My Favorite Reads of 2020

This last year may have been crazy, but all of the extra time gave me the opportunity to read a whole ton of new and amazing books (many of which have become my favorites of all time). I'm a bit late, but I wanted to do a blog at the end of this year recommending the absolute best I found (difficult as it is to narrow it down to a manageable number). 

​Here goes. 

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The House in the Cerulean Sea
​by TJ Klune

If any book made it to my number one favorite book of all time, it would be this one. An absolutely adorable, wholesome, and wonderful story about found family, home, and friendship. Plus it has gay characters. And the anti-christ. 

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Into This River I Drown
​by TJ Klune

After reading House in the Cerulean Sea, I started hunting down everything TJ Klune had ever written. Though I'm not finished (because dang he's written a lot!) this was my second favorite. It's a bit darker than HitCS, and covers heavier themes, but it is absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad I found this after the disappointment of the Supernatural ending (because this book's gay angel is actually allowed to be gay). 

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To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
​by Christopher Paolini

Eragon was one of the first series I ever read, so I loved going back to Paolini with a new story and universe. TSiaSoF is very different than his last series, and is a truly epic science fiction story (something I don't read a ton of, but really enjoyed). His writing is gorgeous, and his cast of characters are unique, interesting, and fun (I love a good found-family spaceship crew). 

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Murderbot
​by Martha Wells

I just discovered this series this year (there are four novellas and one novel, currently) and I love everything written about my favorite awkward, antisocial Murderbot who just wants to be left alone to watch series, and keeps getting dragged into saving stupid humans. 

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Cemetery Boys
​by Aiden Thomas

Trans main character! Gay ghosts! Latinx magic and culture! Cemetery Boys is a super fun read with a great, inclusive and diverse cast of characters and I will definitely be reading everything Aiden Thomas writes in the future. 

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They Both Die at the End
​by Adam Silvera

I started reading this book because I was bored, and the cover was gorgeous...and I just didn't stop. Yes, it's just as sad of a story as you would imagine by reading the title. But it's also funny and wonderful, and hopeful in a weirdly doomed way. Mateo and Rufus are relatable and charming and awkward and inspiring, and watching them fall in love was all the more heartbreaking because I knew the ending. 

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I'd love to hear what you all read this year! I'm always on the lookout for more amazing reads, so feel free to leave your favorites in the comments.

​-Megann 

*I've cross-posted this list at Starwhale Books's blog (where I am also an editor).