Reading is my absolute favourite thing to do. I read whenever I can and will always prioritise it over TV or social media. If I could, I would sit and read all day, every day, with just the occasional run or walk thrown in. But unfortunately life has a way of stopping me – with work and family and chores to deal with.
I thought I was going to read a lot less this year, after The Mirror & the Light took me over a month. But lockdown and self-isolation came along and, suddenly that to be read pile was going down very quickly indeed. I read four books in less than two weeks after finishing The Mirror & the Light, putting me back on track. Not that reading is a race, but I usually finish a book about every 10 days.
Then October came along and I suddenly had more work than usual, so my reading slowed right down again.
I read a real variety of books in 2020 and stepped right away from my old favourites – the psychological thrillers.
In 2020, I read 38 books, which is three less than last year. So what did I read in 2020?
This year I’ve read:
- Violet by SJI Holliday
- Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
- My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
- Revelation by CJ Sansom
- The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
- The Lido by Libby Page
- The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel
- How to be Famous by Caitlin Moran
- The Suspect by Fiona Barton
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Someone is Lying by Jenny Blakhurst
- Knife by Jo Nesbo
- The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse
- My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman
- Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
- The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins
- I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
- The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins
- My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
- The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
- The Things We Left Unsaid by Emma Kennedy
- The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
- Nine Elms by Robert Bryndza
- The Man Who Didn’t Call by Rosie Walsh
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
- Breaking and Mending by Joanna Cannon
- Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith
- Half a World Away by Mike Gayle
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante
- The Chain by Adrian McKinty
- The Ruins by Mat Osman
- Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante
This year, it was harder than ever to choose my favourite reads of the year. I was absolutely convinced at the start of 2020 that Big Sky would make my list, but I had no idea how many brilliant books I would read this year. My Favourite books Pinterest board has been busier than ever in 2020.
But, after a lot of careful consideration, I think my favourite books of the year were:
- The Mirror & the Light
- Troubled Blood
- The Five
- The Giver of Stars
- The Thursday Murder Club
What were your favourite reads of the year? Let me know in the comments below.
Find out what I read in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
January 8, 2021
Oh man, I got quite wistful reading your ideal life of sitting about reading all day. I would love that! I read a fair amount this year (despite a reading stall for a few months in late spring when I found it hard to focus). Tough to choose favourites as I read a lot of excellent books, but I’d say my top 3 were:
* The Mirror and the Light
*Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson
*Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies, by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
With honourable mentions for Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid; Disappearing Earth, by Julia Philips; Rebent Sinner, by Ivan Coyote; The Raven Tower, by Ann Leckie; and The Noonday Demon: an atlas of depression by Andrew Solomon.
January 9, 2021
Wouldn’t sitting reading all day be the best thing? I’m surprised that even you had a period in 2020 when you struggled to focus. I haven’t read any of your choices apart from The Mirror & the Light. I’ve heard of a couple of them, but have no idea what any of them are about!
January 18, 2021
So many books!! I am now a firm audiobook fan as I just don’t have time to read actual books but I read The Giver of Stars which I LOVED!! I am in the last few chapters of Troubled Blood which I have thoroughly enjoyed. There are lots of books on this list that I want to read and I keep a note of your recommendations as I know they are good, so thank you for the inspiration. Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell was another of my favourite books this yearend also Grown Ups by Marian Keyes.
January 19, 2021
Thanks very much, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed some of my recommendations. The Giver of Stars is beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve never tried an audiobook, but never say never!
I’ve got Invisible Girl and Grown Ups on my list of books I want to read. I know Grown Ups isn’t in paperback yet and I’m not sure about Invisible Girl. I do try very hard to avoid buying hardbacks!