Favorite Books of 2020

A couple days ago, I shared my favorite songs, TV shows, and movies of 2020 and now I'm back again with another 2020 favorites list: books! As with the previous year, I was really making a point to diversify my reading and to pick up more of the books I owned rather than focus on review copies. It was a healthy mix of both but in the end, I was honestly kinda surprised by what made the cut! Some of them were no-brainers whereas a couple of them were definitely unexpected loves. So without further ado, here are my top 10 books of 2020 (plus some honorable mentions!).

1. Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian | It's a good sign when the first book you read of the new year gets 5 stars. This was a Christmas gift from Estelle and I was blown away by the story and the writing. 

2. House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas | I mean, this shouldn't be a surprise! Sarah J. Maas' first foray into adult fiction was definitely a success in my humble opinion and I can't wait for more. 

3. Night of the Dragon (Shadow of the Fox #3) by Julie Kagawa | I had been thoroughly enjoying Kagawa's latest series but that final installment was incredible. It had nods to one of my favorite anime ever and I was just not prepared for all the feelings. 

4. Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | I read this for the Reading Women 2020 Challenge and I'm so glad I did. How Adichie manages to pack such a punch in less than 100 pages never fails to amaze me. After I read it, I wanted to buy all the girl moms in my life a copy. 

5. The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez | I really, really liked The Friend Zone but it's The Happy Ever After Playlist that I'm totally in love with. The story just has so much warmth, laughter, romance and friendship. I can't recommend it enough. 

6. When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk | This friendship breakup book really hit home for me. Even though the circumstances of my own friendship breakups were different, the author captured the emotions, sadness, and frustration you feel so accurately and honestly. I thought about this story long after I read it. 

7. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Why did I wait so long to read a book of hers? As much as I love poetry, I typically don't gel with novels written in verse but this one was clearly the exception. It brought me to tears and I just felt so much for the heroine's journey of finding her voice. 

8. The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester | Who's a Natasha Lester fangirl? Me, that's who. So is it really a surprise to see her book make this list? I'm already anticipating her next Paris historical novel! 

9. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout | I really liked Blood and Ash but it was the second book that truly hooked me on this series. Equal parts fantasy and romance, I loved how JLA was able to give her own spin on vampires and I seriously need the next book ASAP. 

10. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab | If it wasn't for Alexa, Kristin, and DJ, I honestly don't know if I would've picked up this book on my own. Thank goodness I listened to their recommendation or else I would've missed out on this brilliant story. 

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Honorable mentions: 

How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams

2021 special mentions:

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

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What are your top books of 2020?