Best Book Awards 2020

Are you looking for a riveting read? You’ve come to the right place! I’m sharing my Best Book Awards 2020 to help you find your next favorite book. I’ve narrowed down my top 15 reads in the following categories: Christian Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fiction, and Classic Middle Grade.

If you’re still looking for more books to add to your list, don’t miss the links at the bottom to my previous years’ Best Book Awards!

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Christian Nonfiction | Best Book Awards 2020

Ohhh, I read so much truly outstanding nonfiction this year. I’ve chosen my top 5 picks in this category.

 Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson

Such a beautiful book. Andrew Peterson encourages us to see our creativity and creative work as a calling from God. Includes an extensive recommended reading list in the back.

 Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson

This is the book I wanted when my children were young. Full of encouragement for gentle, kind, and loving mentorship of your children…and grandchildren. Highly recommended.

Searching for Certainty by Shelly Miller

Your uncertainty is an opportunity to practice giving God glory and enjoy Him in the wilderness.”

Shelly Miller wrote this beautiful, encouraging book as she was battling cancer, and she passed away suddenly just after it was published. What a testimony to her faith and to the faithfulness of God in the most trying of circumstances.

 This Is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick

We’ve moved a lot. A lot. I have a lot of experience in attempting to belong with varying success. This book is full of suggestions to help you make the most of wherever you live. I especially love the checklists at the end of each chapter full of concrete ideas and suggestions.

 This Too Shall Last by K.J. Ramsey

I highly recommend this call to view suffering as a source of sanctification and a normal part of Christian life. What an encouraging exhortation to speak our story of frailty without shame.

Memoirs | Best Book Awards 2020

 Dirt by Mary Marantz

Ohh, y’all. Read this book! What a beautiful memoir full of forgiveness and redemption. Mary tells a brutal story of growing up in poverty and brokenness, and shares how “Trailer Girl” formed her into who she is today. This book will haunt you in the best way.

 Everything Beautiful in Its Time bay Jenna Bush Hager

What a tribute to the importance and lasting influence of grandparents. I pretty much bawled my way through the touching and no-nonsense stories of how Jenna was shaped by her four grandparents. What a lovely read!

Biography | Best Book Awards 2020

 The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

Life has seemed so uncertain and challenging for the past year, hasn’t it? We’ve been asked to make sacrifices for the common good, and it seems like It. Will. Never. End. I’m looking at you, Pandemic.

Books about WWII have been particularly appropriate and encouraging to me throughout this time. Oh, yes, that’s right. There is a generation who was asked to sacrifice and sacrifice and sacrifice some more, and the end seemed to never be in sight.

I loved this tome that delved into Winston Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister. Sourced from contemporary diaries and recently unclassified documents, this book fully explores Churchill’s political and private lives.

Historical Fiction | Best Book Awards 2020

 Last Train to London by Meg Waite Clayton

This beautifully written book is based on the true story of the Kindertransport rescue of ten thousand children from Nazi-occupied Europe. Moving and eye-opening.

Christian Fiction | Best Book Awards 2020

Sorrento Girl by Dawn Klinge

 Palmer Girl by Dawn Klinge

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction with strong female protagonists, you will love the Historic Hotels collection by Dawn Klinge! I loved the attention to historical detail, and especially loved having a front-row seat as the female leads grew as individuals and decided what they wanted in life. I’m looking forward to book three, Biltmore Girl, which will be published in April. You can pre-order Biltmore Girl here.

Fiction | Best Book Awards 2020

 You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

This writing duo has done it again! Another thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. When lonely outsider Shay stumbles into a loving group of friends who seem to have it all…she may be getting more than she bargained for.

More recommended books by this duo:

The Wife Between Us

An Anonymous Girl

 Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand

I loved this book! She had me at “deployed soldier”. Story about a family making its way through a tumultuous era. Contains a lot of substance abuse and testing of boundaries. I can’t say more without spoilers, but it was exactly what I needed right then.

 The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth

Such a good…thriller? Mystery? There definitely is a mystery, but it’s more about family. Story encompassing expectations, motivations, the stories we tell, and the secrets we keep, how we love one another and how we fail one another. There is a brief instance of very strong language.

Classic Middle-Grade | Best Book Awards 2020

 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Not sure how I’ve never read this classic–perhaps because I’m not a big sci-fi fan? But this was lovely. I enjoyed the characters, especially the Murray family. Much food for thought here. I’ve only read book 1 of the series, but have added the others to my list. You can order the boxed set here.

More Book Recommendations

Best of Book Awards 2017

7 Encouraging Christian Books

Best Book Awards 2018

Best Books of 2019

Top Christian Nonfiction of 2019

I’d love to hear about your favorite books! The ones you enjoyed this month or last year or your all-time favorites. Please tell me all about it!

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