Needless to say, 2020 has been…a year. But one thing we could always depend on throughout the weird year was our favorite thing: books. Check out some of the reads that the Books Forward staff read this past year and absolutely loved — some of them might even make it onto your 2021 TBR!
Ellen, senior publicist:
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
I really leaned into hardcore fantasy this year, and Priory was an absolute standout: The way the author weaves together the story tendrils, the flawed and intriguing characters, the casual queerness in the world and THE DRAGONS all really resonated with me.
Sometimes I have a hard time with memoirs that touch on heavy subject matter, but Chanel Miller is an astounding writer and person, and I’ll read anything she writes.
Corrine, junior publicist:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This book had me on the edge of my seat from the second I picked it up to the moment I finished it 24 hours later.
Brittany, digital marketing coordinator:
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
This book had a high-intensity, unpredictable ending — I felt like I was in the latest Netflix binge-worthy show and needed to finish it ASAP. The way Cole twisted gentrification into a thriller left me even more shook at how deep rooted systemic racism can be. This book is scary in more ways than one.
Jenn, publicist:
I feel like I’ve talked about this book so much this year but that’s how good it is — Gyasi’s writing is some of the most beautiful prose I’ve had the honor to read, and the way she weaves multiple stories between generations is a true work of art.
Wool by Hugh Howey
I’m not usually a fan of science-fiction, so I was pleasantly surprised with how into this book I got (and I’m talking stay up way too long, losing sleep into it). I was immediately sucked into the story and world Howey built and now have the rest of the series on my TBR.
Jackie, publicist:
This creepy horror story praised by Margaret Atwood as “genius” is also surprisingly funny as a satire of MFA programs, and definitely one of the weirdest, most unforgettable books I’ve read!
Angelle, lead publicist:
How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
Saeed Jones recounts his life in a series of vignettes, reflecting on his adolescence growing up in the South, his budding sexuality, race, relationships, family dynamics and grief. I picked this incredible memoir up as a group read with the Books Forward team, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know!
Jennifer Vance is a publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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