel like that’s the beauty of books. You can witness characters make horrible decisions and see all the edges of dangerous swords that you (hope you would) never fall on yourself. I loved this complicated, painful, bittersweet tale. Loved it. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver and One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London were close romance runners-up for me!!!

Young Adult

I’m so happy I finally read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This book is a must-read, I say. The character of sixteen-year-old Starr Carter brings racial oppression and injustice to light in a way nonfiction might not be able to. I felt, heard, smelled, and sawour nation’s present-day tensions within these pages. Got chills, choked on the truths. It is raw. It is emotional. It is written in a fantastically entertaining and readable style. I loved it. Read it! (Contains language and violence.)

Mystery & Thriller

Guys, how on earth do I pick just one from my favorite genre?! The answer: I don’t. You might remember my rave recap of The Whisper Man by Alex North. I still give it the top spot, for its absolute spook factor, literary talent, and satisfying slow-burn brilliance. But I also SUPER-loved the following heart-pounding, rapid-paced gems: His & Hers by Alice Feeney, Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker, Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier, and The Wives by Tarryn Fisher.Please note that these books are pretty disturbing and mostly R-rated; not for my sensitive readers! (Always feel free to ask me if you have specific questions.)

Memoir

I’ve been raving about Jessica Simpson’s memoir, Open Book, since the moment I finished it—and I don’t plan to stop soon! Oh, friends, I just loved it. Read it. Especially if you already love her, but even if you decidedly don’t. Her story is so full of nuance, depth, and vulnerability. I can almost promise you’ll see her differently after reading it. (John Mayer, too, though. Gah!) I, for one, am simply impressed by Jessica Simpson, wife and mother, pop musician, billionaire businesswoman. But I’m mostly appreciative of her bravery in putting this into the world. It’s a moving story of healing and strength, deep lows and great highs, with all the right doses of Hollywood tea. I’m also still swooning over Matthew McConaughey’s memoir, Greenlights. Throw that one on your line-up, too, if you’re into celebrity memoirs, as I, forever, will be!

Debut

Devon Daniels is a talent to watch, my friends!!! I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this rom-com, releasing in February. I read several debut novels in 2020 and this one absolutely took the red, white, and blue cake for me. Meet You in the Middle is the political healing balm we all need, in my opinion! I laughed, I cried! And now can we please get a dating reality show in which Republicans and Democrats have to date each other? Without, you know, also killing each other? On a more serious note: Are political differences a dating-deal-breaker for some people? Most? This bi-partisan romance explores this in a charming and humorous way—but the story also dives deeper. It sparks thought about the long-held beliefs we hold, and how we relate to each other. The book has a spectacularly strong voice, sizzling chemistry, and all the makings of America’s next great romantic comedy. I adored it. (It has one hot closed-door scene, for those who like the heads’ up!)

Nonfiction

While nonfiction was by no means my top-read genre this year, I did spend time with some greats. The book that touched me most deeply and taught me most powerfully was The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation by Miles McPherson. Listen, friends: I know this year was a lot. Especially over the summer, there was no shortage of antiracism titles filling your feed and maybe overwhelming your soul. As someone who read a number of these titles—and who holds a firm, unrelenting belief in the Bible as the end-all, be-all, infallible Word of God and guiding book for life here on earth—I recommend this one most, of all those I’ve read so far. It is wise, it is gentle, it is firm, it is clear. Most importantly, it is rooted in the gospel and also makes racial healing seem possible. It starts in our hearts. And for me, in reading this book. I highly suggest it to anyone. 

Cookbook

I think many of us can say we cooked more meals at home this year than ever before. I’m all for Googling my little heart out in search of the perfect recipe, but in 2020, my love for a real-life cookbook resurfaced. I bought Skinnytaste One & Done this summer, soon after I also discovered the Instant Pot (the Lord bless thee)!!!! I have made so, so, so very many of the recipes in this book! They are delicious. They are healthy. They are easy. They are, for the most part, kid friendly. The slow cooker meals, the one-sheet wonders, the Instant Pot delights… I’m so into it. Skinnytaste.com has long been a regular resource for me, and I’m thrilled with the addition of this cookbook to my kitchen library. 

Devotional/Spiritual

I needed a new devotional this year after maybe five in a row with my faithful Jesus Calling. New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp did not disappoint. In fact, it moved and carried me daily through the pains, disappointments and hallelujahs of 2020. I will never forget that this was the year I discovered this precious book, which I will keep with me as a holy companion for years and decades to come. This sacred, God-breathed book is a powerful gift you can get for yourself (or anyone you know) if you’re still on the hunt for a 2021 devotional. 

Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone!

We did it. You did it. All of us: We survived. 

Thank you, as always, for being here! For following me and my writing to wherever God and His creative winds lead. 

In 2021, I will finally, at long last, share my very own book with you all. 

To say I can’t wait is the understatement to end all understatements of all the centuries.

I’m just giddy to get it into your hands!!!!!!

Stay tuned, my loves! All the details coming so very soon!

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Based in Orange County, California, Stephanie Mack is a longtime writer, wife to one, and mom of three little girls. She has been blogging at MOMentary Insanity® since 2014. Her work has also been featured on Scary Mommy, Faithit, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. She holds a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC. When We Blinked is her debut novel.

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