2020 has been a tough year for most of us, so here’s hoping that 2021 brings better and brighter things. Whatever the future holds, these ten books are sure to bring some entertainment to your new year, evoking laughter, tears, and everything in between.
1. Hand Me Down World – Lloyd Jones
This poignant novel follows the journey of an African woman who smuggles herself to Germany to search for her son who was taken from her shortly after his birth. As she crosses oceans, mountains, and borders, she meets people from all walks of life – some who help her and some who take advantage of her. Through several narrators, the story pieces together a haunting account of a mother’s love and determination.
2. The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennet
The Sunday Times bestseller, The Vanishing Half explores issues of race and beyond, following the lives of identical twin sisters who run away from their oppressive community and end up in 1950s New Orleans. The girls are polar opposites and eventually separate from each other. Living totally different lives, the twins weave their own webs through the decisions they make.
3. Everything I Know About Love – Dolly Alderton
Dates, friendships, and heartache are just a few of the topics touched on in this bittersweet coming-of-age memoir, in which Alderton exposes the struggles of early adulthood through a series of personal anecdotes. Witty and heart-breaking, hopeful and shrewd, Everything I Know About Love is a must-read for anyone who’s fallen in love, out of love, or is learning to love themselves.
4. Me and White Supremacy – Layla Saad
In light of the global rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, there is more emphasis than ever on the importance of defeating systemic racism. Saad’s self-help book is targeted at white readers, with the aim of dismantling their privilege. Both informative and honest, this book is an indispensable resource for white people who want to challenge white supremacy.
5. The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
This YA novel tackles a number of topical issues and is another nod to the Black Lives Matter movement. The story focuses on the life of sixteen-year-old Starr, whose world is shattered when her best friend, Khalil, is fatally shot by a police officer. She’s the only witness to the murder and in fighting for justice she could upend her community, or even get herself killed.
6. The Room Where it Happened – John Bolton
2020 has been a unique year in a multitude of ways and the political landscape is no exception. In this memoir, Bolton offers a comprehensive account of the Trump administration in which he lays waste to the President’s inner circle. Telling stories of chaos, conflict, and turmoil, The Room Where It Happened provides a unique insight into Trump’s Oval Office and one that is written by a top-level official at that.
7. Diary of a Young Naturalist – Dara McAnulty
Sixteen-year-old Dara McAnulty shares his intense wonder for the natural world through this account of his life in Northern Ireland. Not only does McAnulty describe his life as a conservationist and environmental activist, but he also touches on friendship, family, and exams through the lens of a teenager with autism.
8. The Shadow King – Maaza Mengiste
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2020, Mengiste’s second novel shines a light on the women at war in Ethiopia in 1935. While the country is threatened by Mussolini’s army, Ethiopia’s Emperor goes into exile, dashing the country’s hope. Following the stories of several of the women who take up arms, The Shadow King is a fantastic exploration of female power.
9. How To Break Up With Fast Fashion – Lauren Bravo
The fast fashion industry has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, with ethical fashion carving out a place for itself in mainstream markets. In this guide, Bravo exposes the fast fashion industry for the destructive force that it is. She offers a more sustainable way of shopping and one that promises to change your mind set for good.
10. Working Hard, Hardly Working – Grace Beverley
Currently available for pre-order, this practical guide by entrepreneur Grace Beverley is a must for anyone who needs a helping hand in navigating the modern working world. Confronting the unrealistic expectations of today’s working environment, Beverley has filled this book with practical advice on both how to motivate yourself and how to know when to take a step back.
Ellie Hutchings
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