2020 Top Reads by Inklings Staff

Into the Wild meets Helter Skelter in this riveting true story of a modern-day homesteading family in the deepest reaches of the Alaskan wilderness – and of the chilling secrets of its maniacal, spellbinding patriarch.
 
When Papa Pilgrim appeared in the Alaska frontier outpost of McCarthy with his wife and fifteen children in tow, his new... Read more »

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Discover the life-changing memoir that has inspired millions of readers through the Academy Award®–winning actor’s unflinching honesty, unconventional wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN

“McConaughey’s book invites... Read more »

A New York Times Editors' Choice! 

One of Booklist’s “Top 10 Historical Fiction Novels of 2022”

One of the Los Angeles Times's “10 Books to Add to Your Reading List”

One of Book Culture's Most Anticipated Reads

“A bighearted, widescreen American tale.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Masterpiece . . . The quintessential great American... Read more »

The Pull of the Stars

“Donoghue's latest novel, set in Dublin in 1918 during the Spanish flu outbreak, feels all too close to the reality of the 2020 pandemic. nurse Julia Powers is overworked in her maternity ward at the city hospital, as resources and beds run short. Through her interactions with the pregnant women in her care, doctors, and an enthusiastic assistant, she reflects on the state of her patients, country, and her own life, as well as the circumstances which influenced them. Donoghue deftly incorporates a sweep of heavy subjects relevant to Julia in her position, in a considerate and wholly breathtaking way. Emma Lowe's narration for the audiobook is so fitting, as well.”

Cat, Oxford Exchange

If you enjoyed The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, then you’ll love The House in the Cerulean Sea.

“Go ahead and kick me right in the feels why don’t you? Heartwarming, uproarious, uplifting. I loved every minute, and I completely and utterly fell in love with every single one of the kids. I'm torn between desperately wanting a sequel, and hoping nothing more is ever written because of how perfect this gem is. This is the book that swoops in right when you need it and says you're perfect just as you are. This is the book that shows us family, and hope, and fighting for what's right. Did I mention I loved it?”

Britt, Second Star to the Right

Tsarina

“Ellen Alpsten’s debut is a riveting, delicious escape into the world of Catherine the I, Tsarina of Russia. My head is swimming with the sights and sounds of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Alpsten’s fascinating account reveals the unforgettable woman who went toe to toe with her husband, Peter the Great. Exactly the kind of book I needed to read right now!”

Anderson McKean, Page and Palette

Unbreak Me

“I often avoid books that deal with political and social issues, I read to escape the real world not to face it, I have the morning news for that... That being said, Michelle Hazen did an amazing job at bringing social issues to the front without making me feel like I was reading portion of the news. This was AMAZING! The narrator did a fantastic job, so much so I would happily have her narrate every darn book I listen to EVER! Specially if she is talking like LJ. I mean... can you fall in love with a narrators voice? or is that just too weird?! Ok, fine, I am weird... :) LJ Delisle was charismatic, charming, big hearted... It was impossible not to fall for the guy. He took his time with Andra, he didn't rush her. He did everything right from beginning to end. Andra was charming in her own right. Although both have a sad past to deal with hers is a little more pronounced as it affects her mental health. I felt for her, and I was proud of her in the end.”

Anne, Inklings Bookshop

If you enjoyed Take a Hint, Dani Brown, then you’ll love Beach Read.

“2020 is apparently the year I start reading romance novels and loving them. Maybe it's my need for a little lighthearted fluff in quarantine, but straight fluff isn't really my jam no matter the day. I want fluff with meat on its bones. I want fluff with substance.

As for Beach Read... Did I just give a romance novel ALL THE STARS? Why yes. Yes I did. And if I could give it a few more, I would. Because Beach Read is just the kind of substantial 'fluff' I needed to read. It's the kind of book that flips the patriarchy on its head, the one that has told readers like me that romance novels can't be good literature. Because at the end of the day, my preference for anything *but* romance had little to do with the writing quality, and everything to do with social biases. Henry attacks those head on. And then she goes leaps and bounds further, delving into grief and love and identity, and how we understand each other.

This book is therapy. It's a book about writer's block in the best of ways - not just the literal premise of swapping stories, but that of feeling stuck in a rut and not knowing what to do to move forward with life. I felt completely and utterly seen in its pages. I cried ugly tears until I had none left. And then it lifted me up in a bucket full of swoon. Reader, I adored every minute. And with Julia Whelan to narrate, what more could you ask for?”

Britt, Second Star to the Right

Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she has albinism. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a "free agent" with latent mystical power. Soon she's part of a... Read more »

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

“Epic, beautifully written, heartwarming, and heartbreaking, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a contemplation on life, death, what it means to make your mark on the world, and why we feel it’s important to do so. Addie makes a deal with a demon so she can live her life the way she wants to. But, like most deals, there are strings attached — and these strings make it so she is forgotten by everyone she meets. Dancing about time, the book shows Addie’s life over 300 years and takes a closer look at her modern life — after a boy in a bookshop remembers her. Months later, I’m still thinking about this book and how beautiful it is; my words don’t even come close to doing it justice. Read this book.”

Lindsey Pattavina, R.J. Julia Booksellers

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned... Read more »

Geralt the Witcher—revered and hated—holds the line against the monsters plaguing humanity in this collection of adventures, the first chapter in Andrzej Sapkowski’s groundbreaking epic fantasy series that inspired the hit Netflix show and the blockbuster video games.

Geralt is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a... Read more »

He’s fallen for a woman…​Anxious to meet her soon-to-be-husband, Dallas Leigh for the first time, mail-order bride Amelia Carson is en route to Fort Worth, Texas. When she steps off the train and locks eyes with her betrothed, she immediately feels drawn to him. But the cowboy standing before her isn’t Dallas. Instead, Dallas’ brother Houston... Read more »

Silver-tongued lawyer.
Keeper of secrets.
Breaker of hearts.He can solve any problem . . .In serving the wealthy power brokers of New York society, Frank Tripp has finally gained the respectability and security his own upbringing lacked. There’s no issue he cannot fix . . . except for one: the beautiful and reckless daughter of an important client... Read more »

Black Sun

“Black Sun is a fresh take on fantasy that includes rich world building and complex, nuanced character-driven storytelling.”

Jenny, Page 158 Books

The Dutch House

“This is a wonderful story - well written, excellent character development, and interesting. A story of redemption for siblings. This novel hits an emotional chord on many levels - personal choice, the importance of being present in your everyday life, and letting others make life choices for you instead of you making them for yourself. The novel reinforces the importance of being engaged throughout our life not sleepwalking through it because that is easier. The Dutch House makes one look at your own life and wonders why you made the choices you did and how things could be drastically different with just a small twist of fate.”

Megan, The Willow Bookstore

The #1 New York Times bestselling WORLDWIDE phenomenon

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | A Good Morning America Book Club Pick | Independent (London) Ten Best Books of the Year

"A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits."—The Washington Post

The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well... Read more »

Circe

“Beautifully composed and deeply compelling, Circe is hands-down one of the best novels of 2018. As she did in Song of Achilles, Miller recreates the ancient and enchanting world of Greek mythology, this time focusing on ocean nymph Circe. Cast out of her home and exiled to the island of Aiaia, Circe turns not only to her enchantments, but also to the world of Mortals, becoming close with legendary figures like Daedalus, Odysseus, and Penelope. Miller’s delicate, yet stunning prose swept me off my feet — I wanted to savor every moment with Circe in her immortal world. Introspective, soft, at times simply breathtaking, but always beautiful. So, so beautiful.”

Kelly, Mysterious Galaxy Books

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

“"The Ten Thousand Doors of January" is a story about stories, and about escape, and about adventure. A fantastic tale that follows January Scholar, as she shares the story of the Doors that changed her life. January LaVoy's narration, combined with the portal fantasy aspects of the story sucked me into the ten thousand worlds of the book. An audiobook almost more transformative as a story read aloud.”

Katherine, Trident Booksellers and Cafe

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

“In fitting fashion, I first read The Ocean at the End of the Lane several years ago and only just revisited it to find that my memories of it were totally different than what I was listening to. Neil Gaiman perfectly captures the trials of being young; the terrible and sometimes absurdist powerlessness of being a small person in a big person's world. But, at the same time, he reintroduces all of us to the childhoods we do or don't remember and the roads we've forgotten we once followed. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is truly a tremendous work of art -- made more magical by Gaiman's soothing, sorrowful, powerful voice. The best thing I could do was forget what I read, dream about it for years, and then finally relisten to it to find new magic in an old story.”

Kvothe, Rediscovered Books