Best Books of the Year
Menu

NPR

NPR Books We Love 2020

NPR Books We Love 2020 names 383 books. 138 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

  1. 100 Cookies: The Baking Book For Every Kitchen by Sarah Kieffersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. 13th Balloon by Mark Bibbinssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Burning: A Novel by Megha Majumdarsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Castle In The Clouds by Kerstin Gier, translated by Romy Furslandsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Children's Bible: A Novel by Lydia Milletsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A Game Of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reesesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. A Good Neighborhood: A Novel by Therese Anne Fowlersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. A Promised Land by Barack Obamasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. A Shadow Intelligence by Oliver Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  10. A Silenced Voice: The Life Of Journalist Kim Wall by Ingrid Wall and Joachim Wallsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. A Song Below Water: A Novel by Bethany C. Morrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, And The Meaning Of Sex by Angela Chensource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Agency by William Gibsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Alien Oceans: The Search For Life In The Depths Of Space by Kevin Handsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. All Because You Matter by Tami Charles and Bryan Colliersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. All The Way To The Tigers: A Memoir by Mary Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Hasource (opens in a new tab)
  18. American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps, And The Marriage Of Money And Power by Andrea Bernsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Amnesty: A Novel by Aravind Adigasource (opens in a new tab)
  20. An Incomplete List Of Names by Michael Torressource (opens in a new tab)
  21. And I Do Not Forgive You: Stories And Other Revenges by Amber Sparkssource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Antkind: A Novel by Charlie Kaufmansource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Anxious People: A Novel by Fredrik Backman, translated by Niel Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Apple: (Skin To The Core) by Eric Gansworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Apsara Engine by Bishakh Somsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. At Night All Blood Is Black: A Novel by David Diop, translated by Anna Moschovakissource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada and Ko Hyung-Jusource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Barn 8: A Novel by Deb Olin Unferthsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother: Memoirs Of A Neurotic Filmmaker by Barry Sonnenfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Beach Read by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Before The Ever After by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headleysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Bestiary: A Novel by K-Ming Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Between Two Fires: Truth, Ambition, And Compromise In Putin's Russia by Joshua Yaffasource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Black Bottom Saints: A Novel by Alice Randallsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Black Heroes Of The Wild West by James Otis Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorsesource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Black Sunday: A Novel by Tola Rotimi Abrahamsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Blacktop Wasteland: A Novel by S.A. Cosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Blackwood by Michael Farris Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Blood On The River: A Chronicle Of Mutiny And Freedom On The Wild Coast by Marjoleine Karssource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Born To Be Public by Greg Maniasource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Breath: The New Science Of A Lost Art by James Nestorsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Broken Faith: Inside The Word Of Faith Fellowship, One Of America's Most Dangerous Cults by Mitch Weiss and Holbrook Mohrsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Burnt Sugar: A Novel by Avni Doshisource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Capital And Ideology by Thomas Piketty, translated by Arthur Goldhammersource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Catherine House: A Novel by Elisabeth Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Children Of The Land: A Memoir by Marcelo Hernandez Castillosource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedosource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Clean: The New Science Of Skin by James Hamblinsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Cleanness by Garth Greenwellsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Collective Gravities by Chloe N. Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Conditional Citizens: On Belonging In America by Laila Lalamisource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Conjure Women: A Novel by Afia Atakorasource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Cook With Me: 150 Recipes For The Home Cook by Alex Guarnaschellisource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Cooking For One: Scaled Recipes, No-Waste Solutions, And Time-Saving Tips by America's Test Kitchensource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Cool Beans: The Ultimate Guide To Cooking With The World's Most Versatile Plant-Based Protein, With 125 Recipes by Joe Yonansource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Cool Town: How Athens, Georgia, Launched Alternative Music And Changed American Culture by Grace Elizabeth Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Counterpoint: A Memoir Of Bach And Mourning by Philip Kennicottsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Creatures: A Novel by Crissy Van Metersource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Dance On Saturday: Stories by Elwin Cotmansource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Dancing After TEN by Vivian Chong and Georgia Webbersource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Dancing Man: A Broadway Choreographer's Journey by Bob Avian and Tom Santopietrosource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Dark Blood Comes From The Feet by Emma J. Gibbonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Days Of Distraction: A Novel by Alexandra Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Deacon King Kong: A Novel by James McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Dear Justyce by Nic Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Desert Notebooks: A Road Map For The End Of Time by Ben Ehrenreichsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Dessert Person: Recipes And Guidance For Baking With Confidence by Claire Saffitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Dinner In French: My Recipes By Way Of France by Melissa Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Dirt: Adventures In Lyon As A Chef In Training, Father, And Sleuth Looking For The Secret Of French Cooking by Bill Bufordsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Djinn Patrol On The Purple Line by Deepa Anapparasource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Each Of Us A Desert by Mark Oshirosource (opens in a new tab)
  79. East: 120 Vegan And Vegetarian Recipes From Bangalore To Beijing by Meera Sodhasource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Eat A Peach: A Memoir by David Chang and Gabe Ullasource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Eat The Buddha: Life And Death In A Tibetan Town by Barbara Demicksource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolksource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisnerossource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger and Rovina Caisource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Empire Of Wild: A Novel by Cherie Dimalinesource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Even As We Breathe: A Novel by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddlesource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Every Reason We Shouldn't by Sara Fujimurasource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Everybody Counts: A Counting Story From 0 To 7.5 Billion by Kristin Roskifte, translated by Siân Mackiesource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Everything Man: The Form And Function Of Paul Robeson by Shana L. Redmondsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story) by Daniel Nayerisource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Falastin: A Cookbook by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigleysource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Family In Six Tones: A Refugee Mother, An American Daughter by Lan Cao and Harlan Margaret Van Caosource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Fantastic Four: Grand Design by Tom Sciolisource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Father Of Lions: One Man's Remarkable Quest To Save Mosul's Zoo by Louise Callaghansource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Fauja Singh Keeps Going: The True Story Of The Oldest Person To Ever Run A Marathon by Simran Jeet Singh and Baljinder Kaursource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Finna: Poems by Nate Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Flamer by Mike Curatosource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Flyaway by Kathleen Jenningssource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Followers: A Novel by Megan Angelosource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Foreign Bodies: Poems by Kimiko Hahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  101. Foul Is Fair: A Novel by Hannah Capinsource (opens in a new tab)
  102. Funny Weather: Art In An Emergency by Olivia Laingsource (opens in a new tab)
  103. Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto by Miren Arzalluzsource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortegasource (opens in a new tab)
  105. Ghosting The News: Local Journalism And The Crisis Of American Democracy by Margaret Sullivansource (opens in a new tab)
  106. Girl Gone Viral: A Novel by Alisha Raisource (opens in a new tab)
  107. Glass Town: The Imaginary World Of The Brontës by Isabel Greenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  108. Glitter Up the Dark: How Pop Music Broke The Binary by Sasha Geffensource (opens in a new tab)
  109. Go With The Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemannsource (opens in a new tab)
  110. God-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons From The Bronx by Desus and Merosource (opens in a new tab)
  111. Godshot: A Novel by Chelsea Biekersource (opens in a new tab)
  112. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  113. Hanging Tree Guitars by Freeman Vines, Zoe van Buren and Timothy Duffysource (opens in a new tab)
  114. Harrow The Ninth by Tamsyn Muirsource (opens in a new tab)
  115. Having And Being Had by Eula Bisssource (opens in a new tab)
  116. Headliners: An Enemies-To-Lovers Romance by Lucy Parkersource (opens in a new tab)
  117. Heart Of Junk: A Novel by Luke Geddessource (opens in a new tab)
  118. Hearts Of Oak by Eddie Robsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  119. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschotssource (opens in a new tab)
  120. Here For It: Or, How To Save Your Soul In America by R. Eric Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  121. Here We Are: A Novel by Graham Swiftsource (opens in a new tab)
  122. Hidden Valley Road: Inside The Mind Of An American Family by Robert Kolkersource (opens in a new tab)
  123. High As The Waters Rise: A Novel by Anja Kampmann, translated by Anne Postensource (opens in a new tab)
  124. His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life by Jonathan Altersource (opens in a new tab)
  125. Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, And The Dangerous Distortion Of Truth by Brian Steltersource (opens in a new tab)
  126. Homeland Elegies: A Novel by Ayad Akhtarsource (opens in a new tab)
  127. Homie: Poems by Danez Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  128. Honeybee: The Busy Life Of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  129. Hood Criatura by féi hernandezsource (opens in a new tab)
  130. Hood Feminism: Notes From The Women That A Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendallsource (opens in a new tab)
  131. How Much Of These Hills Is Gold: A Novel by C Pam Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  132. How To Carry Water: Selected Poems Of Lucille Clifton by Lucille Clifton and Aracelis Girmaysource (opens in a new tab)
  133. How To Wash The Dishes by Peter Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  134. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. Jamessource (opens in a new tab)
  135. I Don't Want To Die Poor: Essays by Michael Arceneauxsource (opens in a new tab)
  136. I Got A Monster: The Rise And Fall Of America's Most Corrupt Police Squad by Baynard Woods and Brandon Soderbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  137. I Hold A Wolf By The Ears: Stories by Laura van den Bergsource (opens in a new tab)
  138. I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  139. I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir by Esther Safran Foersource (opens in a new tab)
  140. I Will Take The Answer: Essays by Ander Monsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  141. If I Had Your Face: A Novel by Frances Chasource (opens in a new tab)
  142. Ikenga by Nnedi Okoraforsource (opens in a new tab)
  143. In Bibi's Kitchen: The Recipes And Stories Of Grandmothers From The Eight African Countries That Touch The Indian Ocean by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshensource (opens in a new tab)
  144. Interior Chinatown: A Novel by Charles Yusource (opens in a new tab)
  145. Intimations: Six Essays by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  146. Inventing Latinos: A New Story Of American Racism by Laura E. Gómezsource (opens in a new tab)
  147. Jack: A Novel by Marilynne Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  148. Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankinesource (opens in a new tab)
  149. Kent State: Four Dead In Ohio by Derf Backderfsource (opens in a new tab)
  150. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982: A Novel by Cho Nam-Joo, translated by Jamie Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  151. King And The Dragonflies by Kacen Callendersource (opens in a new tab)
  152. Lakewood: A Novel by Megan Giddingssource (opens in a new tab)
  153. Larger Than Life: A History Of Boy Bands From NKOTB To BTS by Maria Shermansource (opens in a new tab)
  154. Later: My Life At The Edge Of The World by Paul Lisickysource (opens in a new tab)
  155. Leave The World Behind: A Novel by Rumaan Alamsource (opens in a new tab)
  156. Legendary Children: The First Decade Of RuPaul’s Drag Race And The Last Century Of Queer Life by Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquezsource (opens in a new tab)
  157. Life Of A Klansman: A Family History In White Supremacy by Edward Ballsource (opens in a new tab)
  158. Lifting As We Climb: Black Women's Battle For The Ballot Box by Evette Dionnesource (opens in a new tab)
  159. Like A Bird by Fariha Róisínsource (opens in a new tab)
  160. Little Eyes: A Novel by Samanta Schweblinsource (opens in a new tab)
  161. Loathe At First Sight: A Novel by Suzanne Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  162. Long Bright River: A Novel by Liz Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  163. Looking To Get Lost: Adventures In Music And Writing by Peter Guralnicksource (opens in a new tab)
  164. Love Child's Hotbed Of Occasional Poetry: Poems & Artifacts by Nikky Finneysource (opens in a new tab)
  165. Luster: A Novel by Raven Leilanisource (opens in a new tab)
  166. MS-13: The Making Of America's Most Notorious Gang by Steven Dudleysource (opens in a new tab)
  167. Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know by Samira Ahmedsource (opens in a new tab)
  168. Magnetized: Conversations With A Serial Killer by Carlos Busqued, translated by Samuel Ruttersource (opens in a new tab)
  169. Mary And The Trail Of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story by Andrea L. Rogers and Matt Forsythsource (opens in a new tab)
  170. Me And White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change The World, And Become A Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saadsource (opens in a new tab)
  171. Members Only by Sameer Pandyasource (opens in a new tab)
  172. Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir by Natasha Tretheweysource (opens in a new tab)
  173. Memorial: A Novel by Bryan Washingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  174. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  175. Midnight At The Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley and Xavier Bonetsource (opens in a new tab)
  176. Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hongsource (opens in a new tab)
  177. Miss Iceland by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttirsource (opens in a new tab)
  178. Missionaries: A Novel by Phil Klaysource (opens in a new tab)
  179. Moms by Yeong-shin Ma, translated by Janet Hongsource (opens in a new tab)
  180. Monogamy: A Novel by Sue Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  181. Moonflower Murders: A Novel by Anthony Horowitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  182. Mosquito Supper Club: Cajun Recipes From A Disappearing Bayou by Melissa M. Martinsource (opens in a new tab)
  183. Music For The Dead And Resurrected: Poems by Valzhyna Mortsource (opens in a new tab)
  184. Mutations: The Many Strange Faces Of Hardcore Punk by Sam McPheeterssource (opens in a new tab)
  185. My Autobiography Of Carson McCullers: A Memoir by Jenn Shaplandsource (opens in a new tab)
  186. My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano and Jillian Tamakisource (opens in a new tab)
  187. My Town: An Artist’s Life In London by David Gentlemansource (opens in a new tab)
  188. Neon Girls: A Stripper's Education In Protest And Power by Jennifer Worleysource (opens in a new tab)
  189. Network Effect: A Murderbot Novel by Martha Wellssource (opens in a new tab)
  190. New Waves: A Novel by Kevin Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  191. New World Sourdough: Artisan Techniques For Creative Homemade Fermented Breads by Bryan Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  192. Night Letters: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar And The Afghan Islamists Who Changed The World by Chris Sands and Fazelminallah Qazizaisource (opens in a new tab)
  193. No Filter: The Inside Story Of Instagram by Sarah Friersource (opens in a new tab)
  194. No Rules Rules: Netflix And The Culture Of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyersource (opens in a new tab)
  195. Notes From An Apocalypse: A Personal Journey To The End Of The World And Back by Mark O'Connellsource (opens in a new tab)
  196. Notes On A Case Of Melancholia: Or, A Little Death by Nicholas Gurewitchsource (opens in a new tab)
  197. Notes On A Silencing: A Memoir by Lacy Crawfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  198. Obit by Victoria Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  199. Once I Was You: A Memoir Of Love And Hate In A Torn America by Maria Hinojosasource (opens in a new tab)
  200. One Life by Megan Rapinoe and Emma Brockessource (opens in a new tab)
  201. One Night Two Souls Went Walking by Ellen Cooneysource (opens in a new tab)
  202. One To Watch: A Novel by Kate Stayman-Londonsource (opens in a new tab)
  203. Ottolenghi Flavor: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfragesource (opens in a new tab)
  204. Outside In by Deborah Underwood and Cindy Derbysource (opens in a new tab)
  205. Overstated: A Coast-to-Coast Roast Of The 50 States by Colin Quinnsource (opens in a new tab)
  206. Owls Of The Eastern Ice: A Quest To Find And Save The World's Largest Owl by Jonathan C. Slaghtsource (opens in a new tab)
  207. Party Of Two by Jasmine Guillorysource (opens in a new tab)
  208. Perestroika In Paris: A Novel by Jane Smileysource (opens in a new tab)
  209. Pie Academy: Master The Perfect Crust And 255 Amazing Fillings by Ken Haedrichsource (opens in a new tab)
  210. Piranesi by Susanna Clarkesource (opens in a new tab)
  211. Pizza Girl: A Novel by Jean Kyoung Fraziersource (opens in a new tab)
  212. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian and Nasaya Mafaridiksource (opens in a new tab)
  213. Political Sign (Object Lessons) by Tobias Carrollsource (opens in a new tab)
  214. Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diazsource (opens in a new tab)
  215. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  216. Processed Cheese: A Novel by Stephen Wrightsource (opens in a new tab)
  217. Quick & Delicious: 100 Recipes To Cook In 30 Minutes Or Less by Gordon Ramsaysource (opens in a new tab)
  218. Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens The Unsolved Murder Cases Of The Civil Rights Era by Jerry Mitchellsource (opens in a new tab)
  219. Race For Profit: How Banks And The Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  220. Raybearer by Jordan Ifuekosource (opens in a new tab)
  221. Real Life: A Novel by Brandon Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  222. Recipe For Persuasion: A Novel by Sonali Devsource (opens in a new tab)
  223. Red Pill: A Novel by Hari Kunzrusource (opens in a new tab)
  224. Remembrance by Rita Woodssource (opens in a new tab)
  225. Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  226. Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchisource (opens in a new tab)
  227. Roadside Americans: The Rise And Fall Of Hitchhiking In A Changing Nation by Jack Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  228. Rodham: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  229. Run Me To Earth by Paul Yoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  230. Runaway: New Poems by Jorie Grahamsource (opens in a new tab)
  231. Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America by Nora Shalaway Carpentersource (opens in a new tab)
  232. Rust Belt Femme by Raechel Anne Joliesource (opens in a new tab)
  233. Rust: A Memoir Of Steel And Grit by Eliese Goldbachsource (opens in a new tab)
  234. Scorpionfish by Natalie Bakopoulossource (opens in a new tab)
  235. See You On Sunday: A Cookbook For Family And Friends by Sam Siftonsource (opens in a new tab)
  236. Seeing The Body by Rachel Eliza Griffithssource (opens in a new tab)
  237. Sex And Vanity: A Novel by Kevin Kwansource (opens in a new tab)
  238. Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study Of Sex, Power, And Assault On Campus by Jennifer S. Hirsch and Shamus Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  239. Shiner: A Novel by Amy Jo Burnssource (opens in a new tab)
  240. Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide To Modern Cinema by Lindy Westsource (opens in a new tab)
  241. Show Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZottesource (opens in a new tab)
  242. Shuggie Bain: A Novel by Douglas Stuartsource (opens in a new tab)
  243. Simply: Easy Everyday Dishes by Sabrina Ghayoursource (opens in a new tab)
  244. Sisters In Hate: American Women On The Front Lines Of White Nationalism by Seyward Darbysource (opens in a new tab)
  245. Sisters Of The War: Two Remarkable True Stories Of Survival And Hope In Syria by Rania Abouzeidsource (opens in a new tab)
  246. Sisters: A Novel by Daisy Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  247. Slippery Creatures by KJ Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  248. Snail Crossing by Corey R. Taborsource (opens in a new tab)
  249. Snapped by Alexa Martinsource (opens in a new tab)
  250. So We Can Glow: Stories by Leesa Cross-Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  251. Solutions And Other Problems by Allie Broshsource (opens in a new tab)
  252. Something That May Shock And Discredit You by Daniel M. Laverysource (opens in a new tab)
  253. Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsnersource (opens in a new tab)
  254. Sports Is Hell by Ben Passmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  255. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, And You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendisource (opens in a new tab)
  256. Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  257. Summer: A Novel by Ali Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  258. Super Fake Love Song by David Yoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  259. Survivor Song: A Novel by Paul Tremblaysource (opens in a new tab)
  260. Swimming In The Dark: A Novel by Tomasz Jedrowskisource (opens in a new tab)
  261. Take A Hint, Dani Brown: A Novel by Talia Hibbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  262. Temporary by Hilary Leichtersource (opens in a new tab)
  263. Ten Ways To Hear Snow by Cathy Camper and Kenard Paksource (opens in a new tab)
  264. Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Mosessource (opens in a new tab)
  265. The Age Of Phillis by Honorée Fanonne Jefferssource (opens in a new tab)
  266. The Apple Lover's Cookbook: Revised And Updated by Amy Traversosource (opens in a new tab)
  267. The Autobiography Of Alice B. Toklas Illustrated by Gertrude Stein and Maira Kalmansource (opens in a new tab)
  268. The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga by David A. Robertsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  269. The Blue House by Phoebe Wahlsource (opens in a new tab)
  270. The Boatman's Daughter: A Novel by Andy Davidsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  271. The Book Collectors: A Band Of Syrian Rebels And The Stories That Carried Them Through A War by Delphine Minoui, translated by Lara Vergnaudsource (opens in a new tab)
  272. The Book Of Atlantis Black: The Search For A Sister Gone Missing by Betsy Bonnersource (opens in a new tab)
  273. The Book Of V.: A Novel by Anna Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  274. The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochonsource (opens in a new tab)
  275. The Cactus League: A Novel by Emily Nemenssource (opens in a new tab)
  276. The Care and Feeding Of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waitesource (opens in a new tab)
  277. The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talleysource (opens in a new tab)
  278. The City We Became: A Novel by N.K. Jemisinsource (opens in a new tab)
  279. The Daughters Of Ys by M.T. Anderson and Jo Riouxsource (opens in a new tab)
  280. The Dead Are Arising: The Life Of Malcolm X by Les Payne and Tamara Paynesource (opens in a new tab)
  281. The Death Of Vivek Oji: A Novel by Akwaeke Emezisource (opens in a new tab)
  282. The Deepest South Of All: True Stories From Natchez, Mississippi by Richard Grantsource (opens in a new tab)
  283. The Empress Of Salt And Fortune by Nghi Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  284. The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owensource (opens in a new tab)
  285. The Freedom Artist by Ben Okrisource (opens in a new tab)
  286. The Full Plate: Flavor-Filled, Easy Recipes For Families With No Time And A Lot To Do by Ayesha Currysource (opens in a new tab)
  287. The Glass Hotel: A Novel by Emily St. John Mandelsource (opens in a new tab)
  288. The Heap: A Novel by Sean Adamssource (opens in a new tab)
  289. The Hidden Girl And Other Stories by Ken Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  290. The Human Cosmos: Civilization And The Stars by Jo Marchantsource (opens in a new tab)
  291. The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwabsource (opens in a new tab)
  292. The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade And The Mass Murder Program That Shaped Our World by Vincent Bevinssource (opens in a new tab)
  293. The Journeys Of Trees: A Story About Forests, People, And The Future by Zach St. Georgesource (opens in a new tab)
  294. The Last Emperox by John Scalzisource (opens in a new tab)
  295. The Last Million: Europe's Displaced Persons From World War To Cold War by David Nasawsource (opens in a new tab)
  296. The Lights And Types Of Ships At Night by Dave Eggers and Annie Dillssource (opens in a new tab)
  297. The List Of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  298. The Look Of The Book: Jackets, Covers, And Art At The Edges Of Literature by Peter Mendelsund and David J. Alworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  299. The Lost Book Of Adana Moreau: A Novel by Michael Zapatasource (opens in a new tab)
  300. The Lying Life Of Adults by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  301. The Malevolent Volume by Justin Phillip Reedsource (opens in a new tab)
  302. The Meaning Of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey and Michaela Angela Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  303. The Mermaid, The Witch, And The Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  304. The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polksource (opens in a new tab)
  305. The Mirror & The Light by Hilary Mantelsource (opens in a new tab)
  306. The Missing American by Kwei Quarteysource (opens in a new tab)
  307. The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang and Khoa Lesource (opens in a new tab)
  308. The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Maisource (opens in a new tab)
  309. The New Map: Energy, Climate And The Clash Of Nations by Daniel Yerginsource (opens in a new tab)
  310. The New Wilderness by Diane Cooksource (opens in a new tab)
  311. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrichsource (opens in a new tab)
  312. The Old Truck by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphreysource (opens in a new tab)
  313. The Once And Future Witches by Alix E. Harrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  314. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  315. The Other Bennet Sister: A Novel by Janice Hadlowsource (opens in a new tab)
  316. The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee and Pascal Campionsource (opens in a new tab)
  317. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Ruggsource (opens in a new tab)
  318. The Pull Of The Stars: A Novel by Emma Donoghuesource (opens in a new tab)
  319. The Rakess by Scarlett Peckhamsource (opens in a new tab)
  320. The Redshirt: A Novel by Corey Sobelsource (opens in a new tab)
  321. The Regrets by Amy Bonnaffonssource (opens in a new tab)
  322. The Riches Of This Land by Jim Tankersleysource (opens in a new tab)
  323. The Roommate by Rosie Danansource (opens in a new tab)
  324. The Searcher: A Novel by Tana Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)
  325. The Shadow King by Maaza Mengistesource (opens in a new tab)
  326. The Socrates Express: In Search Of Life Lessons From Dead Philosophers by Eric Weinersource (opens in a new tab)
  327. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  328. The Splendid And The Vile: A Saga Of Churchill, Family, And Defiance During The Blitz by Erik Larsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  329. The Sprawl: Reconsidering The Weird American Suburbs by Jason Diamondsource (opens in a new tab)
  330. The Talk: Conversations About Race, Love & Truth by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  331. The Things They Fancied by Molly Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  332. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicenciosource (opens in a new tab)
  333. The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  334. The Voyage Of The Morning Light: A Novel by Marina Endicottsource (opens in a new tab)
  335. The Wax Pack: On The Open Road In Search Of Baseball's Afterlife by Brad Balukjiansource (opens in a new tab)
  336. The Women In Black: A Novel by Madeleine St. Johnsource (opens in a new tab)
  337. The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosasource (opens in a new tab)
  338. They Went Left by Monica Hessesource (opens in a new tab)
  339. Thin Places: Essays From In Between by Jordan Kisnersource (opens in a new tab)
  340. This Is My America by Kim Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  341. This Is One Way To Dance: Essays by Sejal Shahsource (opens in a new tab)
  342. To Calais, In Ordinary Time by James Meeksource (opens in a new tab)
  343. Tokyo Ueno Station: A Novel by Yu Miri, translated by Morgan Gilessource (opens in a new tab)
  344. Tomboyland: Essays by Melissa Falivenosource (opens in a new tab)
  345. Transcendent Kingdom: A Novel by Yaa Gyasisource (opens in a new tab)
  346. Trouble The Saints: A Novel by Alaya Dawn Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  347. Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wrightsource (opens in a new tab)
  348. Uncanny Valley: A Memoir by Anna Wienersource (opens in a new tab)
  349. Unspeakable Acts: True Tales Of Crime, Murder, Deceit, And Obsession by Sarah Weinmansource (opens in a new tab)
  350. Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession Of Native Americans And The Road To Indian Territory by Claudio Sauntsource (opens in a new tab)
  351. Up All Night: Ted Turner, CNN, And The Birth Of 24-Hour News by Lisa Napolisource (opens in a new tab)
  352. Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gaileysource (opens in a new tab)
  353. Utopia Avenue: A Novel by David Mitchellsource (opens in a new tab)
  354. Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  355. Wagnerism: Art And Politics In The Shadow Of Music by Alex Rosssource (opens in a new tab)
  356. Want: A Novel by Lynn Steger Strongsource (opens in a new tab)
  357. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Michaela Goadesource (opens in a new tab)
  358. We Ride Upon Sticks: A Novel by Quan Barrysource (opens in a new tab)
  359. Weather: A Novel by Jenny Offillsource (opens in a new tab)
  360. What Are You Going Through: A Novel by Sigrid Nunezsource (opens in a new tab)
  361. What Can A Body Do?: How We Meet The Built World by Sara Hendrensource (opens in a new tab)
  362. When No One Is Watching: A Thriller by Alyssa Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  363. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed and Iman Geddysource (opens in a new tab)
  364. When The Light Of The World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology Of Native Nations Poetry by Joy Harjo, LeAnne Howe, Jennifer Elise Foerster and contributing editorssource (opens in a new tab)
  365. Where The Wild Ladies Are by Aoko Matsuda, translated by Polly Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  366. Where Things Touch: A Meditation On Beauty by Bahar Orangsource (opens in a new tab)
  367. Whistleblower: My Journey To Silicon Valley And Fight For Justice At Uber by Susan Fowlersource (opens in a new tab)
  368. Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story Of Loss, Love, And The Hidden Order Of Life by Lulu Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  369. Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsuisource (opens in a new tab)
  370. Wink by Rob Harrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  371. Winter Counts: A Novel by David Heska Wanbli Weidensource (opens in a new tab)
  372. Wintering: The Power Of Rest And Retreat In Difficult Times by Katherine Maysource (opens in a new tab)
  373. Wonder Woman: Dead Earth by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicersource (opens in a new tab)
  374. World Of Wonders: In Praise Of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, And Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Fumi Nakamurasource (opens in a new tab)
  375. Wow, No Thank You.: Essays by Samantha Irbysource (opens in a new tab)
  376. Writers & Lovers: A Novel by Lily Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  377. X+Y: A Mathematician's Manifesto For Rethinking Gender by Eugenia Chengsource (opens in a new tab)
  378. Year Of The Rabbit by Tian Veasnasource (opens in a new tab)
  379. Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, And A Woman's Search For Justice In Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdochsource (opens in a new tab)
  380. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hoglesource (opens in a new tab)
  381. You Matter by Christian Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  382. You Never Forget Your First: A Biography Of George Washington by Alexis Coesource (opens in a new tab)
  383. You Want More: Selected Stories Of George Singleton by George Singletonsource (opens in a new tab)

About the NPR Books We Love

NPR's Books We Love (the Book Concierge), 2013-2025: every book NPR staff and critics picked each year, stored as one category, Books We Love. The Concierge's tags (fiction, nonfiction, staff picks, and so on) are not split out. Rows come from the Concierge's own year data (apps.npr.org/best-books/<year>.json); counts match the books shown for each year. Translators named in NPR's credit are stored as translator; illustrators, editors, photographers and co-writers stay in author. 2006-2012 are left out: before the Concierge, NPR's year-end coverage was 15-20 separate critic and staff columns a year (e.g. mysteries, heroines, music books), with themes that change every year and some backlist picks, so there is no consistent list to count. No list is ranked.

Organization: NPR. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2020