Another year passed and 2020 was a very strong year in terms of books and stories.
In the following list, we selected the best books from each category, according to our taste. If you want to check the winners visit Goodreads. We also updated our list and noted if the book won the category. The following list would be also ideal for Xmas presents, feel free to browse our choices.
Fiction
American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins
American Dirt is a so strong in this list, there was no real other choice on our side, maybe A Burning, but from plot point of view Amarican Dirt won.
Mystery & Thriller
The Guest List, by Lucy Foley
WINNER
The Guest! We loved this novel, I mean Harlen Coben’s The Boy From The Woods was really good, but The Guest List’s wedding set would compete this year with any mystery book. It was both scary and touching. A gritty pick for the lovers of this genre.
Historical Fiction
The Evening and the Morning, by Ken Follett
I need to admit we weren’t unbiased here. Ken Follett’s books deeply touched our hearts in the past months. We also feel the urge to write an article about the author and his best books. If you check the first book in the article you won’t be surprise by our pick: The Evening and the Morning here.
Fantasy
House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J. Maas
WINNER
My heart is in pain. I couldn’t decide here. We are a big fan of N. K. Jemisin in our book club, but at this time we need to choose another book over The City We Became. I need to say that Sarah’s this years novel is more than just good, it’s stunning! If you don’t belive me, just check Instagram’s #yafantasy section.
Romance
Beach Read, by Emily Henry
I know, the summer is over, but not in our heart. One of the best book’s of 2020. If you are a romance lover, you just buy Emily’s book and put it into your summer stash for 2021 summer (if not already read it).
Science Fiction
The Last Emperox, by John Scalzi
This is my personal category, our book club has no words here. This year’s choice is The Last Emperox, but there was a strong runner up, which was Tamsyn Muir’s novel Harrow the Ninth.
Anyway Scalzi introduced another exciting plot for the fans of sci-fi genre, and we need to say a thank to the author!
Horror
Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
WINNER
Our choice won’t be conventional in this genre, but our favorite was Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s new novel. Great twists and strong atmosphere in the book. But who knows maybe the mexican set was the deciding factor.
Humor
The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad, by Mike Birbiglia
Parenting is an evergreen, and we enjoyed this read. If you want to cry from laughing this is the book suggested for you (from a parent).
Nonfiction
Don’t Overthink It, by Anne Bogel
This years choice is in non-fiction genre is a christian book by author Anne Bogel. Is it a self-help work from a blogger? Well, yes. But what I need to tell you this book is very effective and it is a great read, thanks to Anne’s special writing style.
Memoir & Autobiography
A Promised Land, by Barack Obama
WINNER
What? Matthews‘s Greenlights isn’t here? What a shame. Well, we will go with Obama’s new book. It is an instant bestseller, no strings attached.
History & Biography
The Splendid and the Vile, by Erik Larson
I liked Winston Churchill’s first days in office. If I wouldn’t know it is a history book, I would say it is one of the best fiction book of 2020. Nevermind life is more engaging than fiction.
Science & Technology
A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future, by Sir David Attenborough
WINNER
We need to decide our future on this planet. David Attenborough’s book highlights our options, he shows the short history how we destroyed part of biggest miracles of the nature just in a life-span. Are there any future for us? The author has a bright vision and I want to believe he is right, we can change ourself.
Food & Cookbooks
Frontier Follies, by Ree Drummond
Maybe we like stories just too much, but Ree Drummond’s story is very engaging, and we like the life she created for his family (including the meals).
Graphic Novels & Comics
Fangirl, by Sam Maggs
This is the category where the younger members in our book club helped us. Our choice is Fangirl. If you like geeky stories, this manga will be one of this year’s favorite.
Poetry
Homie, by Danez Smith
Where do I even begin? This book changed how I see poetry, it was really raw and authentic. I enjoyed every moment of reading it.
Debut Novel
A Burning, by Megha Majumdar
Did I mentioned A Burning above? Not, what a mistake. Megha Majumdar’s debut novel is a great thriller suspense. Let me guide you to India with this great novel!
Young Adult Fiction
The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Jennifer reworked Cinderella story is really good. If you think you might know anything about the story, well not, this book is full of twists and turns.
Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
Chain of Gold, by Cassandra Clare
This genre has the biggest competition above all. It will be a killer fight, so to say a Battle Royale, among these books in the final. Our pick is Chain of Gold.
Middle Grade & Children’s
Before the Ever After, by Jacqueline Woodson
I would create two categories from this. Our winner is Before the Ever After. An engaging read for kids between 7 and 12 written in verse format, recommended for NFL fans.
Picture Books
Antiracist Baby, by Ibram X. Kendi
WINNER
This is a kick ass baby book, for those parents who want to teach kids more than just counting numbers and being good.
I’m personally interested how many books will be a winner in their category. I just put here a counter and I try to update it once the winners are announced.
Final winners from our choices: 6/20
I hope you like our shortlist of Goodreads Choice Awards 2020, it should be a great help for holiday book shopping. If you are still looking for great books, check our Book of the Month 2020 list.