Ranked roundup
The best books of 2020
21 ranked · updated July 2026
The standout literature of 2020 reflects a year defined by profound introspection, the search for spiritual grounding, and an urgent desire to understand the shifting tides of global leadership. These essential titles capture the collective pursuit of resilience, offering readers both practical guidance and transformative storytelling during tumultuous times.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score combining each title's average rating and rating count (minimum 20 ratings to qualify, weighted toward titles with more votes), filtered to books released in 2020.
A Promised Land
Barack Obama
This memoir secures the top spot through its unprecedented, intimate look at the weight of the American presidency and the necessity of democratic belief.
Explores: Leadership, American Politics, Race Relations.
Holy Bible
Christian Art Publishers
The KJV Gift Edition remains an essential inclusion for its enduring commitment to providing accessible, foundational spiritual guidance to readers across all generations.
Explores: Faith, Redemption, Salvation.
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas
Maas earns her place by masterfully navigating the complex emotional terrain of trauma recovery and the difficult process of reclaiming one's personal agency.
Explores: Trauma Recovery, Redemption, Forbidden Love.
Midnight Sun
Stephenie Meyer
This long-awaited perspective shift provides a crucial, deeper understanding of established supernatural characters, satisfying fans with its rich exploration of immortality and longing.
Explores: Forbidden Love, Supernatural Abilities, Immortality.
Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Ina Garten
Garten’s collection succeeds by offering reliable, soul-satisfying recipes that provide necessary comfort and a sense of normalcy in an increasingly uncertain domestic environment.
Explores: Comfort Food, Home Cooking, Entertaining.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Sarah J. Maas
This installment distinguishes itself through high-stakes narrative tension, effectively exploring the heavy costs of war and the difficult sacrifices required for political survival.
Explores: War, Sacrifice, Love Triangle.
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel
Housel’s work is vital because it shifts the focus of financial success away from technical knowledge and toward the essential role of human behavior.
Explores: Wealth Building, Long-Term Investing, Risk Management.
Greenlights
Matthew McConaughey
McConaughey delivers a standout memoir by pairing unflinching honesty with unconventional wisdom, encouraging readers to engage in the difficult process of genuine self-discovery.
Explores: Self-discovery, Life lessons, Positive thinking.
The Bible in 52 Weeks: A Yearlong Bible Study for Women
Dr. Kimberly D. Moore
This structured study earns its ranking by providing a consistent, actionable framework for women seeking to deepen their spiritual engagement throughout the year.
Explores: Faith, Spirituality, Personal Growth.
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
Erik Larson
Larson’s historical account is significant for its gripping portrayal of leadership and resilience during the intense pressure of the London Blitz.
Explores: World War II, Leadership, Resilience.
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts
Jennie Allen
Allen provides a necessary resource for mental health by offering practical strategies to interrupt negative thought patterns and choose hope during chaotic circumstances.
Explores: Overthinking, Anxiety, Mental Health.
INNER EXCELLENCE: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible life
JIM MURPHY
Murphy earns his spot by presenting a disciplined, step-by-step training system designed to help readers achieve peak mental performance and personal fulfillment.
Explores: Mental Training, Goal Setting, Resilience.
Rage
Bob Woodward
Woodward’s reporting is essential for its rigorous, investigative approach to documenting the complexities and challenges of the Trump presidency in real time.
Explores: Donald Trump presidency, White House, US foreign policy.
Burn After Writing
Sharon Jones
This interactive journal stands out for its unique ability to foster deep introspection through guided, personal prompts that encourage users to explore their own lives.
Explores: Self-Reflection, Introspection, Personal Growth.
Untamed
Glennon Doyle
Doyle’s memoir is a powerful catalyst for change, emphasizing the importance of shedding societal expectations to discover true peace and individual empowerment.
Explores: Female Empowerment, Self-Discovery, Marriage and Divorce.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
A standout among the best books of 2020.
Explores: Beauty and the Beast retelling, Faerie courts, Enemies to lovers.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Dr. Robin DiAngelo
A standout among the best books of 2020.
Explores: White Privilege, Implicit Bias, Systemic Racism.
Daisy Jones & The Six: Reese's Book Club: A Novel
Taylor Jenkins Reid
A standout among the best books of 2020.
Explores: 1970s, Rock and Roll, Band Dynamics.
The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir
John Bolton
A standout among the best books of 2020.
Explores: Trump Administration, National Security, White House Operations.
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
A standout among the best books of 2020.
Explores: Regret, Second Chances, Existentialism.
A Court of Frost and Starlight
Sarah J. Maas
A standout among the best books of 2020.
Explores: Post-War Trauma, Healing, Rebuilding.
Common questions
What are the best books for personal growth from 2020?
For personal growth, key titles include Glennon Doyle’s 'Untamed' for empowerment, Matthew McConaughey’s 'Greenlights' for self-discovery, and 'Burn After Writing' by Sharon Jones for guided introspection. These books offer actionable insights and reflective prompts to help readers navigate their own life paths.
Are there any good books about the Trump presidency?
Yes, 'Rage' by Bob Woodward is a highly regarded investigative work from 2020. It provides an intimate, in-depth look at the Trump administration's response to the global pandemic, economic instability, and racial unrest during that specific period.
Which 2020 books focus on financial advice?
Morgan Housel’s 'The Psychology of Money' is a top recommendation for finance. Rather than focusing solely on technical investment strategies, it emphasizes the importance of behavioral psychology, risk management, and the mindset required for long-term wealth building.