Our Favorite reads of 2020 . . .

Blair and Endya's favorite books read in 2020. Despite the stress of this year, we read some pretty good books along the way. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
This book pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go! I am still thinking about these characters and how they will be affecting me for years to come. -Endya

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In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
This was one of the best books I’ve read this year, both in terms of content and execution. Machado tells the auto-biographical story of an abusive same-sex relationship, and each chapter tells the story in a different genre. Seeing how the genres lined up with the events of the story was breathtaking. -Endya

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Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
This Bridget Jones’s Diary-esque LGBTQ+ romance follows an astrologer and actuary who pretend to be in love . . . until they’re no longer pretending. It’s equal parts hilarious and romantic. I could not praise it enough. -Blair

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Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump
This book was eye-opening, to say the least. -Endya

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Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
 -Blair

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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
SO SPOOKY! Check out my full review in an earlier blog post.
​-Endya 

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Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
This book made me hurt for teenage years I never had. This is an LGBTQ+ coming of age teenage love story about discovering yourself and loving the people around you. -Blair

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Luster by Raven Leilani
This book was addicting. Check out my full review in an earlier blog post. -Endya

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The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm
by Hilarie Burton Morgan
Hello One Tree Hill fans! Hillarie Burton, known for her character, Peyton Sawyer, gave up the big city for a rural farm with her husband and son. She goes into detail about her deep love for her family and the community they created when she escaped a toxic work environment on a well known teenage drama. -Blair

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What Comes After by Blair Leigh
Ok, I know this was written by my business partner and close friend, but I can’t help that this was one of my favorites to be published this year! This book has such warm and cozy Gilmore Girls vibes, and I can’t help but want to snuggle up with it on a cold night. -Endya

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Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski
This book is required reading for anyone who has a vagina or is interested in vaginas. Nagoski busts every sex myth that Cosmo Magazine taught us in high school. (PS a revised edition is set for publishing in March 2021!) -Blair & Endya

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Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan
This second chance romance between childhood sweethearts follow Kimba, a successful career woman, and Ezra, the man she lost when family secrets boiled over and ruined lifelong friendships. It’s steamy, achingly sweet, and a can’t-sleep-until-I-finish-page-turner. - Blair

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Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Faith and science are two huge eements in this beautiful novel by one of my favorite writers. As neuroscientist, Gifty, tried to find the scientific basis for her brother’s drug addiction and her mother’s severe depression, she finds herself struggling with the evangelical faith she was raised on. This book felt personal to me and it stayed on my mind long after I finished it. -Blair

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A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green
This is the sequel to Green’s debut, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, and it did not disappoint. I loved the first book, but this one brought everything together in such a satisfying ending. Green’s thoughts on modern technology and social media have created a fun and insightful young adult sci-fi journey that I think readers of any age could enjoy. (PS The Audiobook has a full cast!) -Endya

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The Roommate by Rosie Danan
Uptight Clara moves across the country to live with her childhood crush and start a new life. But her childhood crush ditches her last minutes and leaves her with a new roommate—Josh, an adult performer. As they both try to reinvent themselves, they can’t stop their growing attraction. This book was impossible to put down. Sexy, smart, and respectful. -Blair

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 I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde
I don’t usually read many children’s books, but this one absolutely blew me away. With so many books teaching children how to be nicer or smarter or cleaner or more creative, this book’s message is that it is ok to be just you. It is ok to mess up; it is ok to be afraid; it is ok. We are all humans just trying our best. I found it so refreshing, and will be buying it for kids for years to come! -Endya

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Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Wow. This book is a detailed study of a midcentury American family of 12 kids. One by one, half of the children become diagnosed with schizophrenia. This book is nonfiction but the storytelling and character development reads so much like fiction. -Blair

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Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Dani and Zaf go viral when he “saves” her from a fire drill. To direct more media to Zaf’s charity, they keep up the façade that they are madly in love for the public. Of course, it’s a romance, so they also end up madly in love for real. I am so in love with this love story, and I’m not sure any other book will ever live up to this one. Both of these characters are flawed yet absolutely perfect for each other, and I would marry either of them in an instant. -Endya

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How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
This was such an important read for white allies and, honestly, for everyone. This book is not to be read quickly. Read slowly and reflect and contemplate on the actions you’ve taken to combat racism. -Blair

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Follow Blair and Endya on GoodReads to see more of what they are reading. If you’d like to read any of the books we listed and support Beausoleil Books, just click the photos to purchase through the Bookshop.org affiliate program. We are looking forward to a great 2021!

Endya's goodreads

Blair's goodreads