Best of 2020
What books, movies, and music have you loved this year?
Bringing together the best of 2020 – from the picks of our staff and customers, to Best of the year lists published by magazines, newspapers and booksellers. Have your say!
New Zealand
Best of homegrown titles for 2020.
Selected New Zealand titles
Best book covers of 2020 - My pick of New Zealand's finest
A year of reading locally
A year of reading locally: Kids and young adult
For adults
Most Popular in 2020
Librarians' picks for the best of the year
Helen's Best of 2020
Hong's Best reads of 2020
Clare's Crème de la crème 2020
Books Renee loved in 2020
Moata's Best movies of 2020
Donna's Best reads of 2020
Best Reads and Views of 2020 aka The Plague Year
Jesse's Best of 2020
Best reads / listens / watches in 2020
Best of Adult Fiction 2020 - Auahatanga
Summer Reading picks 2020 / 2021
Tiffani's best read of 2020
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey.
I adored this book, and recommended it to everyone I knew. A sheltered young woman runs away from an arranged marriage and the death of her childhood sweetheart at the hands of her father, into the rough arms of a librarian. She discovers she is very gay, joins the resistance, and fights against both the patriarchy and the state (not necessarily in the that order). A swift and heart-warming read, with varied female protagonists that have depth and character.
Teresa's best read of 2020
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Dark, compelling, and a little gruelling at times, this novel about a 32 year old woman coming to terms with being groomed by her teacher when she was 15 years old had me captivated right from the beginning. A clever book where the reader can see the traumatic impact of what happened to her, while she has to struggle and somehow figure out how to understand it all.
For teens
Young adult reviews: Favourites of 2020
Reviews for Young Adults - Best of 2020
Picks of the young adult titles from 2020
Best of 2020: Young Adult
For kids
Library selectors choose the best title from 2020 for children, with fiction for preschoolers, to beginner readers and older children, picture books and graphic novels, as well as non-fiction titles about science, nature, art, and more.
Hong's best read of 2020
Mophead by Selina Tusitala Marsh
With great illustration and simple language, Marsh tells a story about herself with thought-provoking and amusing narratives. Both children and adult readers will enjoy reading it.
Lynette's best read of 2020
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
A beautiful book that surprises and delights all that read it. It can be for children, adults, readers and non readers – well, anyone really that just wants to pick up a quick read. It’s about an unlikely friendship and universal lessons they learn together. A must read that leaves you thinking long after you have closed the pages.
Ky's best read of 2020
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Inspired by real-life events, this follows the shooting of a young African-American boy and the impact of his death on his family and community.
Your favourites from 2020
Submissions
Donna's best reads of 2020
Threads of Life by Clare Hunter
Threads of Life is history told through the lens of textiles & embroidery by a wonderful textile historian. Its beautifully written & is a fascinating slant if you love to stitch or love textiles. I bought copies for myself, my daughter & my sister.
Peter's best read of 2020
All fun and games until somebody loses an eye by Christopher Brookmyre
Captivating humour and suspense.
Island of the Sea Women by Lisa See
I've also enjoyed the Lisa See books, especially Island of the Sea Women. The Lisa See books offer a really interesting insight into 20th century Chinese/American women. Lots of culture & history amongst the great stories.
Sandra's best read of 2020
The girl in the mirror by Rose Carlyle
kept me guessing till the end
2020 best book lists
New Zealand
- Most memorable books of 2020 New Zealand Herald
- Top 100 booklists Auckland Council Libraries
- Our favourite books of 2020 Read NZ Te Pou Muramura
- Press journalist, Philip Matthews tweets his top ten reads of 2020
- WORD Christchurch director, Rachael King, tweets her best reads of 2020.
- Steve Braunias's top ten of the year in novels, non-fiction, and illustrated books (Newsroom)
See also
- Best reads of previous years
- Literary prizes for the award-winning books of the year
International
- Best books of the year 2020 BBC
- Best books of 2020 Book Riot
- Best books of 2020 Goodreads
- Best books of the year 2020 The Guardian
- Best books of 2020 O: The Oprah magazine
- Best books of 2020 Publishers Weekly
- Largehearted Boy's List of online "Best Books of 2020" lists