Searching for gift ideas for bookworms? It can be challenging to choose a book for a bibliophile, especially if you’re not sure if they've read it yet. To give you a leg up this holiday season, here’s a list of the best new books to gift in 2020.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Addie LaRue escapes an unwanted arranged marriage in 1714 with a magical turn of events that makes her immortal. 300 years later, her quiet, solitary life of anonymity is upended by a chance meeting with a mysterious man at a bookstore.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
There are half a dozen magical kids that are about to destroy the world in this humorous fantasy novel. Find out whether Linus Baker is successful at deciding their fate or if Arthur Parnassus, master of the orphanage, manages to protect them at all costs.
Obliteration: An Awakened Novel by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth
The world is safe again thanks to NYC Mayor Tom Cafferty and his heroic team — or is it? Unfortunately, he finds a nest beneath the Nevada desert and discovers there’s a war brewing against the human race — and needs help from his sworn enemy to win it.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Yadirel’s traditional Latinx family has difficulty accepting his true gender. Determined to prove himself, Yadriel performs the ritual of summoning the ghost of his murdered cousin. Things don’t go according to plan, and Yadriel ends up with a different yet familiar ghost instead.
Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
Kendi pens this board book to help budding readers understand critical conversations about anti-racism. It lays out nine easy steps to help kids understand how they can play an important role in building a better, inclusive, and justice-filled world around them.
Just Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
This new poetry collection by author-illustrator Brantley-Newton is an affirming, supportive work that encourages young girls to embrace their uniqueness. Each poem reads as highly personal and honest while remaining approachable for girls of all ages.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney
Loyal fans of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series will dig this fifteenth installment that takes place at a less-than-desirable RV park in the summertime. As expected, misadventures ensue as soon as the Heffleys arrive — and their vacation gets complicated quickly.
A Book for Escargot by Dashka Slater
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cuter book than this charming tale of a bibliophile snail. Follow Escargot's cultured little journey through a library as he thinks long and hard about the exciting books he’d like to check out, including a French cookbook.
Dog Man: Grime and Punishment by Dav Pilkey
Yes, this is a kid-friendly version of the classic Dostoevsky story. In this compelling Dog Man story, kids find out whether he can prove himself worthy enough to get back on the force after an unfortunate turn of events costs him his badge.
The Cool Bean by Jory John
Can kids learn from a bean who goes to school? They sure can, especially when he goes through similar hardships of trying to fit in and make friends. Funny, vibrant, and engaging, it teaches the valuable lesson that it’s way cooler to be kind to others.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Tragedy strikes sisters who live worlds apart when their father dies in a plane crash. When Camino and Yahaira meet for the first time to grieve for their father, the girls uncover years of secrets that could either bring them together or pull their families apart.
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
Adunni is a young Nigerian girl growing up in a poverty-stricken village with big dreams to get an education and use her voice for empowerment. Follow her journey in this inspirational story that keeps you on the edge of your seat — and on the verge of tears.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
This intimate family portrait about a Ghanaian immigrant family is about Gifty, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience, who studies addiction to understand suffering in the world around her. It’s a must-read work on modern issues about family, addiction, religion, and self-discovery.
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
In this gut-wrenching police procedural, Mickey is a beat cop whose caseload is about to hit close to home when her sister is found dead in opioid-afflicted Philadelphia. While it’s praised as this year’s must-read thriller, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
This provocative debut novel tells the story of two women whose race and privilege afford them different lives, yet their paths are deeply intertwined. With an adrenaline-pumping turn of events, Alix and Emira find out more about themselves and each other.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
When the Vignes twin sisters escape their small Black community at age 16, their lives take dramatically different paths as they drift apart. The sisters’ worlds collide years later at the intersection of deep family ties, racial identity, and history.
Eye of the Rushes by James Morgan-Jones
Readers become thoroughly invested in this riveting, prismatic fourth installment of the “Glasswater Quintet.” Two characters born over 100 years apart share the uncanny, haunting ability to see color. Find out why Eva, a member of a film crew documenting a harrowing incident, is so drawn to the peculiar house in question.
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
A motley crew of prospective home buyers end up holed up in a hostage situation with a failed bank robber. Hilarity ensues as they share personal stories in this dark comedy that illustrates everyone needs a little bit of saving, including failed bank robbers.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
In a sad twist of irony, Felix Love hasn’t been in love before. While he’s working on self-discovery as a black, queer, and transgender individual, Felix begins receiving anonymous transphobic messages that make him even more determined to work on his relationship with himself.
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
Wallace, a young, black, queer introvert leaves his family to attend college a world away in a Midwest university. Follow Wallace as he navigates complex relationships with friends and confrontations with colleagues while he heals deep, still-searing wounds from his childhood.
Stamped: A Remix by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Kendi takes on the toughest conversations about race today and turns them into teachable moments in this updated edition of the bestseller. The book analyzes racism at its core and inspires readers to dig deeper and identify and stamp out racist ideology in their daily lives.
We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence by Becky Cooper
This haunting true crime memoir chronicles the 1969 murder of rising Harvard graduate Jane Britton. Nearly four decades later, undergraduate Beckey Cooper dives into the still-unsolved murder and finds injustice at the deepest levels during her investigation.
Open Book by Jessica Simpson
This singer-turned-billionaire with a sprawling fashion empire has much to share. Jessica Simpson’s latest memoir speaks from the heart as she shares stories (some embarrassing) to impart advice and life lessons.
One Life by Megan Rapinoe
Get to know Megan Rapinoe beginning with her first memory kicking a soccer ball at age four. Rapinoe speaks personally to readers through an introspective look at her involvement in professional sports, the LGBTQ+ community, and social justice causes.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Dive into this intimate first volume of Barack Obama’s life, where the former president reflects on early political aspirations as well as poignant moments of his presidency. Candid and honest, the memoir is considered a must-read for any decision-maker or political hopeful.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Doyle’s latest memoir is a masterful meditation on ripping into convention to embark on self-discovery. Her inspirational story is strung together with moments of self-awakening on her journey toward self-love and personal empowerment.
Migrations: A Novel by Charlotte McConaghy
This stunning landscape-driven story is about Franny Stone, a wanderer whose personal battles bubble to the surface as she embarks on a journey to find the world's last flock of Arctic terns — but not without a wealth of obstacles.
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
Touted as a nostalgic follow-up novel to the best-selling novel and hit movie, readers join Wade Watts in yet another quest. With powerful new rivals and unexpected twists and turns, Cline’s latest release is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat in this page-turner.
How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang
In this deeply layered story, Lucy and Sam are left alone after the sudden deaths of their beloved parents. With no place to call home, the siblings embark on finding a new place to live while they grieve and tackle complex racial and class issues in an expanding nation.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora Seed finds herself at a crossroads in life when it comes to healing and making big decisions. In the middle of her struggle, Nora stumbles across the Midnight Library, which helps her see alternate paths to determine where her heart truly wants to go.
Caste by University Press
Considered one of the most introspective titles of the year, it raises awareness of persistent human biases. By the end of this book, readers are empowered to fight their biases to become kinder people that contribute to societal healing.
The Best American Poetry 2020 by David Lehman and Paisley Rekdal
Indulge your literary palate with a dose of fresh, new poetry in this latest anthology guest-edited by Utah Poet Laureate Paisley Rekdal. The carefully curated collection features a variety of poetry discussing today’s relevant and contemporary issues.
Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garten
Discover tasty recipes with a new cookbook from the Barefoot Contessa that features turned-up versions of classic comfort foods, such as Banana Rum Trifle and Creamy Tomato Bisque. With mouth-watering recipes that are easy to follow, this cookbook is appreciated by novice and experienced cooks alike.
Clean: The New Science of Skin by James Hamblin
In a time when hygiene matters the most, Hamblin, a preventive medicine physician, dives into the subject at the microscopic level. It covers the history of hygiene as well as new and changing attitudes about common practices, like hand washing and skincare.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 1: Galaxy’s Deadliest by Ethan Sacks
Those that love “The Mandalorian” on Disney+ will have a blast with this graphic novel featuring a Boba Fett storyline. Find out whether the legendary bounty hunter outsmarts a slew of assassins to capture the Lash, who has rubbed just about everyone in the galaxy the wrong way.
Sian Babish is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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