We are wrapping up the year and with it comes a lot of things that we want to leave behind in 2020. Today however I am sharing with you the best books I read this year that came from 2020. All of these books (except what I read during December) have been shared through my monthly best books posts so you can always go back to those which I will link below, but here I am going to separate by genres.
Monthly Blog Posts
Young Adults
Parachutes by Kelly Yang – girl who is shipped of to the US from China to finish high school, bristles immediately with her host family, but they seem to be on a collision course with each other
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo – half sisters that find out about each other when their father dies and have to learn how to navigate secrets, family, and new connections
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson – aspiring singers, legends who take you under their wing, and waking up with blood and no mention on how it got there. TW: grooming, sexual assault, kidnapping
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson – a town who’s biggest event is prom, a scholarship that is too good to pass up when college funding falls through, and a new girl who Liz starts falling for
Romance
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner – cute lesbian romance that is also a complicated work relationship.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren – magical realism, holidays, old family friends, and a universe that may just give you just what you wished for.
Fantasy
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – when you get to live forever, but no one remembers you, until 300 years later and someone actually sees you for the first time.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – a house on a cliff filled with magical children no one wants (including the son of the anti-christ), a case worker, and the ability to find family in a place you would never expect
Fiction
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner – combining body image, murder, social media, and secrets this book kept me on my toes the entire time
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins – this book has some problematic elements, but it still captivated me with it’s story of a mother and son willing to do anything to get to the United States
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell – painful story of a teacher and student and their relationship that she doesn’t truly realize the depth of until accusations of him start coming out years later
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline – historical fiction sharing the story of a pregnant woman on a prison ship to Australia, the girl who helps her, and the life that continues in this new land
Non-Fiction
Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God by Kaitlin B. Curtice – finding God and finding your roots at the same time. Great perspectives and beautiful poetry scattered throughout.
Menno Moto by Cameron Dueck – an examination of history, both the bad and the good, while travelling the Americas on a motorcycle
What’s Your Enneatype? An Essential Guide to the Enneagram: Understanding the Nine Personality Types for Personal Growth and Strengthened Relationships by Liz Carver and Josh Green – the best enneagram book I have read (and I have read a lot), also beautiful to display
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad – a book that will challenge your perspective on racism, find the ways that you are unintentionally living in the world, and change how you live your life
Middle Grade/Science Fiction
Rick by Alex Gino – a middle school boy learning that his friends may not really be his friends, and his identity may need more thought than he ever thought
Followers by Megan Angelo (note I read this book at the very end of 2019, but it came out in 2020) – when social media may have gone too far, nothing is a secret, and the world as we know it may need some examining
Cookbooks
Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence by Claire Saffitz – I have loved Claire for her former videos and this book brings so many amazing looking dessert recipes. She even puts out a video every week to show you how to make the items. I’ve Loved: Coconut Thumbprints
Oh She Glows for Dinner: Nourishing Plant-Based Meals to Keep You Glowing by Angela Liddon – One of my favourite vegan authors is back with our favourite book yet. Can’t wait to dive into this more as we go vegetarian for the month of January. I’ve Loved: butternut squash, sweet potato, and red lentil stew and sun-dried tomato taco crumble
What were your favourite books of the year? What are you looking forward to reading in 2021?
fivestarredlife.ca 
I have some of these on my TBR for 2021 particularly The House in the Cerulean sea which isn’t widely available in the UK yet
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Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime was probably one of my favorite books I read this year, but I’ve only read two of the ones on your list. Definitely some great ideas for what to read in 2021 here!
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