Top 10 Most Talked-About Books of 2020

Many of these books tackle pressing and relevant issues, especially significant in the unusual and challenging year of 2020.

By Ekaterina Pisareva

Editor-in-chief of MyBook, the largest subscription-based book service.

Some of the works in this collection were released in Russia in 2020, such as Marina Stepnova's "The Garden" and Jeanine Cummins' "American Dirt." Others regained relevance, like Yana Wagner's "Vongozero," which explores a terrifying epidemic, or Patricia Duncker's novel "James Miranda Barry," awarded the Yasnaya Polyana Prize for Best Foreign Book of 2020.

1. "Normal People" by Sally Rooney

The most discussed book of the year. Irish author Sally Rooney masterfully portrays millennial characters. Her protagonists, Connell and Marianne, transition from teenagers to young adults, learning to navigate relationships with each other and the world around them. Their love is fraught with unmet expectations, misunderstandings, traumas, and fears. They must overcome personal challenges and embark on a difficult journey into adulthood.

In May, a 12-episode television adaptation of Rooney's novel was released, further fueling reader interest and expanding the audience.

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2. "The Garden" by Marina Stepnova

One of the most anticipated Russian releases. Marina Stepnova, bestselling author of "Lazarus' Women," delivers a universal novel about what it meant to be a woman in the 19th century. Beyond feminist themes, Stepnova explores conscious parenting, selfishness, epidemics, and human behavior in extreme situations. Her heroine, Tusya, is willing to go to great lengths for personal happiness—but will she achieve it?

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3. "American Dirt" by Jeanine Cummins

Jeanine Cummins' novel is considered the most controversial book of the year. Nine publishers competed for the rights to publish it, with an initial print run of 500,000 copies. However, upon release, the book sparked a scandal as Cummins was accused of cultural appropriation. The story centers on Mexican migrants, yet Cummins is not from that background. Critics responded fiercely to the author.

Despite controversy, the novel portrays the oppressed, telling a story of survival and inner strength of a woman who suddenly loses her family. Her love for her sole surviving son drives her to fight for life and seek refuge across the U.S. border.

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4. "Circe" by Madeline Miller

Philologist and Shakespeare scholar Madeline Miller gained fame with her debut novel "The Song of Achilles." Her second work again delves into Antiquity, focusing on heroes known from Greek myths and legends.

This time, Miller tells the story of Circe, a goddess and the unloved child among immortals. What does eternity mean for the rejected? "Circe" offers a fresh perspective on mythology through a feminist lens. Familiar characters appear, from Odysseus to Medea, Minotaur to Prometheus, each with their own path and destiny.

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5. "Vongozero" by Yana Wagner

Yana Wagner's dystopian novel, originally published in 2011, is more relevant than ever. The plot revolves around a deadly unknown virus detected in Moscow, escalating into a terrifying epidemic. Characters face a chance to survive, but can they maintain their humanity under extreme conditions?

In late 2019, the TV series "Epidemic," based on Wagner's book, premiered and in 2020 was released on Netflix, receiving praise from horror master Stephen King.

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6. "If It Bleeds" by Stephen King

Speaking of Stephen King, his collection "If It Bleeds" was released in Russia this year, featuring four novellas: "Mr. Harrigan's Phone," "The Life of Chuck," "Rat," and the title story "If It Bleeds." The stories are unrelated, portraying diverse characters. For instance, Holly Gibney, familiar from "The Outsider" and the "Mr. Mercedes" trilogy, faces danger again in "If It Bleeds." In "Rat," King explores the theme of writing and creative sacrifice—what an author is willing to give up for a masterpiece. Several stories are slated for film adaptations, with directors like Darren Aronofsky and Ben Stiller involved.

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7. "The Invincible Sun" by Viktor Pelevin

Viktor Pelevin is among the few contemporary authors whose books become literary events. His latest novel unfolds both in the present and Antiquity. The protagonist, 30-year-old blonde Sasha, seeks the meaning of life. She must unravel a mystical mystery and save not only herself but the entire world.

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8. "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman

Swedish author Fredrik Backman is renowned worldwide for writing kind and wise books that offer comfort to the desperate. He gives each character a second chance—a fresh start.

"Anxious People" is set the day before New Year's Eve and begins as a detective story. However, the intricate plot is just a cover. Through this tale, Backman conveys that human compassion can save lives. The happy ending is, in fact, a new beginning.

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9. "Serotonin" by Michel Houellebecq

Renowned French author Michel Houellebecq revisits themes of loneliness and loss. His novel "Serotonin" follows 46-year-old Florent-Claude Labrouste, who resigns from the Ministry of Agriculture and loses his zest for life. Reflecting on his past and missed chances for happiness, Houellebecq portrays the protagonist's personal crisis amid the broader crisis of the Western world. Published in 2019, this novel can be seen as a chronicle of global depression, a highly relevant issue in 2020.

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10. "James Miranda Barry" by Patricia Duncker

Patricia Duncker's novel is based on the biography of a real person—a world-renowned doctor. James Miranda Barry was the nephew of famous artist James Barry and the adopted son of General Francisco de Miranda, a Venezuelan independence fighter. Barry had a brilliant career as a military doctor, saving lives and working in British colonies. The twist: after Barry's death, it was revealed that the brilliant doctor was actually a woman.

This is the story of a person who renounced their gender identity for the sake of profession and higher purpose. What was it like for a 19th-century woman to fight for her right to self-realization, and what sacrifices did she make? Duncker's novel was recognized as the best foreign work of 2020 by the Yasnaya Polyana literary award.

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