Here are the 28 best books of 2020 — from revealing tell-all memoirs to scathing political indictments

best books of 2020 2x1
The cover art for "Vanishing Half," "Untamed," and "Party of Two."
Penguin Random House; Shayanne Gal/Insider

This year was one of radical transparency. And as the shine wore off of curated content thanks to an ongoing pandemic and racial unrest across the globe, people started to talk and even write more like themselves.

Bookstores were full of impolite arguments and unsung heroes thanks to the memoirs, essay collections, and novels birthed from this year's best scribes.

Insider rounded up the best books of 2020 — from a year full of unrestrained tell-alls, scathing political indictments, and indulgent fiction.

"Such A Fun Age" by Kiley Reid

Such A Fun Age -  Kiley Reid
The cover art for Kiley Reid's "Such A Fun Age."
G.P. Putnam's Sons

In Philadelphia, tensions rise between a Black woman and her employer after she's accused of kidnapping a white child. This brilliant novel exposes the cracks in consumerist feminism that are often stuffed with Black women's struggles.

"Tweet Cute" by Emma Lord

"Tweet Cute" by Emma Lord
The vibrant cover art for "Tweet Cute."
Wednesday Books

This cute quick read offers up a romance perfect for the hashtag age. Get lost in the snarky chatter between two social media personalities unknowingly communicating on a dating app. Think "You've Got Mail" meets Tinder.

"American Dirt" by Jeanine Cummins

"American Dirt" by Jeanine Cummins
The book cover for "American Dirt."
Flatiron Books

This controversial novel follows the experience of an undocumented immigrant fighting to secure safety for their family. This work kicked off a series of important conversations about who has the right to tell what stories.

"Big Summer" by Jennifer Weiner

"Big Summer" by Jennifer Weiner
The book cover for "Big Summer."
Atria Books

The patron saint of the unfairly named "Chick Lit" brings her masterful understanding of female friendship to the social media age. When two friends reunite after an extended spat, one expects to pick up where they left off, but finds her dazzling charm doesn't quite have the same effect it did before the invention of Instagram Stories.

"Open Book" by Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson - Open Book
The cover art for Jessica Simpson's "Open Book."
Dey Street Books

The singer and former reality TV star set the tone for a year of unprecedented celebrity transparency by peeling back the layers of her career as a Christian pop star. The frothy yet surprisingly self-aware memoir is revealing, uplifting, and the perfect amount of over the top.

"The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World" by Janice Kaplan

"The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World" by Janice Kaplan
"Genius of Women's" cover art.
Dutton

Along with the stories that we all should know, this book details the leaders of tomorrow we cannot afford to ignore. Learn about how the women leading the charge in robotics, mathematics, and music are reclaiming the accomplishments of those who paved the way for their success and reconsider what it takes to be considered a genius.

"Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot" by Mikki Kendall

"Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot" by Mikki Kendall
The colorful cover art for "Hood Feminism."
Viking

The author and cultural critic confronts the hypocrisy of not only the mainstream feminist movement, but intersectional subsects who seek to exclude the most marginalized people in our society. She argues that feminist agendas would be better served by refusing to ignore race and class thus making room for the "messy" choices of their sisters.

"Untamed" by Glennon Doyle

Untamed Glennon Doyle
"Untamed's" cover art.
The Dial Press

The bestseller gives readers permission to reimagine their lives in this fiery memoir turned manifesto. The celebrated Christian mommy blogger rejects being boxed in by others' expectations, startling her devoted fanbase. Using powerful imagery, she is able to conceive of her own reality and inspire others to do the same.

"Rodham" by Curtis Sittenfeld

"Rodham" by Curtis Sittenfeld
An image of "Rodham's" book cover.
Random House

"Rodham" gives a fictional glimpse at what life might have been like if the activist turned "nasty woman" had never wed a certain saxophone playing fella from Arkansas. 

"Our Time Is Now" by Stacy Abrams

"Our Time Is Now" by Stacy Abrams
The cover art for Stacey Abrams' book.
Henry Holt and Co.

The activist who proved that tenacity triumphs over titles makes the case for rethinking the systems we have taken for granted. No matter your political views, you'll believe in the power of disruption after putting down this page turner.

"Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson

"Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson
The cover art for "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents."
Random House

Indicators of American's caste system are littered in emergency rooms, movie theaters, commercial kitchens, and train stations across the country. Wilkerson focuses on how they impact us all in this well researched work. At a time when our most essential workers have been thrust into the spotlight, her findings are more relevant than ever.

"The Chiffon Trenches" by Andre Leon Talley

"The Chiffon Trenches" by Andre Leon Talley
Esteemed journalist Andre Leon Talley strikes a pose on his book cover.
Penguin Random House

The esteemed journalist and editor yanks the sheen off of the fashion industry in this thoughtful tell-all. Talley reveals how some of the industry's most promising talents can fall by the way side in a world that favors pedigree and privilege above knowledge and work ethic.   

"The Glass Hotel" by Emily St. John Mandel

"The Glass Hotel" by Emily St. John Mandel
The cover art for "The Glass Hotel."
Knopf

This novel shatters illusions about what prestige, power, and security really look like when you peel back the layers. Using a tropical island as the perfect backdrop, readers will see what's on the other side of unadulterated greed.

"Party of Two" by Jasmine Guillory

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
The book cover for "Party of Two" by Jasmine Guillory.
Penguin Random House

Claiming a random seat at a bar lands Olivia Monroe in the middle of an inconvenient romance with a sexy junior senator. Fighting to get her law firm off the ground with press now dipping into her past, she wonders if the bond they're building is stronger than the glare of the sudden spotlight.

"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The vibrant cover art for Brit Bennett's praised sophomore effort.
Penguin Random House

Twins who escape from a small town are separated by systematic racism. When one abandons the other to pass as a white woman, she finds that the world is a little bit smaller than she thought it was.

"Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering, Volume 2" by Joanna Gaines

"Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering, Volume 2" by Joanna Gaines
The book cover for "Magnolia Table."
HarperCollins

The reality TV star put down the ship lap and picked up a ladle to create unique recipes that strayed out of her comfort zone. Satisfy that inner foodie you discovered while social distancing with her fresh take on lemon-lavender tarts or mushroom-Gruyère quiche.

"Intimations" by Zadie Smith

"Intimations" by Zadie Smith
The book cover for "Intimations."
Penguin Random House

The acclaimed author turns her talents to crystallizing her personal experiences in a world under lockdown. While others rush to make sense of the dismal, she presents this tiny collection of essays focused not on policies or politics but pure feeling.

"The Meaning of Mariah" by Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis

The Meaning of Mariah by Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis
The cover art for "The Meaning of Mariah" by Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davis.
Andy Cohen Books/Henry Holt

The ageless diva delves into the private moments that created her public persona and a stellar career. Written in a non-linear format, the book revisits her triumphs and low points using her lyrics as a guide.

"I Don't Want To Die Poor" by Michael Arceneaux

"I Don't Want To Die Poor" by Michael Arceneaux
"I Don't Want to Die Poor's" bright cover art.
Atria Books

The cultural critic places a human face on the student loan crisis, debt-riddled reality stars, and would be pop-stars turned sex workers in this hilarious collection of essays. He also defends the character of the downtrodden, reminding us that life is short and interest rates are criminal.

"The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything" by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin

The Home Edit book cover
The colorful book cover for "The Home Edit Life."
Penguin Random House

The organizing experts unfurl their philosophy about personal possessions with the help of ROYGBIV. Soothe yourself as the country heads into its possible second national shutdown by obsessing over something you can control — clutter.

"One to Watch" by Kate Stayman-London

"One to Watch" by Kate Stayman-London
The cover art for "One to Watch."
Dial

When a jaded plus-size influencer goes on a reality dating show she thinks she knows exactly what she is getting into. But a few weeks in a social media-free bubble force her to reexamine why she stepped into the spotlight in the first place.

"Wow, No Thank You" by Samantha Irby

"Wow, No Thank You" by Samantha Irby
Samantha Irby's book cover stands out in green.
Penguin Random House

The author, who gets mistaken for fellow feminist author Roxane Gay way more often than makes sense, wonders aloud about the parts of adulting we've all been winging. You're bound to see yourself in one of her questions about friendship, marriage, parenthood, and how often you're supposed to check out what's happening with your tire pressure.

"Something To Talk About" by Meryl Wilsner

"Something To Talk About" by Meryl Wilsner
The book art for "Something to Talk About."
Penguin Random House

"Pretty Woman" meets "The L Word" and winks at the Me Too movement in this glamorous romance. An assistant and other women in her workplace have to navigate their personal and professional relationship under prying eyes.

"Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey

"Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey looking pensive in the cover image of his memoir.
Crown

The beloved actor sequestered himself in the desert and consulted his diaries to present this collection of stories, proverbs and poems. Revisit the people, places, projects and parties that put his name on the tip of our tongues. 

"What Would Frida Do?: A Guide to Living Boldly" by Arianna Davis

What Would Friday Do
The color book cover for "What Would Frida Do?"
Seal Press

Penned by the digital director of O, Oprah Magazine, this book is what happens when a memoir meets self-help as the iconic Frida Kahlo's amazing story inspires a modern day guide to loving, living and finding true happiness.  

"Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" by Anne Helen Petersen

"Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation" by Anne Helen Petersen
"Can't Even's" cover art.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Boomers, self-care, and crystals, oh my! Public perception of millennials has gone from Instagram-addicted brats to frazzled 35 year olds. Learn how they ended up seemingly being the poster children for society's shortcomings.

"The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power" by Deirdre Mask

"The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power" by Deirdre Mask
The book cover for "The Address Book."
St. Martin's Press

The fragility of the social ladder is grouped into a series of five digit numbers. Wondering why your packages are delayed or your potholes remained unfilled? This work has the answers.

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