Our Curated List of the 18 Best Books to Read in 2020
Is there anything better than spending a lazy afternoon reading a fantastic book? Here at Bed Threads, we don't think so. We love to lose hours to a brilliant new release, reading about an incredible world, or a thrilling story, or an author's brilliant life. And now that we're easing into the warmer months here in Australia, getting lost in a book couldn't be more appealing. The spring and summer months were made for reading, whether it's in the shade of a tree in the park, cooling down after a swim at the beach, or lying on your bed atop some freshly laundered linen sheets.
Because we love to read, we've gathered together some of our favourite books—all of which are now available to purchase at Bed Threads in The Reads. Collection. These are the books that moved us in 2020; the books that shocked and excited and gripped us, from first page to last.
The selection includes prize-winning future classics, moving memoirs, enthralling love stories, and epic works of literary fiction. All of our favourite authors are here, from Sally Rooney to Curtis Sittenfeld. There's also a dazzling selection of local Australian talent too. We have books by Clare Bowditch, Jessie Tu and Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald, the co-hosts of the Shameless podcast.
So, without further ado, here are the 18 books that made our very special curated reading list this year.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Intelligent, razor-sharp, and keenly observed, this multiple prize-winning novel by Bernadine Evaristo tells the stories of 12 women: all of them Black, all of them British. It's a future classic, one that you're definitely going to want to have one your bookshelf.
Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld
What would Hillary Clinton's life look like if she never married Bill? What a question, and this impressive page-turner by Curtis Sittenfeld comes up with a pretty enthralling answer. We couldn't put this down, and neither will you.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Part memoir and part self-help bible, Untamed is the story of author Glennon Doyle's journey to empowerment and fulfilment, charting how she overcame addiction and societal expectations to realise her true self, finding real connection with the woman she loves along the way.
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
Is there anything better than a new Marian Keyes book? We don't think so. The Irish author is the master of readable fiction, and this tale of a glamorous family (and the secrets they keep from each other), is one to put in your beach bag as the weather gets warmer.
Educated by Tara Westover
This powerful memoir about author Tara Westover's experiences leaving the Mormon community in which she was raised is an unflinchingly honest tale of family, growing up, and coming to terms with your past. It's been one of the most talked-about books in recent years – if you haven't had the opportunity to read it yet, now's your chance.
The Yield by Tara June Winch
On his deathbed, Albert 'Poppy' Gondiwindi is determined to document the language and history of his people. Returning home for his funeral after ten years abroad, his granddaughter August picks up where he left off, overcome with grief and intent on making amends with loved ones she left behind.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A young woman is living in Paris during World War II. Blind since birth, she learns to navigate her world by memorising a miniature of the city streets, built for her by her father. When the chaos of war enters her city, she befriends a young orphan boy tasked with intercepting covert radio transmissions from miles away in Germany.
The Space Between by Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald*
Let's talk about your 20s, that murky, strange limbo when you're older than a teenager, but not quite grown up. Michelle Andrews and Zara McDonald, co-hosts of the chart-topping podcast Shameless, tackle everything that makes the 20s a weird and wonderful age in this brand new book. It's required reading for anyone who finds themselves in that space between. *Coming soon.
Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney
Before she wrote Normal People, Irish author Sally Rooney penned Conversations With Friends, her debut novel about a pair of longterm best friends who get tangled up in the world of a glamorous older married couple. We've always loved this book, and we are so excited to have it as part of our roster.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
And then came Normal People. This bestselling, multi prize-nominated book is a phenomenon, a love story that has resonated all over the world. If you've never read it, or you're looking for a refresher on the tale of Connell and Marianne, or you're looking for a gift for a best friend, this is the one. An all-time Bed Threads favourite read.
A Lonely Girl Is A Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu
Debut novelist Jessie Tu tells the story of Jena Lin, once a violinist and child prodigy and now a sex addict. When the opportunity to play violin in a world-famous orchestra comes up, Jena grabs it with both hands, but in doing so will have to learn the lesson that you can't always get what you want.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The first novel in Elena Ferrante's bestselling Neapolitan Quartet, My Brilliant Friend is the story of the fierce, irrevocable friendship between Elena and Lila, forged as children on the streets of Naples in the 1950s. An ode to those relationships that feel closer than family, it's a book that deserves to be savoured.
Your Own Kind Of Girl by Clare Bowditch
You know Clare Bowditch as an ARIA award-winning musician, but in this, her first book, she tells the moving story of her life and the resilience that has helped her move forward. A must-read.
Eggshell Skull by Bri Lee
This book is a revelation, an indictment on the Australian legal system by Bri Lee, a survivor of sexual abuse, who also happens to be a lawyer and judge's associate in Queensland who knows the way things work on the inside. Eloquent and empathetic, Bri Lee's memoir is a triumph.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Welcome to Shaker Heights, a gated community in Cleveland that looks perfect from the outside. But peel back the curtain and you'll see the reality: every resident has a secret, whether it's the Richardson family led by matriarch Elena, or the enigmatic Mia Warren, their housekeeper, who lives with her teenage daughter Pearl.
The Loudness Of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton
Kind-hearted and generous, this is a debut novel by Australian writer Hilde Hinton, telling the story of an unlikely friendship between Susie, a young girl and Miss Kaye, who oversees her and several others at a facility called The Institute. Together, the pair will learn about how to live life to the fullest.
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
A thrilling tale of romance and adventure, Where The Crawdads Sing follows Kya, a young woman living in the marshes of North Carolina, and the two men whose lives are tangled up with hers. It's soon to be adapted into a film starring Reese Witherspoon, so now is the time to read this escapist novel before the movie comes out.
The Wife And The Widow by Christian White
Here at Bed Threads, we think this is one the best thrillers we've read in years. The story is about two women: Kate, a widow still reeling from the knowledge of her dead husband's secret life, and Abby, who lives in an isolated town and just learnt that her husband is a murderer. A true page-turner, it will leave you guessing right until the very last chapter.
