Because my word nerd status is well known by my family and friends, they often ask me for reading recommendations. As an author, people likely expect me to recommend my own books above any others. And yes, I would LOVE for you ALL to buy ALL of my books, but I am not naive enough to think that everyone’s personal favorite reading flavor is chick-lit, feel good fiction. It’s a big wide reading world out there! I think it’s wrong to assume that everyone must read the same thing.

To put my money where my mouth is, last year I started a running list on my website, sharing the books that I was reading. Now, granted, my personal menu of reading material mostly does fall into a few specific genres, but I thought that it would give me an easy way to share titles I’ve enjoyed with others looking for their next great read.

These lists continue to live on my site. You can see my 2019 list here and my 2020 list here. Last year I did a recap of my favorite titles in this post and want to do the same again for 2020. Whether you are looking for a gift for a reader on your holiday shopping list or for your own next read, I hope it will be helpful.

The Word Nerd’s Favorite 2020 Reads*

(* Note, not all of these books actually came out in 2020, this is just the year I read them.)

Adult Fiction

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes (Adult, Historical Fiction)

This is by far, the BEST book I read this year. This book had everything I love in a story… a strong female protagonist, a well developed historical setting and a plot built on a foundation of books! And a love story. How can you not love a good love story? “Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.” Named to USA Today's top 100 books to read while stuck at home social distancing list, this is one to definitely add to your to-read pile (if you haven’t already!).

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (Adult, Historical Fiction)

I know I’m late to the game on this one. It came out in 2018 and has sold seven million copies world wide since, but if by some chance you haven’t read it yet, put it on your list. If you liked The Giver of Stars, you’ll like this one too. Very similar themes run through the story - a southern setting, a girl who won’t quit, the presence and importance of books and yes, a love story buried beneath it all. You can also add in a small town murder mystery and court scenes, which I know can be a niche genre in and of itself that will pull a particular kind of reader in. The best part of this book, however, is the gorgeous language and writing of the author, Delia Owens. Even if you got nothing from the story, the language is a real treat.

Ready Player Two (Adult Futuristic Fiction)

I’m not sure if I was hliving under a rock, or if it wasn’t well advertised, but I only had to wait a week or so once I learned that the sequel to one of my favorite world-buliding books was going to A THING. I’ll admit that the first five chapters (or so) of this book felt like a bit of a drag… I just wanted the story to get MOVING already… but once it did, and the characters I had grown to know and love were on another epic 80’s inspired quest, I was hooked. This book was no where near as good as the first in the series, but enjoyable nonetheless.

YA Fiction

The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton (YA, Realistic Fiction)

I loved this book for a hundred different reasons, but here are a few. 1. It was written by a Wisconsin Writer. 2. The main character is obsessed with the Medieval times, something I can definitely relate to. 3. The book tackles the unsexy (yet incredibly timely) topic of poverty and classism. 4. The main character it totally BA. 5. I got to interview the author! You can see my full review of the book and my conversation with author Jamie Pacton, here.

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (New Adult, Realistic Fiction)

This book stirred up all sorts of thoughts about the important roie fiction can play in our lives. There is a saying about books being mirrors in which we see ourselves or windows that allow us peeks of lives that belong to others and never have a felt it more true than as I read this book. On the surface this is a book about two twenty something boys who fall in love, but it just so happens that one is the first son of the first Madame president and the other is the Prince of England. Underneath the initial plot line this story is about acceptance, bravery to be yourself, politics and elections, race and sexual orientation and so, so much more. I loved this book because of the window view it showed me, a view I might never ever get to see otherwise. If you are curious and want to hear more of my thoughts on this book, you can read my full blog post on the relevance of fiction, here.

Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater (YA, Magical Realism)

This isn’t the first time I read Sinner, but it is the first time I read it in a single day. This book is the fourth in a series written by my favorite author and it was even more enjoyable that the first time because I anticipated all of my favorite parts and then, when the arrived, relished them fully. The main characters in this book, Isabel and Cole, aren’t actually the main charcters in the series. They were actually such great secondary characters that they earned this fourth book to finish their jaded love story. Even though I am certain I wouldn’t like either one of these people in real life (and I know for CERTAIN that they wouldn’t like me) It is their rough edges that I like the best. (OKay maybe I like their witty banter, the best, but the edges are definitely their second best parts). It makes the ending all that much better.

NonFiction - Business and Growth

Untamed by Glennon Doyle (Adult, Memoir/Self Help)

If there was a single book to sum up 2020, I think it would be Untamed. This book touches on so many influential aspects of the year: parenting, finding yourself amidst new challenges, racial awareness and growth, and being a woman in the 21st century. I underlined so many nuggets of information in the pages of this book and continue to carry them with me. I sometimes even ask myself, “What would Glennon do?” If you’d like to see my biggest takeaways, you can read them here, in this earlier blog post.

How to Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul By Ruth Soukup (Adult, Non Fiction)

If there was an award for a book that taught me the most this year, it would be this title from female entrepreneur rockstar Ruth Soukup. And you know what? She gives this book away for FREE so you can have it too. From it’s pages I learned how better to set up my business, website, blog and more. I use a ton of what Ruth taught me not only in my own authorpreneurship journey, but also work to pass on the goodness to you in the blogging workshops and bundles I offer to others looking to make progress with their writing goals.

Mind Your Business: A Workbook to Grow Your Creative Passion by Ilana Griffo (Adult, Business/Self Help)

I don’t even know if I’d call what I did with this book reading. Maybe, experiencing would be better? Whatever you’d call it, i’d definitely classify it as fun. As I read and brainstormed and noted ideas, I learned a ton from this book as I navigated the colorfully designed and illustrated pages. It is the perfect combination of how-to, motivation and personal reflection, and it definitely helped me move my small business forward in big ways this year. If you are looking to hone in, spice up, realign, tune up or advance your side hustle or business in 2021, Ilana Griffo’s book should be at the top of your reading list. Get ready to have some fun and get some good stuff done!

Okay, that’s it! My favorite 9 books of 2020. I hope that you found something on this list that sparked your interest and that you use it (whether for escape, education, entertainment or encouragement) to start 2021 off on a good note. Happy reading!

<3,

Your Favorite Word Nerd. Amanda

P.S. If you are looking for Christmas reading selections, check out this holiday inspired roundup I like to call the 25 Days of Booksmas!

If you liked what you read on my blog today (or are in search of weekly word nerd goodness) and would like to have it delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning, you can sign up HERE. As always, feel free to share this post with others you think might be interested via email, Facebook or Pinterest. **

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