Typically, when I read, I choose non-fiction books so I can learn something new. If I do choose to read fiction it is usually a romance novel, possibly historical fiction, bonus points if it’s a historical romance novel.
I’m in the middle of my Master’s degree program, so this year I decided to challenge myself to read more fiction to ensure that I was making leisure and relaxation a priority.
Since I was challenging myself to read more fiction, I figured I’d also challenge myself to read different types of fiction to see if I might discover some new genres that I enjoy beyond historical and romance.
I hopped onto Goodreads and discovered their list of different genres. I decided to try to read at least one book from each genre* this year. Because my overall goal is to read more fiction, I’m doing my best to try to find a fiction book in each genre (Art Fiction vs. Art Non-Fiction). However, not every genre has fiction options (i.e. Business). For this reason and the fact that I can’t help myself from reading non-fiction, there are still plenty of non-fiction books on the list below. Also, a ridiculous amount of romance because that is my guilty pleasure when I’m stressed (and if you haven’t been extra stressed in 2020 are you even alive?)
I hope this list inspires you to find your next great book to read!
IMPORTANT NOTE: I don’t recommend every book on this list to every reader. Some books and topics on this list will be offensive to some. You do you. My goal this year was to read a very diverse mix of books to expand my reading exposure and open my eyes to different experiences, lives, and beliefs.
*I’m completely skipping a couple of genres listed on Goodreads because I have zero interest in Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga. And Cookbooks aren’t really books you can read.
**Most books can fall into more than one genre, I’ve placed them in the genre that best fits the overall list, and that fits the genre I was aiming for when I selected the book.
All books in bold are favorites that have stuck with me and I highly recommend.
Art
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Biography
Night by Elie Wiesel
Business
Profit First: A Simple System to Transform any Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
Profit First for Contractors: Transform your Construction Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Shawn Van Dyke
Chick-lit
Love the One You’re With by Emily Giffin
Comfort and Joy: A Fable by Kristin Hannah
Children’s
Love Does for Kids by Bob Goff
Christian
You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connolly
100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self by Annie F. Downs
Christian Coaching: Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality by Gary R. Collins
Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge
Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker
Classics
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Contemporary
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Night Road by Kristin Hannah
Crime
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Fantasy
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Gay and Lesbian
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Simon vs. the Homo Sapies Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Historical Fiction
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
World Without End by Ken Follett
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
History
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson (did not finish)
Horror
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Humor and Comedy
Bridget Jone’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Memoir
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Music
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Mystery
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Non-Fiction (General)
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Paranormal
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Philosophy
Poetry
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (did not finish)
Psychology
Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal by Mark A Yarhouse (required textbook reading)
Becoming a Professional Life Coach: Lessons from the Institute of Life Coach Training by Patrick Williams (required textbook reading)
The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church by Mark R McMinn (required textbook reading)
Positive Psychology in Coaching: Applying Science to Executive and Personal Coaching by Sandra L Foster and Jeffrey E Auerbach (required textbook reading)
Religion/Theology
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer
God and the Art of Happiness by Ellen Charry
Honest Advent: Awakening to the Wonder of God-with-us Then, Here, and Now by Scott Erickson
The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness: What the Old and New Testaments Teach Us about the Good Life by Brent A. Strawn (Editor)
Romance
Playing the Odds by Nora Roberts
Tempting Fate by Nora Roberts
All the Possibilities by Nora Roberts
One Man’s Art by Nora Roberts
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
For Now, Forever by Nora Roberts
Rebellion by Nora Roberts
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Science Fiction
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Self help
131 Method: Your Personalize Nutrition Solution to Boost Metabolism, Restore Gut Health, and Lose Weight by Chalene Johnson
Get Out of Your Own Way: A Skeptic’s Guide to Growth and Fulfillment by Dave Hollis
Suspense
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Spirituality
Sports
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
Thriller
You by Caroline Kepnes
Travel
Young Adult
Looking for Alaska by John Green