The 10 Best Books of 2020 - Los Angeles Times

This was supposed to be a banner year for big literary names — an apocalyptic DeLillo, a gossipy Amis, the grand finale of Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy. And yet the brightest, most invigorating work came from outside the aristocracy. Authors from across the spectrum of notoriety and experience turned up with writing that cut particularly deep in this most horribilis of all the anni. Quiet debuts crept out and captured top prizes. Heavy hitters returned after almost a generation away from publishing. Legends in the making pushed themselves into uncharted territory. The lesson here? Trust your gut and not the dazzle of a fancy persona, and you'll be amply rewarded. Or just read this list of the best books of 2020, in alphabetical order.