The publication of many books was held back by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But lockdown has also meant that many of us have whiled away the hours revisiting the classics.
However, the industry is never held back for long and the printing presses are back in full swing.
So here are the best books of 2020 you should probably add to your “To Read” pile.
The Best Literary Fiction of 2020
Some novels defy categorization.
1.The Glass Hotel
A Ponzi scheme collapses and takes countless lives with it.
What starts off as an unsettling exploration of love and money turns into a study of grief.
The Glass Hotel is contemplative yet exuberant.
They’re welcomed into the community, but within a week, that too unravels spectacularly.
Catherine Lacey’s lyrical writing clashes extraordinarily with the harsh realities she presents.
You’ll be thinking about this book long after you turn that final page.
It isn’t just about race.
It’s about societal and personal expectations, making it perpetually important.
Many chart their lives through social media.
5.Summerwater
Staying in a cabin on an isolated island can be great fun.
But when the weather’s bad and you’re stuck indoors, it can become a prison.
Summerwater takes place over 24 hours on the longest day of the year in Scotland.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of someone inside a different cabin.
Tension builds among these strangers.
Not every vacation is a relaxing break.
Or a mystery to occupy your mind?
6.The Guest List
Lucy Foley’s thriller, The Hunting Party, was a huge hit.
The Guest List follows on similar grounds, stranding a wedding party on a remote island during a storm.
That’s when the first murder happens.
Each tackles the genre in a different way, forming an astonishing and chilling collection.
8.Troubled Blood
The fifth Cormoran Strike book is the private detective’s first cold case.
Margot Bamborough went missing in 1974, but her disappearance still proves relevant.
Because Strike and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, uncover a terrifying serial killer.
Are their theoretical detective skills transferable to real life after a brutal murder on their doorstep?
It’s no great surprise that TV presenter Richard Osman’s style is hilarious and smart.
It’s charming, engrossing, and life-affirming.
The Best Non-Fiction and Essay Books of 2020
The world is still on your doorstep.
If you’re free to’t travel the globe, these books at least bring it to you.
These perceptive essays demonstrate what nature can teach us.
They’re immersive and touching, and sure to make you appreciate life better than ever before.
Climate change is melting away the fabric of our world.
12.Masters of British Comic Art
David Roach presents a charming and affectionate history of British comics.
Inside are gorgeous illustrations of international heroes, from Judge Dredd to Wolverine.
It’s a guide through cultural icons like Dan Dare, Tank Girl, and Rupert the Bear.
A phenomenal piece, and an essential purchase for art enthusiasts.
13.Uncanny Valley
Anna Wiener moved to Silicon Valley to work at a data analytics start-up.
This is a revealing and often unpleasant memoir, looking behind-the-scenes at the tech-obsessed San Francisco.
The Best Young Adult Fiction of 2020
Don’t underestimate Young Adult (YA) books.
They’re as absorbing and emotional as adult fiction, and have fans of all ages.
The dystopian future isinspired by classic sci-fi novels, but feels eerily relevant right now.
The greatly anticipated book unsurprisingly became one of the bestselling YA books of 2020. Pepper is in charge of Big League Burger’s social media.
Jack is furious when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s recipe.
This means war, one tweet at a time.
16.Alex Rider: Nightshade
Alex Rider has enjoyed his own TV show exclusive to Amazon Prime.
If you want to follow his literary adventures, Nightshade is an ideal jumping-on point.
The latest in the 13-book series finds the teenage spy pitted against the titular terrorist organization.
And this time, Alex is completely alone.
But it definitely steps out from its shadow in presenting a tense, psychological thriller.
An array of stereotypical students are locked in a classroom.
They have an hour to pick which one of them dies, or they all do.
But life is harsh and he’s easily replaceable.
19.Captain America by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Captain America became the face of Hydra.
Now Steve Rogers is back to reclaim the title.
But will America trust him?
This exceptional tale feels particularly special after the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman.
He remains an enigmatic and wonderful figure in pop culture.
Discover all the industry has to offer.
Just be sure you know how to organize your book collection before it spirals out of control.
