Today is my 29th birthday, what?! And in light of that, I thought I would share a list of the top 29 books I’ve read since I turned 28. In order of when I read them, of course. Because I’m an enneagram 1 through and through. So let’s cut through this and go for it!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase through them, I will get a small commission at no cost to you. The image of each book contains the Amazon link and the bolded text will guide you to Bookshop.org so you can support an independent bookstore of your choice. Thank you for considering supporting me in this way!
Book 1
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, finished December 16, 2019. I highly recommend listening to this one on audio if you can. I knew nothing about Trevor Noah before I read this and I fell in love with him and his story.
Book 2
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig, finished December 22, 2019. This sweet little story broke my heart and warmed it all at once.
Book 3
Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson, finished December 30, 2019. This book blew my mind and I cannot believe it was the authors debut!
Book 4
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller, finished January 1, 2020. This is a must read for anyone who calls themselves a follower of Jesus. Enough said.
Book 5
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren, finished January 1, 2020. This rom com was laugh out loud funny and had the most endearing characters!
Book 6
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, finished March 14, 2020. If you have a dog or love a dog, you need to read this, but get the tissues ready.
Book 7
Scythe by Neal Shusterman, finished March 19, 2020. This book reignited my love of YA dystopian. It is so well written!
Book 8
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, finished April 11, 2020. This was a great thriller, especially on audio! I am not a huge thriller reader but I loved this one!
Book 9
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves, finished April 18, 2020. I stayed up too late reading this one and it opened me back up into the world of romance.
Book 10
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, finished April 19, 2020. This may be my favorite book of the year, and I don’t even like historical fiction. Read. This. Book.
Book 11
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, finished May 3, 2020. This is the start of the infamous ACOTAR series and was the first fantasy book I’ve read as an adult!
Book 12
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams, finished May 3, 2020. This steamy rom com features a fictional professional baseball player fighting for his marriage.
Book 13
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, finished May 20, 2020. This book is dark, gritty, engaging and triggering. Please see my blog post containing trigger warnings before purchasing this one.
Book 14
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, finished May 21, 2020. This book is powerful. I recommend listening to the audio if you can – it’s under 2 hours and absolutely breathtaking.
Book 15
Dear Martin by Nic Stone, finished May 25, 2020. This is a must read for teens and adults alike.
Book 16
The Track Series by Jason Reynolds, read through May and June 2020. Okay, so I’m cheating by using 1 slot for 4 books, but this series together is about the length of one adult novel. I also recommend listening to these on audio – it is a wonderful listening experience and so well done!
Book 17
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone, read (in one sitting) on June 5, 2020. This book is the follow up to Dear Martin and is equally moving and important. Do not miss out on Nic Stone’s books.
Book 18
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff, finished July 26, 2020. This one is a must read for anyone interested in the history of 9/11. I loved this book on audio and think you will, too.
Book 19
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, finished July 27, 2020. Anything by Elizabeth Acevedo immediately goes on my list from now on, I read her entire collection this year. This one was my favorite.
Book 20
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, finished August 17, 2020. What a magical, hopeful, beautiful ride this fantasy book was. Klune is an auto buy author for me now.
Book 20
Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven, finished August 18, 2020. If you want a modern day Lord of the Flies, this is your book. And the audio is excellent, too! Dark and gripping, this book was a binge read for me.
Book 21
Hum if You Don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marais, finished August 24, 2020. Marais is a new to me author and I would read untying by her, including her grocery lists. This book was stunning.
Book 22
Autoboyography by Christina Lauren, finished August 31, 2020. This is Christina Luaren’s first YA novel as far as I know and I loved it! It was a sweet story and opened my eyes to life in the LDS church.
Book 23
The Midnight Library by Mat Haig, finished September 7, 2020. Haig is my favorite author and I dropped everything I was reading to read this one. This one didn’t disappoint. I loved it.
Book 24
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reid, finished September 28, 2020. Set during the LA riots, this book taught my a lot about a part of history that I didn’t know a lot about.
Book 25
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons, finished September 28, 2020. Another debut author that knocked y socks off, his story is perfect for people who like character driven novels.
Book 26
Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany Jackson, finished October 16, 2020. This surprise little gem of a YA novel needs more love! It’ll have you humming the Notorious BIG for a week straight (minimally).
Book 27
Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix, finished October 19, 2020. This spooky horror novel had just enough wit, banter, and charm for me to keep going. It’s campy and ridiculous and totally unbelievable but I loved every second.
Book 28
Know My Name by Chanel Miller, finished November 5, 2020. This heartbreaking memoir by a sexual assault victim was my read for nonfiction November and I think should be required reading for everyone.
Book 29
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, finished November 5, 2020. Here’s the deal with Backman: his books are a hit or a miss for me. I loved A Man Called One, but I hated Beartown. This one, however, was a knock out of the park for me. So well done
That’s a wrap! Were any of my favorite reads top reads for you, too? Did you add any to your TBR?
Jenna, Stop Reading! 