At the beginning of this year, I joined the Goodreads challenge and decided to read (or listen to) 40 books. I am ending the year at 41, but with two more on my nightstand and one more audiobook on my phone, there’s a good chance I’ll have 44 by December 31st.

Why so many books this year?

Well, as you all know, there was a pandemic and A LOT of time spent at home. I’ve also put together like 6 puzzles, eaten my way into a new pants size, and don’t even get me started on how many shows I watched on Netflix! Holy moly, I made my way through some series:)

But low and behold, books are still my favorite way to unwind and relax.

So, here are my TOP TEN books of 2020, sorted by category, but in no particular order.

Historical Fiction

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd wins this category, for sure — and I read a lot of historical fiction. I knew nothing about this book when I began listening to it. I hadn’t even read a review or back matter. To say I was surprised by the story line, is an understatement and I’m not sure I want to give it away to you here. But just to get you enticed, here’s an excerpt from the publisher, found on both Goodreads and Amazon: “Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her“.

Memoir

Open Book by Jessica Simpson is my top pick here. If you grew up in the 90’s and sang along to the likes of Jessica, Britney, Christina, or had a crush on any of the boy bands, you will love re-living your teen years, discovering the behind the scenes story, and getting a greater understanding of where she is now. I listened on Audible, which is really my preferred method for memoirs, since most of the time (and in this case) it’s in the author’s own voice. Bonus: at the end of the book (and maybe even mixed throughout) you get to hear Jessica’s newest releases. I didn’t even know she was still producing music, so this was a treat!

Racial Injustice

I actually read several books that fall into this category, which I am sorry to say, had not been the case before 2020. All of them were amazing and eye-opening. This is an area I will be intentional about as I continue to learn, grow and read in this category. I would encourage you to, as well. My top pick however, is Dear White Christian by Aaron J. Layton. He wrote this book after the racial events that occurred in Ferguson, MO during 2014. This short, quick read gives white Christians, a black man’s perspective on racial and cultural injustice in this country. Trust me, we can all be doing better, and it starts with being informed.

Non-fiction For Writers

Writing & Selling Children’s Books in the Christian Market, by Cyle Young and Michelle Medlock Adams, is THE resource book to have, if you are wanting to write anything from a board book to Young Adult. Just released last month (and just arrived in the mail this week) I am already half-way through this gem of knowledge and information. Need extra motivation to pick this one up? Check out pages 183-184 where I give some advice on my own writing journey!

Graphic Novel

I can honestly say that before this year, I was NOT into graphic novels. But my friend, Kayla Johnson, introduced me to the sweetest series of black and white, graphic novels by Debbie Tung that will have any book lover and/or introvert quietly laughing out loud. My favorite for the year is Book Love, which is just what is seems — a book about loving books! I read her other titles as well, but hands down this is the best one (IMHO).

General Fiction

If you love books with strong, identifiable, quirky characters that are somehow more connected than you think, then Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is a great choice! It’s about a bank robbery — but like most great stories, it’s not actually about the thing you think it’s about. Filled with sweet surprises and a few twisty, turns, you’ll walk away feeling that we (as people) are all just a little bit crazy, and yet fully capable of doing something good.

Nostalgic

Right before the world shut down, I visited my favorite local bookstore (The Book Rack in Cape – check them out!) and picked up one of my favorite books from childhood, Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret? by Judy Blume. Wow, did this book bring me back to being 10! Or maybe 11, or 12. Who knows? I literally read it over and over again. It was pretty much how I found out about all things puberty and I LOVED it. Reading it now (in my 40’s) brought a whole new perspective. I would definitely suggest picking a book from your childhood and doing a re-read. Just be careful with the pages! This copy is so old, that every time I did a page turn, the page fell out.

Pro-Woman / Inspirational / Self-Help

At this point, I’ve read a lot of Jen Hatmaker books (possibly all of them) so when I heard she had a new book coming out this year, I jumped on the pre-order. To be honest, Fierce, Free and full of Fire, was good, but not my favorite Hatmaker book of all time. I didn’t read a lot of self/help, inspirational books in 2020, so there wasn’t much to compare it to — however, I DID like it better than Glennon Doyle’s, Untamed. Both books are about uplifting, empowering and encouraging women and I do believe we need more of that.

Chic-Lit/Beach Read

I had never read an Elin Hilderbrand book before this year, but I really loved her newest release, 28 Summers. I don’t typically recommend it though, because it’s about an ongoing affair that occurs once a year, for 28 years – and honestly, that’s good for no one. However, I loved the storytelling of the piece, the tragic way it was all connected and the fun blurbs at the beginning of each chapter that reminded you of the actual real-life events during each calendar year (think top pop songs, politics, and news headlines). If you can handle that this might not be a happy ending, then go for it!

Women’s Fiction