My Favorite Reads of 2020

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book review

It was the year of nonfiction for me this year! For the first time ever, my list has more nonfiction than fiction. I did read some great fiction books though as well! I narrowed my list to my top seven. Let me know if you have read any and what you thought!

Let’s begin, shall we?

These were the three standout fiction books that I read this year, and my most recommended to people throughout the year.

Mexican Gothic is hands down my favorite book of the year – it was just so much everything. Plot, characters, quirk, atmosphere, twisty and scary and horrifying. And this cover is amazingly beautiful. Have any of you seen the Instagram posts where people are recreating this cover? I can understand why, it is so rich and warm and lovely.

My Sister the Serial Killer was a surprisingly amazing read for me. I thought I would enjoy it, but not necessarily love it as much as I did. I think it is such a unique take on family relationships and love, and of course, a bit of creep factor as well.

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts was such a fun fantastic read! I loved it so much. It reminded me of a Westing Game for adults.

The Call of the Wild and Free was a book that really changed our lives! If you are a regular reader here, you may have seen my posts where I talk about how it really spoke to me and about how to frame our homeschooling experience. It is not the right experience for everyone, but it is perfect for us right now.

The Creative Family Manifesto is another book that heavily influenced our lives this year. Because of this book, we were inspired to take drawing books with us on picnics and have lazy days drawing away. I am not an artist by any stretch of the imagination but I am enjoying what I am creating and that is the most important thing…right? Wyatt loves drawing and painting and that is something I want to encourage, and we have art supplies always available to him for when he feels like making or creating. Most nights now he will sit quietly happily drawing away.

The Cider Revival. I just really enjoyed this book! It was a fascinating look at apple orchards and the cider industry, especially all those small cideries out there. Plus, we had a fantastic night of cider tasting after I read this book.

The Salt Path was amazing. I have never read a book like this before. I have read many memoirs of people hiking and walking long distances, but never for these reasons. I loved the journey start to finish, and I am looking forward to reading Winn’s follow up. I am a person who underlines and makes notes in their books and this passage from The Salt Path was just so powerful.

I was a part of the whole. I didn’t need to own a patch of land to make that so. I could stand in the wind and I was the wind, the rain, the sea; it was all me, and I was nothing within it.

What did you read that you loved this year?

24 thoughts on “My Favorite Reads of 2020”

  4. I love how your favorite books from this year are not just ones that took you away but books that also brought you back to yourself and your family and altered your home. Books are so powerful! I definitely want to read The Salt Path after seeing it on your site mentioned here and there. Come on library loan!

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  6. I’ve been curious about Mexican Gothic for months and not really sure what it’s about without reading spoilerish reviews. So I think in the new year I’ll read it.
    Thanks for sharing your nonfiction choices and I was lurking here during Nonfiction November while I wasn’t keeping my blog up to speed. I’ve read many many nonfiction in past couple of years but haven’t thought about my favorite yet.
    Here’s to a better New Year for us all!- Rita

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    1. That is why I never reviewed it! I found it too hard to do without spoilers! Lol. It was so good, a magical realism version of a gothic with some extras thrown in.

      Nonfiction has been holding my attention better this year than fiction. I have read so many good books; the book I am currently reading, although very slowly, is excellent as well. Dark Salt Clear. The holidays have really slowed me down – and oddly, a shoulder injury! I am finding it hard to read in bed!

      Take care Rita!

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  13. My sister recommended My Sister the Serial Killer to me, which led me to asking if there was anything she needs to confess! 😉 I enjoyed Mexican Gothic as well. I added Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts after seeing it on Nicole’s Top 10 list at BookWyrm Knits.

    I hope you read even better books in 2021!

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