What a year! Thankfully, no matter what craziness in the World is going on I can always turn to reading. Here is the list of my favorite books I read this past year. To warn you, it’s pretty apparent I love historical fiction. Please note that the books on this list aren’t all necessarily published in 2020 they are just chosen from all the books that I read this year. I narrowed my list down to twelve books, one for every month. In no particular order, here are my best reads of 2020;

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Rage Against the Minivan

Published Date: June 2020

Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir

A great, quick read, especially for moms, Rage Against the Minivan is funny and has relatable parts. The parts that are probably not as relatable are still interesting and make this book a favorite of mine from this year. A divorced mom has both biological and adopted children of a different race. She is honest about her struggles and will have you laughing out loud.

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk

Published Date: July 2015

Genre: Historical Fiction

I absolutely loved The Girl Who Wrote in Silk. A piece of cloth discovered in an inherited family home leads to a mystery involving racial prejudices, secrets, and tragedy.

Her Last Flight

Published Date: June 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction

You have to love a strong female character, especially one ahead of her time. In Her Last Flight, a photojournalist is researching a biography about a famous pilot who seemingly vanished off the face of the earth. I love how this story develops over time.

The Song of the Jade Lily

Published Date: May 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Song of the Jade Lily is a WWII novel with a very unique point of view. A young Jewish girl and her family end up in Shanghai for the majority of the War where she falls in love with a local boy. To learn the history of what happened in Shanghai during WWII was super interesting. The book also incorporates the present by having the granddaughter of the Jewish girl return to her family home in Australia. Family secrets are revealed over time.

The Storyteller’s Secret

Published Date: September 2018

Genre: Fiction

The Storyteller’s Secret was both sad and hopeful. A woman’s marriage is falling apart. She decides to go to India to learn more about her heritage. The story jumps between contemporary time and her grandmother’s fascinating story.

What the Wind Knows

Published Date: March 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Historical fiction plus fantasy makes What the Wind Knows a really interesting book. A woman travels back in time to the 1920’s in Ireland during a time of political unrest. Will her interference change everything?

The Henna Artist

Published Date: March 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction

Another historical fiction novel, The Henna Artist features a woman who has become quite popular with the upper class for doing their henna. The henna artist is building herself a home with her profits when an unknown sister shows up. Will her sister be an asset or will she bring about her demise?

The Guest List

Published Date: June 2020

Genre: Mystery

Slightly different from most books on this list, The Guest List is a little dark. A famous couple is getting married on a secluded island off the coast of Ireland. Someone ends up dead. Many could have a motive.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Published Date: May 2020

Genre: YA Fantasy

If you enjoyed “The Hunger Games” trilogy you need to read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes! This book takes place before the trilogy during the 10th annual Hunger Games. Snow is a mentor to the tribute from District 12. You learn the background of how things like placing bets and getting food deliveries in the arena came to be. Snow is just a teen and you can see how the events that shape him during this time could lead him to become the man he ends up being.

The Princess Bride

Published Date: October 2007

Genre: Fantasy

I was shocked how much I enjoyed reading The Princess Bride. I think the movie is okay but the book was hilarious. A beautiful woman pledges her heart to a penniless man but when he is presumed dad she becomes engaged to a prince. Sword fights, giants, a deadly swamp, a torture chamber, and true love – this book has it all.

A Good Neighborhood

Published Date: March 2020

Genre: Fiction

The BLM events that took place this year definitely made this book an important read for me even though it is fiction. A biracial teen and his new white teenage neighbor start having a secret relationship. Their parents are at war over an old tree and new construction. Issues such as race and class are prevalent in A Good Neighborhood.

Red, White, and Royal Blue

Published Date: May 2019

Genre: LGBT Romance

Of the handful of LGBT books I read this year Red, White, and Royal Blue was my favorite. A prince and the son of POTUS begin a secret relationship that could hurt the president’s election campaign and possibly the relationship between the two countries.

Want more great book recommendations? Check out my best reads list from 2019!