Favorite Books of 2020
2020 has been a weird year, and my reading has definitely reflected that.
Early on in the pandemic, I had trouble concentrating. On pretty much anything. Then in the months that followed, I was extra persnickety, gravitating toward books that fit my mood.
Maybe more than ever before, I’ve leaned on books and stories–as a way to vicariously travel, seek comfort, find humor. All told, I read 35 new books this year, well below my usual yearly average, which I attribute to the sheer amount of rereading I did and, ya know, editing and revising 2 books of my own.
Yet, there are some seriously stellar books that I want to highlight! Here are a few of my fave reads from the year:
How the Light Gets In (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #9) by Louise Penny: I’ve slowly been working my way through these mysteries and this installment is my favorite so far. Three Pines is a quaint town full of quirky characters, brioche, and, yes, murder, but that doesn’t keep it from being extremely comforting!
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord: This YA book is completely adorable, funny, and so well written. In fact, I’ve already reread it—it was that good. What starts as a viral Twitter feud over grilled cheese becomes something more for Pepper and Jack.
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh: This comic/memoir had me laughing so hard I was in tears! Then on the next page, there would be something so brutally honest and heartbreaking, I’d be teary for an entirely different reason. And the artwork is as entertaining as the personal anecdotes.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman: This book was like balm for my soul. It was silly, moving, and poignant, about a group of people who inadvertently end up hostages after a botched bank robbery, and a bank robber who was having a very bad day.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: There’s a reason this book won the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction! This story has an almost fable-like quality and follows a woman who gets to try on multiple lives at a mystical library.
Now, one of the major perks of being a debut author has been getting to connect with and celebrate fellow writers! Here are just a few brilliant debut novels to add to your TBR list:
Secret Lives of Mothers & Daughters by Anita Kushwaha: A multi-generational story about the relationships and secrets between three women, this story was beautifully written and both heart-wrenching and hopeful. It would make an excellent book club pick, just sayin’!
Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer Chow: If you’re in the market for a lighthearted cozy mystery, look no further! This book is fabulous with a unique LA setting and sarcastic talking cat named Marshmallow. Bonus, the sequel is already out!
Her Perfect Life by Rebecca Taylor: A wonderfully twisty read by a fellow Denverite! Told in dual-timelines and following sisters Eileen and Clare, this story is an intersection of women’s fiction and mystery, centering around the truth behind an accident that irrevocably changes famed-author Clare’s life.
Meet You in the Middle by Devon Daniels: If you enjoy haters-to-lovers romcoms à la The Hating Game, this book is for you! Swoony to the max and with witty dialogue and compelling characters, look for it February 2, 2021!
The Tiger Mom’s Tale by Lyn Liao Butler: The downside is that this one doesn’t come out until July… but I promise it’s absolutely worth the wait! I was swept away in Lexa’s story about how she comes to terms with both her American and Taiwanese heritage.
Defending Jacob
Beneath a Scarlet Sky
The Whisper Network
Anything by Louise Penny
FIVE Books by Frederik
Beartown
Us Against You
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry
Britt-Marie Was Here
A Man called Ove
Thanks so much for your comment, Marilyn! We seem to have similar taste in books! Definitely adding a few of these to my TBR list 🙂
I choose your book, “killer chardonnay” for our book club’s February read. We have been doing zoom groups monthly since March of 2020. Would you be interested in “zooming” in on our discussion of your book on Tuesday Feb 9 at 7:00 pm?? I wanted to pick a local author and Sandra Dallas had your book listed in one of her articles in the Denver Post a couple of months ago. If you are interested I can send you link later.
Thanks so much for picking Killer Chardonnay for your book club, Pamela! I would be honored to attend your February meeting–feel free to send the Zoom invite to kate@katelansing.com. Unfortunately there aren’t any formal discussion questions at this time, although I’d be happy to provide a few I’ve seen other book clubs use.
Thank you so much for agreeing to zoom in with our book club. I will send zoom info the first part of February. I’ll also contact you at : kate@katelansing.com sooner for your list of discussion questions. Sincerely.
Are there discussion questions for the book “killer chardonnay” to use for a book club?